Help needed

[Mollusc]

Seven months ago my GP said I had a heart attack ,based on an ECG comparison .I was sent to have a CT scan a few months later and was told I had minor furring in the LAD . I was already on clopidogrel and bisoprilol. Nothing happened for months and the report finally came through. It detailed the fat in the LAD and gave me a cad rad score of 1. I had an echo a month ago, normal. One consultant told me I needed aspirin and stains months ago ,but never gave them to me, another consultant rang me three weeks ago and told me I had to go on a mild statin, but nothing happened again. I spoke to my GP today and he hadn’t received any reports ,but has prescribed stains. I asked him if fat in the LAD was something to worry about he said no and I would have a normal lifespan. This isn’t true, I’ve looked it up, it’s the worst artery to have it in and the fat can break off and form a clot killing you instantly.I am petrified I don’t know what to do. Who can I speak to about this?

[Prada47]

Hello

Can I ask how old you are ?? I had a HA in 1982 and I was 34 and in 2022 I will be 75 so you can see it's not the end of the world for you. Looks like you have had all the relevant tests and someone feels that you are OK and just need to be treated by medication. There is no reason why you should have a stroke if your BP is under control and you don't have AF !!!

A mild statin looks like a precaution and there are many millions of people up and down the country who are also on this medication. It's not usual for a Cardiologist to give you medication, they write to your GP and instruct them on what to issue. Aspirin can be bought over the counter in most supermarkets and is probably cheaper than on a prescription.

I don't know about your medical commissioning group but here in Dorset the patient gets a copy of the letter sent from the Consultant to the GP so ask the surgery have you been copied on the letter. If you are on the circulation list ask the Cardiology Dept at the Hospital it would be easy to track. Just give your Hospital Number and NHS Number and it comes up on the screen so call them, or go to the PALS office at the Hospital and pour your Heart out to them. It sounds like you need help from the tone of your post so you do need to go out and seek it from the people who have your information. Good wishes on your quest the information you seek will be out there !!

[Mollusc in reply to Prada47]

I am 63, it transpired that I hadn’t had a heart attack, I just have this furring. My father died aged 47 ,his mother aged 59, both sudden deaths and very public ones. This has always been a huge fear and now I have heart trouble too, I can’t get past this terrible anxiety. The hospital and GP are useless, I have had no end of conflicting and wrong diagnosis. I am worried beyond belief and don’t know where to turn, but thank you for your reply it’s much appreciated.

[Prada47 in reply to Mollusc]

Hello

Heart Trouble is just one of the things you learn to live with the alternative is a bucket load of worry/anxiety which just makes the situation worse.

Suggest you have a walk up on the Hoe admire the view and think how lucky we all are to have MRI, Echocardiograms, Bisoprolol and that we now understand how valuable Aspirin is in stopping platelets binding together. It's all good news.

My parents also died of " Heart Trouble " In the 60s it was oh my god he had a bypass, had to go to Blackpool as no one else in Lancashire could do bypass surgery !!!

So just like a lot of us count your blessings and be thankful we live in an age of massive advancement in Heart treatments, a second rate GP is probably better than none at all !!!

Look on this forum and see how many people are still alive after major Heart Surgery even if you should take a Heart Attack there is every chance in this day and age you will survive it and just carry on with life.

Good chance something else will get you long before a Heart Attack or Stroke if you worried about everything you will end up a Gibbering Wreck

Merry Christmas and enjoy your life, after all we only get One