Waiting

[Nanny72]

Have been diagnosed by GP with heart failure. Cardiologist apps has been cancelled twice and now have apps in late January. A three month wait from diagnosis. On anti hypertensive and diuretic. Have had echo scan but gp won't tell me result. Symptoms worsening. Any advice appreciated

[Nettyanne]

Hi Nanny72, my first thought is that your GP has no right to withhold your echo results from you, I would book an appointment and tell the GP you want to know the result and as your symptoms are worsening I would ask him/her to expedite the appt with the cardiologist.

At the moment I am on a 5 month waiting list for mitral valve replacement so I know what waiting feels like.

Best wishes

[Nanny72 in reply to Nettyanne]

Thank you. I have an appointment next Thursday

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to Nanny72]

It may be that your GP does not feel qualified to discuss the results of your echo, but I agree you should ask for whatever information they can give you. And, yes, if your symptoms are worsening then you need to request to be seen sooner. Hope you get some answers on Thursday, it's horrible being left in the dark. All the best x

[Hidden]

Hi I agree with Laura re gp he mabe dosn't fully understand echo and is frightened he misinterprates the result, but if that's the case he should put your mind at rest by saying it would be much better to discuss it with a cardiologist, it seems a long time to wait for an appointment, which is not good, if you feel your symptoms are worsening I would not hesitate to go back to your GP and see if you can get your appointment brought forward or mabe get a cancellation, and don't hesitate to go to A&E if things get really bad, I ended up there myself because I had ignored symptoms, thought it was stress, the Dr said they would rather send people home with stress than people being to embarrassed to go and it being much more serious, I hope you get to see someone soon, the waiting is the worse, take care char xx

[Twobells]

There is a rule called 'Fast Track' for heart problems, make sure your GP knows of this. They should do as it's national. That way cardiology app should be brought forward

[Nanny72 in reply to Twobells]

Everyone has been so helpful. Have read the NICE Guidelines and I should have been seen within two weeks. I have had a scan and am going to insist my appointment is brought forward when I see my GP on Thursday.

[Twobells in reply to Nanny72]

Fingers crossed x

[Ladiandi in reply to Twobells]

Do you have any more details of this, my husband had cabg x4 in October 2015 and spent last 11 months suffering with breathlessness, no sense of urgency from anyone but us even though now identified two blocked grafts, Drs no help ☹️

[Twobells]

GP do the fast track and should know. Basically the GP refer you to Cardiologist and you have to be seen within two weeks. Other than that go back to the original cardiology team and speak to their secretary and tell them what's going on.