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Want to connect with people who have Coronary Microvascular Disease (MVD)
Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (33)Comment receiving replies
It looks like this thread is very old, but I’m interested in how this is affecting others.
I’m 74, and I’ve been told I “probably” have Small Vessel Disease. It was by process of elimination. I had a stress test that indicated a blockage, but the follow-up angiogram of my arteries showed they were only 30% blocked. Thus the diagnosis. In researching online, it seems like SVD was only discovered fairly recently and there are a lot of various names for the same condition, including MVD. Not only that, but doctors differ widely in their knowledge about it and the impacts it can have.
My symptoms are angina, shortness of breath, and fatigue with exertion or stress. I take a beta blocker & a statin. I’ve also have mild depression, so also take meds for that. I’m sure the meds contribute to my general lack energy. I still go for daily walks, aiming for 1-2 miles, and eat a vegan diet.
I can’t tolerate nitroglycerin because it gives me migraines.
Anyone out there want to share experiences with this?
Replies to "It looks like this thread is very old, but I’m interested in how this is affecting..."
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@susanejw
Hi, So glad I found your post. I am a 76 year old woman and seem to have similar symptoms. My cardiologist recently “suspects” I may have micro vascular disease.
It all started 5 or 6 years ago with the PCP at my annual checkup hearing a heart murmur. Referral to cardiologist and echo showed mild/moderate mitral, tricuspid and slight pulmonary valve stenosis and regurgitation. Cardiac Cat Scan showed no blockages with 0 calcium score. Cardiologist felt I was de conditioned and I started walking on the treadmill 30 minutes x 4/5 days per week improving vascular health for a while. Some setbacks in exercise due to flare ups of non cardiac/chronic but painful conditions.
On treadmill started to develop chest pain R side which cardiologist thought ulcer/gastrointestinal. Advised to stop treadmill when experiencing chest pain. Time walking, speed and use became much reduced as a result of the pain.
Consult with gastroenterologist was not GI but anxiety. Finally got scheduled for upper endoscopy and GI was r/o. Tried treadmill again but with exertion pain sooner, lasting increasingly longer and SOB sooner. Thought Angina but didn’t make sense to me since no artery blockages. It seems with stress or feeling reactive emotionally or anxious (usually health related ) long lasting chest pain. Also definitely more fatigued but thought lack of sleep.
In a nutshell how the “probable” MVD affects you sounds just like me!
Cardiologist prescribed propranolol ER (a beta blocker) but reluctant to take it as my heart rate is relatively low and blood pressure with the exception of white coat syndrome in normal range with diastolic sometimes low.
You’re right newly recognized and not much research to go by. If you don’t mind, may I ask what is your experience with taking a beta blocker?