Cardiologist report to gp

[Manhattan1]

hi just wondering after a CT angiogram.. does the Cardiologist send a detailed report of results to Gp or is it just a copy of discharge letter which i received?.. when speaking to Cardiologist in hospital after the event i didn’t think to ask her which artery was moderately blocked by plaque..and she specifically asked me if i had any other questions!she told me no longer MVA.. now unstable angina with the unwanted bonus of Ischaemic Heart Disease . i’m a complete numptie! lol

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I think the style tends to vary between cardiology departments. As I recall after my initial angiogram the letter said something like. .......we identified four severely cardiac arteries; the LAD at 85% and at around 70% the RCA.......... It's probably worth having a chat with your GP.

[Manhattan1 in reply to MichaelJH]

thanks Michael.. due to have a telephone appt with GP on Tuesday regards kidney gfr.. will ask if he has any info regarding CT angio report.. i’m sure Cardiologist said if it had been MVA then she doubted anything would show up on angio.. and she made a point after she and my usual Cardiologist had an indepth look at the pictures.. that it was definitely angina and IHD

[Cat04 in reply to Manhattan1]

Write a list of questions ready for your call with GP. Put them in order of importance in case call is pushed for time (as I can imagine it will be in current situation). Keep the list ready by the phone.

[Manhattan1 in reply to Cat04]

will do that.. thanks Cat👍

[Kizzie54]

I work as a medical secretary in cardiology dept. The report/result will go to your GP. I would ask the cardiology department for a copy of the GP letter and also if a follow up is required. Patients often call me back saying their GP hasn’t got a result letter, which tbh just isn’t the case. I find it astonishing how many patients wait and wait before checking where/ if a result is available. My message would be don’t wait months for your results, chase them with the secretaries and your GP practice.

Ramadan Kareem xxx

[Manhattan1 in reply to Kizzie54]

thanks Kizzie.. my personal discharge letter has stated follow up OP clinic appt with Cardiologist will take place.. would think that will be to see if increase in isorobide and addition of aspirin is having effect

[Kizzie54 in reply to Manhattan1]

It’s difficult to say, but generally we would go through the results and how your symptoms have been subsequent to anyway changes that were made. If necessary, further medication changes can be recommended, obviously you need to be comfortable with this. Don’t be afraid to ask, consultants are normal people and not the Gods they were once believed to be. Ask questions, I know from experience how daunting they can be, Make a list (not too long though) of your queries and concerns and don’t be afraid to ask for a copy of clinic/results letters. Many patients expect their GPS to call them with the results and sadly that isn’t usually the case. Call us, ask for help, be forthright, but be kind, there is nothing worse than a patient venting their anger at the secretary. Understandably, you will be anxious and worried about what will happen next. I feel if a patient accepts that you personally won’t be able to answer all their queries, but that we will do your upmost to speak to the their consultant, the outcome is far better all round. Take care xx

[Manhattan1 in reply to Kizzie54]

thanks for that lovely response Kizzie.. the lovely female Cardiologist who dealt with h me during my couple of unexpected days in the Cardiology dept told me there was mild/moderate plaque in the arteries but no major obstruction..that they would increase my isorobide to 120mg daily and add 75mg of aspirin to try and control the blood from ‘becoming sticky’..also said she couldn’t tell anyone that they would never have a HA because they can occur without having an obstruction in the arteries..but the addition of aspirin and increase of isorobide together with the meds i’m already taking would be the best protection in trying to avoid a HA.. but i will ask the GP and my usual Cardiologist at OP appt for a clearer explanation of which arteries are actually affected

[Buffy6956]

I directly asked for a copy of the report from my cardiologist but you are within your rights to call up and request a copy of the report due to (access to information rights) it’s much more detailed than a discharge summary so useful to have

[84green]

Hi Manhattan

I had my CT cardio angiogram done privately. Got the report the next day which I forwarded to my GP and cardiologist.

As Buffy says, it’s worth getting the full report if you can. It gives your coronary artery calcium score (the total amount of calcium in your arteries - the Agaston score) and the findings for each artery, whether clear or not. This includes a description of the plaques (calcified, non calcified) and the amount of narrowing - minimal (1 - 24%), mild (25 - 49%) etc. It also describes the structure of your heart and valves.

I took mine to the cardiologist and went through it line by line with him.

I’m sure any summary by the cardiologist will contain the relevant information but the full report is interesting and allows you to ask questions. As well as the bits that aren’t functioning 100%, it’s nice to also read about the bits that are!

Best wishes