Looking for Opinions on what to do
Looking for Opinions on what to do
Author
Discussion

Smurfsarepeopletoo

Original Poster:

977 posts

82 months

Saturday 25th April
quotequote all
Afternoon,

Just looking for some advice really.

Im 47 and have had 2 heart attacks.

Monday 20/04 I had bad chest pain shortness of breath, nausea and some numbness in left arm, I went to A&E as thought I was having heart attack, During the ECG the triage nurse advised that one of my lower chambers wasn't working properly, and one of the upper chambers was working twice as hard.

She spoke to cardiology who asked for me to be monitored, then came to see me, and said that if my bloods were ok, I could go home. Bloods came back fine, so was sent home.

Still been having pain and shortness of breath all week, booked a docs appt for 24/04, and they sent me to A&E as they said I hadn't been tested for a clot, went to A&E, who did all the tests, no clot, no heart attack, said it sounds like unstable angina, and sent me home.

Have the option for a virtual GP appt through work, so contacted them as no one has said what the next step is, other than I'm being referred back to my GP.

Spoke to them this afternoon, again, not really committing to anything, no change in meds (already been increased twice due to unstable angina), just said that I need to wait for my consultants appt on the 19/05 (gone private as I have been waiting since 29/12 for an appt, and looking to be June before I can get an appt, assuming there is no emergencies).

He has advised that if its unstable angina, I shouldn't be working or Driving.

What would people do, as I don't relish being off work unable to drive until at least the 19/05.

NDA

25,121 posts

250 months

Saturday 25th April
quotequote all
It sounds like you need a stent or two - sooner rather than later.

If you have been advised not to drive, then you might want to take that advice seriously.

I wonder why there's no rush from the professionals you've seen so far? I have private health and was seen pretty quickly...

Smurfsarepeopletoo

Original Poster:

977 posts

82 months

Saturday 25th April
quotequote all
NDA said:
It sounds like you need a stent or two - sooner rather than later.

If you have been advised not to drive, then you might want to take that advice seriously.

I wonder why there's no rush from the professionals you've seen so far? I have private health and was seen pretty quickly...
They have been wanting to treat me with medication Because of my age, and because I've generally been responding well to that, then I'm low priority at the moment.

I realised I have Bupa through work, so have a consultation booked, and treatment should be done within a couple of weeks I have been advised. where as my NHS cardiologist secretary said I'd be looking at around, June for an angiogram, unless emergencies come in.

NDA

25,121 posts

250 months

Saturday 25th April
quotequote all
Unstable angina - as advised by your cardiologist - could be seen as an emergency by some.

I would imagine that you need a heart scan and that might suggest that having stents fitted solves your problem. I hope so.

I have been in your shoes (which is why I am commenting) and fortunately I didn't need to push for a medical intervention, I was seen and operated on pretty quickly. I think you should be prodding whoever you can to get seen and treated - it should be entirely treatable.

Smurfsarepeopletoo

Original Poster:

977 posts

82 months

Monday 27th April
quotequote all
Been to see my GP today, nothing on the Hospital letter from Friday to say Unstable Angina, I asked if he can do anything with my meds to help, he was going to increase my Bisoprolol, until he took my blood pressure, and it was 108/67, so he says its too low.

He has basically said that I cant do any heavy lifting until I have seen the cardiologist on the 19/05, self cert for a week and see how I feel, if no better then get a sick note, if I'm ok, then can go back to work.

So no further along.


Hoofy

79,603 posts

307 months

Monday 27th April
quotequote all
If you drive after being advised not to, are there any insurance or legal issues to consider?

LosingGrip

8,705 posts

184 months

Monday 27th April
quotequote all
Hoofy said:
If you drive after being advised not to, are there any insurance or legal issues to consider?
If he crashes and someone is killed medical records will be looked into. Could be dangerous driving.

I've investigated a few collisions and they've been charged and convicted of dangerous driving as their condition caused the crash.

Hoofy

79,603 posts

307 months

Monday 27th April
quotequote all
LosingGrip said:
Hoofy said:
If you drive after being advised not to, are there any insurance or legal issues to consider?
If he crashes and someone is killed medical records will be looked into. Could be dangerous driving.

I've investigated a few collisions and they've been charged and convicted of dangerous driving as their condition caused the crash.
That's what I wondered!

Smurfsarepeopletoo

Original Poster:

977 posts

82 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
I've been told I can drive by my own GP, just nothing strenuous until I have seen my cardiologist, the no driving was from a virtual GP appt based on me telling them that the A&E doc had said he thinks its unstable angina.

But as there is nothing on the A&E letter, no one appears to be taking any responsibility for a diagnosis, and just putting it down to my Coronary Artery Disease.

As of Saturday evening, I had stopped driving as I am aware of the risks, and just wouldn't be worth it.

Inlineonline

653 posts

2 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
If you are getting regular symptoms suggestive of angina then you should self refer to the local rapid access chest pain service at your hospital, most have one.

When you say you have had 2 heart attacks already have you had an angiogram in the past?

It s better not to wait if you are getting regular pan/ discomfort, especially at rest. Sounds like you have been having A Fib as well?

Failing that represent to your GP / A&E and the may admit you for urgent assessment (probably an angiogram)

You shouldn’t have to wait 3 weeks with the history and symptoms you describe either NHS or private

Edited by Inlineonline on Tuesday 28th April 06:49

the-photographer

4,544 posts

201 months

Tuesday 28th April
quotequote all
1. Go private if you can, even consider paying £200 to see any local cardiologist

2. If not get to local rapid access chest clinic asap, you need a CT/MRI or angiogram

I would probably go straight for the angiogram