Cardiac Syndrome X ?

[Teri16]

I found an interesting bit of info today and thought I'd like to share it with you.  It talks about Angina and Cardiac Syndrome X...Let me know if you enjoy info like this! Teri

[Stardreamer]

GREAT JOB TERI!    Keep up the good work!

[Teri16]

Hey everyone!

[Teri16]

Since I suffer from small vessel disease, otherwise known as microvascular disease, otherwise known as Syndrome X...   I've decided to add a bit more here for others that may have this syndrome, especially women, which it seems it may be more common with...Teri :)

"Coronary syndrome X, or microvascular disease, is characterized by chest pain or ischemia without evidence of blockage in the large coronary arteries. Women are at higher risk than men for this condition. Syndrome X may be caused by the small blood vessels in the heart inadequately dilating. Postmenopausal women and women who have had surgical menopause are at risk for experiencing symptoms of syndrome X because their declining estrogen levels may have an impact on the small blood vessels in their hearts.

Because this condition is a small vessel disease, it can't be seen on an angiogram (an x-ray with dye that identifies blockages in the blood vessels). Special imaging tests, such as PET scanning or MRI, may help with the diagnosis in the future. Today, however, syndrome X is usually a diagnosis of exclusion—meaning that you may be diagnosed with this condition after having tests performed that don't identify any other causes of the chest pain. Many women who experience syndrome X have no risk factors and are otherwise healthy.

Medications commonly used to treat heart conditions may help to relieve pain caused by Syndrome X. The prognosis is generally excellent, but the symptoms can be debilitating."

[Stardreamer]

HeyTeri  I do believe I read rom one of my many dischage summaries thatmy cardio said I had Cardiac Syndrome --do youthink that is the same? 

[Teri16]

Absolutely, Star!

[Teri16]

I wanted to bump this one up for a member to view...Hugs, Teri :)

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"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas

[heartangel]

we need to kepthis one up top I know I have some small vessels blocked on top of my heart they told me last year during allmy cardio tests.

Heidi

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 Heidi

Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle

Plato

 

 

 

Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings

have trouble remembering to fly.

 

Mighty hands are guiding me to protect me

from what I cannot see

 

I am a SURVIVOR :)

[Texrose]

Hi Teri ald all.

[Teri16]

Hmmmm, I'll have to ask my Cardio Dr. re this TexRose, as he just mentioned this to me about month or so ago...I've talked to people who've had this procedure done and the ones that I spoke to had pretty good success with it.  Though he's never brought it up again. :)

[Texrose]

 I am willing to try anything at this point.  I asked about Gene therapy and doc said they were doing this at St. Luke's with only so so results.  He does not think it will be perfected in my lifetime....

Hubby bought me a GM SUV just so I could have Onstar in it...Only GM cars have this.  That last episode of A-FIB scard the living *&%^$%^$* out of me.  Next time...(AND I hope there will never be a next time) may have to have a pace maker...I am following right in my Mother's footsteps but 10 years sooner.

[Teri16]

TexStar, A-Fib is definitely not to be fooled with!  I'm sure you've probably already researched this?  If not, I'll be happy to point out some good sites.  I was told I had A-Fib and now they say no-same Dr.'s, too. :)  Perhaps they occurred from the bypass and now have settled down...

[Stardreamer]

Miss Teri my cardio told me I was NOT a candidate for EECP, I had only asked him because one of the cardio's that was on call for him said he thought I should talk to him about it-

[Teri16]

Perhaps, because this is sort of a last resort? I don't know...maybe they feel you can still be helped by other means. I hope this is the case, Star!! Hugs, Teri xoxoxo :)

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"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas

[Famulus]

Interesting. I tested clear on the nuclear stress test, but I have had significantly more angina and arrhythmias since arriving at menopause in early '05. Otherwise, I have a free pass on menopause symptoms (((none))) .....but then, I'd probably trade those for these. Oh well.

Rose, I still wonder if your A-fibs weren't the result of the drugs? Is the jury still out? I would try to avoid a pacemaker for as long as possible. Teri, haven't they been shown to cause or at least contribute to heart failure? I thought I saw some articles on that not too long ago.

[Teri16]

Re pacemakers - most of them are very beneficial and they've even come out with ones that actually help people with severe heart failure and help their hearts beat more efficiently.  We have a gentleman that sometimes visits us here that has one, and has noticed some improvement in his life.

[nursenine]

Teri I have recently been diagnosed with Cardiac X syndrome. We are still in the process of finding out what meds will work. I am beginning to get alittle discouraged, one day I will feel fine and the next I am having the pain and shortness of breath and unable to do too much.  I have all the classic test results, abnormal EKG, abnormal cardiolyte stress test and normal cardiac cath.  My question is this: Do you know of an online support group that addresses this syndrome? Thanks!

[Teri16]

Hi Vickie and Welcome to HealingWell!!

[nursenine]

Thanks for answering so quickly!
I have been feeling really bad for the past 3 days. I have been taking the NTG SL when it gets really bad. And I have been told to rest, lie down, ect.
They also have me taking Verlan PM. ( A calcuim channel blocker). I seem to feel good one day then bad for 3 or 4 days. I go back to the Doc on Friday, so hopefully we can try something else. Nitro does help me, so perhaps something continuous would be better.

Am I always going to be limited in my activities because of this?

It sounds like you have had a very difficult time. My internist is the one who has suggested this diagnosis. once the cardiologist that did my cath found out the the large vessels were clear, didn't have any suggestion except that I was having spasms of my esphagus.

[Teri16]

The calcium channel blocker actually helps aid with the angina, by widening the ateries as well.  Yes, I would strongly suggest asking about something more continuous, other SL Nitro if you are being bothered by this so much.  Though as my Dr. has warned me, your body builds up a tolerance for these med.s after awhile as well.  Imdur seems to be a med. that some people take?-you may want to ask about that.  All of this depends on your Blood Pressure and if you have a tendency for it to be real low.  Mine is, so that limits what I can take.