Confused

[WeaverShaz]

I didn't get a letter listing me in the highest risk category. I am confused though - on the BHF site it says

How do I know if I fall into the "extremely vulnerable" group who need to stay at home for 12 weeks?

"Some heart patients are considered at extremely high risk of severe illness from coronavirus. You are classed as extremely vulnerable (most at risk) if:

...you are pregnant and have significant heart disease - defined by experts as any of the following: coronary heart disease (if you have symptoms), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (if it affects your heart function), thickening of the heart muscle (left ventricular hypertrophy) caused by high blood pressure, pulmonary arterial hypertension, a narrowed or leaking heart valve if this is moderate or severe, heart failure that affects your left ventricular function, significant congenital heart disease. "

Yet it also says on the same page

I don't fall into one of those groups: am I still at high risk from coronavirus?

Even if you are not at extremely high risk, you may still be at particularly high risk because of your heart condition if:

"Heart valve disease that is severe and associated with symptoms (such as if you regularly feel breathless, or you have symptoms from your heart valve problem despite medication, or if you are waiting for valve surgery). A heart murmur that does not cause you symptoms doesn't put you at high risk. "

I have moderate-severe aortic stenosis that will require a replacement valve. I am/was due a scan to assess for a TAVI so am I highest or higher risk??

[Shar28]

Hi. I think you’d need to refer to your GP or BHF nurse helpline for more specific information.

[werd]

If you really want the letter you can have mine because I do not want it. It is the last thing I need

Yours drew

[WeaverShaz in reply to werd]

I only really wanted one to qualify to book online delivery. I also have Parkinsons and the last thing I want to have to do is queue to get into a supermarket as I have no family to help. Hopefully things will settle down shopping wise.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Those qualifying for a letter must have one or more of very specifically defined health issues, as listed in www//gov.uk

Not sure what the letter is worth. We have just got one, and registered with a supermarket. We still can’t get a delivery slot, and rumours about the Food box suggest it’s been designed by a Kids Party company. Angel Delight, powdered mash, and fizzy drinks. A wicked joke I hope..

[GrannyE]

I too am confused. First I thought I was and then it read that I have to be pregnant and have one of those problems (issues nowadays). If we have one or more of those heart/vascular problems but are not pregnant do we qualify?

[Hidden]

On the worldmeter we are classes as high risk. So decided I'm staying in for 12 weeks.

[shellarc]

I received my "letter" last week and registered on the .gov site. Remember you have to do this or you will be missed even if you got the letter.

This morning two cheery chaps delivered my first food parcel. Not kids stuff at all.

Bag of spuds, some carrots, apples, mandarins, for fresh produce.

Tins of beans x 2, Tomato soup x 4, 1 tin each of Corned beef, sliced peaches, Tinned tomatoes, Big tin of mushy peas (yuck), tin of Tuna.

Spaghetti, Uncle ben rice x 2, jar of spaghetti sauce

1 litre UHT semi skimmed milk.

Bag of assorted tea and coffee sachets and small packets of biscuits.

I box of Ready brek, and a medium white sliced loaf. (no butter )

2 x small bars of soap and 2 x small liquid soap, 2 x loo roll (yeah)

Not bad at all and it would keep you going if you had nothing in the house at all. I still need to get some cat food and a few other bits in but a good start to the weekly shop. Means I don't have to ask friends to do a huge shop for me.

I have a severe peanut allergy so will need some specific items, but for your average person it should be just fine.

[Bassman65 in reply to shellarc]

If you have a soup maker or blender add tin mushy peas, tin tomatoes and a couple tables spoons curry powder. Heat thoroughly and you have chip shop style curry sauce..🙂

[shellarc in reply to Bassman65]

Thank you very much for your thoughts but I can't eat peas at all never mind mushy ones.

Its one of those things people don't realise, Peas are part of the peanut family.

I am allergic to peanuts and peas, as well as lentils, and any other member of the pea family. Anything that splits in two, like peas do is part of the same family.

[Bassman65 in reply to shellarc]

That’s useful to know thanks, sorry I couldn’t help

[Qualipop]

I'm just worried that supermarkets will concentrate so much just on those who have had letters that the rest of us at risk, over 70, heart problems etc will miss out. I've been housebound for 20 years and rely totally on online shopping as I simply can not physically get round a supermarket but that divisibility doesn't count

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Qualipop]

I agree Qualipop there are many people who need help but not on 'the list'

I am very fortunate, my grown up children have returned home and they do all the shopping and errands.

[Qualipop in reply to Milkfairy]

Yes, up to last week I was seeing delivery sots from Sainsburys. I didn't need them as I had two booke d elsewhere but now they've vanished. We have NO ONE at all who can shop for us

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Qualipop]

Have you contacted your local council they should have a list of volunteers or charities in your area who maybe able to help you

[Qualipop in reply to Milkfairy]

Not yet. I have orders booked for two more weeks so we are ok for now.

[GrannyE in reply to Milkfairy]

Hope you get yourself sorted. It makes me feel so fortunate to live where I do with so many people offering to help. We are really lucky and a big thanks to all those who take the trouble to ask neighbours if there is anything that they can do.

[Mickymoo]

I received a letter from gp saying I was high risk and had to isolate for 12 weeks now. I'm only 42 so wasn't expecting one. I have suspected heart failure and moderate copd. Also emphysema. Maybe high risk are people with multiple health issues. Just a guess as I really don't know how it works xx

[Qualipop in reply to Mickymoo]

I doubt you will be on teh governments list even with those problems. I don't seethem included even if your GP says so.

[shellarc in reply to Mickymoo]

I thought COPD and emphysema were the same thing? I have asthma, COPD and AF and am

62, I am on the vulnerable list.

[Mickymoo in reply to shellarc]

So did I until the respiratory consultant explained it. Emphysema can be called under an 'umbrella term' as copd but u can indeed have both. My ct angiogram showed emphysema. My other pft tests said I also have moderate copd. U can have copd without emphysema. Unfortunately I have been diagnosed with both. Emphysema although listed now under copd is an illness in itself where the avoli are destroyed permanently. As is copd (an obstruct in your airways). That's the best way I can describe it. Hope this makes sense as it took me a while to fathum it all. I was only diagnosed a couple of weeks ago and my next respiratory appointment has been cancelled where I was to find out what stage my emphysema is at. They think maybe mild as not showing on x-ray just yet, only ct angiogram xx

[Mickymoo]

It says I am high risk of serious illness and from yesterday must stay home for 12 weeks. Gave advice on home shopping delivery and doctors appointments if needed. Also a letter to give to work to prove this. I do also have psoriatic arthritis and an on immunosuppressive medication and have severe bowell problems. These all added together probably was the reason for the letter x

[WeaverShaz]

Well, after querying it I am now on the priority list, at least with Sainsburys. Of course, getting a slot is a whole other issue but at least I can try.

[Mickymoo in reply to WeaverShaz]

That's good news x