Check up

[Sopi]

I had a mild heart attack two years ago and have not had a follow up. Should I have been given one?

[Hidden]

Under the NHS, everyone (?) has some form of ongoing care plan after being admitted to hospital with a heart attack, although it seems the cardio rehabilitation programme has been badly affected by Covid.

Anyway, if you still have the discharge notes from the hospital (I assume you went to one) what do the notes say about ongoing care?

If you weren't officially discharged from the hospital, you should talk to the cardiology department at the hospital.

You could also talk to your GP who should be responsible in part for ongoing medical care including a medication review.

Finally you may need advice on lifestyle changes to protect your heart (it's never too late) , including diet and exercise, so search for that on the BHF webpages, there's plenty to look at.

[Chappychap]

Procedures vary around the UK, but most people on this forum who have had a "heart incident" (ie heart attack, bypass operation, stent procedure etc) report having an annual check up with their GP, either by their doctor or by a practise nurse. It generally consists of blood tests, a basic ECG, blood pressure, heart rate, weight measurement and lifestyle questions.

These used to be face to face, but for the past few years have been via telephone without the ECG. Even so they're extremely useful as they give you a set of objective test results that allow you to monitor your progress and evaluate your risk factors over time.

Good luck.

[Heather1957 in reply to Chappychap]

Never happened with me. I had a bypass in 2017 and once I was discharged by the cardiologist, nothing by them or GP

You see the GP if there are further problems (I did and was advised to go the A &E) No yearly cardiac check ups from anyone.

I live in Wales so don't know how it works elsewhere.

[nellie237 in reply to Heather1957]

I haven't had any follow up in England either. I did ask the GP to do an ECG once, and they were happy to do it..........whether they understood the reading is debatable though. I believe that they are quite difficult to interpret.

[nursenancy53 in reply to Heather1957]

Same here in Northern Ireland - I haven't had a check since March 2019, 3 months after my AVR

[nellie237]

I had one follow up appointment with Cardiology after HA & stent. My GP did a few blood tests too. Has your GP at least reviewed you since your HA?

[Sopi]

Not face to face

[Qualipop in reply to Sopi]

Phone your GP and ask why you haven't had an annual check up for your heart and why bloods haven't been done to check for any side effects from your tablets. As what their procedure is for heart patients. Mine is usually pretty good with the annual checks but I did have to chase them up last year. When I had problems this year with a sudden rapid heart rate they sent me for an echo scan and a holter monitor very quickly.

[fairgo45]

I've got an appointment with my cardiologist for ECG chest Xray and treadmill test one year after 2 stents were fitted I'm happy with that for reassurence

[Hidden]

Snap. I’ve had no follow up to check my heart. I actually changed my GP practice after a lifetime the with original, solely due to absolutely no follow up at all. I have had my bloods checked by new GP at my request as statins were making me ill. I still have no idea what damage my heart has suffered …. I’m in Scotland. Believe I’ve fallen through the massive cracks in the NHS system sadly.

[Qualipop in reply to Hidden]

I was lucky that just 5 minutes before I was discharged from hospital I had an echo scan done and the nurse commented "Oh that's good,there was very little damage" and that was it. I did take my discharge letter to the GP and ask for it to be translated which I suggest you do. I get an annual check up and bloods by the GP's cardiac nurse which has continued even during the last two years. You need at least the annual blood tests to make sure your tablets aren't damaging your liver or kidneys.

[Wingnutty in reply to Hidden]

I think they are more like chasms than cracks these days.

[Mentdent]

I got a phone call from cardiac rehab to say they were closed because of Covid. That was it as far as NHS were concerned. Because I needed a medical for diving I saw a cardiologist privately and had a stress test and my medications adjusted to more appropriate levels.

[Dj1962]

Hi...I must be lucky as at my surgery i have a yearly heart health consultation with a cardiac nurse..blood test, weight etc..😊

[Clerkenweller]

I suspect this varies with severity of original heart condition, age, region and array of prescribed drugs. I was 68, angina and 1 stent in London 4 years ago. Had 6 month cardiologist check up and and was signed off.by cardiologist after 1 year. Sounds like I was lucky. Still good if you have no symptoms then all is good.

[MICH54]

I had a minor heart attack in November and a stent was fitted as it showed a 95% blockage in my right artery. I have paperwork from the cardiology team which clearly states that I am to have blood tests and ECG every year.I would insist that the doctor does a check up for you.

Stay healthy

[VEBboy]

My practice (Midlands) now has a same-day triage lottery, even for follow-up appointments. We are required to phone at 8am (not a minute later) and wait for a call-back to get a same-day appointment. When that fails we are told to ring back the next day, despite message from the GP that they want to see me. I have had OHS with two valves repaired and am supposed to have a physical exam every year. I have won a second-place phone call in the lottery and a pharmacist will ring me next week. I asked the receptionist if the pharmacist would listen to my heart over the phone and was greeted with stony silence. I hope the handful of people who can squeeze past the brick wall to see a medical practitioner are doing well. The rest of us are just being treated with disdain.

[Hidden in reply to VEBboy]

Omg that’s shocking

[HM24 in reply to VEBboy]

That is shocking, inappropriate, waste of Pharmacy resources and an example of total miss treatment of their patients. I think you should write a letter of complaint to local health authority. There is no justification for not booking routine cardiac reviews, other than a clear strategy to make it as difficult as possible so you go away!!

[Qualipop in reply to VEBboy]

If you can't even get past teh receptionist I'd be out of there like a shot. Find a new GP.

[Hidden in reply to Qualipop]

Yup …. That’s what I had to do. I’m pretty robust and stronger minded than I thought ( recently widowed so I felt pretty alone) but I knew it was all wrong and it left me afraid and worried. Couldn’t get a stent fitted as I’m allergic to the contrast dye ( lucky me) … I do worry for those who are not as strong minded and on their own … and maybe not up to fighting to be seen.

[Qualipop in reply to Hidden]

Yes me too . It's sad that people these days need someone to speak up for them and insist on treatment. I am capable now but I dread the day when I may need an advocate

[Hidden]

It will be a year tomorrow since my widowmaker heart attack I’ve not seen a gp or a cardiologist since , to say I’m scared is an understatement I get a lotta pains and can’t walk very far but I’ve seen no one

[Qualipop in reply to Hidden]

Then you must contact your GP. That's shocking

[VEBboy]

There seems to be a thread developing here. How do we fix this? Will changing practices help? Many of us have had a great deal of expertise and funds used to help us, but once out of hospital there is a chasm.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Never had any regular follow-ups with GP, but in our region, I can call and can always speak to a GP the same day, if needed. It works well. I love doing most of it by phone,. It’s quicker, and feels much easier and safer than going into the surgery, with Covid so high. I do see the nurse practitioner if ECG etc is needed.

[MountainGoat52]

Three months after my bypass I was discharged to the care of my local hospital. Six months later I had been fully checked out by cardiology, referred to pathology to try to determine why I had my heart attack and discharged to the care of my GP. There the system broke. I have to prompt my GP annually for a blood test, have never had any ECGs or any other tests. This year they have also restricted the blood tests that I have. It appears my GP practice has joined the race to the bottom.

[GnomeHA]

Aftercare seems to be a big issue, from what I've read.Upon being told I needed an "urgent" Heart MRI upon, discharge after HA in Spain in September, I contacted my GP practise. I was told even to see a Cardiologist was a several month wait, so went private ( which was not as expensive as I imagined and well worth it for peace of mind ).

Cardiologist arranged an Echocardiogram on NHS ( said an MRI was over the top after my mild HA ) and then discharged me.

Cardiologist said I should get an annual review with GP.

Come this September, I'll be like a dog with a bone until i get a review.

I still attend NHS cardio rehab gym, where cardio nurses are very good and will provide help and advice - I would suggest if you have access to such a facility it's well worth using for the support it provides.

Keep badgering if you haven't had at least annual check ups .

Good luck

[Qualipop in reply to GnomeHA]

I was even refused rehab purely because i'm in a wheelchair and the nurse decided I wouldn't be able to do it. She didn't discuss it with me or ask if I thougt I could, just a point blank- no we have no facilities for wheelchair patients.

[Hidden in reply to Qualipop]

Shocking !!!

[Grenfell37]

Hi, I live in Yorkshire and had a HA and stent last May. I had a review with my cardiologist 8 months post HA and released to my GP. In March 22 I had full bloods, weight, lifestyle and blood pressure done at the surgery. I no longer rely on the surgery but book my own reviews as I have other conditions which if left to the surgery would never happen. The community heart nurse is fantastic and is at the end of the phone or will make a visit if necessary. She responds the same day.

I think I am lucky in the follow up as not many people I speak to get the same treatment.

I have come to the conclusion the only person who can look after me is me and I no longer expect any automatic care from my surgery.

[nilmonisikdar40 in reply to Grenfell37]

Yes I agree, Grenfell 37, those golden days of getting good care from Family practice, General Practice and Primary Health Service are no more. The primary reason of deterioration of G.P. is because doctors are no longer in charge whom to see and whom not to see see and who is entitled to receive phone consultation are decided by managers. That same applies to hospital service. The managers blame the pandemic but that is now over. They now call this " new normal" and patients must abide by it. I get this information from a consultant.

[Qualipop]

NO, not if the hospital is like mine. I had HA and two stents and had to go back a month later for another angiogram but even then I got no chance to speak to the cardiologist. After 3 weeks all care was handed over to my GP. Your GP should do blood tests after about a month or two to make sure there are no ill effects from your tablets then a once a year check of weight, BP and bloods- usually done by a nurse. 3 or 4 weeks after my HA I received an appointment o see the nurse in charge of rehab. Just that one appointment where I was given a book about how to change your diet etc. During the past 2 y ears even rehab exercises have been stopped. To me it seemed as if they were saying "We've unblocked your plumbing, now go away back t o your GP."

[Puffin1963]

I've just been told I will be discharged from the cardiac nurse team in 3weeks time, being nearly 10 weeks post op then, and I should expect an annual CHD check with GP , cholesterol, other bloods, weight, blood pressure etc and if not invited I should insist I have one...so in my diary already next year to ring and check. Maybe ring GP and insist you have a check up, best wishes

[nilmonisikdar40]

I am surprised you did not have one. Basically you should know your fasting lipids and monitored say every 6 months and are you on anti-cholesterol drug?. Have you had a appointment for cardiac rehab.

[pasigal]

Yes, you should get at least an annual blood check and ecg. I assume you are on some kind of medication, even if only aspirin. I don't know why you had an HA, but are you on statins? Bloodwork would test for any change in your cholesterol levels. That said, if you feel OK, there's likely not much to be done except tweak medications.

Part of it depends on why you had the attack in the first place. If it was sclerosis of the arteries then that ought to be monitored, in my not so humble opinion....