Re: What is unstable angina?

On Jul 30, 1:44 pm, tonyzs...@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
On 28 Jul, 17:38, MarilynMann <ma...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:





On Jul 28, 12:35 pm, tonyzs...@xxxxxxxxx wrote:

I have looked at the Medline definitions for stable andunstable
angine, together with references in this group. I don't have any
problem in understanding that stableanginais characterised by chest
pain associated with physical activity, and that it is caused by an
insufficient blood supply to the heart. Neither do I have difficulty
in appreciating that it is due to a narrowing of the coronary
arteries, and possibly the presence of plaques.

Where I do have difficulty is in understanding the distinction between
stable andunstableangine. So far as I can make out it seems to be
the nature of the chest pain that makes the crucial difference ie
withunstableangine the pain can occur during periods of rest and is
not associated with physical activity.

I have raised this question before in connection with bypass surgery.
I had a double bypass just over a year ago following the discovery of
calcified plaques in the coronaries. My level of discomfort has
always been low both before and after the operation. I Know several
people who have been diagnosed as having stableanginabut whose pain
level is quite severe, certainly in comparison with my own. I also
feel that my level of fitness is greater than theirs. Can it really be
that I am more prone to a sudden heart attack than they are? I may be
grasping at straws but I should like to think that I am in the stable
category rather than facing the prospect of being 'unstable'. How can
I settle this matter? Any advice or comments would be most welcome.

Tony, england.

Point of clarification: has your doctor told you that you haveunstableangina?

Marilyn- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Yes. That description was on one of the documents is had sight of
after my bypass operation just over a year ago. It took some time to
come to terms with the definitions I unearthed on the net, and
unnerved me. Hence my question. I have not had a heart attack and
have not felt close to one..I refuse to believe, with such mild
symptoms that I should consider myself at death's door, or, at least
close to a heart attack. Maybe I am a sublime optimist in putting the
diagnosis into question. I should like to explore ways in which this
diagnosis could be wrong. If the marker for angina is an insufficient
supply to the heart muscle, then I don't think I have it (despite two
coronary plaques, both of which are bypassed.) But how can I nail it?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Are you sure the unstable angina didn't occur *before* your bypass?
In other words, is your doctor saying you have unstable angina *now*
or that you had it before the bypass?

I think you need to get with your doctor and get him/her to explain to
you better what's going on and what your prognosis is.

Marilyn

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: What is unstable angina?
    ... problem in understanding that stableanginais characterised by chest ... the nature of the chest pain that makes the crucial difference ie ... that I am more prone to a sudden heart attack than they are? ...
    (sci.med.cardiology)
  • Re: What is unstable angina?
    ... problem in understanding that stableanginais characterised by chest ... the nature of the chest pain that makes the crucial difference ie ... that I am more prone to a sudden heart attack than they are? ...
    (sci.med.cardiology)
  • Re: What is unstable angina?
    ... problem in understanding that stableanginais characterised by chest ... the nature of the chest pain that makes the crucial difference ie ... that I am more prone to a sudden heart attack than they are? ...
    (sci.med.cardiology)
  • Re: What is unstable angina?
    ... problem in understanding that stableanginais characterised by chest ... the nature of the chest pain that makes the crucial difference ie ... that I am more prone to a sudden heart attack than they are? ...
    (sci.med.cardiology)
  • Re: What is unstable angina?
    ... problem in understanding that stableanginais characterised by chest ... the nature of the chest pain that makes the crucial difference ie ... after my bypass operation just over a year ago. ...
    (sci.med.cardiology)