Telephone cardiologist consultation

[Horse6]

Iam having a telephone cardiologist consultation in a few weeks time due to a fast heartbeat that showed up on the heart monitor. Can anyone tell me what to expect please should I prepare a list of symptoms questions etc. He has put me on Bisoprolol until I speak to him I think .

[Elfmaiden]

Hello

Writing down a list of any symptoms you are having and questions you would like to ask would be a very good idea. It will be a reminder for you and the best way way to get the most out of your consultation. Working as a GP receptionist I have come across many patients who forget to ask the questions they wanted to have answered. Hopefully you will be able to take the call in the comfort of your own home. Best of luck and hope you get answers soon.

[Horse6 in reply to Elfmaiden]

Thank you fingers crossed I can get some answers!

[Greenthorn in reply to Horse6]

One thing I struggle with is remembering all the things the things that the consultant says. I sometimes wish I had the nerve to record it all on my mobile phone. Though I know he or she writes a summary to the GP. Anyway best wishes and NUMBER the questions you have so that's it's easier to refer to them. Good luck

[Horse6 in reply to Greenthorn]

Thanks

[Hidden]

Dear Horse6

You say in your post that a fast heart beat was picked up on the heart monitor, now was that a home one or at the hospital/clinic?

If your telephone call is with the consultant they normally have more information than that in fount of them.

Maybe it’s the cardiologist’s team that will contact you in the view to maybe come in and have more test done?

It’s been a long time since your ablation { well done } so it still maybe linked to this?

I am not medically trained so all of the above is just speculation on my part.

I hope that your call gives you all the answers you need.

Maybe it’s best to write any questions/ concerns down so you have them at hand.

My experience’s with my consultant’s phone calls to me is that he wants to tell me something and not the other way around.

He’s a brilliant man that without a doubt saved my life, but { and it’s a very small but } his phone manner at best could be called a little blunt.

Take care

[Horse6 in reply to Hidden]

My heart monitor was a 48 hour one which picked up the fast beat of 139.

[Hidden in reply to Horse6]

I really hope that you get all the answers you need, please keep us informed.

You are in my thoughts

[Hidden]

Hello

They will ask you what is happening , when , how many times etc and then make a decision what they feel if anything needs to be done next

So I would not only write down what you want to ask but what is happening daily and how you feel

I find I write down what I want to ask but when they start asking me questions about how I am I forget to mention some things and then after get annoyed I did as we cannot phone back

Take your time and don't feel rushed with them and please let us know how you get on x

[Horse6 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that my appointment isent until the 31st so I will write things down over the next few weeks

[Hidden in reply to Horse6]

Yes as you think of things start jotting them down and before you know it the 31st will be here x

[Blearyeyed]

Preparing for your appointment is a really good idea , especially as we are all apt to forget just wanted we wanted to ask or say when we are a bit nervous.

Its a good idea to keep a diary note of any unusual or new symptoms you might be having and how often they occur , and what you might have been doing when they came on . Then use those diary notes to make yourself a list to be able to describe what has been happening to you as this helps them to narrow down the causes and choose which tests it might be best for you to have first.

Things like headaches , dizziness , loss of balance or coordination , breathlessness , fatigue , tiredness or sweating can be quite common things that people forget to mention because they don't always think it can have something to do with their heart.

Also write down any questions you want to ask and don't be afraid to ask them to explain things further if you don't understand something.

Tick the things on your lists off as you mention them so you know you have said everything you wanted , and take bullet point notes so you don't forget something important.

Don't be afraid to say , ' just one more thing if you don't mind ' if you still have questions but they appear to be trying to end the appointment. You deserve , and need, to get all the answers you are looking for and you may not get another chance for a while to discuss things .

Good luck and try and relax in the meantime

[Horse6 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thank you for all your tips I will definitely keep a diary of symptoms until my appointment it is so easy to forget things especially on the telephone!

[Hidden]

Hi. You've had lots of good advice about making sure you've kept a record of your symptoms so that you'll be able to answer the questions you're asked. I had a fast heartbeat after having coronavirus in April 2020. When symptoms got worse after I had the vaccine in March 2021 I had various tests all of which were normal so they just wanted to put me on Bisoprolol. It was only when I saw a cardiologist who arranged a cardiac MRI that myocarditis was diagnosed. I was told that I must try not to let my heart rate go above 100 whilst it recovered, so no exercise. Anti-inflammatories, gradually increasing Bisoprolol and a lot of rest have improved it but it still has a long way to go. So although I'm not saying you have the same things but many people have been fobbed off with normal test results but not everything shows up on an ECG or echo. Whilst you're getting to a diagnosis, I would ask whether you need to try to limit what your heart rate goes up to and what you can do to do that. And also to ask what you should watch out for in case you get additional or worsening symptoms. They tend not to tell you unless you ask.

Good luck.

[ETHEL103]

I had a phone consultation a few months ago and made a list of questions however she really didn't want to hear from me ,she asked all the questions which actually answered all of my queries.It won't do any harm to list a few but the call lasted 15 mins and it goes really quickly.Best of luck.

[Horse6 in reply to ETHEL103]

Thank you

[michdev]

Yes I had one of those. It took approx 10 minutes in total with the result of being referred for a further heart scan. The consultant did say it could be some time before I would receive an appointment due to the current Covid situation. Good luck

[CyclingPops]

Hello,I would also write down how many if any units of alcohol you have per week, also how many cups of coffee or tea per day (even Decaf drinks contain caffeine) and whether you have fizzy drinks all of which can contain caffeine. This might indicate what started you fast heart beat and you might be able to reduce bpm by altering intake of types of food & drink. Otherwise I agree with other replies. Take Care and I hope it goes well for you.

[Horse6 in reply to CyclingPops]

Thank you

[Hidden]

Hi

Would echo what has already been suggested. I guess I’d suggest having a short list of things you want to talk about/ask.

If there’s been any change they might not know about (medication/symptoms/etc) and how that’s affecting you.

Most Drs understand that people get stressed/might forget to mention some things or not fully understand what is being said .

I hope the appointment goes well .

[Horse6 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you just worried I might not remember everything!

[Hidden in reply to Horse6]

No worries .Totally understand that.. I think most people would feel similar (I do, re a face to face appt coming up ).

It’s totally ok to tell the dr that too -it’s your appointment & they’ll want to give you the best from it.

[Eadaoin]

Before a phone consultation I send an email to the Consultant (direct or through the secretary) with a description of what has been happening to me and giving a list of questions I would like to ask. This has always been appreciated. It can save time and speeds up the conversation.

[Horse6 in reply to Eadaoin]

That sounds a good idea thanks !

[TopsyJones in reply to Eadaoin]

I was just about to suggest the same. It works very well for me and saves wasting any time.