Advanced Nurse led clinic - what to e... - British Heart Fou...

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Advanced Nurse led clinic - what to expect?

banana1982 profile image
9 Replies

Hi all,

The OH finally has his appointment this week after his STEMI Heart Attack back in April having 3 stents fitted.

While he was in hospital the Drs mentioned borderline Heart Failure and his discharge letter said moderate LVSD. He is still suffering from his health and having joined the pumping marvellous facebook group for an additional source of information.

So I guess my real question is, is his appointment going to be for HF or do all HA sufferers get called back for nurse led clinics? I'm still hoping that the LVSD is a bit of red herring and the OH is still going to make a full recovery. Unfortunately neither of us realised he was having a HA and he left it 24 hours before seeking medical attention so there is quite a bit of damage to his heart - he also thinks it's affected his brain to as his memory and cognitive ability is shocking at times.

Many thanks

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banana1982 profile image
banana1982
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9 Replies
Sarahd56 profile image
Sarahd56

Hello, I had my event four weeks ago, and have been to see the cardiac nurse. She/he will go through a lot of aspects of your health, job, emotional state ect. My nurse is very good and ai was with her around an hour. Then I saw the physio who asks you more questions and puts you through wee series of walking.exercises, slow at first, then it gets a bit faster. She walked with me and you can stop at any time. I had a finger probe for 02 levels. It's all very laid back and no pressure is put on you. I also attended the cardio gym and noticed on my card it said mild LVSD. I asked the nurse about this which she told me about. I also done a bit of my own research into it too. Hope this helps rehab is very good for meeting people too, good info6 and chat. Regards, Sarah

banana1982 profile image
banana1982 in reply toSarahd56

Thank you, he's already done cardio rehab which was fantastic for him. We were hoping this appointment would include the cardiologist to understand just what happened and why, I.e. we knew his RCA was fully blocked but do not know what % the LAD one was. It seems odd though has he can run relatively well (We do park run each week) but stairs, inclines, bending over, sleeping on his side leaves him breathless.

I guess we just have to be patient for a few more days

Sarahd56 profile image
Sarahd56 in reply tobanana1982

Ah, well hopefully you get to meet with cardiologist soon.

MountainGoat52 profile image
MountainGoat52 in reply tobanana1982

After seeing the Cardiac nurse, I was referred to a Chemical Pathologist in the local hospital. She arranged for a series of blood tests for me and it transpired that the blood clot that initiated the chain of events leading up to my heart attack was caused by me having a high homocysteine level. This was down to genetics, not my lifestyle. The cure was simple - folic acid B9. I now take a vitamin B complete tablet each day and I am well within the normal range.

BlueZircon profile image
BlueZircon

Hi I had STEMI in April (2 stents) left with HF and severe LV impairment and lots more. Have had 2 appointments with HF Nurse and one with HF Doctor plus had 2 appointments with Consultant Cardiologist. The moment I got out of hospital I changed my whole eating pattern and lost 1 stone 7 pounds. Cholesterol level now normal. You can telephone the appointments (number should be on the letter you received) and ask who you are going to see. The HF Nurse is only interested in upping medication (she discharged me after 2nd appointment). At an appointment with HF Nurse your husband will be weighed and have an ECG, I was told by Cardiac Nurse not to do jogging or swimming. I have resisted all attempts to up my meds. Memory problems/confusion can be caused by medication. 6 months on the right side of my heart has started to repair itself and I am now borderline HF. Would just add it is very important that your husband asks for a copy of every procedure he undergoes ECG, blood tests etc. If you haven't already ask GP surgery for online access to your records as you can also look up blood tests on that system.

banana1982 profile image
banana1982 in reply toBlueZircon

Thank you for your comprehensive reply, We have no idea what his cholesterol was before hand, initially in hospital it was quite low and dropped to around 2.7 now.

He will be resisting any attempts to up his medication, he has managed to halve his stations from 80mg to 40mg.

He changed his lifestyle completely, stopped smoking, now eats very low fat, veg/fruit intake and more active, he's lost.around 3 stone since the HA.

He will be upset if he's told he can't run anymore, and I wouldn't like to say he'll abide by that one?? But we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

That's a very good point about his records, the hospital is in another county so they don't share records with our GP, but he can access blood test results from the GP online.

Excellent news about your heart starting to repair, gives us some hope.

BlueZircon profile image
BlueZircon in reply tobanana1982

Exercise is good but he should ask about running because that obviously puts more strain on the heart and makes it work harder. I was in hospital out of my area (ambulance took me to wrong hospital even though my local one is 5 minutes from my home!) but they still sent letter to me and GP. Very important to keep a file of all records for himself. I have 6 flights of stairs (60 in total) up to my flat and no lift. If I am carrying shopping can only make it up 4 flights and have to rest before tackling the last 2 flights (whilst gasping like a fish out of water LOL). Recently I switched from taking all my meds in the morning to the evening/night. One bonus of this is I can now make it up the stairs without stopping and gasping for breath. So is it the meds? I can't say for sure but......

Ianc2 profile image
Ianc2 in reply toBlueZircon

One and a half stone weight loss - impressive. Any particular diet?

BlueZircon profile image
BlueZircon in reply toIanc2

No special diet. I just changed a few things. No butter, cheese or cream, no white bread/rolls, no ready prepared meals. I eat lots of salmon and other oily fish. I have all my meals within a 6 hour window. My food is mainly plant based. Not breakfast as can't face it after taking meds.

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