Hello Heart Sisters! I had an amazing visit with my cardiologist last week, part of our ongoing adventure in figuring out some puzzling ongoing cardiac symptoms. His best guess diagnosis now: microvascular angina! Boy, does that make sense - even though I've read about this here for a long time, I was always focused on other culprits: valve damage, stent failure and other adventures.
But here's the kicker: my doc has prescribed (you need a prescription for this) a TENS machine to address chest pain. If you've been to a physiotherapist, you've probably had little electrode pads applied to injured muscles, sending little electrical impulses to improve blood flow, reduce swelling, speed healing. That's a TENS machine.
There is also a smaller home model available for those with chronic back pain that my doc says is now showing promising early results for relieving symptoms of cardiac patients with microvascular disease.
Can you BELIEVE this?!?!
It's tremendously exciting - not sure if this will do the trick or not, but to think that we may have a safe, non-invasive treatment that we can do at home to control otherwise inexplicable chest pain is unbelieveable!
Has anybody else had a TENS machine recommended by your cardiologist?
XOXOXO
http://www.myheartsisters.org
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Are you using a TENS machine for chest pain?
- By Kennarina
- Posted October 2, 2009 at 12:44 am · 7 replies
- In Advice for other women with heart disease
- Shared with the public
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- By ceebee
- Posted October 2, 2009 at 8:26 am
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that's very interesting. i have a TENS from what i thought was chronic neck and shoulder pain that turned out to be blocked arteries. when i was in physical therapy for that "neck" problem...i loved that feeling from the machine. i'll have to ask my cardiologist about this usage though. kinda cool if it helps.
- By Ecksunbeam
- Posted October 2, 2009 at 8:49 am
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I've heard of it for back pain.
It's use for chest pain should be interesting to know about.
May the Blessings Be!
Sherrie
- By Yatchzee
- Posted October 2, 2009 at 10:50 am
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Hope it works for you. How interesting. Joyce
- By Kennarina
- Posted October 2, 2009 at 11:06 am
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Oh, forgot to mention: a TENS machine should not be used near the heart for people with cardiac arrhythmias!
XOXOXO
http://www.myheartsisters.org
- By kardia
- Posted October 2, 2009 at 11:16 am
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Keep us up to date on this...sounds interesting ...
It would of course be deadly to me with a pacemaker/defib, but sounds heavenly for my neck.
I hope it works out for you, such a simple solution.
I have only heard that home use if TENS machines should stick closely to the directions, because over stimulation can cause problems you don't need. That is the extent of my TENS knowledge...
Best...thanks for sharing the info.
kardia
www.kardianotes.blogspot.com
- By careh
- Posted October 2, 2009 at 9:36 pm
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How cool! My problem is that I have angina and severe electrical issues so it may not be an option for me. Thank's for the info though!
(Another) Carolyn
- By Chrissy_l
- Posted October 6, 2009 at 11:21 am
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That sounds so good i wish i could use it but the prinzmetals has caused eltricsl problems such as af and vt so i guess i wont be allowed to use it, but i do hope it works for others
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