Problem

[shirlygirly]

After posting a couple of weeks ago about spells of fluctuating heartrate

I mentioned it during my health review with my GP last week. I was lucky

and they arranged an ECG whilst I was there. My GP looked at it and decided

I should have a appointment with my cardiologist due to my low heart rate.

When I asked what the problem was he said " its like going along a road and

when you get to the end you dont know which way to go" I have no idea what

he meant. Anybody any idea's I would be grateful. Thanks

[Finvola]

Oh my - what a cryptic, unhelpful answer! Did he mean that your heart cannot decide whether to slow down at the end of his imaginary road or to speed up?

It’s useful that he has referred you to a cardiologist - hopefully soon - where you can ask for a proper explanation of what is going on.

Perhaps other members will have a better explanation.

[Hidden]

Probably, like many GP's he has no Idea and rather than say so he makes an oblique comment which can be all things to all people.

[meadfoot]

I think he was probably saying he didn't know as general practitioners are just that, general not specialists. They are good at what they do but know to refer to relevant specialists for more complex stuff.

See your cardiologist for a full diagnosis. I think you can be reassured that your GP would have referred you urgently if he had any real concerns. If you are worried and can afford it you could pay to see the cardiologist more quickly than on the Nhs. Alternatively ring his secretary and ask how quickly you can see him. Hope this helps.

[secondtry]

Definitely a cardiologist however good your GP is and mine is extraordinarily good. I don't recall your previous post, so not sure what 'low' is re your pulse or how much your HR is fluctuating. Please keep us informed after your cardiologist visit and if you can I would go private; my experience is you only get say to generalise an extra 10 minutes but that can include the extra tip that makes all the difference - yes it costs £150 but you would spend that on your MOT/minor service on your car.

Pre AF my pulse was around 60, then post AF with Flecainide and Mg supplement it dropped to around 55, now it is around 45 a big jump so I am reducing the Mg first to see if that is the issue, then I guess I talk to my cardiologist. Taking my pulse I have also noticed it can fluctuate, roughly speaking 10 beats faster (i.e. normal) then 10 beats slower, then fast again. Any ideas welcome.

[Mike11 in reply to secondtry]

I would second this suggestion. On NHS you often get a junior who is guessing what his/her consultant would say anyway, whereas privately you get a much longer time with the actual expert. You can still have the actual treatment on the NHS which is the expensive bit.

And an excellent analogy about the car service - we all happily pay far more for the health of our cars than ourselves !

[Chris147]

Unhelpful answer we need to be mire assertive which is so difficult.

[shirlygirly in reply to Chris147]

Thanks to everyone, Im waiting a cardiologist appointment which has

not been helped by the GP's secretary, who rang to inform me that

oop's she sent the request to the wrong hospital.

Oh dear!!!

[Flyer2820]

Hi shirlygirly

I suspect what the doctor means is that your heart does not know what to do. That is whether it should beat faster or slower. My heart goes up and down like a yoyo when in afib. Your doctor was right to refer you to a cardiologist. He has referred you to the mechanic not the grease boy (as in car terms.) and in my mind that makes him a good doctor. A doctor found out my afib and a couple of months later a practice nurse found out my wife's irregular heartbeat, she now has a pacemaker. I and my wife have personally not had a problem with the national health service in general. Remember there are poor workers in all walks of life even in private practice. It sounds like you are not too bad so unless it gets a lot worse I would stick with the national health service and even if it did, go and see the doctor again. If it is urgent the doctors are on the ball these days.

Best wishes for the future

Regards Flyer.

[lee49uk]

I too have low heart rate my resting rate can be down to 36-37bpm I do know where you are coming from. Basically the doctor was saying you have a long road ahead as far as diagnosis and treatment is concerned. in my case five years on and still no formal diagnosis as my arrhythmias are short and random thus hard to capture to prove to the NHS.

I have a kardia mobile and use it with my phone and have captured 37bpm regularly and a couple of small AF episodes and a bunch of etopics. Waiting for a referral to a cardiologist will have to see if the do anything in due course. Wishing you all the best you and i are in the same position and stage it would seem at this point. this is an amazing forum so many kind and helpful people who quickly make you realize you are not alone in this.