My husband has had by-pass surgery involving three vessels. At three different times he has had stents put in. Three months ago when he went in for a check-up he was told that his heart was getting weaker. He has had some angina all along during the day, but for the past month he has been having angina at night, that would wake him up. It has been very severe in pain, but usually one or two nitrostats will stop it. It usually occurs from three to four times a week. This week it has been three straight nights. He said that the doctor told him that if the pain was stopped with the nitrostats, it was no need to call him, but this angina is occuring at night. From all that I have read, this is a very dangerous situation. What can I expect will happen and how do I get him to understand that this is serious. Thanks for your help.
We really can't advise you on this forum, but from personal experience (father) you really, really, really should discuss this situation with your husbands' doctor or cardiac care team.
When it happens again,I'd ring the coronary ward at the hospital for advice.I had a similar problem before my by-pass op seven years ago. Unstable angina is the worst type,and I was told by the ward staff not to hesitate and ring them if there are any problems. One night I did just that and was admitted straight away and got the help that I needed.
Good luck.