Wait time to see cardiologist

[Youngest]

Hello everyone. My PAF has become worse over last 6 months particularly when I'm walking dog. (End up with a afib every time). Doc spoke to my cardiologist who suggested catheter ablation but need to see me with ecgs. So doc referred me but a 46 week wait for appt. Doc has now expedited me but still waiting for them to contact me. So I'm but concerned as I'm afraid to walk dog and also wondering how long I'd have to wait for an ablation. This is Bath RUH.. I hate having PAF. Anyone else in same position? Or knows waiting time? Thanks

[javo123j]

I think times are pretty bad at the moment. I am finally getting an exercise tolerance test after a 48 week wait. It's been put down to COVID.

[Hidden]

I feel for you. Do you have an arrhythmia nurse? An EP rather than a cardiologist?

[Youngest in reply to Hidden]

I've only ever had telephone appts with cardiologist after all my tests. Any follow up has been with a cardiologist.

[Ppiman]

I can't see how the NHS is going to get out of this mess, myself. Covid and long-covid (i.e. "post-covid syndrome") has increased the need for cardiologist care massively, I gather and there are simply too few of them.

I expect lots of people are going privately but for something as potentially important as heart issues, we shouldn't have to do such a thing. A private appointment costs about £220 or so, and the required ECG and echocardiogram will add an extra £3-400.

Steve

[Youngest in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks Steve I cant afford to go private.

[Kingfisher44]

Hi Youngest - I know just how you feel - it seems to totally take over your life. I was diagnosed with PAF with a rapid ventricular response about 7 weeks ago when I was knocked off my bicycle. (Extreme way to find out but as I wasn't badly injured maybe a blessing in disguise!) I now realise that I have had PAF for years but mine has certainly got worse over this year. The GP referred me to cardiology and said it was a years waiting list just to have your first consultation! I can't spot a trigger for my AF - it always starts in the night and over the last couple of weeks I have had four attacks that have put me in hospital. After 5/6 hours of a heart rate averaging 160 - 180bpm I become very light headed, breathless and unable to function. To cut a long story short on Saturday I was admitted to the Acute Medical Unit. Whilst there a cardiologist came into the ward to speak to a patient who had had a heart attack. I think he noticed me as I was setting off all the alarms on the heart monitor - he came over and spoke to me about what has been going on - he has increased my medication, booked me in for an echo scan and hopes to do a kryo? (he talked about freezing) ablation within 4 months! I feel very lucky to have been in the right place at the right time - it shouldn't be like that. Anyway I have had 2 nights not going into AF but going to sleep is difficult!Sorry I have wittered on a bit - I really hope you manage to get on top of your PAF and that you get seen by a cardiologist soon. Take care.

[Youngest in reply to Kingfisher44]

So sorry to hear this Kingfisher44. I spent 2 years trying to catch my AF on an ecg so they coukd give me medication. Luckily (or not) I had an episode during lockdown and the ambulance came in time to catch it. Rushed to A&E and like you saw cardiologist who sorted meds out etc. Now just gotta find a way to get this sorted so I can walk dog without feeling worried. Hope you get sorted. Take care

[Kennyb1968]

I had the same experience so I eventually paid the £250 and went to see a private consultant. Best £250 I've ever spent

[Youngest in reply to Kennyb1968]

I think its more expensive here. Do you have to pay for treatment privately too?

[Kennyb1968 in reply to Youngest]

Yes - I had an ECG the first time I went and that cost £80

[Taichid]

What part of the country are you

[Youngest in reply to Taichid]

Hi I'm in Wiltshire and my cardiologist is in Bath

[nikonBlue]

Hi all,Reading all these comments about waiting times and thought I'd let you all know that after being referred, more than once by my gp to be seen by an EP over the last 3 years, I just received an appointment to see him in Edinburgh!

apparently he sent an email asking my gp for copies of my ECG, SCAN etc over 2 years ago and nothing was sent........because the email from Edinburgh was never sent in the first place.

How do I know all this? I phoned the EP's secretary myself and she was great chasing up stuff and came to the conclusion that someone didn't actually hit that 'send' button. Just goes to show how mistakes are made.

Hopefully this appointment will give some answers. I've never been seen by an EP before.

stay well everyone

Blue

[Youngest in reply to nikonBlue]

How awful thats so bad having to wait that long. I hope you get seen and sorted out soon

[Youngest]

Thank you everyone for your replies