Living with Angina

Starting in the early 90’s (in my 50’s)I became aware that I was uncomfortable at times of anxiety A contentious subject at a Council meeting made me ‘dry up’ and withdraw ASAP; An argument with another driver left me ‘frozen’ in the car; family discipline needs ( I had a wayward teenage son) left me fuming but unable to cope, suffering inadequate logic and forethought.
Needless to say I tended to put all this down to my emotional or mental limitations rather than any physical condition. Whilst i can’t now, swear to any pain, the tightness of the chest and the shallow breathing that arose were a part of such events.

Within a month or two ( the above had been apparent for at least 3 years and i had given up Parish Council work etc. whilst remaining Self Employed property and Furnishings renovator)I began to feel pressure in the chest on rising and occasionally waking during the night with chest pain This shortly led to a Doctor and ambulance call one night when the pain wouldn’t subside and within 14 days I’d had Angiograms and a Triple Bypass.

Yes , I do have occasional exertion problems but this submission is to indicate that at the beginning and even now, my major problems have been associated with simple anxiety I have never shown any limitations on formal ‘exercise tests’ so even the Bypass and recent Stents still left me needing regular medication with GTN etc.and avoiding confrontational issues.
My Doctor advises that the chemicals released by the brain at stressful times are a long way from being fully understood and that seemingly, one of these sends my heart tributaties or muscles into a freezelike situation.

I well remember the worst events when waking from fearful dreams ( though whether the dream or the angina came first, I’ll never know ! And the attitude of a Nursing Sister whos non-acceptance of my condition led to my anger, collapse and transfer to the Bypass hospital theatre !

I have not come accross a similar group of prevailing symptons but I am told it is not rare.
I play Golf regularly, attend a Heart Support Exercise group weekly and have a substantial social whirl so I remain eternally grateful to the NHS for its continueing support.