Safeguarding Corona Virus: I am so... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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Safeguarding Corona Virus

StDogs profile image
19 Replies

I am so confused... on 17 Nov 2019 I had a heart attack and arrested. So I had a emergency procedure to unblock a heartery and have a stent put in. 3 days latter I had a planned procedure to have a second stent. On 18March 2020 I was stood down from work because of corona virus. I have been safeguarding ever since. I have not had a letter and some seem to think I am not in the group that does need to safeguard/self-isolate/stay at home... obviously I feel very much at risk, but getting mixed messages and opinions - can't seem to get a definite answer- do I now need to safeguard at home until the 15th of August- I live and work in Wales.

Can anybody tell me what the official/unquestionable advice/instruction is for me...

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StDogs
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19 Replies

If you didn't receive a letter and feel you should have, then speak to your GP, they will be able to advise you better than anyone here.

StDogs profile image
StDogs in reply to

Oh.. OK.. thanks for your help. Cardiac Nurses Said I may slip through the net.

SpiritoftheFloyd profile image
SpiritoftheFloyd

Here's the latest advice on the subject :-

Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable

If you live in England click gov.uk/government/publicati...

If you live in Northern Ireland click nidirect.gov.uk/articles/co...

If you live in Scotland click nhsinform.scot/illnesses-an...

If you live in Wales click gov.wales/guidance-shieldin...

If you are in the extremely vulnerable group you can register on gov.uk to get support click gov.uk/coronavirus-extremel...

The latest detail on Social Distancing – click gov.uk/government/publicati...

StDogs profile image
StDogs in reply toSpiritoftheFloyd

Thanks for you help. I will check this out

Rose54 profile image
Rose54

Hi

I was told having a heart attack and stents did not put you in the Clinically vulnerable group on its own so did not need to isolate for 12 weeks but to follow careful social distancing.

However other things on top such as having a impaired immune system did so its not so clear cut .

Even GPs say thay have been told the infomatoin in on Department of Health website and thay are confused.

StDogs profile image
StDogs in reply toRose54

Thanks for your response. If the doctors surgeries are confused, what chance have we got... if i go out, and I get it, I could be very very very ill... and I might ... ... ...

Rob6868 profile image
Rob6868

Im at a loss as to what you dont understand? It was made very clear who had to isolate and who didn't really have to unless they choise to.

Ive also had an angiogram and have a stent with heart disease. Ive kept as safe as possible but have not isolated to the degree of the people who did get letters.

Namely cancer and kidney patients to mention just a couple. You dont fall into that category so as long as your socially distancing then you should be fine. But its obviously your choce to venture out or not

StDogs profile image
StDogs in reply toRob6868

OK... thanks for your response. In March I took the advice of My Cardiac Nurse who said I should be self-isolating for the 12 week period... ... That was her understanding... if I catch it... I could be very very ill... ...

Chickenlou profile image
Chickenlou

My fiancé had a triple bypass just as the covid situation started. He was approx 6 weeks post op when lock down was made official.

He also has AFib, asthma and mild COPD but still wasn’t considered in the highest risk group that needed to isolate, although his gp did advise it would be sensible for him to practice strict social distancing and avoid shops etc.

Everyone’s circumstances are different I think only a very small percentage of people were actually put in the highest risk group.

StDogs profile image
StDogs in reply toChickenlou

Thanks for your reply. I took the advice given to me by my cardiac nurse who said I should self isolate for the 12 week period. I am trying to establish wether I should return to work - I was stood down on the 18th of March...

StDogs profile image
StDogs

Thanks for your input... Stay Safe, Stay Well... I wish You Well... Thank you . I will be giving this some thought and seeking further advice, but, this may not be a straight forward "you should definitely stay at home". Thank goodness we have our garden to step out into...

Kristin1812 profile image
Kristin1812Heart Star

The categories are really clear. Heart disease alone doesn’t put you on the list. But your Consultant or GP can add you if they think it’s warranted clinically.

StDogs profile image
StDogs in reply toKristin1812

OK thanks for your reply. I will try and get to speak with my consultant. I have a low heart rate and an issue with my hearts pumping action - Low EF... So I'm quite worried about going out just yet...

R1100S1 profile image
R1100S1

Hi

I am over 70, have high BP, asthma, bronchiectasis and AF.

None are mentioned on my shielding letter, only the cancer and chemotherapy!

Keep safe.

StDogs profile image
StDogs in reply toR1100S1

Thanks so much for your reply... WOW!... I'm a'bit lost for words... I wish You all the best going forward...

Scout2017 profile image
Scout2017

Hi StDogs, you’re just like me except I had both the stents in the emergency op after the arrest in Feb last year. If you look at the detailed NHS you’ll find we’re in the ‘Clinically vulnerable’ group, which one up from the general population but not as bad as ‘extremely clinically vulnerable’ who need to shield. The advice says we should stay home as much as possible. I go out quite a lot for exercise, running or cycling, but I can easily avoid people, and the only shopping I do is the monthly pharmacy run to collect my pile of smarties. My wife does the routine stuff. Will get complicated in September when school starts with 3 school age boys and me a teacher, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Hope this helps, stay safe! B

StDogs profile image
StDogs in reply toScout2017

Hey... Thanks So Much... Stay Safe Stay Well... I wish You and your family All The Best going forward...

Tony1964 profile image
Tony1964

Hi I had heart attack and cardiac arrest may last year two stents fitted I was told just be careful and observe social distancing hope this helps

StDogs profile image
StDogs in reply toTony1964

Thank You. Yes. It does help. Thanks for your input. Much Appreciated. I'm weighing up all the advice i've been getting...

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