What should I ask?

[Gog40]

I am like a rabbit caught in headlights when I see my local Consultant. After my angiogram when told all arteries blocked on RHS and 3 stents needed LHS I froze. The weeks later after my final Nuclear MRI's being told blood flow was good on resting with my medication. I was till referred for surgery at a larger hospital. Then the lockdown just after my referral was made. Yesterday a letter came to tell me my original local consultant is going to phone me to check my condition while waiting to see the surgeon.

I am thinking this could be my opportunity to as a couple of questions. Any advice what to ask? I am wondering is my risk of having a Heart Bypass is greater than waiting say until next year. I still have no idea how I am alive after my angiogram result then finding the opposite after my MRI's. My wife still will not let me do anything, even go for a walk.

I guess he will not be keen to talk much, so don't want to waste it again.

[Nathan53]

The following questions spring to mind:

1 While waiting for bypass what warning signs should I look out for i.e pain, feeling short of breath and what should I do if I experience those symptoms.

2 Is current medication the optimum or does anything need adding or changing - I am presuming you are on beta blocker, statin, aspirin, BP med GTN spray. Ask if you need to be on dual anti platelet therapy (DAPT) if not already on them, this would be aspirin plus either ticagrelor or clopidogrel

3 What activity can you do. Partners are often anxious but it can be detrimental doing nothing. Ask about brisk walking or gentle exercises

It will be frustrating and worrying for you to have this delay but medications are really advanced now and can usually keep you stable while awaiting surgery.

Just a few ideas, try and relax make your list of questions but make the most from your telephone consult. Don't feel you are wasting there time you definitely are not. If you don't understand anything ask for clarification. I have had good experience of telephone consults in the past.

[Gog40 in reply to Nathan53]

Very helpful, thank you. Yes I am on all the meds you suggested too.

[Qualipop]

Write down everything that comes into your mind and have the list with you when he phones. Tell him you get anxious about missing something and have a list of questions if he would please answer them. When I see them in person I take two lists, and hand one to the doctor and say I just want to make sure I ask everything I've been worrying about. I use my list to make notes. It takes less time and you are sure you missed nothing.

[Gog40 in reply to Qualipop]

What a good idea. Thank you.