Firstly I would like to thank everyone for their comments. I called Doctor around 4.45pm on Tuesday evening because of the pain and I had already taken 2 x GTN spray. I got the receiptionist and said I wanted some advice regarding chest and my GTN spray only to be told it was emergency calls only after 3pm. I then said I have severe chest pain and I had taken my GTN. She really didn't know what to do - so I said ok I'll just call 111. Duly called them and they hung up - am assuming it has to be after a certain time of day, say when surgeries close. I then thought 'what's the point' if you cannot talk to anyone for advice. However as the chest pain was still there I called 111 back - usual process - waiting for answer then triaged before you talk to a nurse. I was then put onto 999 and they called me back after half hour or so and said I should make my own was to A and E. I duly did this around 12.30a.m. Then another triage but luckily by this time the pain was more of a 'heaviness' than the initial sharp pains. Usual ECG/Blood Tests which, as always, show as normal rhythm. Admitted to short stay ward where they kept me monitored. Whilst in A and E my oxygen levels kept dropping. My blood pressure was over 175 so I knew something wasn't right. They kept me in again yesterday because of the chest pressure/heaviness and my blood sugars were double what they normally are. I saw a Doctor who said everything was normal and I would be going home yesterday, but then someone from Cardiology came and said no I was staying another night as they didn't want to risk putting me home incase of a heart attack. The specialist came up to see me today and he said I have all the signs of angina and he was thinking their might be a blockage somewhere. I was booked in today for outpatient echocardiogram which I had and another Doctor said it all looked fine. I said to Specialist I am not making all these symptoms up and he reassured me that it was definitely pointing to Angina. On new meds. Atorvastatin/Amlodipine and Isoborbide Mononitrate. I am now getting booked in for CT coronary angiogram which he said will be in around 3 weeks. This involves a catheter up right arm and into heart where they inject dye. Has its risks but consent signed when he came to see me. Stents he said would be needed but don't know at what point. Apologies for length of post everyone. I was also advised I must call 999 if the pain returns and not to leave it more than 1/2 hour instead of my usual 'I'll be ok' 11 hours later.
A/Fib and Chest Pain: Firstly I would... - Atrial Fibrillati...
A/Fib and Chest Pain
- Blood tests
- Electrocardiogram
- Angina
- Atorvastatin
- Amlodipine
- Cardiovascular disease
- Glyceryl Trinitrate
- Echocardiogram
You did the right thing at the right time. Wishing you a speedy recovery and keep us updated please.
I was also advised I must call 999 if the pain returns and not to leave it more than 1/2 hour instead of my usual 'I'll be ok' 11 hours later ✅✅✅🎯
Paul
I'm not too happy with the way you've been treated. Advised to get yourself to hospital when you have pain in your chest?That's absolutely crazy! Did you get a taxi or drive yourself? I'm livid on your behalf and can't help but wonder if you'd have been treated differently if you were a man. I could rant on, so had better shut up now. Please let us know how you get on.Wishing you well.
Jean
Morning Jeanjeannie50 - I booked a taxi myself but as a 'walk-in' you have to get triaged first. I had a lovely Cardiologist who sat and listened to me and what symptoms I was experiencing and said to him 'I am not imagining it' to which he replied I know. When I was in on previous occasions they read the ECG/Troponin levels/BP then sent me home after the blood tests. I asked why my ECG's were coming back in NSR and he said Angina doesn't always show up on an ECG. I am truly so relieved to be finally getting proper treatment. It's been a long continuing journey since 2020. Incidentally there were at least 10 ambulances waiting to get their patients in. The Paramedics who are wonderful were coming in to book in their patients were talking to the Receptionists and I overheard them saying that 'Doctors' are now referring patients to 999 without even having a face-to-face appointment with them first. Says it all really. I had a really bad chest infection just before Christmas and actually got a call back and all she said was she'd leave a prescription at Pharmacy for me. Lost complete faith in Doctors as I called back in September about the chest pain. Have a lovely weekend and I'll post in 3 weeks how I have been.
A few years ago when I had awful chest pain and breathlessness I dialled 999. The lady on the phone kept me on the line talking until the ambulance arrived. I ended up being admitted after being diagnosed with Covid and pneumonia and must admit that the service here in South West Devon is usually very good. However, like most hospitals they now have ambulances queuing outside while they wait to discharge their patients.
Jean
Yes it’s dreadful now trying to see a GP. Everyone in the UK should protest about this. Bring back the old fashioned GP’s that used to care about their patients. How many people are getting a wrong diagnosis, by having these over the phone appointments. It’s very worrying. No wonder A&E is so full.
Hi Jean.
I totally agree. You should never drive yourself to A&E if you have chest pain. As for having to get a taxi???
I could rant on too. It should be a 999 job and get blue-lighted in. These matters should be taken very seriously and in extreme cases could be the difference between life and death.
Paul
PS. I meant to DM you to wish you a Happy New Year. I'll do it on this post instead - I'm getting too lazy these days for my own good 🤣
Well… if there aren’t enough ambulances and you are able to get in a taxi, I’d go with the taxi option! Happened to a friend a few months back. She lives about half an hour’s drive from us and 15 minutes max from the hospital. She texted me from the taxi and my husband drove me over to the hospital to sit with her in A&E. Chest pains and breathless. We were there most of the day but she had all the tests and saw a very knowledgeable A&E registrar who really knew her stuff. Diagnosis was that it was gastric; prescription issued, then they changed that to give her the actual pills rather than her having to get the prescription filled. If she’d stayed at home she’d have waited hours. Our A&E has a fast track into the adjacent cardiac unit so if the ambulance staff or triage people think it’s needed they can divert people straight in there.
Too right! When my husband urged me to call 111 about the pain I was getting in my chest, they sent an ambulance. We sat in the garden making friends with the paramedics (and a student from the Uni where our daughter had just received her MA) and watching the birds and introducing them to our chickens, until they decided to take me to hospital. Thank goodness I took a good book and some mixed nuts and raisins and a flask of water, with me, as after waiting outside in the ambulance for a few hours, I then spent 4 or 5 more in the hospital until I finally saw a doc who declared it was acid reflux, gave me a pill, told me I would be referred for further tests and let me call my husband to collect me. Phew!
I’d just like to say I have stable angina and can imagine what an ordeal it must’ve been for you, in that state, trying to get help. I can relate to those difficulties too. Wishing you well and do let us know how you get on.
Hi there. Thanks for your comments. I have been told mine is unstable but optimistic after angiogram I hope there will be more clarity.
What a shambles. I'm astounded by the GPs receptionist not thinking chest pain was an emergency. Hope you have complained to the practice manager.On the note of the CT angiogram, I asked to have one as there wasn't a catheter involved. They were going to do a standard angiogram, which does involve a catheter but I said I was fed up with them shoving things in me and was there another way. They offered a CT angiogram and that was just a cannula in the arm, which they injected the dye into and popped me into the donut........ not a catheter in sight.
Hello - I had a conversation with my Cardiologist and I have a complex history - diagnosed with SVT, then told it is Multiple Arrhythmias then they picked up AFib during Adenosine being administered, now it's Angina so talk about confusion. I hope my heart behaves itself after the Angiogram as it didn't after a Catheter Ablation 2 years ago. The one you had was mentioned but Cardiologist said that it sometimes doesn't pick up whatever they are looking for so dye via catheter in my right arm and up into my heart is my chosen method, but, obviously risky like any procedure, but over 4 years of cardioversions and failed ablation has worn me out to be honest so I hope they find what they think is wrong.
Yes, they did mention its not as detailed but it was sufficient to check for Coronary Artery Disease prior to a valve repair op (still waiting) and they were satisfied with the results.I know what you mean, that's why I was fed up being poked and prodded. I've had 9 cardioversions and an ablation and now need a mitral valve repair as the AF has enlarged my heart so just wanted something less invasive.
Having waited for nearly 3 years for the valve repair, I'm guessing they will need to repeat all the pre op tests they did. I'll certainly request that they do.
I agree with comments here about your local surgery. Can you change? They sound worse than useless and tbh I would put in a formal complaint.
Chest pain and AF
New to A fib
AF and possible stable Angina
When to call 999?
