Discussion
I'm starting this with a new title, following on from the 'what have I got' which is a bit ambiguous.
BNP of 246 and echocardiagram the left ventricle ejection of 27%.
GP has referred me to the cardiology team, but longish lead times, he was talking several months.
I'm keen to progress this so happy to self fund. Once I've seen a cardiologist and arrived at formal diagnosis/treatment plan will I be able to revert to the NHS for treatment?
BNP of 246 and echocardiagram the left ventricle ejection of 27%.
GP has referred me to the cardiology team, but longish lead times, he was talking several months.
I'm keen to progress this so happy to self fund. Once I've seen a cardiologist and arrived at formal diagnosis/treatment plan will I be able to revert to the NHS for treatment?
colin_p said:
First of all, try not to worry, easier said than done.
The quacks will probably start you off on medication and re-asses after a while.
If the drugs are not effective enough, then expect them to offer you a pacemaker.
And then you can join those of us who are part man, part machine. I've got an ICD which is one up from a pacemaker, but still paces if needs be. I've had it since 2013 (implanted at age 42) and it has been a lifesaver. I believe it has got about 18 months battery left on it. I continue to take lots of heart drugs. The best thing I've found is keeping as active as possible, as difficult as that can be. I walk and e-bike to get my fill, no need to go mad. Try not to wallow on the sofa, obviously check with the quacks first!
Has your cardiologist offered any clues on what the next step is? How far along are you in the process, do you have a cardiologist yet?
Thx, no cardiologist yet. GP says NHS has a couple of months wait, thinking of self funding a private consultation, just to get things moving.The quacks will probably start you off on medication and re-asses after a while.
If the drugs are not effective enough, then expect them to offer you a pacemaker.
And then you can join those of us who are part man, part machine. I've got an ICD which is one up from a pacemaker, but still paces if needs be. I've had it since 2013 (implanted at age 42) and it has been a lifesaver. I believe it has got about 18 months battery left on it. I continue to take lots of heart drugs. The best thing I've found is keeping as active as possible, as difficult as that can be. I walk and e-bike to get my fill, no need to go mad. Try not to wallow on the sofa, obviously check with the quacks first!
Has your cardiologist offered any clues on what the next step is? How far along are you in the process, do you have a cardiologist yet?
I won't tell a lie no sleep last night my minds racing.
GP has offered the following advice "if it hurts or you're breathless slow down"
Thanks for your support, getting panicky last night. Picking up a cold/cough just before Christmas has exacerbated symptoms, making sleep difficult.
I've been feeling ropey, fatigued and breathless since a covid bout in August, various tests and xrays culminating in an Echo. The physiologist warned me it was a low %, but didn't get to see the report untill yesterday.
I've been feeling ropey, fatigued and breathless since a covid bout in August, various tests and xrays culminating in an Echo. The physiologist warned me it was a low %, but didn't get to see the report untill yesterday.
gangzoom said:
PositronicRay said:
BNP of 246 and echocardiagram the left ventricle ejection of 27%.
How old are you and have you ever has chest pains? If you are young and have no ischaemia history than it may well be a cardiomyopathy. It's almost certain you will need additional imaging such as Cadiac MRI before any specfic treatments can be arranged.
You need to see some who knows about heart faliure/cardiomyoprhy, NHS waiting times for urgent appointments shouldn't be long, urgent Echos and MRI scans get done in less than a couple of weeks.
Private will give you faster access but just make sure you see someone who's fully up-to-date on the latest heart failure investigation/management, seeing someone who specialize in EP, devices, or intervention might not be as useful as seeing a heart failure specialist- There has a being a huge amount of developments in heart failure treatment in the last few years, so its a moving piece interms of evidence based practice.
Good luck, heart failure is now more manageable than ever, it's what my wife does daily. I've never seen Cardiologist in general get so excited about non invasive treatments as they are now about heart failure management!!
Edited by gangzoom on Saturday 30th December 08:33
No chest pains or swollen ankles. 65 y/o T1 diabetic for the last 45 yrs. i'm considered fit for my age, plenty of walking and a voluntary forestry role. Albeit not so much over the last few months.
Both my brothers have had ECHOs, ones okay, the other 22% with a BNP over 1000 and recent heart attack.
4 months in now, I've increased exercise.
I can maintain a reasonable 3 mph pace on the flat for several hours, most days I keep it down to an hour or so. . Some days easier than others, I'm less fatigued but not back to how I was 12 months ago. I've yet to try any proper hill walking, now the weathers dried up I'll start with some easy short stuff.
Angiogram later today.
I can maintain a reasonable 3 mph pace on the flat for several hours, most days I keep it down to an hour or so. . Some days easier than others, I'm less fatigued but not back to how I was 12 months ago. I've yet to try any proper hill walking, now the weathers dried up I'll start with some easy short stuff.
Angiogram later today.
Edited by PositronicRay on Tuesday 23 April 08:09
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