Ranolazine & Vericiguat (Verquvo) for Heart Failure

I’m new to Mayo and don’t know how to go to those members

@JustinMcClanahan

Thank you!

@JustinMcClanahan
Thank you again! You’re kind.

I have been taking Ranolazine ER 50 mg. twice a day since June 2013. At that time, my cardiologist told me I was his first female patient taking this medication, he still tells me that now... despite having lots of women on this medication & are being maintained successfully. I had a stent placement in my right coronary artery in February 2013 after my stress test was found to be abnormal and resulting cardiac catheterization revealed a 100% blockage in the RCA. Prior to that...starting in September 2012, I was actually having angina episodes, i.e. While walking in the wind, exercising and such episodes lasted only perhaps 10-15 minutes tops. The pain presented only in my jaw and throat. Only one time did the pain wake me from my sleep and was in my left arm/shoulder for about 40 minutes (I didn't call 911, still thinking GI, so I took "tums"...textbook, right?) So from September 2012 to February 2013 I was in complete denial I was having angina. I "thought" I was developing asthma/GERD and while exercising even gave my medical condition (angina) a name "exercised induced GERD". Angina never even crossed my mind. Which was even further compounded by my cardiologist (at the time) who, when I reported my symptoms, gave me a prescription for Nexium! That's how convincing I was - that was the depth of my "denial". I then decided to see my GI doctor and gave him my take on the "pain" I was experiencing, expecting an endoscopy. He listened and then said..."there is no such condition as "exercised induced GERD, you are having angina attacks!" What?? And then instructed me to demand a stress test from my cardiologist. Which I did...and ended up with my stent. I was told "you won't be having angina anymore". But 3 months later I was experiencing the same pain again. I then changed my cardiologist, had another catheterization which showed the stent completely open (no scar tissue (yet)). I was diagnosed with Coronary Microvascular Disease - very common in women but lots of folks never even heard of this cardiac condition. The tiny blood vessels within the heart are "clogged" and are too small to stent but do deprive the heart muscle of oxygen - which leads to pain. Thus my introduction to Ranolazine. It's too long to post how Ranolazine impacts the heart, you can research it. But it has been a life savior for me. After 13 years I rarely have an angina episode anymore (& from the get-go never any side effects). It has worked wonders for me. I am now 71 and will be on this medication the rest of my life. I take 1000 mg. a day. The top dose is 2000 mg. a day. Thankfully I am being maintained on 500 mg. ER x2/day. Cardiovascular-wise I am stable. Now I am dealing with breast cancer. But the denial of heart disease was so very strong in me. And this happens to lots of people (women), who usually present so much different than men with angina. O! Did I leave out I am a retired RN? And still never thought my pain was "cardiac".
I wish you only the best on Ranolazine - a life savior for me and also, my GI physician!
After my cardiac events, I called him and told him he most likely saved my life.
A phone call that made his day 🙂

That’s Amazing and also a Blessing! Thank you, jim

@jimadman55

Yes, thank you!