Waiting for cardiologist

[Angie2020]

Does anyone have any idea how long I will wait to see a cardiologist? I had an abnormal echo a few weeks ago with brightness around heart whatever that means. I'm having daily breathing problems and can't sleep properly and my heart is racing all the time with my pulse going up to a hundred at rest. I keep going back to my doctor but apart from giving me an inhaler, that's it. My quality of life isn't very good at the moment. I've gone from working out five times a week to getting extremely out of breath just walking upstairs?

[Shoshov]

How long is a piece of string. Depends where you live apparently. Just go to a&e when it's bad. They might admit you then you'll see cardiologist. Good luck

[IanMK]

Sorry to hear you're unwell, Angie. Obviously you're concerned and want to get on with a diagnosis and treatment. As Shoshov says, it seems to be a bit of a postcode lottery. I assume you know where your GP has referred you to. Try phoning the department secretary to see if you can get an idea of the wait. Otherwise - and I'm not happy having to suggest it - follow Shoshov's advice and go to A&E.

[Angie2020 in reply to IanMK]

Going to A&E is a total waste of time. If my vital signs are normal they just say there's nothing they can do and yet I spend at least 4 hours a day struggling to breath and to take a breath in. Im so tired it's affecting my mental health so now they've labelled me anxious and put it down to anxiety even though my echo showed abnormal results.

[IanMK in reply to Angie2020]

I can understand your frustration, Angie. Your original post suggests that you have symptoms most of the time - there's no point going to A&E unless you're having problems breathing. If you're not exhibiting any symptoms that's not an accident or an emergency and there is nothing for A&E to investigate. That's why I was reluctant to suggest A&E.

[Angie2020 in reply to IanMK]

Just to clarify, I go to A&E when I'm gasping for breath but because my pulse ox is normal they just tell me there's nothing they can do. My bottom lip also had a blue tinge to it but they just look at me like I'm an hypochondriac. I've read that your pulse ox can be normal because it's a shortage of oxygen within the heart and lungs by not being able to get rid of excess carbon dioxide and not the rest of the body but yet they just go on a peg on your finger even though you're visibly struggling

[Hidden]

Sorry my advice is just a repeat phone the Cardiologist secretary, I am on 1st name terms with mine, they will give you a good idea of how long you might need to wait. They might also be able to push your appointment forward if you explain what's happening - good luck

[Sodsocks]

It depends where you live I think. Here in the north it's about 6 months

[Jamzy28]

Is the Brightness yellow on the echo

[Angie2020 in reply to Jamzy28]

The sonographer had the brightness on the machine turned up too much. Can you believe that! I've been worried sick for weeks on end thinking there's something wrong with my heart and this idiot doesn't know how to do his job properly!

[Jamzy28]

That means if the echo glows yellow it means there's something wrong because when I have a echo it glows yellow because I have a hole in the heart it horrible having a heart problem.

[Angie2020 in reply to Jamzy28]

So sorry to hear that. Can anything be done?

[michdev]

Sorry to hear what you have been through Angie. I always thought chest pain and esp a blue tinge (a clear sign of possible heart problems) alarm bells rang but apparently not. I remember saying to my own GP before about ongoing palpitations with a crushing pain in my chest and pain up and down my arm and she asked if I had any tingling sensation in my hand and that was the time to go to the hospital. She out ruled any chest pain which I felt was odd. We put our trust in these professionals. Maybe you should try and talk to a more sympathetic doctor if one actually exists and explain how you feel. A simple few tests will give you peace of mind.

[Angie2020 in reply to michdev]

Hi, it turned out to be sudden onset asthma which can be caused by menopause which I'm going through and also leaky gut which I had. I'm feeling great now after being prescribed an inhaler and healing my gut. My heart is absolutely fine after nearly a years of tests and going down every avenue. Best wishes