Cardiology follow up

[richard_jw]

I had a heart attack in August 2020.

Subsequent to that I was taken to A&E at least 6 times having been sent there by my GP who really did not want to know about my symptoms. As soon as I said "slight chest pain" an ambulence turned up. If it was not so sad it would be funny. 6 weeks ago the paramedics arrived wondering where the patient who was supposed to be at death's door was.

Each time A&E diagnosed no heart attack and sent me home. I suspect that my problem is some form of arrhythmia. But I am unable to get any sort of appointment/phone call with an NHS cardiologist.

I tried a private cardiologist, but I suspect because he worked for the same area in the NHS as my assigned NHS cardiologist he really had no interest in any sort of proper diagnosis.

In desperation, I talked to a major heart hospital, and had a telephone consultation with one of their cardiologists having sent him complete medical history including scan reports.

He wants an NHS referral, having done a myocardial perfusion scan. In the letter he wrote to me, I suspect he is pursuing the wrong diagnosis since it differs from that which 2 cardiologists have come up with (i.e. there is not much wrong with me )

My question is "how do I get appropriate treatment"?

I suspect thet the NHS is tired of me since my condition is not life threatening, and there are more urgent needs for cardiologist resources.

[Dovaston]

Sounds like your GP is on the ball to me ! Never ignore chest pain …

[Hidden]

If you called most practices with chest pains and your history, you shouldn't even get past the receptionist, they should instruct you to call 999.

So as already said, your GP is spot on, always better safe than sorry!

[richard_jw in reply to Hidden]

Yes maybe so. But this is a circular problem. In that my GP will not take an interest, and my NHS cardiologist has probably come to the conclusion that I am suffering from ectopic heatbeats and therefore it's of no importance. I should say that the last time I talked to the NHS cardiologist he recommended that I buy a Kardio mobile ECG device, and use it when I feel ill.I did so, and the PDF output reported Atrial fibrillation. I emailed several reports to the NHS cardiologist, and he did not reply.

[Hidden in reply to richard_jw]

I think saying “GP is not interested” is inappropriate, what do you feel the GP can do, other than refer you to a specialist, which it appears they have done!!

[Janma123]

If your GP wasn’t taking an interest he wouldn’t have referred you to an expert.It sounds as though he is pursuing something from the scan he has carried out, Surely appropriate treatment is following up something he has found/ noticed.

Give him chance.

[Foxdog61]

Please trust the GP it takes time for the heart and body to adjust after a major heart attack and it is not just the physical side but the mental side as well. It can take time for some problems to come to show up as others settle.