Heart failure and MRI wait

[GracieOS]

I was diagnosed with moderate to severe heart failure 12 months ago. I had to wait 11 months for am MRI which I had 4 weeks ago. I'm still waiting for the results which have yet to be reported. This seems an unreasonably long wait to me. My question: is this normal in other postcode areas or is my wait very long?

[chubby2x22]

Morning gracious, very similar story, RA since childhood, regular blood tests, in June I was so tired I saw a gp. Turns out I'm low in iron, folic acid and a marker for heart failure is extremely high. Gp referred me fast track as yet no appt with cardiology. I've no other symptoms but I am very worried, it seems the NHS has problems everywhere, jane

[GracieOS in reply to chubby2x22]

I too have RA. Since my early 30s, I'm now 56. My alert to a potential heart problem came from a routine RA check up, not from the consultant but from the nurse taking the standard blood pressure measures etc. She picked up a low pulse rate, apparently I had the same low pulse 12 months earlier at my previous RA check up but no one told me, she suggested I get it checked out. Long story short, I ended up with a heart failure diagnosis. I had no symptoms that I was aware of apart from tiredness which I put down to RA. I also had a persistent cough but put that down to others things, I had no idea a cough could be linked to heart problems. My cough has now gone, by tiredness persists, but I still do not have symptoms of heart failure. My Cardiologist does not know what has caused the heart failure but suggested if may be linked to methotrexate I was on for my RA. The MRI is meant to answer this. As a result I'm off methotrexate and my RA is worse. Rheumatology wont prescribe anything else until they see the MRI report. This is why I'm upset at how long the MRI is taking.

[Mickymoo in reply to GracieOS]

Hi GracieOS, I have been told that i have suspected heart failure after alot of swelling in feet and stomach ,also tiredness and high bnp level. I am now awaiting my echocardiogram results from cardiologists. I have psoriatic arthritis and was also on methotrexate until my hair started to fall out at the sides. My rheumatologist has know put me on humira injections. My question to you is , is there a link between methotrexate and heart failure? Thanks x

[GracieOS in reply to Mickymoo]

I don't know if there is a link. My Cardiologist says there maybe my rheumatologist consultant says no. I came off methotrexate on the advice of my Cardiologist and rheumatology have agreed with that decision pending the outcome of the MRI.

[Mickymoo in reply to GracieOS]

I can see why you are so desperate to get your results. Arthritis is crippling especially when not on any medication for it. I feel for you. I hope you get some answers soon xx

[Rose54]

Hi

My Mum had to wait 12 months for emergency Cardiologist appointment

some areas have less problems .

In the end we opted to go else where ,but it dos not seem right that a 91year old is expected to have to travel to the mainland when the local hospital is a five minute walk away.

I would chase up your results

good luck

[christina1947]

I think you have been waiting far too long I saw cardiologist end sept he said I will see you in 3 months time when I will have the results of the mri I will arrange for you to have. Liverpool heart hospital said I must ring mid November to arrange mri so results will be with the cardiologist in December. In Chester they don’t send out follow up appt until 2 weeks before your appt with the cardiologist. Take care xxxx

[Modeller3]

Yes just and a MRI scan got to wait 3 weeks for results

[Grayjay]

Hi, I have been waiting since May .I had a short consultation recently and wont get to see anyone again until December. No mention of an MRI at this appt ,hope so. It looks like I wont get treated until the new year.It seems that they are hard pressed in any area. 12 months is a long time to wait so I hope you get sorted soon. X

[MRSLADP]

Hi Gracie,

Here's my timeline.

Consultant Appt #1: March

TOE: June

Consultant Appt #2: July

Surgeon Appt: July

Surgery: Aug

NW/Central London. You've been waiting too long, in my opinion.

[Beccamoptop]

Seems to be a bit of a postcode lottery. I am under NHS Tayside and I was 5wks.

Good luck with the results.

[CPL593H]

My waiting times were about 6 weeks for the mri and 10 weeks for the results.

[shwills]

Hi

I am was diagnosed HF in August

Due the heart valves leaking. Moderate HF

Think it depends on what BNP levels are mine was1260

Someone on this site told me about the chart from Bristol hospital which stares the timescale to see HF nurse/consultant

Try to stay calm as you can

Call the secretary if you can

Good luck

[Yasyass]

That is a long time I only had wait two weeks for mri and say results in two weeks ph ur gp