Coronary artery disease

Hi. I'm new on here. Currently having a tough time getting meaningful follow up after having a Myoview heart scan. I'd started with bad chest pain in March, not realising what it was. It reoccurred less severely two more times, each time my GP sent me to A&e. ECG & blood tests clear, so I was booked in for the scan, a 6 weeks wait. After the scan was finished I was told they had the results there but I would have to wait another 6 weeks to get them by 'virtual appointment'. In the meantime I continued to have tight chest, dizziness, breathlessness etc. So after 4 weeks I was getting very anxious. Long story short, I eventually got the results by letter after 7weeks. It confirmed heart damage indicating possible heart attack in the past (what else could cause that damage?). It also suggested furring of arteries (coronary artery disease) but no evidence of angina. Advised to see GP for medication to try to prevent further heart attacks. I was already on Ramipril for high blood pressure, and a Station, & Aspirin. GP said nothing else needed. I asked why I was still having symptoms & he couldn't tell me, asking if I wanted him to write to them to ask. I said yes please, and as in all this time I had not seen a cardiologist, I asked for a referral. 1st Oct was first appt, with indication that any follow up treatment would not commence for a further 17 weeks! SCARY!!

I was recommended to BHF helpline by a friend & spoke to Cardiology nurse. She was very helpful & astonished to hear my story. I should have been put on Beta blockers by gp, referred for urgent angiography have blood pressure & cholesterol checked regularly. She urged me to ring hospital to try to bring appt with consultant forward, which I did. Success! My appointment is now 31 Aug. I'm still battling to get beta blockers & get some answers. Seeing gp again tomorrow.

This has all been such a long & scary process with little support or advice from anyone other than the BHF nurse today.

Is all this normal procedure? I would have thought I should have been referred to Cardiologist a long time ago without me needing to ask?

[Evans123]

Hi Doglover53

Unfortunately from personal experience without badgering and pushing for appointments to be brought forward I found this to be the case. I think it may depend on the area where you live as to waiting times.

I have had a CABG (bypass) 9 weeks ago and fortunately due to not having a heart attack I was put on a waiting list for surgery, the wait caused me to be extremely anxious though.

I would advise keep in touch with the hospital and if your GP is supportive for him/her to intervene. I was extremely lucky to have a fantastic GP who has supported me through the process.

Good luck and take care

J x

[Hidden in reply to Evans123]

Thank you, that’s helpful.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

The cardiologist I saw in the run up to my angiogram prescribed me anti-anginal drugs. One of the most common is isosorbide mononitrate. These were quite effective until a few months before my bypass.

[Hidden in reply to MichaelJH]

Thank you. I’ll talk to the Dr about that. Much appreciated.

[Tachys]

I went to GP with chest pain and got hospital cardiogram next day, saw consultant within twelve days. Short wait for CAT angiogram then five days for proper angiogram. My case is painful occasionally but not serious. Sounds like you got fobbed off.

[Hidden]

Thanks for that. You’ve been looked after well. Which hospital do you go to?