well, I have finally got up enough courage to book myself in with a private cardiologist (good old cc) at The Oaks in Colchester.
It’s on Tuesday morning.
I am going because afib episodes are getting more frequent, and although I am on the waiting list for an nhs cardiologist clinic appointment it won’t be until ‘sometime next year’.
so, are there any questions anyone thinks I should put on my list to ask?
He diagnosed the afib years ago, and I was discharged. But I trusted him, and was able to talk to him and felt listened to. Hopefully all that has changed over the years is his knowledge and ability, and that he hasn’t lost his compassionate side.
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Tilly1957
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Thank yiu for putting it so clearly. Yes, I believe I can be treated through the nhs, no queue jumping though. But I will clarify.
Nice thing is, when booking, I mentioned to the secretary that I had a single lead Kardia - and she said to print out my last episode plus a normal ecg! My gp just discounted it out of hand and wasn’t interested. Thanknyiu
GPs are Jack's of all trades but master of none sadly. My GP never wants to see my ECGs from my Apple Watch. The cardiologist I saw just after Covid lockdowns ended did. He spent some time going through all the heart data on my phone.
Then he said he didn't need to review me again and dismissed me from his clinic leaving me on my own forever more!
This was the gp who told me I would have to go on statins or have a heart attack and probably die—— so, despite my misgivings, I took them for 6 days, became bedridden, couldn’t function, couldn’t remember even simple stuff, and so much pain ( I get pain anyway, but it was amplified) so that was it, I didn’t take any more, am working on reducing my carbs, which mostly comes from my veggies, so am being more aware of what I am eating. Oh what joy it is 🤪,
Although he did listen to me about my other issues and sent me to an excellent rheumatology guy, so he isn’t all bad, just blinkered. Thank you for your advice. The consultant I am going to see is Dr Alan Harkness, if you are interested x
Hi Tilly, a year ago my G.P wanted to put me on statins as my cholesterol was a bit high. I told her I would adjust my diet first before going on poison. I cut out anything processed, e,g salt. eating only fresh fruit and vegetables, chicken and fish. Some cheese like Feta is ok. I don't drink alcohol. I also started drinking a small glass of beetroot juice every morning and taking plant sterols. In 3 months I got my cholesterol down to a normal level. A lot of illness and disease can be curtailed by what we eat/take. I wish G.P's would advocate a healthy life style before prescribing these horrible drugs. Try it!
I am working on a low carb high fat diet, no seed oils, no sugar. , to get my triglycerides and hdl ratio better, so that the ldl is the built good stuff. Not the smaller damaged ldl. I got a lot of information and support from a facebook group ‘stopped my statins’ . Some really good youtube videos about our bodies need for cholesterol, how it processes it, how to interpret the blood tests etc, by medical professionals out there. I am aiming for a cholesterol test that actually shows the different lipid breakdown but I can’t recall the name of it. 🤣.
My changing diet is helping me a lot, feeling much better.
GPs do specialise and a large practice can deal with many health issues without the need to rely on hospital specialists.
It sounds as though you might have a GP who is becoming an endangered species. GPs should be prepared to listen to you, but I know from personal experience that they aren't the most sympathetic when it comes looking at data from patients, but when time is short, you need to present your ideas as concisely as possible.
Personally, I think good data you collect in your normal surroundings is far better than a stressful hypertension review which have have a lasting poor outcome for you.
The art of being a good GP is to be able to assess a patient in not very much time and if it's not blindingly obvious, be able to put you in touch with someone who can sort you out.
This year, I've had pretty poor service from hospital consultants and have had to rely on GPs to open up the lines of communication. If I had relied on consultants, I would have been in a pretty poor state by now.
the gp didn’t listen to me 😪. The surgery has a specialist arrhythmia nurse practitioner who I don’t have a lot of confidence in (not that they have ever done anything wrong, but have seen them for other stuff prior to them specialising )
I didn’t think the gp would be interested in the Kardia stuff, but he didn’t have to be so rudely dismissive. When I asked to be referred back to cardiology he asked what symptoms I had and said no, they weren’t severe enough. End of conversation.
The surgery is massively understaffed, gp & clinician-wise, and has a huge patient list. It’s almost impossible to get an appointment.
Yes they do specialise. Doesn't make them much better at it though. I see the GP specialist in heart arrhythmia. But it doesn't help me. He's never changed anything or suggested anything different. I asked to see the GP who specialised in HRT once years ago and he admitted he didn't know much but we could have a look in the prescribing book and pick something to try!
And on the whole my surgery is a good surgery! Very easy to see a GP and very helpful with recommendations from private endo and HRT doctor.
all the best Tilly. I’m in Colchester too, which GP surgery are you at out of interest if you want to share. Are you seeing Dr field ? I found him to be fantastic, very understanding, knowledgeable and listens. Kept us up to date. All the best 🦊x
Hi Tilly, these waiting lists are a joke, I have been quoted 40 -48weeks to see a vascular clinician and of course during these weeks of waiting conditions can deteriorate so I think its wise to go to the Oaks for a private appointment. Dr Tang is my cardiologist at Colchester Hospital and I have been under him for over 20 years, and I always used to take my Filo Fax with me, full of questions etc., so just take your time and write down everything that is concerning you, do it over a couple of days and hopefully you will get your answers. Good luck.
Thank you. It has also taken just over a year, since referral, to get an offer of an appointment with the orthopaedic guy because of my knee giving way. …. I have to use crutches when I go any distance. I wish I had thought at the start to see someone privately for that too. But I wasn’t receiving pip benefit then, which is making seeing the cardiologist possible (along with the trusty credit card) What with the af and the arthritic knee, I rarely go anywhere……. I miss my walks along the beach, for miles.
I completely understand, having taken a fall playing table tennis last April and breaking my hip, since then all of my exercise has stopped, no more table tennis, no more exercise to music classes and can't remember last time on Clacton Beach!!! Walking on uneven pavements and roads necessitate a walking stick so curtails my shopping sprees lol, add that to my current heart situation and life has changed dramatically, but hey, as I keep saying, I'm still her!
The first question is , can he do an ablation or does he need to refer you elsewhere? He may not be an electrophysiologist. He may have suggestions re different meds.
The local joke is that cardiologists are either plumbers or electricians.
Plumbers do the valves and pipework, electricians do the wiring.
If things go wrong and you end up being looked after by the wrong type, there can be bad outcomes, especially if they get fixated on the wrong symptoms and you end up getting the wrong treatment.
It went wrong for me when the vascular man got involved with what was basically a pacing problem.
Thankfully, I'm due to see the electrician in a few weeks time.
Excellent description. That's exactly how to describe it. But an EP is also a fully trained cardiologist so he is the best of both worlds...in theory ...then he does extra training in the electrical system...I saw our local cardiologist and was immediately referred to an EP. No wasting time. But I went in armed with an ECG from the majority of my episodes, once I got some tech to do that, the highest heart rate during each episode, thf duration, and what meds I was on. I just added to this info while I was waiting for EP appointment.
What I didn't add was that my problems have been going on for 9 months now.
I haven't seen anyone, only had phone calls. I'm hoping, but don't know, that the one I'm actually seeing, the first one in 18-years, is going to come up with some answers.
Back in 2005, I was told off by the consultant for being "armed" with data. I think things have changed since then.
Go armed with data. And if he doesn't want to listen he's not your doctor. I'm just wondering if you need an referral to an EP. Or can you go directly to one. Ireland is different to UK. I just needed gp referral. Saw two EPs. The first one would not do an ablation even though I'd lost four stone. He wanted me to lose another three to be a perfect BMI. The second EP did an ablation three weeks after I saw him. Nsr since. No caffeine, no alcohol.
helloTilly. I too have AF and had a stroke last year because my gp’s dismissed the symptoms even though my heart rate was going through the roof. A long story I’m afraid but after the stroke my only recourse was to find a private cardiologist. The good news is that I too go to the Oaks to see Dr. Scoote who is calm understanding and very approachable. He has changed medication to suit and in fact I am seeing him on Friday. Good luck.
Gosh that's awful, my GP sent me the same day to a Cardiologist when the ECG showed AF and my HR was 140. She was really concerned because it was caused by an anti- biotic that did not like me and made me vomit and vomit , irritating my stomach and causing flecks of blood.By the time I got to the Cardio (GP would not let me drive, so I had to arrange transport and collection of my car) I was in NSR. He kept me in hospital for the weekend. He saw me every six months and did a cardioversion. After that I changed to a closer cardio (I saw the original one because he was the only one available on a Friday afternoon!!!!) who I see annually, saw him last week and I always leave with his words 'See you in a year unless you need me before that'. I'm in South Africa, all of our practitioners except those employed by public hospitals are private, and the specialists all have their rooms in private hospitals. My GP even phoned after the weekend to see how I was,
I suspect strongly that all will be well, but as you are paying for a consultation, it might be better to go one step further beforehand and have an echo-cardiogram done. This will allow the cardiologist the information he or she needs to diagnose your heart's condition.
Hi Steve, his secretary suggested I print the most recent af episode, and a normal one from my kardia for the day of the appointment. She sounded pleased I have a Kardia, whereas my gp just blanked me and looked at me like I was talking gobbledegook🤣. I have been advised consultant may do an ecg, but may be happy with my kardia stuff.
I know I may need to see an EP, but for me this is a starting point and he is someone I have past experience of, and trust. I thought of booking with dr Gupta, but York is too far away.
I think you are doing the right thing. It's just that an echo (rather than an ECG) provides a whole lot of useful information on top of the ECG data and is something to have before the consultation to save costs (i.e. if you need one after the consultation, you'll likely need a second visit).
Ah, I misunderstood! I have already factored into my costs that I may need one or a cardio mri. However, with hindsight, it would have been helpful to do prior to the appointment 🤣 Luckiky, the second visit is cheaper.
Thought you may like to know I have been for ablation, put on the waiting list for an echo (about 8weeks) so no need to pay for one! I have done an update on a new post.
That is good to read. The echo will show important things that will give the doctor a much better chance of a successful ablation. And well done on that short wait!
There seems to be a national shortage of heart specialists. When I was in first the wait was terrible and on enquiring the very friendly sister confided that there was just one cardiologist on duty and she was in a different department attending to an emergency...
Oh dear. And that is our largest specialist heart hospital. My comment to my wife at the time was that I know why there is only one. For all I knew, the others could well have been at the nearby Spire private hospital where you can see a cardiologist within days for £225.00.
I am slowly beginning to despair over our NHS. Its dentistry has all-but-gone locally and, well, even heart specialists seem elsewhere.
I don’t think he is, but I have past experience of him, and I trust him. I will ask questions re meds and ablations, see what my options are. I won’t just accept what he says with out discussion ( I think my surgery have me marked as ‘difficult’ ‘non compliant’ - I saw on my notes the entry ‘refuses to take statins’ 🤣🤣🤣)
With the current state of the NHS, I would push hard to get into the ablation queue. Notwithstanding getting listed, I would also push hard again to learn about drug options to adopt in the meantime and if you decide not to have the ablation when your number comes up. Lastly max out on improved lifestyle choices on all fronts that don't involve side effects.
As you can’t get an ECG done by your GP they may well give you one when you get to the hospital for your private consultation. They always do one on my hubby before he sees his man. It may add a little to the bill but they may include it anyway. Good luck with your appointment- you’ve done the right thing.
I didn’t even ask my gp for an ecg, no point. His secretary advised me to print and bring my latest af episode ecg and a ‘normal’ one from the morning of the appointment. However, I am aware that it may still be done, and the cost. Thank you
Yes, I am aware of the difference. This guy diagnosed me years ago, was very approachable, listened, open minded….I liked and trusted him. So it’s my starting point. And I can get to see him easily. I wouldn’t know how to decide/choose an EP. If I need one, hopefully he has one he can recommend 🥰 Thank you
I don’t think he is, but I have respect for him and trust him. He diagnosed me years ago and was very approachable, listened and open minded. It has caused me stress trying to find an ep I felt I could trust and is close to where I live. This is a starting point. Thank you
Don’t mean to be patronising , but I went private in the end and found my cardiologist had been overmedicating me !!!
Change of tablet and I am so much better on new meds.
But AF is a very difficult problem to treat and needs a good a Arrythmia specialist (EP) . It is an electrical problem not a heart defect , if you have heart problems also then go see him , good luck x
I don’t think you are being patronising ☺️. I agree re AF being a pig of a condition to treat 🤪 And EPs are the go to specialists for it. Apart from anti coagulants, I have only ever had a beta blocker, and in the last year a calcium channel blocker as a pip. I have had bp meds, but currently don’t take any….hibiscus tea seems to keep it at a respectable level. I think at the moment, it will be finding meds I can tolerate to manage the condition….. only ever had bisoprolol (hated it) now nebivolol and verapamil as my pip. So plenty of scope! Lifestyle changes, knowing most of my triggers, plus other health conditions combine to aggravate it. I guess I want to know that the actual heart is functioning ok. When I was diagnosed, his report said. ‘no signs of heart disease’ but that was years ago without the ravages of af 🤣🤣🤣 Thank you
If he’s not an EP then it’s a complete waste if your time and money. If he is an EP then ask him to put you on other medication than what you are in if you are having lots of episodes. If he is an EP ask him everything that you can possibly do to get prepared for your ablation to make it a success.
Thank you, I will ask this guy all the questions and I am also aware he will refer me through the nhs if ablation is the way forward. It will be a long waiting list. I personally don’t think it will be a waste of money, as this guy will check my actual heart function, not just the electrics. I have other funny little things starting to happen too, so possibly not just the electrics. Initially, meds will be sorted. Will discuss ablation route with him too. Thank you for your advice ☺️
Smart to go private and find out what the options are. And since it’s someone you’ve seen and trust, even better. Can’t really add to the others suggestions. Just make sure you get answers to all your questions and have a way to follow up with the dr. No doubt you’ll have more questions afterwards, I know I always do!
That made me laugh, follow up with the doctor 🤣 If you mean at my surgery, they don’t even know I have gone private. It’s almost impossible to get an appointment at the surgery, so I have given up trying 😊
Oh, I'm so sorry. What an awful state of affairs. My EP isn't the speediest at replying to my questions, but my GP is amazing. (In the US though and very lucky to have good insurance.) Wishing you good luck w your appt.
If you have the info Tilly, take a list of your episodes, highest heart rate, duration, what meds you were on, to your appointment. If you don't have these, ask your cardiologist to refer you to an EP and in the meantime document your episodes. Personally I think you'd be better off going straight to an EP. You mentioned his name somewhere in the post and he's not one. He's the plumber and you need the electrician.
Thank you. Yes, I am aware an ep may be the one to see, but I got so stressed out trying to find one who I felt I could go to privately, local to me, that I gave up. I know this guy, he originally diagnosed me, was very approachable, listened and opened minded. I also want to know that the mechanics/plumbing of my heart is working fine, and I am aware I may also need to see an ep. I reckon it will be med changes, initially, as I have only ever had a beta blocker(and xarelto) , plus a calcium channel blocker prescribed at a&e last year as a pip. As far as I am aware, this guy will refer me for an ablation, if we decide it’s the best way forward.
I would be interested to hear how you get on as I am thinking of going privately. I was referred in May 2022 and still haven't had an appointment. I understand that the waiting lists for an ablation in my area are 2 years, so with a 1 -2 year wait to get seen to join the list is miserable. Good luck.
When I was referred to the cardio clinic. I was told the waiting list was at least 32 weeks before I would hear about an appointment - appointment date would probably be 3 months after that, based on how long my orthopaedic appointment has taken (just over a year) I will report back after my appointment on a new thread x
I have posted a separate update after my appointment. But I can tell you this is the best £250 I have spent…..change in meds (see what happens) referral on nhs for an echo (about 8wk wait) and to go on the nhs ablation waiting list. Lovely guy. Xx
I think that I will be looking to go. I will see the "normal" guy from Blackpool hospital and just pay. My issue is that I can't take medication as my heart rate is too low. good for you though and I hope the wait isn't as long as they say.
Definite was worth it! I am now trying to find a private orthopaedic guy, locally, for my dodgy knee - debating whether to get an mri done first ….. harder looking for this sort of consultant than a cardiologist! 🤣 x
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Advice regarding setting of expectations ahead of cardiology appointment would be appreciated.
Private appointments?
Grumpy with cardiology 🫀😡
Private EP appointment
