Well literally 6 days ago I never expected to be here. But thankfully this evening I have found you and hopefully I can learn from some of your experiences. So yes I am a new member.
Last Sunday morning at 5.30 am I went out on my bike. Had a great hour of cycling and felt great. That was until arrived back home and went to open my garage door and began to feel very dizzy. Cup of tea later it went away so great I thought .
Next day took my wife shopping and relaxed for the day. Felt great.
Following day went out on my bike again for another hour. Ride felt good. This time got into the garage ok but little later felt really dizzy again.
Then had two days rest and decided to walk down to my GP surgery to make an appointment. Long story short they had no appointments but sent me to their other surgery. This involved a bit of rushing about to get there and on the way driving their I suddenly felt dizzy again but thankfully it soon passed and I got safely to the surgery. Wife later came down and drove us back home.
So the crux of this message is that after determining my BP was ok the stand in paramedic then by use of an app determined my heart is after a few beats showing a different pattern and I have to go back to have blood taken on Monday and at sometime he said I will have to have an ECG.
I dare say that my story is ringing a bell with many of you so can I ask should I be overly worried that this may take some time before I obtain a thorough explanation of what is happening to my heart or is my story quite common.
I must say that although I am still worried the testimonies of those who have had similar experiences on this site have given me hope that I may be worrying a little too much.
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bmwted
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I think most of us are surprised to find ourselves here at first. Heart anomalies have no respect for age, health or anything else. There again, many people who don’t follow a healthy lifestyle seem to manage quite well.
Don’t worry or become anxious as this has no benefit, it only risks making things worse. Unfortunately, diagnosis and treatment may take some time as the NHS is very stretched and diagnostic tests are performed one at a time, not concurrently. You may well receive medication quite quickly to protect your heart. If you are unlucky, you may not tolerate these well but give your body time to adapt. If it doesn’t, there may be suitable alternatives if you ask.
Thanks Ian . As you will know it's just so frustrating having to wait to get the help you need. Your comments along with others are at least comforting.Thanks.
IanMK called it right. It might be a slow and frustrating business getting sorted but that will happen. We would all urge you not to consult Dr Google but if anxious and unable to talk to gp or cardiologist talk to one of the excellent BHF nurses. In the meantime keep moving ( maybe not the bike) and address the basics of weight and diet. Good luck.
Thanks Clerkenweller. Your so right about Dr Google but it's so easy to do.
I had intended to go out on my bike this morning but in the end I thought it would be silly to do before I get more information on what is going wrong. Instead I walked to the local shop and even felt faint at times doing that so your advice is definitely correct. Again your definitely correct on the weight issue as I am over weight and only recently decided to cut out cakes & biscuits. Thanks again.
It's been my experience with NHS and private care that if there is something 'imminent' going on they snap to quite quickly - as in they don't let you leave the surgery or A&E.
Otherwise, it generally does seem to take longer than we patients would like to get some answers even if your GP has you on an 'urgent' referral. I try to not laugh when the medics and techs investigating my symptoms remark at how fast I'm being seen - from first GP referral (as urgent) to the Rapid Access Chest Pain unit took two weeks, then another three-ish weeks to the echocardiogram and then another three weeks to talking to the cardiologist. And at every phase (RACP, echo, and cardiologist) the remark was 'You are really getting the star treatment!'. Remarks I do find a bit laughable considering I was over two months in before finally talking to the cardiologist.
In the USA (I'm retired home to the UK now but did my entire working career in the US), present with the symptoms I had and 48 hours later (and a huge bill insurance covers only a percentage of) you have answers.
When I was feeling worried and not a little impatient during the intervals I would remind myself of two points - one, if I were in a seriously unstable condition I would have been kept in, and two, the NHS is currently quite stretched for staff and facilities, and private care systems in the UK don't generally move much faster (some but not a lot if the patient's condition is somewhat stable).
It’s 2 years since I first visited by GP. After 6 months, Events were moving too slowly for me so I decided to avail myself of my private medical insurance. Although benefits are short queues for consultation and treatment, be aware that it takes just as long for treatments to be deemed effective or not. I also benefited from the best world-class specialists that London has to offer. Emotionally, it has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride, particularly when awaiting a next step. After 2 ablations and a CRT-P, I now feel back in great condition at 64 and waiting for the 6-month post pacemaker consultation with my cardiologist who I hope will declare me ‘fixed’ and stop most of my meds.
Glad to read things are now looking up Ian. I have had some experience of the NHS system in the process of determining I was suffering from acid reflux. I wont bore you with full details but after many visits to my GP and him in the end trying to get me to take pills for anxiety it suddenly dawned on me why i has lost the enamel on my teeth. Been taking Lansoprazole since and i think that may be involved in this problem. It really does seem to me that life is a Lottery and whether its through prayer or just hope you live long enough to receive the treatment you need to survive.
Whether its involved with this issue I dont know but I recently had problems with my vision and had to wait 4 months to see the NHS specialist. To get to see one earlier I went private and even then waited 2 months at a cost of £300.
Tests carried out said nothing was apparently wrong with my eyes but I should go back & see him in 6 months.
I still attended the hospital appointment and guess who I saw. Yes the specialist I had seen privately.
Still at least by paying the money I had a few months less of being anxious.
A possible reason why UK private providers don't move as fast as in the US may be down to the fact that a lot of private doctors here have full time jobs working for the NHS!
Overall I think the reason US doctors move faster is down to money, sad to say, and while part of that is earnings, I believe part of that is owing to lawsuits. Malpractice insurance in the USA is shockingly expensive (and the reason for that might be the increasingly litigious patient population).
Thanks Sunnie great advice and hopefully your correct in saying that if there was a major issue I would have been given immediate attention. My wife knows someone who moved to the USA loved it but when she became I'll the cost of medical care motivated her to return to the UK.
What we are seeing down here in Eastbourne is paramedics replacing doctors and going just by my recent experience they're doing a great job.
It was only by going to the surgery I learnt that one of our GPs had left and given how tired he looked the last time I saw him I am not surprised.Thanks again.
Thanks for replying SC.I honestly dont know my heart rate other than literally over years of regular cycling it seems to have got harder than it was before even given I have aged. Must be honest I have tried to reduce carb intake but what carbs I do take are from bread and more recently avocados.
I have discovered this morning that the Lansoprazole I have been taking for years could be depleting my magnesium levels so that may be co contributing to my problems. Hopefully when my blood is tested tomorrow it will determine if it is part of the problem. Thanks again
I see you are on Lansaprazole. Would that be for acid reflux? My situation may be different but I was proscribed omeprazole for acid reflux and i quite quickly found that I only need to take it when the symptoms get particularly bad. I take gaviscon as required, nothing if no symptoms and Omeprazole once in a while; often one tablet will settle things down.
Jerry certainly not going to ignore you as that's great advice. I was taking 30mg in the morning & evening but I cut it down to 30mg just of a morning supported by NHS version of Gaviscon , Peptec.
Funnily enough I just said to my wife I think I will just try and use the Peptec when I get acid. I,m wondering whether
Hi bmwted. You don’t give your age but by the sound of it quite young (cycling every day phew!). I’m afraid I don’t have the confidence of some others who have replied as I was treated completely differently. I was doing HIIT at the gym 4 times a week and noticed it was getting harder and harder to do so I cut down to swimming most days and Zumba twice a week. I then had a heart attack and went to see gp. I was told I’d pulled a muscle in my chest with all the exercise and had overdone it. Had blood tests and ECG which all came back clear. One week later my husband called ambulance and they said the same but took me to hospital anyway because my blood pressure was very high. To cut a long story short after a week in hospital they finally decided o believe me. I had angioplasty with stent for 90% blockage!! Take it easy but get to the bottom of why you’re feeling like you are. Don’t take no for an answer. Just because you’re fit doesn’t mean you’re not at risk. Don’t be frightened just take care.
Thanks Maisie I really find your message touching.Dare I say it I am 68 going on 18 if you know what I mean. You know I really cannot understand why I cannot run a marathon each day sort of thing.Age is just a number etc. Its not as if my wife doesn't remind me of my age frequently either. Before I go on I usually only cycle 2 - 3 times a week and each time 12 - 15 Mile's at a moderate speed.
So you certainly do more than I do and like I guess most of us on here doing your bit to keep fit.
Thankfully my wife will not get to read this so I can tell you that because I have kept fit all my life and suffered injuries that have come along and moaned to her about them, although I dare say like you at the same time I am aware of my body, shes always called me a drama queen which seems to have been the attitude of those you met in the system before you proved them wrong. I have since told my wife that if I was a drama queen I would of being laying in bed or on the sofa rather than going out on my bike. In fact it was because I was going out on my bike I just knew there was something wrong. As I wrote originally I take comfort from knowing that yourself and others have been through all of this and come out the other side. This morning I woke up at 5am to go out on my bike and I thought although its normally a great time to go out because no one is about that could be a problem given the issue I now have. So I walked down to the newsagent instead which is just as well as that was more difficult than usual.
With regard to the blood test you had it just says to me that its only any good if they are testing for the correct thing.
I couldn't believe it when the paramedic got his phone out started up an app asked me to put two fingers on a pressure plate and it came up with my heart beat rhythms. Tomorrow I am having blood taken but God knows how long it will take to get an ECG.
At times like these I just think of young kids going through far more worst things than I am and yet still joking about so what right do I have to complain. We're all only human so if cause I will remain anxious until I know what the problem actually is but until then I think a spot of fishing may help.
Anyway you told me what had happened to you but how are you now. Hopefully the issues you have are not too debilitating and you can still enjoy life. Best wishes to you and your family and indeed everyone else that may read this.
I am obviously not a doctor I can however recount my personal lived experience that is so similar to what you are going through. Read the following but don’t worry or get anxious and if you have the same symptoms go straight to ED or call an ambulance.
I know my body so well and listen to it as you have done. My symptoms were tiredness and getting short of breath and I was only walking my best friend and loyal dog. At first I thought it was maybe I was coming down with flu, but the symptoms were brought on by exertion and my blood pressure was elevated. My symptoms were like the feeling you get when you drink a glass of whiskey that warmness in the throat but all the way down to my chest and I also was acutely aware of my pulse in my left side of my neck without actually touching it. I went to see my GP and he told me I had crescendo angina and that I should go straight to ED, which I did and I was diagnosed as having a heart attack albeit a mild one, this I was extremely grateful for that it was caught in time. My troponine levels were only marginally above the normal level of 21 mine being 25 (this can run into thousands if a major heart attack though), I was stented a branch off my LAD the first left diagonal artery. Prior to this less than six months I had recently done a stress echo which I passed and got up to my maximum heart rate so my cardiologist told me see you in a year.... you can imagine the look on his face when he saw me next.
That is why it is so important to listen to your body, my Cardiologist told me my stress echo results wouldn’t have told him about my attack as it was normal.
I had a PTCA procedure, Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty. The operating cardiologist that inserted the stent through my right arm’s radial artery told me the diagonal artery was nearly completely blocked and told me I had had a NSTEMI. Non ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction. ST refers to part of the waveform of your heart but being Non it doesn’t show up easily on ECG traces.
Hope this helps the importance of listening to your body as YOU know it best, diagnostic testing doesn’t always work and for me it was the blood tests that told them I had a problem.
Thanks secondchancer for your response and telling me of your experiences. Whilst its frightening to read it's also reassuring to know you've got through it. I have always thought that it is important to listen to your body as you clearly do as well. Best wishes for continued good health. Ted
I am (was) a regular cyclist, doing 50-100km a week for more than 5 years doing 800m + climbing every ride. Also doing 100+ mile rides as well and although a bit overweight at 49 I thought I was a pretty healthy MAMIL, I've never had chest pains, shortness of breath or any other symptoms until a ride a few weeks ago where I felt some palpitations. I wear a Heart rate monitor every ride, record all rides on Strava and know my heart well (so I thought!). Going up a hill my heart rate went ballistic and wouldn't come down. I stopped and went again, same thing. in the end I called a friend to pick me up and called the GP.
My initial ECG was fine but my BP was severe over 250 systolic. I spent two days in hospital getting it down. I am now undergoing all the tests to find out why, 48 hr ECG showing some abnormalities and Echo is today! So hopefully will know more soon. I'm just glad I am now in the system. My experience of the NHS has been second to none, I live in Wales and it seems excellent to me. So need to go private at all.
I was just a bit shocked as I thought I was OK, but in reality I may have been one ride away from not getting home to see the family! Very very scary, so although anxious I am probably one of the lucky ones!
Stay off the bike until you know a bit more, I am amazed what the heart can do even when it's nowhere near working well.
Thanks TC I am not even in your league when it comes to cycling as you really are a proper cyclist.
49 wow ! That is far too young to be suffering this. I wonder if like me it rattles you that even though you've been doing your bit you still get this. The only positive spin i can put on it if either of us hadn't been doing what we have could far worse have happened at an even younger age.
I see you live in Wales so I imagine when you say hills you really do mean HILLS as they are hard enough to ride on a motorbike.
The funny thing with my incident is that my BP was ok but the app showed a problem with the rhythm.
Given your cycling ability I bet you are tearing your hair out not being able to ride but given several of the testimomies on th BHF site hopefully we can both return to it given time.
Make sure you let us all know the results of your tests when you can and hopefully they will be positive Ted
Thanks bmwted, not sure I would call myself a proper cyclist still very much a MAMIL, but yes lots of hills around me, can't be avoided if you like cycling and my mates seem to get a kick out finding them. Yeah I hate not being able to ride, especially as its summer. But as you say I hope one day to be able to go again. However I am way happier being alive, and given life or no cycling then I would be happy not cycling again.
Yes I am a bit surprised and little bemused, although the cycling may have done it (is one thought of the doctor), I haven't always been so keen to cycle only the last five or six years, so didn't have the base fitness probably.
Had my echo this afternoon, the cardiac radiologist who did it said nothing untoward was seen but didn't elaborate, hopefully get the full results soon.
Great to read you had good news today TC and your so right about having life even if it means not cycling. Certainly got your priorities right there. When the time is right , and your going to hate this, what about an electric bike ouch ! Orbea do a nice racer !. And just to reinforce the point ex Tour rider Sean Yates even rides one these days. Best wishes for the future Ted
Thanks Ted! Yes E bike may be on the cards, would have been an anathema a year ago, but how things change! That Orbea is really nice, I saw it a few weeks ago and a good price, Specilaized have a new one as well but it is pricey. But prices are coming down slowly for e bike's. Watch this space!
Thanks SC I do know how crucial carbs are to your body because of the incidents I have read about when people have gone on a low carb diet. But it's just getting the right amount and getting them from the correct food rather than bread etc.
Fishing sounds good Ted. I’m doing well thanks. I have good days and bad but this site helps. It’s frustrating not being as active but I’m still here. I’m in for another week of blood tests and another ECG to gauge the damage the medications are doing. I’m not used to taking meds so body objecting to their use. Still I’ve reached 68 when my parents and grandparents didn’t get that far so can’t complain. Take care.
That's good news maisie. Just like you I feel lucky as both my mum and mum in law died aged 64. Like youb8noften wonder what effects the meds are having on my body. Both my wife and I have been taking Lansoprazole for years and the information you get with them says you shouldn't take it for so long. What can you do. Regards Ted
Have a look at the Haywire Heart by Dr John Mandrola and others. Written by a cycling doctor. Doodle68 has an interesting post running at the moment regarding various research findings.
I bmwted in a similar situation very low irregular HR fluttering in my chest but not had dizzy spells It’s now 12 weeks into investigation heart scan in 2 weeks time consults appt end sept It all takes time but iam not worried because I know if anything ecg results or anything will be red flagged and sorted so try not to stress too much because once your in the system everything is eliminated with blood tests ,ecg and scans take care xxx
Hi Christina thank you for your kind words & responding. 12 weeks that does sound a long time but I guess that's how long it takes for everyone but as you say its reassuring to know that if it was red flagged things would be happening more quickly.
Yesterday I was amazed when I went to have my blood taken that directly after the nurse said right we,ll go over to the other room to do your ecg now.
Before I removed my top for her to put the connections on we had a laugh when I told her I was no Poldark which my wife would confirm.
It's just amazing how quickly the system is at this stage.
Now obviously I am waiting for the results and unrealistically I guess I was expecting a telephone call today. Still hopefully no news is good news.
I dont know whether it's just coincidental but one of our forum friends advised me to only use the Lansoprazole I have been taking for acid reflux when I needed to and since taking his advice the dizzy spells have stopped.
Fingers crossed that continues.
Please let me know in two weeks how you get on and in the mean time take things easy Ted x
I cannot believe you have just mentioned lansoptazole I have been taking that drug for the past 3 years sometimes 3 a day do you think this drug can mess with your heart. My GP hasn’t made any connection. Xxx
Hi again Christina I too have been taking it for about 3 years and if you look at the warnings leaflet that comes with it it says you shouldn't take it for more than a year without your GP reviewing it. That said my wife has been taking it for more than 10 years but her attitude is that its stopping her building up acid so that's fine. I began taking 30mg in the morning and because I was still getting acid during the night he told me to take another 30mg before I go to bed. I also during the night have also had to take Peptec ie Gaviscon at times. I decided some months ago to cut out the evening dosage prior to receiving the advice on here and I am now just reliant on the Peptec to get me through the night. If you look at the leaflet where it mentions what affect it could have on you your see one of them is it can deplete I think it is manganese levels which can affect your heart. To get more accurate details better to read the leaflet.
With regards to your GP not making the connection I am not surprised as they all seem so over worked they dont get time to. As I have said previously it was only through my own research that I helped determine I actually have acid reflux.
All that said my assumption may be proven to be wrong but it just seems funny how the dizzy spells have stopped. Take care x
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still very much a MAMIL, but yes lots of hills around me, can't be avoided if you like cycling and my mates seem to get a kick out finding them. Yeah I hate not being able to ride, especially as its summer. But as you say I hope one day to be able to go again. However I am way happier being alive, and given life or no cycling then I would be happy not cycling again. 
Delightful surprise
Leaky Valves and Heart Palpitations (anxious newbie)
A bit surprised 
Very unexpected result at 58! 
Newbie
