Just wondering how long referrals usually take, my GP sent one out on the 5th but still not received a letter with an appointment date for cardiology.
I’ve been tempted to go back but don’t want to seem impatient 😔 as I clearly understand there will be different level of urgency and my condition is unknown at the moment.
Ive been struggling quite a bit particularly at work with the tiredness, breathlessness and just generally feeling rubbish. Also been experiencing a tight chest occasionally.
I am female, 28 with no family history of heart diseases etc and work as an engineer so quite physically demanding.
I work long hours, usually would be 4on4off 12.5hour shifts rotating days/nights but due to holiday cover currently working 6on2off.
Trying to be patient and carry on but I do hope the referrals come soon. I’ve attached a morning and evening rate tracker picture.
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rosepod5
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The reality is that if you are in UK there can be no certainty when your Cardiology appointment comes through. Depending on areas is can be months. If you have been referred to a rapid access chest pain clinic then it should be within two weeks but not all CCGs have such facilities.
Your ECG traces obviously show an arrhythmia so if you are not being treated with drugs by your GP I would suggest that if you do not get a date very soon you might like to consider a private appointment with an electrophysiologist (EP a cardiolgist specialising in arrhythmias. )
Paying to see privately is well worth doing. When I was diagnosed I paid to see my cardiologist privately - I was fed up with waiting. I had an appointment the next day. It will cost you about £150 - £200.
I simply explained to the cardiologist that I didn`t have private medical insurance and wanted to go through the NHS. It only cost for the first meeting to 'speed things up' a little. Now I`m on the NHS.
If you need to speed things up a little make sure you have the number for the consultants secretary. I`m a laid back guy and hate being a nuisance - however it was the only way to get things done.
I have to say that we all do it. I have seen Cardiologist and EP privately and have even had a few tests and a cardioversion but follow up treatment is usually done on the NHS. I found it also allows me to have time to ask questions.
This is a naughty suggestion but unless you were diagnosed originally in A&E - I assume not as it is a GP referral - I think breathlessness and tight chest counts as emergency. Chest pain and breathlessness are always taken seriously especially as women often feel 'chest pain' as nausea, pressure and or exhaustion. So if you feel particularly bad one day I should have 'a turn' at work, ambulance will be called, job done 😈
PS I just read your original post - I see 'anxiety' gets a mention again. I'm not at all impressed with your GP. The suggestion to pay to see an EP is good but not until you have seen a cardiologist and had the standard tests because there could a medical explanation - thyroid problem for instance. Best wishes 💜
I have had colleagues and read about others with the GP almost dismissing it with anxiety. It was only chance that my blood pressure was taken and the irregular heartbeat was heard.
Good suggestions to seek a private consultation but take the opportunity to research a good one in a Centre of Excellence. It will cost no more.
Note that you will be tying one hand behind their back if you don’t want to pay for initial tests (e.g. echocardiogram and blood tests). These will rack up the fees.
I started on the NHS route almost 2 years ago but it was taking too long. Fortunately, I was able to claim on private medical insurance. Like you, I was struggling at work and was on sick leave for a year. Even the Private route can be slow - ‘medical engineering’ can’t be rushed; it can take time after taking action before you know that it has had the desired result.
I’m now in the recovery phase (recovered?) and the insurance does not cover ongoing monitoring so now I have to transfer back to the NHS (hopefully going to see the same specialists in London).
Don’t worry as this will not help you, it will only make you feel worse. I hope you find a quick path to diagnosis and treatment.
Echocardiogram and 24 hour monitor are typically about £300 each, but angiography runs into thousands. I already had printouts of my abnormal ECG from A&E and the cardiologist asked me to have the echo & Holter before my appointment to give him info to see if I needed further tests. I didn’t & he was able to initiate the drug treatment I’ve been taking for a year, feeling well & have had only a couple of 30 minuteAF episodes since which have responded to slow, deep breathing, with no need for extra drugs. Now back under NHS.
Good luck
Pat x
Just pay for the initial consultation and explain that you want to be treated on the NHS. After that appt you will be put on their NHS list and the tests done straight away before they see you the following time as an NHS patient.
There are various ways of finding out how long NHS waiting lists are. Look on line at your local hosp cardiology dept. ( here in York routine appt up to 21 weeks) Maybe ask GP to refer for echo cardiogram ( again here wait up to 8 weeks but you may be more fortunate) and bloods if not already done.
Ring appointments at hosp to make sure your referral is in the system. My OH was referred for echo 26th June and it appeared on the system 2 weeks laterappt mid August.
Also if you draw a blank contact PALS (patient advice and liaison service) They will be happy to help if appts delayed, every hospital has one.
Sadly these days you sometimes have to jump up and down a bit.
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