Birmingham Heart Rhythm Group query

[MWIC]

Hi All - I have an Urgent referral to Cardiology in from 15 Feb but now being told this could be 3 months before I get an appointment - I’ve looked up Birmingham Heart Rhythm Group and wondered if anyone here had used them or had any info / recommendations as I’m on no medication other than Apixaban and have had some recent increase of episodes with some where I feel I’m going to pass out and where mg heart rate has gone up to 190. Hearing any info, advice or experiences with the above group would be very much appreciated

Thanks, Mick

[MWIC]

Made an enquiry, less than an hour later I have an appointment in 4 days time - I can’t wait 3 months for an appointment - will update after on experience in case anyone out there having similar thoughts

[DawnTX in reply to MWIC]

I am so happy to hear that. Urgent doesn’t mean three months. Please let us know how you are doing.

[DawnTX]

I have no answers for you, but how horrible the three months is how they react to something urgent. Please say you are on an anti-coagulation medicine at least especially with heart rate like that. If not, you need to speak to someone ASAP we might all be different in some ways, but playing with stroke is not a chance any of that should take if there’s an option

[MWIC in reply to DawnTX]

sorry what I put was misleading - I meant no medication to treat the AFib but I am on Apixaban

[Golfer60UK]

Good morning MWIC, my advice is to go to A&E when your heart rate is high, they will at least carry out tests. Also tell them you feel like you are about to pass out

Best of luck

Dave

[MWIC in reply to Golfer60UK]

thanks Dave - hard to believe that I actually didn’t know this is what I should do - I’m blessed with an ability to keep calm but not always the response needed is it

[Sheepbreeder]

A excellent team of 4 cardiologists / EPs. I have been with Dr Mauro Lencioni for the last 7 years and Dr Mike Griffiths prior to that. Private clinics are in the Priory Hospital. they will usually see you within a week or 10 days at most and costs are quite a lot lower than London rates.

[MWIC in reply to Sheepbreeder]

Booked in next week. Thanks for the feedback it’s much appreciated

[Singwell]

I agree that Dr Lencioni is excellent. If these team members are affiliated with Birmingham QEH cardiology you'll be in good hands. The advantage is that, assuming this is your area, any recommendations for treatment ought to be picked up on at QEH itself. Very happy that I got there from midWales (QEH I mean)

[MWIC in reply to Singwell]

thanks for the feedback - already feeling a sense of relief that I’m actually heading in some direction

[Princelover]

hi Just been through all this in Birmingham too. A year to wait for ablation after you’ve seen them on the NHS. I went to Dr Lencioni at The Priory and he gave me an urgent handwritten letter for my GP re anticoagulants and flecainide, and I will be seeing him again shortly to tell him how the drugs are going and the ablation options. I can’t recommend A&E in Shropshire at all unfortunately; it’s a medical wasteland. However, the Kardia mobile took the necessary ECG readings and I sent them to Dr Lencioni by e-mail so at least diagnosis was swift and conclusive. So I can recommend them for obtaining a quick diagnosis and your treatment options, plus I felt well supported and had a good explanation of everything.

[MWIC in reply to Princelover]

thank you and thankful to be on a path to something at last 👍

[2learn]

your GP can prescribe bisoprolol to help heart rate etc. And as Golfer says go to A&E if your HR is high, mine was 190 then they will deal with it, perhaps overnight stay to monitor

[MWIC in reply to 2learn]

See that’s been my problem as GP saying they can’t prescribe and has to be a cardiologist- I also have a pretty low normal heart rate as well so Bisporolol not ideal

[Gilli54]

I have used this group for the last eight years or so. Dr Griffith is retiring after my March appointment. I have been very happy with my care. I have mostly seen Dr Griffith but also have seen Dr Marshall.

I think you will be well looked after and happy

😊

[MWIC in reply to Gilli54]

Thanks for that! It’s Dr Griffith I’m seeing

[Speed]

I have been under Dr Lencioni initially through an appointment in Nov ‘19 with Birmingham Heart Rythem Group (private health group - working out of Priory Hospital Edgebaston - Circle Health Group - Formerly BMI Group) and subsequently through QEH (Birmingham) having 2 ablations with him to resolve my A Flutter. I have subsequently developed PAF and remain under his care. Cannot recommend the care and service I have received highly enough.