For the past year I have been suffering from an irregular heartbeat, intermittently.
On 18th February this year having an episode that had lasted over three hours, I was taken by ambulance to A&E. Paramedics recorded my heart rate at 37 bpm with a pause of 1.6 seconds. By the time I arrived in A&E it had settled down & my heart rate was 74 bpm My BP was 153/87. Blood tests were said to be unremarkable & chest xray was clear. I was discharged & advised to return if I became symptomatic or suffered any adverse features to my bradyarrhythmia.
On 20th February while at the hospital with my wife, who was having a scan, my symptoms returned & I was advised to go directly to A&E. by the time they had connected all the leads my heart rate had returned to normal. The diagnosis given was Tachycardia - Bradycardia.
On 28th March I had an echo-cardiogram & was fitted with a 7 day monitor.
I am still waiting for results but in the meantime I am having regular events which make me feel very unwell. Each time my heart misses a beat, on the next beat I feel as though I have been slapped on the chest & a feeling of pressure rises up & into my throat. These events are becoming more frequent & can last from between 1 & 7 hours.
I have been reluctant to go back to A&E as my heart rate, although uneven has not dropped to a level that might be considered an emergency & although it can go high it also wouldn't be considered an emergency.
My GP has told me that it is likely that I would need a pacemaker but I don't understand enough about what is wrong. Would this be likely to be AF? Should I be chasing for some clarification? Should I be getting myself to A&E when I have these events or an I correct in thinking it won't be considered serious enough to require immediate attention? Your thoughts would be appreciated.
it's good that you are being monitored and also that you are having episodes while being monitored as they will be able to see what is happening. Regarding A and E. I think it's best to be on the safe side- If you faint or feel ill then do go and explain what is happening.
Thank you rosyG, I had the monitor fitted for 28th March too 4th April. I had a number of events while wearing the monitor. I am concerned that it is taking so long to get any results & I have been much worse since then. Until now I haven't had any episodes of fainting but I have had some giddy spells while seated. I am a wheelchair user & although able to stand & walk a little it's not for long. It seems to me that unless I am literally at deaths door the hospital don't want know.
then I would definitely go to A and E hen this happens- if you are feeling dizzy while seated this needs looking at . Try and go during the day when they should be able to access your results but obviously go at any time if you are feeling ill, You have to make a fuss if they are not looking into things urgently
Thank you rosyG, it sounds sensible to me. I suppose one of the things that put me off going to A&E was that on the first occasion, after being told I was being admitted, at 1 am I was discharged. My wife is also in poor health & having gone home at midnight she would not have been able to come back. The hospital staff called for a taxi which cost me £60, money we can ill afford.
that's quite wrong- you shouldn't be sent home at that time of night for all sorts of reasons!!Don't be pu off as if you need to go at night you must do so- I should refuse to go home in the middle of the night!!
Even in A and E on the three times I have been when AF was very bad they waited until he morning and just monitored me
Having been told that I wan't to get off the trolley & stand up as I was at risk of a heart attack. When they phoned for the taxi they told the driver I might need him to stop at a cash machine, lol. Anyway I'll not say any more about this as it starts to get political & I know this isn't what this group is for.