COVID caused Heart problems

[tootsie231]

Sorry for the long post. I caught COVID and wasn’t hospitalised but woke up one morning feeling breathless and my resting heart rate was between 105 -120 I called the virtual COVID ward who sent me to A and E. After a few hours heart rate had dropped below 100 and I was discharged. Two days later having a gentle walk in garden heart rate shot up to 185 and I felt dizzy then for rest of day with slightest exertion was going higher and resting heart rate was in the 90’s. (It’s normally mid 50’s) By following day just walking to bathroom heart rate was shooting up to 210 so was sent back to A and E and admitted to resus. Was discharged again as when resting heart rate is ok but referred urgently to cardiology for tests. I have been like this ever since with my heart rate continually spiking several times a day over 200 with minimum exertion and sometimes also going low ( was 34 one night briefly) I have found out that my tests are not until end May and appointment with cardio to discuss results is not until end of June and only a telephone appointment. I was wondering could this be doing permanent damage to my heart while I am waiting to be seen and should I pay to go privately to get this sorted out sooner? Any advice from anyone that has been through something similar would be appreciated.

[OwenFear]

Hello There,

My advice would be that if you are I'm pain and on the waiting list and can afford to go private do it.

[greyarmadillo]

Hi, I have had permanent Atrial Fibrillation since the 8th March and this is probably as a result of having had COVID. My GP actually advised me to go privately. I’ve still not had my NHS appointment but have seen two cardiologists, had medication varied and an echocardiogram. My advice would be to go private, at least for the echocardiogram / ECG / other tests and a couple of consultations. I could only just afford it but it’s so much better seeing the right people quickly and starting down the path of managing the condition.

[tootsie231 in reply to greyarmadillo]

Thanks for the reply, It’s the not knowing if Covid is doing any permanent damage. I have booked a telephone appointment with the gp for next week and I’m going to ask for a private referral. Do I need to see a normal cardiologist or are there different specialities within cardiology that I need to look out for. I don’t even know if what’s happening is atrial fibrillation.

[greyarmadillo in reply to tootsie231]

Hi. I agree with what you think about damage to your heart and that is why I went for a private consultation. I only mentioned AF, as that’s my diagnosis, sorry I wasn’t suggesting that’s your issue. I saw a normal cardiologist first and then he referred me to a colleague at the same hospital who is an electrophysiologist and an AF specialist. I didn’t know a cardiologist to nominate for the referral. So my surgery advised they could send an open referral to the cardiology department of the Private Hospital near me. I was seen within a week of them receiving the referral. I hope this helps you a bit. I know how unsettling it is and a real worry.

[meadfoot]

Can you ring your consultants secretary, always good to have them on your side as they have direct access to your allocated cardiologist. Tell him or her how you are struggling and can they give you a cancellation app if one occurs. Just start a relationship with your medical team if possible.

Personally i would pay for a private appointment so i got in front of my consultant asap, do anything you can to get in front of a specialist. Sorry you are going through this, many of us here have been in your position with our hearts whether or not caused be covid. Good luck,

[tootsie231 in reply to meadfoot]

I haven’t even been allocated a consultant yet, I asked if I could change to one of the other hospitals in the trust to be seen sooner and was just told I would be telephoned by someone wit the results but they don’t know who that will be yet. I need to wait for a letter to come through. They did say they would put me on the cancellations list but said it is quite long already.

[Retirement65]

I agree with what everyone has said go private and the reason is having worked in general practice obviously NHS the backlog before Covid hit the waiting times were long it’s even worse now at best you will get referred (depending on severity) advice and guidance which is ultimately a telephone call then the tests would start but it could still be a few weeks for the call peace of mind is invaluable take care and hope you get sorted very soon 😊

[Sunnie2day]

I went private and have never regretted it although it took a bit of a bite from my savings. Bonus, once my consultant saw my scans, etc, he put me on his NHS list.