Advice on Heart Failure

[MartinRoss]

I've been diagnosed with heart failure, when I'm normally a fit and healthy guy.

Cant walk more than 10 paces up the stairs or sleep due to breathlessness.

GP has sent me for ecg, bloods and chest x ray. I had to beg for an echo cardiogram (not had yet).

There seems to be no urgency to treat me, and I've not been seen by a cardiologist.

Can someone explain how I get treatment so I can breathe properly?

Thanks.

[Hidden]

I wish I could Martin, sounds like a shocking situation.All I will say is that over the last eight months where I've had a few issues with my heart is that if they think it's important it's amazing how quickly the NHS can switch into "all systems go mode".

Who diagnosed "heart failure" if you haven't seen a cardiologist?

Just to add that my hospital visits and treatments followed calls to 111 who sent paramedics to the house.

[MartinRoss in reply to Hidden]

Thanks John. I think it was the gp. My niece is a consultant paediatrician and it was her who told me to insist on an echo otherwise it wouldn't have been offered.

You just cant speak to your gp now I have to book a telephone consultation which could be a week on Thursday!

[Hidden in reply to MartinRoss]

Bloody hell Martin, when I read some of the posts about access to a GP I am horrified.If your struggling I'd have no hesitation in calling 999, I've found the paramedics to be very skilled and very caring .

Best wishes mate.

[10gingercats in reply to Hidden]

The chest xray will show up any fluid in your lungs and around your heart. This can cause breathlessness and some basic medications can deal with this if this is found to be the cause. I am not a medic but had something similar a few months ago. Sounds to me as if your need a thorough overhaul by a cardiologist.

[amyrosie in reply to 10gingercats]

Hi 10 ginger - I just came across this reply. I am in permanent AF and with a level of heart failure now - I have an intermittent cough and asked my GP to listen to my chest today. He reported 'crackles' at the bottom of my lungs and has referred me for a chest xray , which has been arranged for next week. I am expecting them to find 'fluid'. Is that what happened to you? Were they able to prescribe any meds that helped. I already have furosemide, but have only taken it a coupe of times - reluctant to add another tablet.

[RufusScamp]

If you can't get an urgent appointment with your GP, try 111. That needs investigating.

[Ads568]

I agree that you need to be seen. Unfortunately seeing a GP is ridiculously difficult at the moment and if I were you I would call 111 for advice. Once you have been seen by someone, anyone, they will have a better idea of the severity/urgency of you receiving proper treatment. Heart Failure is more of a slow burn condition, rather than a pressing emergency, but it still needs prompt treatment to stop it from deteriorating. There are many excellent treatments available, but you need to get started on them before they can work!

Best wishes and good luck.

[Okapis]

You don't seem to mention a blood test? Something a GP can organise easily. There is a heart failure specific test - BNP measures the level of peptides. If you score above 2000 you qualify for a fast 2 week referral to either a cardiologist or the community heart failure service. Below 400 will be counted as normal.I found myself unable to get dressed without becoming breathless at the end of last year with a cough, kidded myself I was unfit and was having a bout of sinusitis! The dog was getting walked less and less! With a BNP of 2000+ I ended up with an appointment to see the GP, after an initial triage call and then with the Community Heart Failure Service, rather than a cardiologist. First I knew I might be in heart failure! The CHFS did an echocardiogram and took a history within 8 days of referral. I saw a cardiologist on 23rd Dec who confirmed heart failure, reasons yet unknown and severe left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30. Ugh!

The NHS can indeed work fast but the sting in the tail here is that the CHFS has subsequently 'evaporated'. An outsourced service, it went out to tender. Contract changed hands. The highly experienced staff are all in the process of leaving or retiring. No service left. The hospital heart failure nurses are having to take it on for the time being.