AF and Heart Failure

[Aquataine]

My husband was recently diagnosed with AF and HF. Very scared for him, has only been seen by GP and is not nearly as well as I would have hoped by now. Any advice and support would be greatly appreciated. I thought they would at least have sent him to a cardiologist.

[Grayjay]

Yes he certainly should be seen by a Cardiologist. Ask your GP to refer him. It may not be as bad as what you think but does need examining. I have had AF for a long time,and take meds for it. Glad to say no adverse effects as yet.

[Aquataine in reply to Grayjay]

He has been really poorly this last 2 days am going tomorrow to insist he sees a cardiologist.

[shopman]

Has he had any tests? Otherwise what is the GP basing his findings on?

[Aquataine in reply to shopman]

He had several ECG's at the GP's surgery and a echo cardiogram but otherwise nothing. They have put him on anti coagulants & beta blockers but his pulse is still very fast and erratic and after initially improving he is now exhausted and breathless again.

[Malaga88]

Hi Yes Get Your GP To refer You to a Cardiologist PDQ.

[Aquataine in reply to Malaga88]

Thank you

[tibetan36]

AF requires specialist treatment.

He needs a Cardiologist/Electrophysiologist who can treat him better than a GP.

GP’s are good however in this situation specialist care is needed.

[Aquataine in reply to tibetan36]

Thank you

[sandybrown]

Please ask you GP for a cardiologist referral, this should have been automatic.

Heart failure needs urgent attention!

[Aquataine in reply to sandybrown]

I was astonished that he was not referred but was told it was not necessary

[sandybrown in reply to Aquataine]

GP practice are doing things that I do not like, in my case I had three problems and I was told just give time it will get better!, there is nothing I can do, just wait for my allergy,( has been very bad for a month), knee, (four weeks ago my left knee just gave way) !, to get better. TAA check, GP is not interested in this.

[Hidden]

My dad’s had heart failure 12 years and meds keep him going.

He’s not always well but it’s better than the alternative’s

Only time he seen heart doctor was when he sufferd cardiac arrest 12 years ago.

Gp as always manged it from hospital discharge

[Frenchi]

Hi, I would definitely make sure he is seen by a Cardiologist with regular check ups as the Consultant recommends. His breathlessness can be his medication needs changing or diuretics may be required. Extra pillows at night time can help and does he have a cough?

[Aquataine in reply to Frenchi]

He has had a dry cough but he is asthmatic as well, was sent to hospital this morning by GP but after a few tests was sent home with instructions for GP to refer him to a cardiologist!!

[Frenchi in reply to Aquataine]

That’s great he needs to be seen by a Cardiologist ASAP. Does he get swollen ankles ? and does he take a water pill ? Tell your GP you want him seen ASAP and he can arrange an urgent appointment. His dry cough can be heart related.

[Grayjay]

That's better at least he will get to be properly checked and monitored.

Good luck.

[Aquataine]

hi

I had exactly same with my husband and in the end demanded that he see a cardiologist, you have every right to see one. My husband had all the right tests and sees the cardiologist every 3-6 months, apart from a set back recently he made a good recovery

Good luck