Could this be a mistake

[Pica5s0]

GP told me to shield because I have type 2 diabetes and there's a letter on my file saying that I have aortic stenosis which was diagnosed by an echocardiogram 5 years ago but it's news to me. I have never been tested. GP is surprised that I haven't been monitored. Any advice about what I should do?

[84green]

I am also Type (although currently well controlled by diet - no meds) and mild aortic stenosis diagnosed in January by echocardiogram. Plus some mild narrowing of two arteries. All I’ve received from my my GP is advice to practice social distancing.

I can imagine and share your shock on the echocardiogram result!

I would suggest the first thing would be to arrange an echocardiogram to confirm your diagnosis. If you’re not experiencing symptoms, that’s a good sign. The cardiologist who diagnosed me said I could have had it for years (he believes it was caused by a rheumatic childhood illness) but recommended annual monitoring to keep an eye on things.

[Pica5s0 in reply to 84green]

Thanks for responding 84green, I have been able to get the diabetes under control without medication. I am absolutely certain that I have never had an echocardiogram ever. I googled it after speaking to the doctor and I am positive that I would remember if anyone had done a procedure on me. I think that I have frightened the life out of myself after looking at Google and with the lockdown I can't have an echocardiogram to confirm, the GP said that she will get me checked out when things get back to normal.

I have absolutely no symptoms which is a good thing. You have eased my fears by sharing your experience, thank you.

[84green in reply to Pica5s0]

Congratulations on the diabetes. Not easy is it? But so worth it!

I’ve only had one echocardiogram. It’s not invasive but they’re not easy to miss. Mine lasted about 15 minutes. I lay on a bed with top off and the cardiologist uses a small microphone-like device on your chest, back and stomach to scan your heart. There is (or was in my case) quite a bit of poking and prodding until he was happy he’d got the images he needed. I’m sure you’d remember. Also, if you’ve had one, you’d make sure you got the result. Can you not ask the GP to see the letter they refer to?

Although my result wasn’t too bad, the cardiologist did say that the most important thing was that I didn’t have any symptoms.

Try not to worry and definitely try not to google - advice that I’m better at giving than following, but true nonetheless!

Good luck.

[Pica5s0 in reply to 84green]

I'm low carbing for the diabetes which is working for me. I definitely haven't had an echocardiogram, the GP did seem very nice and I'm sure she'll let me see the letter she referred to.

[Sunnie2day in reply to 84green]

Not to hijack Pica's discussion - but I had childhood rheumatic fever that led to Rheumatic Heart Syndrome so your mention of it here connected with aortic stenosis is so similar to my experience I couldn't resist commenting.

After my last echo, the cardiologist won't use the S word (stenosis), instead he calls my aortic valve scarring 'trivial' (my absolute favourite word of 2019!) and I'm to be monitored every year for three years.

If no significant changes in three years, we'll switch to once every five years. I'm 63, female, and again, happier than Larry to hear that wonderful word 'trivial'.

The cardiac nurse calls it 'mild' which is why your reply to Pica 'pricked my ears up'.

[Pica5s0 in reply to Sunnie2day]

Thanks for responding. I have been so reassured by people here. Trivial is an excellent word to my ears too. Stay well.

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

After my heart attack I joined Patient Access the online system where you can order medicines, book GP appointments and view your medical record. Once I had access I spotted a document from the local hospital about my hip problem? When I looked closely the document related to someone with the same surname as me, but his first name, while starting with the same initial was different - turns out that when the document was scanned into the system it was saved to my folder by mistake. I'd ask to see the letter that says you've had an echocardiogram, it may be someone else's that has been misfiled in your file

[Pica5s0 in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

Thank you for responding SpiritoftheFloyd, fingers crossed that this is something similar. I'm signed up for Patient Access but I didn't realise that I could look at my records. I'll check this out.

[CDPO16 in reply to Pica5s0]

Not all GPs allow this. I have Patient Access with my GP practice but they do not allow me to access my personal records.

[Pica5s0 in reply to CDPO16]

Thank you, maybe my surgery is the same.

[CDPO16 in reply to Pica5s0]

If you find that yours doesn't allow it perhaps you could discuss it all with your GP via a phone consult. Many GP practices are not doing face to face consultation at the moment unless absolutely necessary. Hope you get answers to your queries.

[Pica5s0 in reply to CDPO16]

Thank you. I'm going to try to relax about it and follow it up with the GP when things settle down.

[SpiritoftheFloyd in reply to CDPO16]

How strange! When I have a blood test, the results are posted to my file in Patient Access, I can read the results, compare them to the previous blood test and if I need ring up to either talk to or see GP to discuss anything I'm concerned about.

Why would a GP deny a patient access to their own records? Surely being able to see and understand your results is a way of self managing your own health!

[CDPO16 in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

It is at GP discretion which, as a retired RN, I can understand. Not everyone would understand some of their records contents and not everyone would cope with reading them or, indeed, be willing to self manage their own health.

[SpiritoftheFloyd in reply to CDPO16]

Thanks for the reply.

I wasn't aware that it was at the discretion of the GP. I used to work in IT and was heavily involved with the introduction of Data Protection rules, so assumed there was an automatic right for people to see their own data.

I do understand the issue of some people not being able to cope with reading their records, and that a GP may withhold access in such a situation. I have a friend who goes "talk to the hand" if the discussion goes around to health!

Personally, I very much like being able to see my results, and I think my GP has now got used to me asking questions when results are posted up

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to CDPO16]

Under the General Data Protection Regulation Act 2018

' patients have the right to request access to their own medical records under a Subject Access Request without charge'

firstpracticemanagement.co....

NHS England gives this information about accessing medical records

england.nhs.uk/contact-us/h...

nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-...

You can also ask for incorrect information to be amended

[Hidden]

It certainly could be a mistake,they happen!! you need to follow up gp ,well done with you diabetes keep it up stay well

[Pica5s0 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you.

[Cat04]

You could ask your gp for a copy of your echo results, they could be requsted by phone & posted to you to save a visit. It would probably give the place & date you ' allegedly' attended the echo too and also the degree of stenosis. So many asymptomatic patients have mild stenosis. Or it may not be your report but put on your notes by mistake.

[Pica5s0 in reply to Cat04]

Thank you.

[Hidden]

Mistakes are possible. Years ago I had really bad acid reflux. One doctor thought it may have been a hiatus hernia. I now know for sure i don't, and never had, a hiatal hernia but that is what my record shows. I need to talk to my current doctor about this. The reason I know is that among all the scans and x-rays etc. which I had while in hospital for 3 months show that I don't have a hiatal hernia.

[Pica5s0 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks.

[MrsBun23]

Hi, I work in a Gp surgery and producing the shielding letters has identified a lot of errors in the coding and data. As others have said, mistakes do happen, and the shielding letters are only advice based on your coded records.

I would suggest that you speak to the lead administrator or practice manager to investigate and make any corrections 😊

[Pica5s0 in reply to MrsBun23]

Thank you.

[Needtodo]

I would contact your GP. I think you'd remember having the echocardiogram and having had one the result! Letters and results are sometimes misfiled.

[seasider18]

There must be a mistake in your records as no way would you forget having an echo cardiogram. Mine was noted in 2000 when I had an ECG and again when I had an echocardiogram prior to prostate surgery in 2005. I was still symptom free when the valve was 76% closed in 2011 when I had a thorough examination when being considered for a hypertension trial.

[Snowdrops_17]

Well think they made a mistake with your supposed to have Aortic Stenosis.

Before you going big isolation, please get this followed up as if you didn't have a test 5 years ago, then they got that wrong. Your medical file needs checking by your GP and then corrected by the NHS Admin..... good luck! Hope you get this sorted soon Pica

[Pica5s0 in reply to Snowdrops_17]

Yes I will get this followed up. The GP was very nice and said that she will refer me for a test when hospitals get back to normal. I joined the practice four years ago and I have never met her but this does need to be checked.

[Snowdrops_17 in reply to Pica5s0]

If you have only been with this Surgery for 4 years, and you got no clue of this other test, wouldn't think you need to self isolate or do you??? If its not in your medical file.... GP should forget about it and write to them, that your medical file doesn't confirm Aortic stenosis.... so you are off the hook then 😁

[Pica5s0 in reply to Snowdrops_17]

I never thought of it that way. Things are looking up. I have type 2 diabetes which is controlled by low carb diet but other than that I am usually quite lucky with my health. I take absolutely no medication and the last time I was prescribed antibiotics was in the 1980s.

[Snowdrops_17 in reply to Pica5s0]

Well there you go Pica! Really if your health is good and your Diabetes 2 under control...why a test????? Would really think that's unnecessary..... but anyway follow Doctors advice, to get your ❤ cleared!!!!!! Have a blessed day all !

[Pica5s0 in reply to Snowdrops_17]

You too.

[Pica5s0]

Hi Seasider, thanks for that. I was stunned when the doctor rang, I didn't know what an echocardiogram was until I googled it and there's no way I have ever had one. Stay well.

[scottish1]

It could well be a mistake. My medical records say I have 2 daughters which is rubbish, I had son then a daughter. My kids are even registered at the same doctors but even when I happened to see this mistake on the computer screen nobody said how to fix it. It was just a fluke that I even seen it.

[Pica5s0]

Oh gosh, the mind boggles. We put such trust in people don't we?

[Anxiousarabella]

It is possible it is a mistake. One hospital sent a letter saying about my husbands epilepsy - he has never had it. Another hospital said he had coeliac disease and anxiety - he does not have either. It also said he had no danger of falling - yet he had been diagnosed blind a month before. I know everyone is busy and mostly doing a real good job but clerical errors are a real worry.

[Pica5s0 in reply to Anxiousarabella]

Definitely. I hope your husband is doing well Anxiousarabella, clerical errors are the last thing you need.

[Anxiousarabella in reply to Pica5s0]

My Hubby got Covid-19 and was in hospital . He got pneumonia from it but is now out but still very poorly with all his other health conditions. At least he is lucky to get out!! Please stay safe.

[Pica5s0 in reply to Anxiousarabella]

Fingers crossed for him.

[EMBoy]

The fact that there is an incorrect letter in your file may mean that someone else has not received a letter they should have.

[Pica5s0 in reply to EMBoy]

I hadn't thought of that EMBoy but hopefully they would have asked for their results.