When to call 999?

[Karen63A]

SVT ablation a month ago. Pre existing hypertension and mitral valve prolapse. Advised to stop bisoprolol. Last week had emergency GP appt as BP was 200/105. Prescribed Amlipodine. Seemed to bring it down. Today, felt awful. Chest pain, headache and BP raised to 222/118. Called 999. Paramedics did usual checks. Pulse 106 so not too high. They rang my GP who suggested it was the Amliprodine which I disagree with. Advised me to see an HCA later in the week to check BP. Paramedics said to call if symptoms worsen. I feel like a fraud now. Should I have called them?

[doodle68]

Hi Karen absolutely you should have called 999 , the rule is if you have a history of heart problems and experience any chest pain always seek help.

I hope you feel better now after what must have been a scary experience...

[Karen63A in reply to doodle68]

Thank you. Yes it is scary especially when you don't know what might happen......

[Hidden]

Please don’t feel a fraud. You clearly were experiencing some potentially serious symptoms and had you not dialled 999, the added stress of not knowing what was going on could easily have made matters worse. Chest pain is the trigger seeking urgent professional help.....hope it settles soon.

[Karen63A in reply to Hidden]

Exactly, it's the added stress that makes it harder to gauge what's happening to you.

[chris45558]

I work for one of the emergency services (not the ambulance service ). If you honestly believe you need assistance you should call 999. Believe me the calls asking what the weather etc are the calls that upset the emergency services. You are no fraud Karen. I've had to call 999 many times when I have had a SVT episode.

[Karen63A in reply to chris45558]

Appreciate your words, Thank you.

[jennydog]

I fell over & couldn't get up. Ambulance men got me up & did ECG etc. I apologised for troubling them. They said I should ring whenever I needed them because "at least you don't spit at us or hit us."

Amazing!!!

[Karen63A in reply to jennydog]

Thank you.

[Visitingcat]

Wow, yes you should have called them.

I went to a&e once when my symptoms were scaring me, thought they would send me straight home again ( 130 to 160 bpm ) but they kept me in and tried various drips, none of which worked unfortunately.

When I said I felt like a fraud they said “you’ve only got one heart, if you don’t come in we can’t help you with it” they were lovely all the time I was in.

[Karen63A in reply to Visitingcat]

Thank you. It's scary when you dont know whats going on.

[Desanthony]

Yes. No question about it you were right to call them.

[Karen63A]

Thank you. I feel reassured that I would call again if necessary.