Left ventricle not working properly - British Heart Fou...

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Left ventricle not working properly

Rustylove profile image
16 Replies

5 years ago I was diagnosed with heart disease and LBBB I also have copd then two years ago I was told that all my valves are slightly leaking and was put on Losartan because the hospital doctor thought that some of my problem with getting out of breath was to do with the valves as well as copd in which from the time I started taking losartan I noticed my breathing got much easier I didn’t have to stop mid sentence to get my breath back, on the 5th of December 2022 I had an echocardiogram which showed that my left ventricular wasn’t working properly and I needed to get an appointment at the hospital and that I needed to see a cardiologist but when I tried to book an appointment the earliest day I was offered was the 28th of august 2023 which is 8 months from the date of the echo, This is really worrying me I also have other symptoms such as dizziness which as caused me to fall a couple of times and a whooshing sound in my ears, I also have been seen at a falls clinic and they want to cut down in the losaran which worries me as they really help with my breathing and I don’t want to go back to the way I was before taking it , Thank you for listening to my rant

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Rustylove
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16 Replies
10gingercats profile image
10gingercats

Well. You have some choices re. the appoint. in August. You can ask your GP to put in an urgent request for you to be seen sooner.I would say to the Gp'' I think my condition is worsening.' thus an earliet appoint is needed. Or you can ask to go on the cardiac depts cancellation list so that when someone drops out they will ring you and you can be seen then almost immediately...anything from a few hours to a day or twos notice.People quite often cancel believe it or not and i have had several points. much more quickly on this account. Or

if money allows you can consult someone privately.He/she may then transfer you to their nhs list after one private appoint.Or you can ring the dept. every couple of weeks and keep requesting you are seen sooner because you feel really unwell and unable to cope.Do not give up and accept the situation as it is now. You are important and you have to look after yourself.

in reply to10gingercats

go back to your doctor my left ventricular does not work put me on sacubitrilvalsartan digoxin and brisoprol the valsartan will increase as I see cardiac team once every 2ams they see how I am and I have copd as well my wife pushed things through and sister at hospital so don’t get messed around it’s life they messing with tell them that hope it get u there keep me updated as my breathing better plus on low oxygen which helps

Rustylove profile image
Rustylove in reply to10gingercats

ank you I’m going to do all of these things on Monday ,Thank you 💜

Rustylove profile image
Rustylove in reply to10gingercats

Thank you for all your good advice will be doing all of it on Monday , I’m so glad we have this forum it feels almost like family we all have something in common 💜

Hello :-)

You have quite a bit to cope with here and the wait and fact you are not feeling good I agree with 10gingercats that you should push your Doctor to get you an earlier appointment as well as letting them know how you feel they need to be made aware

It is aso a good idea that the Hospital know if it would be possible for you to go at short notice to be put on the cancellation list so would give them a ring to make sure you are on it

Meantime please make an appointment to speak with your Doctor and hopefully they ca get you seen quicker

Let us know how you get on :-) x

Toynbec profile image
Toynbec

I am sorry to hear about your health issues and frustration at having to wait so long to get a hospital appointment. I was referred in December to see a Cardiologist. Every day I have been expecting a letter. I can see now I’m in for a long wait! Good luck to you.

Rustylove profile image
Rustylove in reply toToynbec

I hope you don’t have to wait too long as it causes so much stress , we just want all the answers from a cardiologist. Good luck 💜

Toynbec profile image
Toynbec in reply toToynbec

Toynbec again. Got my appointment through yesterday for a Cardiologist appointment. Early June and a TELEPHONE consultation. I couldn’t believe it. Hope you’re doing ok.

Drummer20 profile image
Drummer20

I have those symptoms with my valve.It took a long time for them to confirm that it was the valve.I have had those symptoms when I wasn’t taking any medication.Hope you get sorted.

Rustylove profile image
Rustylove in reply toDrummer20

I was diagnosed with leaky valves around 18 months to 2 years ago , But then 5december 2022 I had another echo I didn’t get my result till 6 weeks after I had to chase them up ,finally my GP called me to tell me that my left ventrical isn’t working properly which after Googling it it as really got me worried , I wouldn’t usually Google but when you can’t get to see your cardiologist or GP in person what else can we do

Drummer20 profile image
Drummer20 in reply toRustylove

HiRusty,I’m sorry to hear that,You do need to talk to a cardiologist.In the mean time try not to get frightened by things you read on line.I believed horrendous things that weren’t true from reading these things.Hope you get an appointment soon.Just be kind to yourself,gentle exercise and do what you normally do unless it makes you feel breathless or dizzy.

Fish4Info profile image
Fish4Info

I'd take the appt offered in August and do everything everybody else has said to get seen sooner.

bowls12 profile image
bowls12

Chase your GP. I had a leaky mitral valve that took nearly 2 years diagnose and operate. 1 month after the op cardiac rehab, 3 months later gentle gym work, I was not a gym shark, more newspaper addict. Now 4 years down the road gym at least twice/week. Repairing the problem made me like a new man. 82 years of age and still going strong

Drummer20 profile image
Drummer20 in reply tobowls12

This is great to hear.I think I’ve been struggling for a while without realising it.The cardio surgeon said I will be much better after recovering from the operation.

Rustylove profile image
Rustylove in reply tobowls12

it’s so good to hear such a positive outcome thank you for sharing this

Kwakkers profile image
Kwakkers

Cardiac and vascular, eh? Maybe a Referral to either would be beneficial; one alerting the other. I swim at a pool with several of us swapping such stories. I have had to wait at least 20 minutes to be seen......I know, SHOCKING, but the buses these days ARE a bit slow, haha.

Call the GP, get a Referral. Whoever is the quicker.......GO.

Ta-ra,

Frank.

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