Ms. Case Study-Angina

Ms. Case Study-Angina is a 64-year-old female that recently retired from providing pastoral care at a local college. She has a past history of endometriosis, Ménière disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), asthma, hyperlipidemia, osteoporosis, and metabolic syndrome. For many months, she has been experiencing exertional subscapular pain. Additionally, she frequently experiences chest pain which, at a minimum, is partially related to GERD. Unlike the subscapular pain, the chest pain is more random, occurring both while at rest and with exertion. She underwent nuclear imaging testing that was positive for electrocardiogram (ECG) changes that occurred with chest and subscapular pain. Ms. Case Study-Angina had a heart catheterization which revealed a 50% obstruction of the left anterior descending artery and a 90% obstruction of a small right coronary artery, neither of which was amenable to intervention. Thus, she is being treated for her GERD, cardiovascular disease, and angina pectoris medically with the following regimen: aspirin, isosorbide mononitrate, 30 mg; extended-release metoprolol, 25 mg; atorvastatin, 40 mg; and omeprazole, 40 mg.

Ms. Case Study-Angina reports to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) for her baseline exercise tolerance test and consult with a preventive cardiologist 28 days after her catheterization. Her cardiac risk factor history includes a positive family history for premature coronary artery disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance. She reports that she continues to have moderate threshold exertional angina which always resolved with rest. In particular, she reported experiencing subscapular pain when exerting in the cold weather. She claims that her symptoms are slightly but not substantially better since starting with isosorbide mononitrate and β-blocker therapy.

An exercise tolerance test was performed, and she exercised for 6.5 minutes of a standard Bruce protocol. Ms. Case Study-Angina first reported subscapular pain at about 5 minutes into the test and at a heart rate (HR) of 114 bpm. At peak exercise, she reported 2 out of 4 angina pain with ECG changes of 1- to 2-mm ST depression. Her peak HR and volume of oxygen consumed per unit time (O₂) were 124 bpm and 17.5 mL O₂ ∙ kg⁻¹ ∙ min⁻¹, respectively. Her respiratory exchange ratio was 1.02, which would suggest that the test was physiologically not maximal. Her peak O₂ measures would place her at about 20% above age- and gender-matched females entering CR with a similar diagnosis (1). On the other hand, her fitness measures would place her at about the 25th percentile of otherwise healthy women of a similar age (11). Currently, her body mass index (BMI) is 27, which would categorize her as overweight. Other baseline values include the following:

  Waist circumference = 94 cm (37 in)

  Resting ECG: HR is normal sinus rhythm = 68 bpm

  Resting blood pressure (BP): 144/80 mm Hg

  Blood test

  Total cholesterol = 124 mg ∙ dL⁻¹

  Triglyceride = 59 mg ∙ dL⁻¹

  High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol = 54 mg ∙ dL⁻¹

  Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol = 58 mg ∙ dL⁻¹

  Glycolated hemoglobin (HbA1C) = 5.9

Based on the results of the stress test, a short-term goal for CR was established that the exercise program would include treadmill walking, rowing and cycle ergometry, and strength training (Table 10.1). Additionally, given that her recent HbA1C level was elevated at 5.9, the importance of weight loss was emphasized. A mutually agreed on goal of 2.5–5 kg (5.5–11 lb) weight loss was established.

A target HR of 104 bpm for aerobic training was established based on the guidelines that recommend that patients with angina exercise at an HR of at least 10 bpm below their angina threshold (3). At the first session of CR, Ms. Case Study-Angina walked on the treadmill for 15 minutes at a speed of 2.0 mph, 1% grade.

The speed and grade was selected based on the patient reporting that it was “moderate” (rating of perceived exertion [RPE] = 12) intensity. At the end of the 15 minutes, her HR was 98, and she reported 2 out of 4 subscapular pain and 2 out of 4 chest angina pain, both of which subsided with the cessation of walking. She also exercised for 5 minutes each on the rower and cycle ergometer, experiencing no discomfort. By session 6, she had increased the duration on the treadmill, cycle, and rower to 22, 7, and 9 minutes, respectively. She continued to experience angina each time she walked on the treadmill.

At session 6, the following resistance training exercises were introduced: arm curl, overhead press, triceps extension, bench press, lateral pull-down, leg extension and press, and hamstring curl. The weight for each of the exercises was selected using a conservative approach and done so while directly observing the patient performing the exercise. Proper technique was emphasized, and the initial weight for the various exercises was determined by selecting a resistance that patient perceived to be “light.” The patient was instructed to exhale during the concentric phase of the exercise and to inhale during the eccentric phase. The goal is to gradually titrate the weight upward so that, eventually, the 10th repetition of a particular set is considered to be “heavy” or “hard” (10).

At session 7, an extended warm-up on the treadmill was attempted. Ms. Case Study-Angina started at 1.5 mph for 5 minutes, and then the speed was increased to 2 mph and the grade was elevated to 1% gradually over the next 5 minutes. She denied any angina despite walking on the treadmill for a total of 25 minutes. By session 12, she had increased the total duration of exercise to 46 minutes, with 30 minutes spent on the treadmill and 8 minutes on both the cycle and rowing ergometers. At session 12, however, she reported 2 out of 4 angina on the treadmill despite the extended warm-up. Starting with session 13, she began to take nitroglycerin about 15 minutes before commencing with her exercise session. Ms. Case Study-Angina took sublingual nitroglycerin while resting in a chair in an attempt to cause vasodilatation of the coronary arteries before beginning exercise. Prior to getting on the treadmill, her BP was rechecked to make sure that it was not too low. Her BP decreased from an entry value of 120/84 to 108/74 mm Hg. She denied any significant symptoms, but she experienced a low-level headache for a few minutes after taking the nitroglycerin. She was able to complete her exercise session without experiencing any angina.

By session 18, she was able to walk for 30 minutes at a speed and grade of 2.3 mph at a 2.5% grade. However, Ms. Case Study-Angina had complaints of experiencing frequent subscapular pain while doing activities of daily living (ADL), in particular walking in the cold and carrying laundry upstairs. Entry BP readings upon arrival at CR have been normal to slightly elevated. In an attempt to remedy her predictably occurring angina, her cardiologist increased her dose of isosorbide mononitrate from 30 to 60 mg.

The first 2 sessions (sessions 19 and 20) after the increase in isosorbide mononitrate, the practice of taking the sublingual nitroglycerin prior to the exercise session was discontinued. In both of these sessions, angina came on at a much lower speed and grade. At session 21, the practice of administering the nitroglycerin 15 minutes prior to beginning the exercise session was reestablished. By session 27, she was able to exercise for a total of 50 minutes of exercise. Her speed and grade on the treadmill was increased to 2.3 mph and 2.5%, respectively.

Prior to session 28, Ms. Case Study-Angina consulted with her cardiologist. Persistent angina pain while doing everyday activities and exercise precipitated a change from isosorbide mononitrate to ranolazine 500 mg, another type of antianginal medication. As was the case when the dose of isosorbide mononitrate was increased, the practice of administering the sublingual nitroglycerin prior to exercise was eventually discontinued. She was able to exercise at her previous intensity with only minimal symptoms. After completing 36 sessions of CR, Ms. Case Study-Angina went through a post-program evaluation that included an exercise tolerance test and blood work. Her pre- and post-program values are included in Table 10.2.

On her exit stress test, she was able to increase the exercise duration from 6:30 to 8:45 minutes. Her stress test was stopped due to dyspnea. She experience no scapular angina pain but did have 1/10 chest pressure. Her aerobic fitness improved by 7%. Her peak HR on the exit test was 133 bpm with 1-mm ST-segment depression in leads V₂ through V₄. Consequently, she was able to work to a higher peak HR on her exit test than at entry (133 vs. 114 bpm) while experiencing fewer anginal symptoms.