Hi. I have had numerous issues since anterior STEMI end of October last year and still recovering. Several angioplasty , 2 stents and unstable angina. My query is - felt unwell for last 2 days. Still made myself go for short walks. Angina yesterday morning and ongoing chest pain. Woken 4am by horrendous chest pain almost as bad as first heart attack. Even though I was resting and despite all meds I’m on heart rate continued to rise from 65 to 115. Eventually got it all under control with GTN spray. Very scary. My problem is do I go to A & E or will nothing show now anyway ? Also because of CAS my cardiologist said in December nothing more they can do for heart other than try to control with meds. Any thoughts. ???
Should I go to A & E: Hi. I have had... - British Heart Fou...
Should I go to A & E
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35 Replies
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You probably should have gone at 4am ! Maybe call 111 and get advice.
in reply to bantam12
I’m not too bad now and I’m just so aware of wasting their time. Thank you
I suggest that you either call 111 to get some professional advice or head down to A&E.
in reply to SkiMonday
As my reply to other post I’m concerned about wasting their time even though I know it’s right thing to do if you know what I mean. I think I might at least try to talk to someone. Thank you for responding
peterjones105 in reply to
With symptoms like yours it is highly doubtful that any A&E department would consider you a waste of time, if you experience such again please don't hesitate do get yourself checked out, they really won't mind, good luck
in reply to peterjones105
Thank you. Definitely going if anything today
peterjones105 in reply to
I do wish you all the very best x
in reply to peterjones105
Been admitted for assessment and possibly another angiogram
peterjones105 in reply to
Excellent, you are in the right hands, hope all is positive
Like you I didn’t want to “waste their time”.
I had hart attack December 2016.
Five Stents March 2017
Angina symptoms eight months later.
Angiogram 2018 was told I needed a quad bypass and was put on the waiting list.
February 2019 sitting at home and had chest pain. My wife wanted to phone 999.
I said let’s see if GTN works. I felt a little better after fifteen minutes but not “right”.
Next day I saw my GP.
He thought I should go to A&E. I said “no I don’t feel so bad now”.
He said I’m not asking you I’m telling you.
He also gave me a telling off for stopping my wife phoning 999.
So I went to A&E.
I didn’t come back out of hospital until I had five bypasses.
I think you’ve got the message, right?
Best of luck 🤞
in reply to -007-
Thank you. That must have been awful for you but I’m pleased you’ve been willing to share your experience as it does get message across ! But in a positive way. I’m going to speak to GP tomorrow but go straight to A & E if anything else today. I hope you’ve recovered well
-007- in reply to
Well it was quite tough, as it is for all of us going through this. But yes, I’ve recovered quite well thanks. I have good and bad days but I’m 67 and still quite active. Now if only I could get a couple of new knees I’d be perfect! 😉
in reply to -007-
Oh bless. Well I hope you can if needed especially as you’ve made an effort to be active. Best wishes
You need to go to A&E. preferably by 999 or get someone to drive you Any GP would insist that you do. They will determine if you have had a heart attack. The ECG will be different to the one you were discharged with if it was a heart attack. A&E will also do a blood test, and possibly a chest X ray. If it was a heart attack, they will get a cardiologist to look at you. He/she might change your meds for cas and possibly do more tests. A&E always want you to go there they never complain. I have been at least 4 times since my MI last August. 3 times it was insisted on by the GP, each time it was OK (no MI).
in reply to richard_jw
Thank you. After reading all the kind replies I now feel I could go to A & E. I had a pain free night but I’m wondering if anything would still show from night before or if it’s too late ?
richard_jw in reply to
If you had a heart attack the ecg now will be different to the one when you were discharged
in reply to richard_jw
Have been admitted for assessment and maybe another angiogram
richard_jw in reply to
Angiogram as far as I can see gives the cardiologist the best view of the coronary arteries. If he sees any issues which can be fixed he can do it immediately Also Angiogram is not the only possibility. Bypass might be a possibility
in reply to richard_jw
Hoping just new meds and discharge 🤞🤪. Maybe not - cheers
Hi Luis, I have been told off many times for not taking GTN when I should and not following the process of; chest pain = GTN, wait 5-10 mins, if still have chest pain = GTN, if after 5- 10 mins still having chest pain ring 999 and go to A+E where ECG and tropes indicate what the problem is. I work In NHS, so not wanting to cause unnecessary work, but have unstable angina, HA, 4 stents, AFib. Each admission brings a change of medication, dosage or time to take drugs. You worry if you ring 999, you worry even more if you don't 
in reply to RiverT
Have been admitted for assessment
Thank you. Do you know how long after the bad pain anything would show up on tests? If I was checked over today or tomorrow would it be too late ?
I believe troponin levels can remain elevated for several days so I suspect it would not be too late. My HA was November 2020 , good recovery but then in February 2021 I had an episode of racing heartbeat and extremely elevated BP. I delayed ringing 999 because I did not want to waste anyone''s time and oh boy did I get a telling off from the paramedics. I was told under no circumstances should you ever delay ringing 999, you have already had one emergency medical episode, leave it to the medics to investigate any further symptoms. Turned out everything was OK but never again would I delay in making that emergency call, it just is not worth the stress. The paramedics and A/E were just brilliant and no you are not wasting their time.
Thank you for taking time to respond. Hope you are ok now and on road to recovery. Appreciate info and comments and feeling more inclined to be checked over
Everytime I've gone into A&E they've admitted me for observation overnight or onto ccu. If you've used gtn spray as prescribed and not gotten relief then ring for ambulance. It is always better to be safe than sorry. All doctors will tell you this. If you're still getting ongoing pain your medication may need looking at at the very least. Ring 111 for advice but next time you get these pains you must ring for an ambulance. It may not be a heart attack in which case they'll know from a blood test but it must be checked out. You are never a burden.
Dear Luisbrady, how frightening for you.. I suggest you ask about support clinic/group, as they have for chests. The British Heart Society have an online Support Group & community. You shouldn't have to cope with this all by yourself. Another time when you have an 'episode', I suggest you ring 111 for advice, before the upheaval of going to hospital by ambulance. But don't hesitate to ring for one in any case. If you have someone to drive, I would just go straight to A & E.Best wishes 💌 x
in reply to Hobbledehoy
Thank you. Yes I got my husband to drop me off at A&E and I have to say despite several people waiting I was seen quickly, taken through to high acuity for initial assessment and onto cardiology ward all within 2 hours. Scary but better to be here. Thanks for your kind words
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