h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

So, 3½ years on from my angioplasty and so far so good. Except this morning I had an angina attack that took me completely unawares, I felt dizzy, light-headed and just made it to my bedroom in time to collapse on my bed until the nausea passed. Good job it's not a day I spend with my Mum, she goes to the day centre on Wednesdays. Recovered enough to phone my GP receptionist, no routine appointments until April I'm afraid, I told her I'd had an angina attack and no current Nitromin spray, only an old, out-of-date one, and she said phone back at 2pm but there are only limited emergency appointments

My sister wants me to go to A & E for an angiogram, that's not how it works though is it? Been there, done that, been at the bottom of a very long waiting list.

I don't think Nitromin gets too old, but if it has not been used for a while you should spray it once into the air before using it

Seeing your about it is a good idea since it's been so long since your last attack

The spray has taken away the chest pain, I still feel light-headed though

I've had a full-strength aspirin with a yogurt drink, I don't feel hungry but might have a light lunch of beans on toast before I ring the back. I'll keep you posted

Not putting anything on Facebook as I don't want my family worrying over what may be nothing

I'm glad the chest pain has gone at least

I can't offer any advice, GB, as I've never had angina, but you have my sympathy.

My sympathy, too. Take it easy. (Easier said than done, I know)

Hang in there sweetie. I hope you can get what you need from the NHS quickly. I'll be praying for you.

Thank you everyone

I had my light lunch then rang the surgery back at 1.55pm. Spoke to a different receptionist who told me to go to A & E immediately. I rang a taxi and presented myself at the desk. I'd only been sat down 5 minutes when they must have thought it was so serious that I was the second person called for and a woman opposite me kicked off because I had only just got there and she'd been waiting hours! But there is a notice saying that people are seen on seriousness of condition, not arrival time, so I didn't feel guilty. I had my obs taken, blood, blood pressure, temperature, ECG, and then a chest x-ray ordered. The notes said possible heart failure. I texted my sister and she got permission to come to me from work and she went with me for the x-ray and then when I was discharged she brought me home. Now enjoying a very pleasant

from me too

"had my light lunch" there's the problem your not crushing the glass into small enough pieces


seriously though!my dad had it bad, so I know what you are going through love, bear with it best you can and play hell with doc's over April set up

BST suffers very badly with it also

I'd also give the diet a close looking over for sources of sodium with a view to eliminating, even sodum bicarbonate based baking powder.

I personally use Rumfoord's baking powder for a sodium free alternative.

Sodium bicarbonate is more frequently implicated in heart trouble than common table salt.




I wish you the best on your medical work.

I'm glad you got into it promptly.




On blood thînning agents other than aspirin, vinegar is an excellent one.

Hoping its not as serious as it might have seemed or felt... being ill ain't much fun

A traditional blood thinning beverage, a single whole clove boiled in a quart of water, a single drop of vinegar added after its taken off the stove, sweeten to taste.

Francis Marion, the legendary 'Swamp Fox', an American guerilla commander of the War of Independance, used that against the summer heat in the New Jersey pine barrens.

You can chew the boiled clove for dessert.

I've also used vinegar as an alternative to lemon for tea, dipping the stirring spoon in the vinegar before stirring the tea, or adding it with an eye dropper.

Takes a little practice to get the trick right.

Vinegar is also traditional with the Pennsylvania Dutch for a summer time blood thinner.

and hope your feeling better

Being whizzed through A&E is great but must have been a bit scary. I'm glad your sister could be there for you. Hope you're feeling much better today.

Deb

Thanks for all the tips and hugs and good wishes peeps

I'm fine today although ordered to rest I still went to Mum's (in a taxi paid for by Mum) as I had already cancelled the lunch carers this week but didn't overdo it, no housework.

Now relaxing with (containing milk, I hasten to add) and I will give the diet a once-over, I never add salt to anything I'm having but I know all about the added stuff

Probably needless to add, avoiding saturated fats is all important.

My poor old Mom in her last days suffered immediate loss of mental acuity and increase of dementia whenever she got anything with saturated fats in it, I've never seen a more dramatic illustration of the link between heart disease and saturated fats.

Had to move her over to canola oil.

Olive oil and soybean oîl are also good choices.




I cook exclusively with olive oil, use about 1/2 gallon a year.

There's something about it that makes one measure it out by the drop.

I have an urgent outpatient appointment at the cardiology department at my local hospital on Friday morning. My sister is coming to pick me up, take me there then we're both going to Mum's house afterwards.

As a precaution I'll be giving Mum her bath on Thursday this week (it's normally Friday morning) so she doesn't miss out