Well, after visits to Doctor and explaining recurring regular daily episodes and having an appointment this Wed for blood tests/ECG my heart decided it didn't want to wait until then. Nothing strenuous in the morning on Saturday and my daily walk in the afternoon, but as the episodes are daily I was thinking that my heart had other ideas for me. It all started around 6pm after a light supper. They came in 'waves' would ease off and seconds later back they came. After an hour I called 111 for advice who then passed me on to Nurse who then passed me on to Ambulance Service and I was assured they would send an Ambulance out. The Ambulance arrived at 8.00 a.m the next day Sunday. I can say that I have never experienced such pain in my chest in the past 4 years after being diagnosed. I was bent over double it was so bad and I have a high pain tolerance [natural births/filling and crowns without needles] just to give you an idea. The episode lasted until 5.00 a.m the next morning so by the time the Paramedics came my heart had reverted back to NSR. This time instead of my heart going up into the high 100's it was only in mid 60's so I am assuming that it's not considered dangerous? I decided this time I was not going to say no to going to Hospital. Paramedics were wonderful and said they were not taking me to A and E but straight up to Cardiac Day Clinic as they said A and E would only take bloods and 'monitor' me and I knew myself that in NSR you just get sent home again as nothing shows up on ECG. I had to wait another hour as Paramedics said it would take that long to get through. Off I went and was seen within 5 mins. Blood tests done/ECG done thorough examination physically and several other observations taken. The outcome was I was given another GTN Spray and an urgent referral for holter monitor [within 2 weeks]. I was also advised if I have another long episode they would be more than happy to see me - don't know how I'll do that but assuming through Doc as I would probably just stay in A and E if I went there. I would like to say I don't feel sorry for myself, but I feel for all the Paramedics that come to see patients who constantly apologise for the time taken to actually get to you. They say anyone with chest pain should have an ambulance within 10/15 mins but we all know sadly this is not the reality nowadays. They say not enough ambulances to go around/not enough staff as when one leaves they are only replaced and numbers are not increasing and not enough wards in the hospitals to deal with patients. This is my story so far, but it really is a story about our 'broken' NHS service which one of the Paramedics said is true and to thanks everyone working in the NHS that they are doing a great job to the best of their abilities/resources. Thank you if you take the time to read this.
AF/TACHYCARDIAS: Well, after visits to... - Atrial Fibrillati...
AF/TACHYCARDIAS
Very sad state of affairs but sounds like the paramedics were on top of their game. I can’t see things improving anytime soon.
I agree that A&E is not the place to go with AF.
I’m so sorry to hear about the pain and uncertainty you’ve been going through—it sounds incredibly tough. With all the strain on the healthcare system it’s heartbreaking to hear about the delays and pressures on staff who are still doing their best in such tough conditions. I hope the Holter monitor provide some answers.
Thank you. They said 'slight' change from last ECG but I am sure the Amiodarone is 'wearing off' by late afternoon/evening and this is letting the AFib/Tachycardia rear their ugly heads on a regular basis.
If ever I should get a bad pain in my chest I can tell you I will be dialling 999 as an emergency. I can't understand why you didn't do that.
I know of someone who had chest pain like you, an ambulance was called but after a few hours had gone by, waiting for it to arrive, his sister drove him to A&E. While waiting to be seen he went to the toilets and that's where he was found - dead!
Please don't take chances.
Take care.
Jean
Many thanks for your reply Jeannie. I am one of those persons who 'doesn't like to cause a fuss.' but I will certainly be calling 999 not 111 [40 minute wait for a reply] but to be honest the person from Ambulance call centre first said he 'might' send an ambulance then said 'I'll definitely send one but we are busy.' Hopefully when I get the Holter Monitor again they will pick up my episodes which are daily now unless I sit on my bum all day. What worries me is this 'criteria' you must meet and the info you give them is or seems to be based on your replies. I can assure you I was doubled over with pain. I was even sitting 'praying' for someone to come soon. This is one of the reasons I usually sit them out but honestly this one was really bad. Troponin levels were ok so Cardiology said they 'thought' the severe pain was due to my heart problems which I already know myself. As we all know on here they come on suddenly and can stop suddenly so unless they see it on your ECG it's like it never happened but you, yourself know. Guessing it's all down to what they see on ECG/Blood tests irrespective of your medical history. The lovely Senior Nurse Practitioner said she'd like to get a scan done but was over ruled by Cardiologist and also suggested perhaps I'd be there for 2 days. However I am happy I am home - I slept 12 hours last night lol and fell asleep this afternoon with little cat-naps 😊. Thank you for reading my post and your kind advice.
The biggest problem is that the paramedics end up queueing outside hospitals until their patient is registered. My friend who had massive bleeding after a hip replacement spent 18 hours in the ambulance outside the hospital which meant the ambulance couldn't go to anyone else. I'm so glad you did eventually get see in what sounds like the best place.
Thank you. Just waiting now for another Holter Monitor. Initial thoughts were they thought I'd had a heart attack but only slight change from last ECG and Troponin levels were ok. Hope your friend is well now and on the mend.
Yes she's fine thanks. It's put her off having the other hip done though. Could you possibly have microvascular angina causing the pain? Has that been mentioned or investigated?
Hi again. AFib/Multiple Tachycardias diagnosed. AFib only picked up during Adenosine doses during high HR after being taken off of Sotalol 3 days before Ablation. I am also Type 2 Diabetic/Underactive Thyroid. Never smoked and only had a glass of wine every 6 weeks or so when I had Sunday lunch with family. On my discharge letter in 2022 it was stated that I was at considerable risk of Atrial Myopathy. I go for a walk daily [retired] am generally active almost every day, Cholesterol is fine. Now on Apixaban since Ablation/diagnosis of AFib and was given GTN spray on Sunday. I am hoping the holter monitor will pick up exactly what's going on as I never want to experience that sort of chest pain again
It was just that your description of the pain sounded very much like a friend had. She has no arrhythmias at all but did have a heart attack a few years ago. She had pain like you but didn't g o to the hospital, assuming it was angina even though her GTN hadn't helped . It eased off after 2 days. By the time she got to her G P on my insistence, it was too late to prove whether it was another HA or not. An echo showed no further damage so she asked to be tested for vasospastic / microvascular angina.
Hi
I guess if you have a HOME ALARM they would be there asap.
Or if you says feeling like having a heart attack or stroke would get you there fast as well too.
Sweating whilst it is happening is a sign too.
I'm surprised you are not angry as this is your life.
I live in NZ. When I rung 111 but couldnt talk to be understood, ambulance within walking from my place, were here in minutes but it was 5.30am. But the helicopter from Whangarei took 1 hour. En route back in bad weather they had to stop en route to refill tank, then we landed on the roof of the hospital.
Being in hospital is noisy whilst the helicopter comes and goes.
You dream of helicopters.
cherio JOY. 75. (NZ)
Hello Joy. They go through their 'checklist' every time and I appreciate that, but I don't sweat and never have I actually start to go very cold and it usually starts in my hands then legs/feet = always for the past 4 years - even with HR up in the high 170's, my lips are never blue nor are my hands as they are so cold - more pasty coloured than blue tinged although when I go for my walks their colour can change. No neck pain or shoulder pain prior to episode or during but the previous week I had 'niggles' in my neck and left shoulder but thought nothing of it and just continued doing my normal things like my daily walks etc. I am more frustrated than angry I would say because if the ambulance hadn't taken 12 hours to arrive then that awful episode would have been captured on an ECG and Cardiology would have a better idea of why/what exactly happened. I am always optimistic and I hope that the Holter Monitor promised in 2 weeks does its job. Take care. You have a beautiful country over there.
Hi
I agree a beautiful country but I enjoyed Devon and walking all over with the Exeter YHA Walking Group. I was working over there for 6 years in 1990s in my 40s. A later big OE.
Would the ambulance come earlier if you had a Home Alarm. Our Social Welfare pay for it under my disability now $33 every 2 weeks. In 5 years I've called them twice when I have fallen but just to examine me and not to cart me OFF.
It includes being a member of St Johns so free transportation to hospital via road or helicopter.
I would have rung them through the night "where are you?"
At least my diagnosis came all at once and if not in hospital how long to find out that I had thyroid cancer?? I feel lucky lucky lucky,
Its 5 years ago now. And 3 years ago the private heart specialist Mr Wong was on to me. He was interested!
Why are the Chinese so great at hearts and my lady chinese Dr Fong is the best UroGynae Surgeon in NZ young and so educated, caring and perfect for removing the awful Johnson &J Mesh kits.
You take care, fight for your rights and it is you who needs the attention at a precious time, now.
I see that a call out to a pyschiarist patient will take longer than your heart risk. St John were staying an hour with them at the hospital. Not now.
cheri JOY
Hi
Cold parts of your body.
In DEVON and usually I always had cold feet regardless and walking along the track ubto Exeter from Devon County Council.
I wore my short ankle boots. But I was reminded no boots. Even though I was tucked away in my Secretary to Manager room. They were covered shoes as far as I was concerned.
I was working at Dingles - a 3-month contract.
This was before AF.
I still get cold feet. Why, not sure.
Circulation bad, But a pair of sox save the day.
Is it because shoes are snug?
What do you think?
It is difficult to massage feet on your own. But I have warm hands..
cherio Joy
Hi Joy, no irrespective of whether I am wearing boots/socks/slippers the feet go very cold as do hands and legs. Always during episodes along with chest pain now. I can put up with the arrhythmias/AFib/Skipped Beats, etc but not the chest pain, especially 11 hours of it which has happened many times when first diagnosed in 2020 and I was unaware of what I was actually experiencing. Chest pain is new. Take care.
Hi
The Heart Specialist always asks me "do you have chest pain, palpations or flutters ?" and I say no. I did get the latter two in 1980s when I was under stress.
That points to circulatory. If you raise your legs the physio says it allows your blood in your feet and legs to return to your upper main body to replenish new blood down into your feet and legs. This blood is full of oxygen. Not stale.
That would give you breathlessness and fatigue.
Hands cold too that is another extremity.
Are they swollen?
Chest pain means your Dr should be admitting you to hospital. Not A&E. Please ring him for chest pain, getting the dr who knows what's happening is essential. Just get driven to Dr fr this and get an emergency appointment. "NEXT".
I'd be terrified if I had chest pain (not indigestion), or flutters or palpations which continue on and on. It doesm't have to be AF.
You take care. What sort of dog do you have?
cheri jOY
Hi I have had 2 dogs - first one was a german shepherd cross greyhound called Friska [I didn't name her but kept her name] from [local cat and dog home] but she passed some years ago. My second dog was called Wilson and he was a collie cross labrador but I lost him in 2021 but want my heart issues sorted out first now before I rescus another dog so out walking on my own now. It did feel so strange at first but then you realise that there are many folk out walking on their own without a 4 legged friend with them.
Hi
I couldn't do without my JAZ mini schnauzer the best breed. 1/2 poodle and 1/2 affcan-pinscher now extinct. She is black and silver which show off her markings of white.
At 11 years (77 years human years) she is very cuddly mornings and we have 1 hour whilst my synthroid thyroid pills vanish. I put them under tongue so they go straight to the blood stream. She is near upside down with her paws in the air.
I do hope you sort your heart problems so you can have another dog,doggie person dnw!
cheri JOY
Three month check up following Cryoablation 
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