yesterday was my first appointment to see the cardiac consultant after having a heart attack in Spain on the 6th March 2022. The doctor in Spain sent me home with a folder which contained my medical report (in Spanish) a list of all the medication I was given and 2 cd's to give to the cardiac consultant in the UK, so that they had all the information on my case. Yesterday I saw the cardiac specialist who did not want to see the CD's, who said they could not read the report as it was in Spanish, I had my report translated to English prior to my appointment so they could read it, she chose not to read it. I had a list of questions, which was answered in a very matter of fact way, and not helpful. I was then signed off. I am now left dissatisfied, unhappy, and will now try to find somewhere to go, to help me understand more about my situation. I had a heart attack, was critical, had 2 stents inserted, which to me was life changing, now I am left to get on with it, any suggestions would be helpful. I finish my cardiac rehab today, where the nurses have been brilliant, unlike the cardiac consultant !
my 1st hospital appointment experienc... - British Heart Fou...
my 1st hospital appointment experience after my heart attack
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This forum is full of very similar experiences.
We’ve had this devastating diagnosis but then we feel abandoned by the NHS.
However, the hard truth is that if we have heart disease (cardio vascular disease or atherosclerosis) there’s not that much more that out doctors can actually do for us.
We’ve got our medication, cardio rehab has informed us about most of the life style changes we must make, our GP will arrange an annual cardio check up. But after that it’s really down to us.
We’ll either take our meds and change our life style…or we won’t! It’s our choice and there’s not much else the cardiologist can do.
I don’t want to sound defeatist, quite the reverse, I’m confident I’ve been given all the tools to keep myself healthy for many more years. But it’s our efforts that will make the difference rather than anything more the doctors can do or say.
Incidentally, looking at your forum name, my wife and I spend lots of time on the dance floor. Latin, ballroom, jive and disco. We do it all, and fantastic, heart healthy exercise it is too! A professor from the BHF said that there’s no heart medicine he can prescribe that’s as effective as regular exercise. So that’s a good example of how we can help ourselves and how our futures really are in our own hands.
Good luck!
To be fair, we do also get descriptions of ‘good’ Consultant attitudes, here. Blame is described as a very common component of our reactions to big traumas, particularly when the event is sudden and, in our cases, we were apparently healthy beforehand, Consultants also quite often have to give us news we just don’t want to hear. .
My report was in Spanish, therefore she couldn't read it, the 2 CD's given to me in Spain by the doctor who fitted the 2 stents to give to my consultant in the UK, didn't want to look at them, very disappointing. I have since told the hospital there is a translation dept in my own town, the same town as the hospital, I am now having my report translated, that is why I was annoyed !
I can understand that.
Your story is not unusual, it's not your condition which is concerning you but the attitude of the consultant. My advice would be to complain to the chief executive of the hospital where you saw your consultant.
Perhaps try the PALs (Patient Advice and Liaison) service first. There is usually one in each larger Hospital, They are designed to deal with issues before they become a formal complaint. A change of Cardiologist might be suggested.
That sounds horrible. All I want from my doctors is a frank discussion of my health issues and a little bit of sympathy and optimism. After all, we paid for their education and our taxes fund their salaries!
I'll tell you a short story: My heart issues began with a routine diagnosis of CAD after a checkup. Nothing special about that, happens to millions of us. I had 2 stents inserted in the LAD, recovered quickly but never felt quite "right" again. Cardiologist ran a few tests and basically said I was fine. But I didn't think I was.
7 months later, had massive cardiac arrest, life was saved by a passing firefighter, made the TV news even! I see cardiologist No. 1 in the hospital, he was very friendly, concerned, promised to get to the bottom of it, and frankly embarrassed. He even said he could understand if I wanted to change doctors. So clearly he was feeling a bit of remorse for something he didnt do...anyway, current cardiologist is very thorough, if a bit brusque -- I'd call it "tough love" -- but I can at least talk to her at any time and get an honest answer.
So...please do try to find a doctor who will give your file a look. I'd also, if you can, run the Spanish through Google Translate or Deepl so you know what' you're dealing with, too.
Thats quite a shock Mountwood. How strange. If you lived here you wouldn't be sent home with a letter telling you what was wrong with you 🤷♂️
That sounds par for the course. I didn't even see a cardiologist after my heart attack.I had a second angiogram during which he didn't speak to me but he claims that was my follow up consultation, My GP was far more help
I'm sorry that you have had a bad experience. Have you tried to take this up with the consultant cardiologist, rather than just airing your feelings on this forum? There seems to be a lot of criticism of cardiologists on this forum - possibly not always justified. If you genuinely feel your cardiologist is not competent then you should take this up with their employing health authority. It may be however that they are not telling you what you want to hear. Please give these hard working and highly qualified professionals a break!
I would certainly hope that the consultant looked at the CDs and read a translated report but you must appreciate that there isn't always time to do that in a clinic appointment. Presumably whoever referred you to the cardiology clinic here put the relevant information in their referral. If you are dissatisfied then of course you should make a complaint about the offending doctor.
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