Theres some great information about peoples figures
and readings on here, which is great.But I have took the
view not to look too deeply into my own.I have read outhers
who have been pointed out flow rates and all sorts.Its maybe
just my way of doing things.Not that theres anything wrong
with finding out.I just choose not to look too deeply.Maybes its
a coping mechanism.
Personally I want to identify and monitor the key numbers that measure my health. Here are some reasons why,
-Doctors occasionally miss things.
-If I change doctors or see a consultant, maybe in another country, I want to be able to present them with a comprehensive medical history.
-I want my children to have access to my medical history, to help them understand their own genetic advantages and challenges.
-We're all making and refining critical lifestyle choices that are every bit as important as our medication. But we can't make those ongoing lifestyle decisions without objective and quantifiable measurements.
But hey, that's just my view, it's your life so ultimately it's your call.
Good luck!
I have my initial figures from leaving the care of the hospitol.
But thats it, as far as I can see there is no future tests.As far as
I can see you are just left to consult your gp, with no tests planned
as I said in anouther post.You are just left to get on with it untill you
have a problem. I wrung the hospitol to ask for more test after a year.
But they said they dont do any checks, I suppose untill you have a problem
that is when they do.Seems wrong to me but that seems how iy goes.
You had a very useful thread, and this one, too.
This says all, so far. And I am not the first to notice this "trend" in Cardiology.
1) poor early prevention and recognition of any cardiac related illnesses, before it gets out of hand, in other words, until the situation becomes critical and becomes much harder to continue to ignore, you virtually have no cardiac disease. It has to be something else or nothing to do with cardiac issues. To rephrase, you would almost need to be "well primed" before you receive any specialist care/interest/medical care and they do show it and are very open about this.
Even if you do, they look out for cases where imminent interventions would be required. If not, you get discharge back to GP.
2) no concept of monitoring the condition to keep patients "safe", ensuring his condition remains stable. This could be due to their own awareness that cardiac crisis can be so unpredictable and there is no diagnostic tests to accurately predict the likelihood of deterioration or improvement in the next 12 months. Subtext: the "patients have A&E to fall back on if needed. We did what we could, so we'll let his GP 'look after' him now. "
Thirdly, I notice that those I had seen rarely took any notice of high risk factors despite the advent of inexpensive DNA testing. It seems that they are not actively pursuing newer diagnostic testing to nail down an early detection over the established testing that is only useful in advanced cases. Innovative thinking? I have not seen much (yet).
I hear you, HT.
We are not static objects, those numbers are "snapshots" if you like, And therefore, these are bound to change, even fluctuate without you/patients ever knowing. Annual monitoring sounds very reasonable to me. I also feel that they need to listen to patients more, rather than focusing solely on looking at their test results.
"I have my initial figures from leaving the care of the hospitol."
Same here. In fact the only occasion when I was voluntarily provided with test results was upon discharge from hospital. I think the intention is that the patient passes on, or at least sights, their GP with this information. But just because you aren't offered test results doesn't mean you can't have them.
Every time I've had a test I've politely requested a copy of the results, and I've never once been refused. This should come as no surprise. The Access To Health Records Act 1990, and the Data Protection Act 1988, give the patient full access to ten years of their medical records (indeed this also extends to the records of deceased relatives).
All the health professionals I've met are conversant with their data obligations, and the quietest and most polite request is all that's required. There's no need to be a prat and act the barrack room lawyer, just ask and you will receive!
I've also had a useful conversation with my GP, where I expressed a concern that my heart disease may be a risk marker for diabetes, pre-diabetes, or insulin resistance. I asked for a glucose resistance test and the doctor agreed to schedule one. Again, I've got a copy of the results (which I'm happy to say showed nothing to be concerned about. Or at least so far, that could change and I want an early warning indicator if it ever does)
My own personal wellbeing plan includes tracking four key metrics (your plan of course may track different metrics, or track none at all if that's what you prefer),
-Blood pressure and pulse
-Lipid levels
-Waist size/weight/BMI
-Blood sugar levels
All of these I can either provide myself or, going forward, get on at least an annual basis through my GP.
There are also two other metrics that I'm currently investigating, Carotid Intima Media Thickness (CIMT) and/or a Cardiac Calcium Scan. I won't bore you with the details, but it appears some health trusts do these, but most don't (neither are NICE approved). I'm investigating having one or both of these tests done privately, I don't think the cost will exceed £200 or 300. These days you can spend that on a few family trips to the cinema, so if I finally conclude they're useful then, one way or another, I'll get them.
Collectively that will constitute the core data set that I'll use to monitor my progress and evaluate the effectiveness of my medication and the lifestyle changes that I'm making.
I've got complete trust in my GP, but I also agree with the old adage "trust yet verify"!
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Finding a Cardiologist 
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finding it hard to cope
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