Advice wanted

[PPaulE]

Hi new here, I had heart attack 2016 had stents fitted, after this I was quite fit going running 2/3 times a week. In May 2019 I got very breathless and blood pressure soared so had pacemaker fitted, didn't lower blood pressure eventually Dr changed BP meds which reduced it but I have been very breathless worse when sleeping also have terrible cough and swollen ankles Dr referred me for echocardiogram but was told today that hospital refused it because I have had 1 this year, I have had a chest xray, and breathing test which was all clear. so what do I do now? Any advice anyone

[Hatchjd]

I find it unusual that you were refused an echo when your physician is requesting it. Are you in the UK? If so I am unaware that certain tests are rationed. Can you afford to have it done privately? The test is around £300 at our local private hospital.

[PPaulE in reply to Hatchjd]

Yes I am in the UK, my GP said new guidelines state you can't have another done if you have had one in the last 12 months which I did when pacemaker was fitted

[Judy2208]

Strange I had heart attack in March had a echocardiogram 5 days after heart attack then one June after cardio vascular exercise finished and now just seen Consultant for check up and he has booked me for another echocardiogram

This means I will have had three in 9 months

[PPaulE in reply to Judy2208]

I think it was because my GP requested it, I am trying to get an appointment with my cardiologist

[Janma123]

Keep going back to the doctor or call 111 for advice.

My hubby had a CABGx4 in April 2018. In January this year he started getting breathless and was obviously ‘not right’, after a couple of visits to the doctor didn’t get anywhere we must turned up on a Sunday afternoon at the local a+e (he was feeling really ill and thought he wasn’t going to make it through that day). They checked him over and spotted that his ankles were also swollen and one of them picked up a bubbling in his chest (no one else had picked it up).

They made us an appointment that evening with the out of hours GP who reinstated his diuretic tablets and the problem soon improved.

He has had his medication altered to be more kidney friendly and is now on 20mg ferosemide every day with no recurrence of the breathlessness.

Best wishes.

[PPaulE in reply to Janma123]

Thank you I phoned PALS yesterday they agreed somethings not right and are trying to get me an appointment with my cardiologist if no joy, I will go to A+E