Nurse Q&A session now open! - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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Nurse Q&A session now open!

Helen_BHF•

4 years ago•29 Replies

Hi everyone 😊

Our Senior Cardiac Nurse (@Julie_BHF) is here to answer your questions today.

Please do pop your questions in the comments below.

Before we start, please avoid posting the real names of the doctors or nurses treating you, or specific hospital teams. We may close this thread at any time if we feel the conversation isn’t in keeping with the ethos of the community – here’s a reminder of our community guidelines healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

If your question doesn’t get answered today, please do email hearthelpline@bhf.org.uk. You can also call our heart helpline on 0300 330 3311, weekdays 9am - 5pm, Saturdays 10am - 4pm.

We know many people are experiencing delays and cancellations of appointments, surgery and tests due to the coronavirus. Our page explains some commonly asked questions, and who to contact if you need more support: bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

We've also updated our page on lockdown rules across the UK, and what this means for those with heart and circulatory conditions bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

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Helen_BHF

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Surgery

29 Replies

•

4 years ago

Hi Julie, in terms of cardiac stem cell patches, when do you think they will be available for use within the NHS and what typology of patient would potentially benefit most from them ?

Thankyou in advance

BHFnurse_JulieBHF Nurse• in reply to4 years ago

Hi Boo_boo1

The patches are being designed for patients who have heart muscle damage following a heart attack.

The research is now in Phase 3 (trialling on patients as opposed to animals) and normally Phase 3 trials take around 3 years to complete. Following this governing bodies such as the MHRA and NICE review the evidence and suggest if/where the treatment should be available on the NHS.

Unfortunately there may be some delays in the research at present due to the Covid-19 pandemic - many researchers and doctors have been deployed to NHS front-line/critical areas.

I've attached a link to some of our latest information on this topic:

bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/news-...

I hope this information is useful.

All the best to you.

Julie

HHH2017• in reply toBHFnurse_Julie4 years ago

Really interesting👌🏼

Baz514 years ago

Hi HelenSince leaving hospital end of march after my cabg and stent, I have had a rash come and go and I can only assume it’s to do with one of the tablets, these hives are really itchy especially at night. I am using a cream fucibet, and my doctor said he will prescribe anti histamine tablets

My medication is at the moment clopidogrel, Bisoprolol, candesartin, aspirin, metformin (for diabetes) and lansoprazole

Any advice please

Barry

BHFnurse_JulieBHF Nurse• in reply toBaz514 years ago

Hi Baz51,

Thank you for your post.

Itchiness and a rash can be a side effect of many medications - the best person to consult with about this is your local pharmacist (by phone at present). Pharmacists are experts in medication of all types, interactions and common side effects.

In the packet that your medication came in there should be an information leaflet. Have a browse before calling the pharmacist and you can discuss with him/her the most likely cause.

You can then discuss dosages (and whether they could be augmented) and/or alternatives.

I hope this is helpful and all the best to you.

Julie

Hannibal19484 years ago

Hello, Helen,I have AF. Does that reduce my survival chance if I catch Covid?

BHFnurse_JulieBHF Nurse• in reply toHannibal19484 years ago

Hi Hannibal1948,

We don't currently have enough research/evidence to absolutely confirm that having AF (or any other arrhythmia) increases the risk of severe complications and death from Covid-19. Research in this area is on-going.

We do have information about this in our Coronavirus Hub on our website:

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

What we do know is that if you have any heart or circulatory condition and it is well controlled, this will reduce your risk from the effects of the virus if you caught it.

I do hope this helps.

All the best to you.

Julie

Zzr934 years ago

Hi Helen. Just a quick question, I had a triple bypass 13 weeks ago and was wondering what my max heart rate should be?I’ve not done any rehab yet due to the lockdown.

I’m 58. Male.

Many thanks.

BHFnurse_JulieBHF Nurse• in reply toZzr934 years ago

Hi Zzr93,

Thank you for your post.

I'm attaching a link around working out your maximum heart rate that I hope you find useful:

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

An 'old fashioned' calculation is 220 minus your age e,g. 220-50 = 170 beats per minute.

If you are taking beta blockers, which slow the heart rate down, then this calculation is not as useful.

As you are now past the 12 week mark following your surgery you should be starting the cardiac rehab programme. It's all online at present due to the pandemic. Perhaps you could give your rehab team a call and discuss when you will be receiving the programme via email?

The BHF do have an online cardiac rehab programme too, but it needs to be discussed and agreed with the team you have been referred to from your particular hospital.

I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the very best.

Julie

warney24114 years ago

Hi, my partner had a heart attack last year and stent fitted. He has angina and AF. Is it normal to feel to feel wiped out for a few days after an angina attack and taking spray. Also he has a tender feeling almost bruised like feeling as well when it happens. Thank you

BHFnurse_JulieBHF Nurse• in reply towarney24114 years ago

Hi warney2411,

Thank you for your post.

The side effects from angina attacks and GTN spray really depend on the amount of episodes experienced/the amount of GTN spray taken. One of the side effects from GTN spray is low blood pressure (BP), and although this usually returns to normal quite quickly after using the spray, it may be that it's causing low BP quite often.

I would suggest keeping a diary of all angina episodes and the amount of GTN taken each day. This will be really useful information for the GP/cardiologist to assess your partner's medication regime and assess if it needs reviewing. GTN spray is short-acting and sometimes changing to a long-lasting version of the spray (in a tablet taken once or twice per day) controls the symptoms better. Your partner may also wish to take his BP a few times each day and add these readings to the diary.

I am not sure what the 'tender/bruised' feeling is so I would suggest letting the GP/cardiologist know about this.

AF (and all abnormal heart rhythms) can also make you feel washed out - again depending on how many episodes are occurring. It may be worth keeping track of this too and adding to the diary and keeping the GP informed.

I'm attaching a couple of links that you may find useful:

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

I do hope this information is useful and I wish you and your partner all the very best.

Julie

warney2411• in reply toBHFnurse_Julie4 years ago

Thank you

Raylpa4 years ago

Hi Julie I am finding in order to achieve a systolic BP target of 120 my BP medication is bringing my diastolic reading to 60 so my systolic is ‘normal’ but my diastolic border line low. Given I have established CVD ( stent and aortic calcification) I would have liked to get achieve the widely suggested of lower than 120/80 target but that seems in achievable. Any advice/ comments appreciated.(My exercise routine, BMI and diet are optimum)

Kind Regards and thanks for all the work you and colleagues do ‘here’

Ray M

BHFnurse_JulieBHF Nurse• in reply toRaylpa4 years ago

Hi Raylpa,

Thank you for your post.

Well done on getting your blood pressure (BP) down to such a good level.

When it comes to long-term CVD management and outcomes, the systolic BP is more important than the diastolic.

As long as you feel fine, not dizzy or faint, and are able to exercise to your daily regime I wouldn't worry too much about the diastolic of 60mmHg.

Obviously if the diastolic was to drift further down, you would need to inform your GP/cardiologist for a medication review.

You are probably already doing this but keep a diary of your BP readings, same time every day at rest, and then the GP/cardiologist will be able to take an average from over a few or more weeks to get a true sense of the readings.

I'm attaching a link that you may find useful:

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

All the very best to you.

Julie

Raylpa• in reply toBHFnurse_Julie4 years ago

Hello JulieThanks for an informative and helpful response. I will take on board your comments. I am a little concerned that, what I believe is called ‘pulse pressure’ is somewhat high, I would like my systolic to be less that 120 and to achieve that I think I would have a diastolic sub 60, I do get a little dizzy on standing occasionally now so wouldn’t want that ‘risk’ a sub 60 diastolic. I will consult with my GP and see if medication or lifestyle changes could help narrow my pulse pressure.

Any further comments/advise appreciated, appreciate you are very busy so understand if not.

Kind regards

Ray

4 years ago

Hello. I have a dilated Sinus if Valsalvia ( sorry about the spelling) 3mm in 1 year Cardiologist isn't concerned and GP said it can't be operated on. If it keeps dilating by 3mm this is going to be a problem, do you have any views on this. My blood pressure appears to rise over night to 150/80 ish by around 7 in the morning. I then go for my walk at 10 ish and if I take it 20 mins after getting back it's usually down to a nice 128/60 ish can you put a reason for this please. Obviously it's important for me to keep blood pressure down because of the Sinus. Best regards.

DD134 years ago

Hi Julie should i be worried if my heart rate drops down to 40's when I am sleeping. I have an enlarged heart with a small asd, and type 2 bicusped valve.Regards Dee.

BHFnurse_JulieBHF Nurse• in reply toDD134 years ago

Hi DD13,

Thank you for your post.

It is quite normal for our heart rate to drop at night when we are resting and our metabolism is low. As long as it returns to your normal when you are awake and active this should be fine. If you are taking beta blockers then it will be lower than people who don't.

Keep a diary if you wish, morning, noon and night for example, this will give your GP/cardiologist an average of the readings over a few weeks and review any medication (if required).

I've attached a link that you may find useful:

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

All the very best to you.

Julie

DD13• in reply toBHFnurse_Julie4 years ago

Hi Julie thank you for your reply. I will look at the link. I only take aspirin and statin.Dee.

HHH20174 years ago

Hi Julie, I had acute myocarditis and pericarditis 3 years ago and have had a very slow recovery. My heart musclehas suffered some permanent damage and my heart randomly peaks now & again (160-190) for no reason, sometimes with pain sometimes without. My consultant is aware and says it is expected from the damage he can see! Im wondering if this has a name/label so I could look into it and find out any self help tips please? Thank you

Mikedabike4 years ago

Hi Helen, I had an AVR and aortic root graft almost 12 months ago. My attempts to get my symptoms looked at prior to the operation fell on stony ground for quite some time. The only thing that turned things around was when I was given a CT scan. Immediately after the scan I was kept in hospital for two weeks until my AVR. I was so pleased that something was being done, that I never thought to ask what the CT scan had actually revealed. I am not due my annual review with the cardiologist until March 2021 and in the current climate did not want to bother them unduly. My question is in general just what would a CT scan show that other tests don’t highlight. Thank you.

redsugar4 years ago

Hi Helen, not sure if you can help. I had a high lp plac2 result, is this serious as the normal gp has never heard of it. Also, the results are written in u/l, how do I convert this into umol/mmol? Thank you

Sooty20204 years ago

Hi Helen. Have coronary artery disease, 1 stent about 4 yrs ago and recently diagnosed type 2 diabetic. CT scan for something entirely different couple of weeks ago showed extensive atheroma in aorta and blood vessels previously undiagnosed. Had heart scan and angiogram beginning of this year as had some pain but diagnosed stent in pristine condition and no visible issues. Not sure why aorta and blood vessel atheroma not picked up. Should I be worried on new diagnosis and what would possible treatment involve please? Thank you.

johnunwin4 years ago

Hi Helen, Had ablation for atrial flutter on 6/10/20 and all seemed to be going well recovery wise and I had started to take gentle but fairly long walks. Just after 3 weeks started feeling left side chest pain below heart and felt bloated. Eased up a bit on walking but pain seemed to be a little worse. Had planned ECG on 20/11/20 and in SR but still with chest pain. Have eased up walking considerably now but later that week I contacted the cardiac nurse who suggested visit to A&E. Diagnosed with angina (ECG and blood tests) which was a surprise to me although been on statin for 20 years and strict vegetarian for over 30, have had bisoprolol increased to 3.75 from 2.5 and given GTN spray (not used this much). Chest pain deceased a bit on resting to date. Told by A&E to wait for scheduled cardiac clinic phone call in 4-6 weeks from now. Contacted GP yesterday who agreed to refer me for angina and will prescribe aspirin (is this ok with apixaban?). Very short gentle walks now and chest pain still easing. Can you comment on my situation, particularly occurrence of angina. Many thanks John

Qualipop4 years ago

I just found this post in my daily update and see that it happened a day ago. Since I only get a daily update could such events please be notified the day before they happen? I can see that only one or two people took part yesterday; many more have asked questions today so they obviously didn't see the post either.

Alison_L• in reply toQualipop4 years ago

I was just about to post the same. I also miss most of Michael's summer BBQs for the same reason! We need some notice.

Cat04• in reply toQualipop4 years ago

I too got this notification today (Saturday)

Helen_BHF• in reply toQualipop4 years ago

Hi there, sorry to hear you missed it! We'll share more reminders on the community next time. Feedback is always appreciated

Helen_BHF4 years ago

Hi all, apologies that not all questions were answered on this occasion. As the session ended on Friday last week, we're now going to close this thread. Please do email hearthelpline@bhf.org.uk with your questions and our cardiac nurses will be happy to help. You can also call our helpline on 0300 330 3311 bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

Thanks all