Chest pains

[tasdev00]

Hi

I am new here,

I have tightness in chest even when sitting downand shortness of breath on exertion, even just walking up a slope or walking the dogs, Had a blood test and ECG and they came back okay

I have started getting high blood pressure, I am on Amlodopine and it is about 140/70 with a heart rate averaging 60 per minute.

Waiting for chest x-ray at the moment, any ideas ?

[Sunnie2day]

Hiya, and as you've been a member since April (six months ago), the only thing you're new to is posting It's good to 'see' you!

As for your symptoms and the tests you've had so far, I have to ask if 'tasdev' means you're Down Under or in Tasmania? If yes, ask your GP if your country has something like our UK 'Rapid Access Chest Pain' to refer you to - I'm not familiar with how medical works there but I'd think it would be called something like 'Urgent Cardiology' or similar.

If you're in the UK - have you been referred to the Rapid Access Chest Pain unit in your area?

When my ECG and bloods came back 'no worries', the young junior I was assigned wasn't satisfied - she suggested I go private to 'queue jump' as she felt I was in heart failure (I wasn't and am not) and needed more investigation faster more urgently than the RACP appointment she booked for me (about three weeks on from the day she booked it) and less than 48 hours later I was having a chest x-ray which led to the private consultant across the desk putting me on his NHS list but also ordering an immediate (paid for by me) echocardiogram. My out-of-pocket cost was slightly less than a very well worth it £1000. That was spring of 2019 and I've felt better every day thanks to treatment being started and some lifestyle adjustments being made.

You've been dealing with this for some time now - have you considered going private if your GP is reluctant to refer you to a cardiac unit?

[tasdev00 in reply to Sunnie2day]

Hi

I did join 6 months ago, I started having the problems with high blood pressure and discomfort now and then. but seemed to settle down with the tablets, was up in the 180s, got it down to 120', but that is creeping back up as well,

I have not been referred anywhere at all, a quick visit to nurse to get some stiches out, Mentioned it to her and she got the doctor, ECG done, bloods taken then out and off home, doctor said she would book x-ray, Told if they get worse call 999, That was last Thursday

I did live in Tasmania, but came back to UK 10 years ago

[Sunnie2day in reply to tasdev00]

If it were me I would make a point of asking for a referral to the RACP unit - even with the pandemic the units in many areas are taking cases.

What you are reporting as 'chest tightness' could be your body's way of expressing angina so it's important for it to be investigated - I am not medically trained, it is always best to talk to a medical professional about your symptoms, but it has been my experience chest tightness symptoms (and breathlessness) almost always result in the person being referred to Cardiology.

You can also speak with the BHF Heart Helpline nurses. The following is the link to their contact details page (phone hours, email, and chat feature):

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

Please update as you go on, and while it has been 10 years since you came home, belated welcome home! (I retired home from the USA in August 2010 - must have been something 'going around' )

[Smileyian]

Well your BP is okay (v. slightly high) and HR V.Good. best of luck with your other tests.