Need advice after letter diagnosis

Just diagnosed moderate coronary heart disease and pericardial effusion. Total shock. Had echocardiogram after breathing problems and chest pains. Was told by letter and given atorvastatin and told I need a stress echocardiogram but 16 week wait. I’m stressed as I need to ask questions and I hate going on statins don’t know what to do

[Heather1957]

Maybe try speaking to your GP? I was released from the hospital after having a couple of stents fitted but no information so I phoned my GP and arranged a call back. She was in possession of my discharge notes and told me what exactly had happened.

I had a stress test back in 2017 which led to an angiogram which led to a bypass - I know it is a long wait (I had to wait months too) but if this is being done I would guess you will be allocated a cardiologist eventually, so GP first then cardiologist next.

Nothing worse than being left in the dark when you have questions that you want answered.

[10gingercats]

If you have the funds you might consider a private echo. rather than wait?

[KAWA1]

The GP should be your first port of call to discuss the echocardiogram results.

After the echocardiogram I was prescribed Bisoprolol Fumarate 2.5 mg.

I have been on statins for many 10+ years Pravostatin 40mg, which was increased to 80mg by my GP after the angiogram.

I had a stress test around July 2021 which led to an angiogram which led to a bypass early October 2021. I'm still in pain but back working from home and recovering.

[Clerkenweller]

Do not heed scaremongers. Take the statins.

[Sunnie2day]

Hiya, Purplekarl and welcome to the group you never thought you'd be joining. We Hearties are a generally welcoming and highly supportive group - I am a Lady Heartie and have similar conditions to yours. Forgive but bear with the long reply - loaded with info you may find very helpful as you learn to cope with your new heart status.

I have (among other things I won't bore you with, check my profile to read the list, lol) presumed Microvascular Angina (MVA) - presumed owing to the shockingly long queue for the definitive test - queues for all these sorts of tests and scans are shockingly long these days and sometimes going private (just under £1000 including consultant and reports) is the best and quickest way to determine status.

I also have recurrent pericarditis with a persistent pericardial effusion.

So, I have a fair idea of what you're going through - one condition is bad enough but multiple, oh my! Your cardiologist and cardiac nurse will be your best source of information - start a handwritten list of questions so you have a more efficient 'telephone consult' by not having to remember important questions on the spot but can refer to your list instead.

Also, the BHF cardiac nurses are AMAZING - here's a link to their contact details page:

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

Over the 20+years I've had recurrent pericarditis I've accumulated a list of coping tips that help ease things, especially the dull ache that occasionally becomes a sharp stabbing pain (primarily on the left side from the centre of the left breast radiating to the back ribs and up to shoulder-neck-jaw, it almost perfectly mimics the pain of a heart attack) and I'm copy-pasting it here for you. I suggest copy-pasting it to a printable document for posting on (insert home notice board spot here) for offline reference. I find myself referring to my posted print-out most in the middle of the night. Hopefully this will be your one and only experience with pericardial effusion but do ask at your GP surgery if anyone there is trained to do the chest listen for pericardial friction rub and can you schedule it for a weekly basis until they don't hear the sound (which will mean your effusion has drained).

General tips for coping:

**Sleep with your upper body elevated - either several pillows stacked, bound, and laid lengthwise down the bed, or a wedge pillow, or an adjustable back rest

**Avoid sleeping on your left side as the pain is worse if you put weight on the inflamed pericardium sleeping on your left side

**Avoid heat, humidity, and mould - no hot tubbing, sauna, steam bath, long hot showers even though directing hot shower spray at your left side is nice for temporary pain relief, the humidity WILL cause the pain to increase soon after leaving the shower

**A hot water bottle laid along the left side of your rib cage can go a long way towards easing pain for a longer lasting bit of pain relief

**Avoid strenuous activity - DO NOT think a good day means you can catch-up things you have had to 'let go', overdoing on a good day only leads to several bad ones

**Try to get at least 7 hours sleep per night. Eight is better but 7 is good

**Keep to a nutritious well balanced diet with lots of green leafy veg, fruit, and high quality protein like meat and cheese (but try to keep to a lower salt content if you have effusion - don't go overboard on lowering salt intake but try to keep it under 5g per day)

**Be alert to symptoms your condition is worsening:

• 'swinging fever' where it's high, then lower, then higher again in a matter of hours over a day

• shortness of breath on slightest exertion and/or waking you in the middle of the night

• night cough or cough when lying down

• 'fat fingers' and other signs of fluid retention including ‘shiny skin’ - these are signs of building pericardial effusion that could lead to a condition called 'cardiac tamponade' - when excess fluid build-up in your pericardium reaches a level that is beginning to affect heart function (like, beating). It is a life-threatening condition