Angina

[tamirra]

Hi, can a doctor tell if you have angina by listening to your heart with a stethescope, which he said sounded fine, also he listened to the blood flow through the veins in his neck, they also sound good, could he have told by just listening ?Thank you

[Ethel]

Why do you think you have angina? The only way to tell really is by an angiogram.

[tamirra]

Its my father not myself, he is 69 suffers high cholestrol (under control) high blood pressure (usualy under control) but high at the moment, he has been suffering these experiences for years now but infrequently and only on excertion, he dosn`t have pain in his left arm he explains it as numbness and a tight band around his chest and only lasts a few seconds then he is fine again, as explained earlier the doc has listenened to his heart and says its fine also his veins in the neck are good, what do you think, he has up`ed his medecation for blood pressure and has to be seen again in 3 weeks to be checked, other than that he is fine.

[Ethel]

If his GP is happy that it isn't angina, I wouldn't worry about it.

However, your father is entitled to ask for referral to a consultant for an angiogram.

If your father is fretting over it, it may do him good to be able to draw a line under the possibility of angina.

[tamirra]

Ethel do you know much about these medical conditions and if it were you would you believe the gp or not, and would he be able to diagnose angina by just listening?

[gina32]

there are other ways besides an angiogram such as
blood tests, an echocradiogram, electrocardiogram

[Ethel]

He wouldn't have made his conclusion just with the stethoscope though. Your father's symptoms don't sound right for angina.

My father had it, and from the start it was quite alarming, painful and debilitating for at least 30 minutes. I know everyone is different, but your father's GP would be concerned because of his existing medical history and would not dismiss it 'out of hand'.

Is there any chance of you going with your father to his next appointment?

[tamirra]

He is having blood tests next visit, my mother went with him but he told her to stay in the waiting room. What would the blood tests show, can they show if he has angina? im sorry for all the questions but im very worried, i even told him last night that i would take him to A & E but he refused cos the doc told him he "sounds" ok. x

[Ethel]

The blood tests won't show he has angina, but may indicate he could have problems, or indicate something else entirely.

If your father is not panicking, and his doctor is happy, then really it is only you we need to deal with now. :)

Have a bit of faith. Believe me,if your father had the chest pains associated with angina, he would be insisting on help.

Talk to your father. Tell him how worried you are, and ask him to allow you to go and speak to the GP with him, just to put your mind at rest. If he is like most men, he won't mind subjecting his GP to a woman's worries - it saves his own pride. :)

[tamirra]

Ethel so you dont think it is then, sorry to be so blunt but if it was your father would you be satisfied with the docs answer? He wont let me go with him, as in last post he wouldn`t even let my mum in with him. With angina do you get pain in the left arm,or as he says numbness, i think his first attack was around 5+ years ago, would anything more sinister of happened in that time, i think you know what im getting at? xx

[gina32]

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.a spx?articleId=23§ionId=7

maybe this will help

[tamirra]

Thanks for the link gina, it dosn`t say there either about being able to tell if he has angina by listening to the heart and veins through a stethescope.

[Ethel]

Angina can develop in young people, who live to old age. Your father has had his symptoms for five years without it getting worse or leading to heart attack.

I really would trust the doctor in this case. It just doesn't sound like angina.

Don't forget chest pain is a very common symptom of high blood pressure.

[tamirra]

Oh Ethel im losing my mind over this ive never been so worried, but i really hope your right, cos if you are you have got a HUGE thank you coming, also the others that have tried to help. Will keep in touch with you, thank you so much. xxxx

[Ethel]

tamirra, I'm more concerned about your stress levels than your father's chest.

Take care of yourself, and try to stop fretting.

[tamirra]

Thank you ethel i will be ok, will keep in touch and let you know his results. x

[sqad617]

Angina is a symptom, not a disease.
Angina cannot be diagnosed with a stethoscope.
Listening to the neck with a stethoscope evaluates the Carotid Artery, not veins.
Your father's symptoms do suggest angina, bur attacks are fleeting.
Your Dr. seems "on the ball" ...trust him.
It is you who needs help as you are in danger of making things worse.

[tamirra]

Hi, so whats a Carotid Artery, would he be able to tell by a stethoscope if the artery was furred up?

[Ethel]

The carotid artery is a major artery that carries oxygenated blood from the heart.

The doctor can tell a lot by listening to it and feeling it, in particular how efficient the heart is at pumping blood and whether the blood is travelling as it should.

I think you should make an appointment with your own GP so he can allay your fears. You need somebody to talk to.

[tamirra]

So if he has listened and not sent him anywhere to have further tests, then the blood must be pumping ok then, is that right, so the tightness could be due to the blood pressure?

[Ethel]

Yes, that's it.

Your father's GP knows him, has a good understanding of his medical history and knows what is 'normal' for your dad with his health problems.

I am 100% certain that if there was cause for concern, your father's GP would refer him to a consultant or send him for further tests at least.