Podcast sur le cœur du monde

Lire l'épisode

Maria George

Patient vivant avec un spasme de l'artère coronaire, un dysfonctionnement microvasculaire et de l'angine de poitrine.

Chandrima Ghosh

Patient diagnostiqué avec une angine spastique et des complications du rythme cardiaque

In this episode of the Global Heart Podcast, hosts Shreya Shrikhande and Sean Taylor speak with Maria George and Chandrima Ghosh, two patients living with non-obstructive coronary artery disease, including coronary artery spasm and microvascular angina. They share their powerful personal journeys through years of unexplained symptoms, repeated emergency visits, and delayed diagnoses—illustrating how these under-recognized forms of angina are often misunderstood or dismissed.

The conversation highlights the daily realities of managing chronic angina: identifying and avoiding triggers, coping with the emotional and social impact, navigating inconsistent clinical understanding, and relying on peer communities for support. Their stories underscore the urgent need for greater awareness, improved diagnostic pathways, and stronger recognition of non-obstructive coronary artery disease across healthcare systems.

Télécharger l'épisode

Suivez notre podcast

Apple Podcasts


Spotify


Deezer


Amazon Music


Index des podcasts


Casquettes de poche

Principaux enseignements :

The Invisible Face of Angina:
Angina symptoms are often misunderstood—especially in women and younger patients. Far from the classic “chest-clutching” stereotype, symptoms can include jaw, back, arm, or neck pain, fatigue, and sudden weakness. These non-typical presentations frequently lead to misdiagnosis or dismissal.

A Long Road to Diagnosis:
Both patients experienced significant delays—ranging from months to years—before being correctly diagnosed. Inadequate understanding among clinicians, lack of appropriate testing for non-obstructive coronary conditions, and repeated emergency visits with no resolution were common.

Living with Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease:
Conditions like coronary artery spasm and microvascular angina are under-recognized forms of heart disease. Despite normal angiograms, these patients suffer from recurring and debilitating chest pain, fatigue, and fainting episodes. Correct diagnosis often requires persistence, research, and specialist referral.

Beyond Medication—Managing Triggers and Loss:
There is no “cure” for this type of angina—only ongoing management. Patients must adapt their lives around triggers like stress, cold, or even emotional excitement. Many report a profound impact on their independence, social life, and mental health, describing the experience as “grieving the life you expected to have.”

Mental Health and Support Matter:
Anxiety, PTSD, and social isolation are common consequences of living with chronic angina. Patients emphasized the importance of peer support groups and online communities for both emotional resilience and practical advice—validating the lived experience of what is often an invisible disease.

Appel à l'action :

• Clinique : Améliorer la sensibilisation et la formation à la maladie coronarienne non obstructive parmi les médecins généralistes, le personnel des urgences et les cardiologues.
• Santé publique : Promouvoir une éducation sur les maladies cardiaques qui tienne compte des spécificités de chaque sexe et de la diversité des symptômes, afin de réduire le sous-diagnostic chez les femmes et les jeunes.
• Policy: Integrate non-obstructive angina into cardiovascular guidelines, ensuring access to specialized diagnostics, treatment, and tailored rehabilitation programs.

Rester informé

Pour en savoir plus sur l'angine de poitrine et d'autres affections cardiovasculaires méconnues, consultez le site de la Fédération mondiale du cœur.

Subscribe to the Global Heart Podcast for firsthand stories and expert insights.