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Want to connect with people who have Coronary Microvascular Disease (MVD)
Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: 3 days ago | Replies (33)Comment receiving replies
@dougajoi
Yes, I have memory issues also. I had a bad concussion in 2019 and have not been the same since. It kicked off awful migraines which I still have to this day. My brain MRI/CT scans are also showing white matter, apparently called, "hyperintensities ", in the brain, also noting "small vessel disease" on the MRI report. Not too many brain hyperintensities according to my neurologist also..."nothing to worry about at this point". Certainly my traumatic brain injury in 2019 had lots to do with this. The brain and heart are connected for sure. I am not a cardiologist/neurologist but it makes sense to me - if the heart is abnormal, meaning lacking blood supply - it has to affect the blood supply to the brain. Which, in my humble opinion, sets up the brain not operating at full capacity, i.e. forgetfulness being one symptom.
I also have a stent placed in 2013 which all started my MVD journey when my periodic episodes of angina were not resolved post stent. Further coronary catheterizations also revealed the stented artery was open (however now at 50% stenosed) yet I was still having jaw and throat angina. Thus, Ranexa prescribed in 2013 that helped tremendously to relieve this angina pain and I am still on it 13 years later...I am 71. Add fuel to my fire, last year diagnosed with breast cancer, bilateral mastectomy done and the medication I am taking for cancer has a ton of side effects also which includes cardiovascular/neurological S/E's.
My EF is always normal...but this MVD is worrisome as the heart can go into failure with a normal EF! So we must keep on top of everything!
Sure, we can remain as a mini support group and even go into a private chat which is easily doable. The so called "golden years" are necessarily not so golden - but we must make do the very best we can!
Replies to "@dougajoi Yes, I have memory issues also. I had a bad concussion in 2019 and have..."
@briarrose Continued.
My hx has some similarities with you. Head injury. In 1994 I was a passanger in a MVA broadsided on the passengers side. I rendered unconscious and removed wth the jaws of life from a crushed seat. Was in the hospital with six broken ribs and internal bleeding. I am fortunate the bleeding stopped on its own and did not need surgery. I woke briefly in the ambulance and then later at the hospital. Many years later I also suffered from migraines. Neurologist mentioned MRI was showing white matter but didn’t go into it and told me not to worry about it. I guess I was so relieved not to have a brain tumor I went with what he said and didn’t question further. That was many years ago.
I too have ramifications from this accident. Mainly chronic bouts of pain. I attribute the development of back and neck issues to the MVA. MRI about 15 years ago showed all discs bulging in neck as well as multiple back problem issues. Not to mention osteoporosis to put some icing on the cake.
A few years later diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy which gradually has gotten worse as the years progress.
I don’t want to forget mentioning the chronic venous insufficiency too. And the hemorrhoids. And the Lichen sclerosis (gynecological) while down at those parts. Then back up to the chronic tooth pain a whole other saga I won’t bore you with.
Do you have any difficulty with insomnia? I fall asleep most nights but awaken anywhere from 2 to 4 hours later to go to the bathroom and that is the end of my sleep.
With all these chronic problems I agree the MVD is the most worrisome and for the reasons you said.
The private chat also sounds good. So far it seems there are three of us but who knows perhaps others with MVD will see this and also seek support.
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@briarrose
I am so sorry to learn of your recent hx of breast cancer/bilateral mastectomy. I hope the medications are at least putting you in remission.
Some of us enjoy that bit of gold in the golden years and for others it’s tarnished. I have friends even older than that myself at 76 that enjoy ongoing good health and a pain free life. There doesn’t seems to be any secret formula aside from trying to maintain a reasonably healthy lifestyle and just plain good luck seems a largely contributing factor.