worries, scared and lost hope.

[Cashmat]

hi everyone.

I am a 45 year old woman and for the past few weeks I have been having heart palpitations. I thought this could be the onset of the menopause so didn’t want think much about it. A couple of weeks later. Started getting a tight chest. One evening it was so bad I went to an and e only to be told by the dr that it was anxiety and I was as being dramatic. My bp was 198/118 and they discharged me with no treatment. I went to my go and asked to be referred to a cardiologist as I knew something was wrong. The cardiologist was impatient and not interested in my symptoms but said he would refer me to further tests. I then get a letter to be told no further tests but just medication. I wasn’t told what the issue is and I am getting worse chest pains and palpitations. The veins in my legs have all blown up and I am getting pins and needles in my hands and feet.

I fee like no one cares and I am just waiting to have a heart attack

Any help would be appreciated x

[Hidden]

hello it is frustrating when you experience people not listening to you and your experience at A&E. as you’ve seen a cardiologist are you taking the meds prescribed? Worth seeing it makes a difference and if not then you have grounds to get the cardiologist to revisit your case. Often meds is the first line treatment to see how get on. What meds have they given you? But of course if you feel the need, you should go back to A&E. a lot of people have to fight to get listened to and be taken seriously if your not got obvious issues. Women are often misdiagnosed and also told it’s anxiety. Good luck with the meds, any lifestyle changes that May help and then take it from there.

[Hidden]

Hello

There is nothing worse than been dismissed especially when we feel something could be wrong and I really feel for you the way you have been treated an explanation at least should have been given

I would see if you can speak to your GP they should have your notes and be able to explain things to you and if you are still not happy you could ask for a second opinion

I the meantime if you still do not feel well or any symptoms you do not feel happy with then take yourself to A&E and do not worry about their attitude that is their problem if they have one all you have to concentrate on is getting some answers and making sure you are well

Let us know how you get on x

[Jacey15]

I would ask your GP to refer you to another hospital for a second opinion and then ask for a tilt table test to see if its postural tachycardia syndrome. Its worth looking on the POTS.UK website as it lists consultants/hospital departments who manage patients with PoTS.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Reading your post, made me wonder if you, yourself, think anxiety is playing any part in your palpitations? It often does.

[Cashmat in reply to Kristin1812]

it isn’t what is causing them but it certainly isn’t helping. These past few days my state of anxiety has been pretty high as my chest pains and heartbeat has been really out of control, this in turn will probably make the symptoms worse.

[fishonabike in reply to Cashmat]

being tense and anxious can make you feel so helpless - and being dismissed by medical staf also leaves you feeling helpless - i hope your GP can be more helpful - be persistant

it might help to keep a note of when you have the palpitations, how long they last, what makes them worse, what helps etc - then you have something clear to report

while you try to get proper medical attention.....a little tip - avoid using the words anxious or anxiety with doctors, try "concerned" instead, or alternatives - and when the palpitations come on try some breathing exercises, they help to calm your autonomic responses as well as helping you feel a bit calmer - it can help you feel a bit more in control - i know these are labeled "for stress" but they are useful in all sorts of situations nhs.uk/mental-health/self-h...

[devonian186]

We know your age but no idea of your lifestyle, weight etc. It seems anxiety may play a part in your condition but there is no doubt your BP was high. Have you tried the medication?

It is perfectly reasonable to ask what your diagnosis is so I suggest you contact your GP who would have notes sent by the cariologist giving their reasons for their belief you do not need further tests

[Cashmat in reply to devonian186]

I was on a low dose of medication for my bp but this has since increased. I was also prescribed statins and aspirin. The cardiologist then prescribed 1.25 milligrams of bisoprolol.

My job has me sitting down anywhere between 7-12 hours a day and this is something I can’t change unfortunately. Whilst not exactly a couch potato my lifestyle wasn’t sporty either. I’m have never smoked, barely ever drink but did eat too many takeaways.

I have recent lost over a stone, stopped the takeaways and walk about 40 mins a day.

[devonian186]

You do need to get hold of your notes and if necessary ask for a second opinion. Don't be fobbed off. In the meantime have you had any notable lifestyle changes from moving house, to relationships, a new job, becoming a vegan?

[Cashmat in reply to devonian186]

no my life has been the same for years. Relationship, job, house etc. only thing is I do now work from home and sit on my butt for anywhere between 7-12 hours a day. I really don’t think this is helping the veins or circulation in any way.

[Qualipop]

Anxiety most certainly does cause palpitations. I had them really badly and it took a whole year for various tests to be able to see them happening. An ECG only takes a snapshot of a few seconds and mine just never happened during an ECG. Eventually I was given a stress test ( LIke a treadmill) and even then they didn't happen but hey didn't unhook me from the machine when I sat down to rest and thankfully I had a long bout of them so they could finally see just where they were coming from and told me they were completely harmless. Once I knew that, my anxiety gradually dropped and the palpitations went away almost completely. However here is a tendency to ignore women with problems and put it down to either anxiety or hormones so you need to be very insistent that this gets properly investigated; get a second opinion. If your G P isn't supporting you, change GP. Even if they are anxiety related, you need to know for sure and feel that it's been properly investigated. Pins and needles are not generally heart related but your veins do need investigating too. WHile you wait for tests it may be worth arranging CBT to address any anxiety. Your GP can help with that.

[Cashmat in reply to Qualipop]

thank you so much for this. It’s really helpful

[Hephzibar]

Your GP should be able to give you access to your GP record. You may have to go in, in person with some ID, to request this. I have full access to my GP notes and it gives me a certain amount of control over my health. For example I accessed my latest cholesterol, saw that the GP hade checked and OK’d them so I didn’t have to bother the surgery for the results.

However, I do feel that this may not always be the best for all patients. I have a healthcare background so generally understand the Dr’s letters!