Shocked and scared

[Langdale90]

Hi had anyone else been through this and can give me some guideance. My mother died at 46 of a heart attack.

After going to the Drs for months with atypical abdo pain they sent me to a cardiologist due to my family history. After several what I thought we're pointless unneccesaty tests they have said i have coronary artery disease. They are treating me via the GP with meds and think it will help. But I have no follow up with the consultant and a million questions. I am really struggling with this diagnosis after my mum's story she was misdiagnosed for years with abdo pain before she died. I am finding it hard to function and despite having a great husband and friends my family provide very little support.

[Ashleigh_BHF]

Hi Langdale90

Sorry to hear you're struggling with your diagnosis.

It's important to understand what medications you are on and why you are on them, so you could request a telephone consultation with your GP to run through your questions, and you can always discuss with them whether a referral to a cardiologist is needed.

Alternatively, you can call our Heart Helpline on 0300 330 3311 and speak to one of our cardiac nurses who can explain your treatment to you, and send you further information. You can also email [e-mail] with your questions for a cardiac nurse, and we can reply via email. We're here to support you and to try to answer your questions, so please get in touch if you think we can help you.

Best of luck,

Ashleigh

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star]

No wonder you have a million questions, having a heart condition diagnosed is always a terrible shock, but with your family history I imagine it would hit you even harder. Definitely make an appointment to talk to your GP again and bring a list of questions with you. If there are any questions your GP can't answer, ask for a referral to speak to a cardiologist. And even if you feel your friends and family are not able to offer much support at the moment, make sure you do keep at least some of them in the loop. I know my husband found it really difficult to support me initially, but over the years he has come to understand more about my condition and about how I deal with the emotional side of things and now he is a very effective source of support. It's a big learning curve for everyone involved and it will get easier (for all of you) to cope as time passes. Lots of love x

[Langdale90 in reply to laura_dropstitch]

Thankyou much for your advise and kind words. Despite everyone showing support no-one really knows how this feels right now. It's comforting to know I'm not alone and other people understand.

[stevejb1810]

Hi

I will give you the same advice that I have given others in your position - make a nuisance of yourself. Go and see your GP and get some answers. Somewhere there will be a full diagnosis from your cardiologist that your GP should have (Coronary Artery Disease is quite a wide brief). Make that GP appointment but write down all of your questions before you step into the surgery - its too easy to forget what you want to ask once the conversation gets going.

You didn't mention what drugs you are on

[Langdale90 in reply to stevejb1810]

Hi thanks for you message they have just put me on statins only.

[stevejb1810 in reply to Langdale90]

Ok, so that will control your cholesterol levels but it won’t do anything for pain. I think I’ll stick with my previous advice and have a decent chat with your GP. I see you have a reply from the BHF nurse - if you are concerned, get in touch with them. They can give some medical advice that most us cannot.

[Heartlady1]

Hi there.... your GP can be a source of help... but in my experience only to a point, as they may not have too much info from cardiologist to allow them to fully discuss your situation. But still definitely worth a visit.

I would try and find out the secretary of the cardiologist and give her a call. Explain that you were seen recently but still have concerns and questions 're your condition that you would like to put to the Dr. Ask if you can put it in an email to her... and can she forward on to the consultant for you.

In my experiences the secretaries have been a great source of help and they have the ear of the consultant... and can get responses quite quickly.

If you explain your fears ... 're your mum's history too and put down all questions that you want answered this is a good start in terms of getting answers and assurances... or second checks.

I have also found BHF a great source of really good advice ..... and when I have had a concern they have been great and giving me the confidence to go back and push for the answer.

Do keep knocking on those doors until everything is fully explained and you are happy that everything has been fully checked.

Good luck and do keep us in the loop

Karen

[Allyboy1973]

I'd make an appointment with your GP and ask to speak to someone from your local Cardiology dept to give you the answers you require as leaving it and having a million thoughts and unanswered questions will drive you mad . I wish you the best .

[Langdale90]

Thanks to you all for your advise and words if support. I have an appointment just come through for next week for a cardiac stress test and the consultants running the clinic so I hopefully will get some answer then.