Anxiety playing tricks?

[ChessPasty]

Morning everyone - not having the best time as a cardiology outpatient. I was referred very swiftly after high BP readings by my GP and have been seen infrequently by cardiology and associated services. I have never met any cardiologist involved in my care apart from the one who did my echocardiogram, who showed I had a mild left side obstruction that was likely there since birth. I have since had endocrine tests and a kidney MRI to look at other secondary causes as they were not convinced the obstruction was significant enough to warrant the elevated BP.

I very much try to be pragmatic and go through the motions as I go, as I haven't any contact information or outlet between appointments. The clinical fellow managing my case, were I to message today, would likely take around five weeks to respond based on previous experience. She is usually quite open minded and reassuring in the consultation on the telephone, and then writes in bold absolutes to my GP which limits my medication options.

My loose perspective is that I would have better treatment on a beta blocker, and that the maintenance ramipril I am currently on is not doing anything - surely if there is no evidence of lesser function or stenosis all this is doing is allowing the blood to flow freer? I'm worried that a simple problem is being kicked down the road and that I don't have any control.

Symptomatically, I am getting palpitations late at night in bed without doing anything. I feel I can't sleep on the affected side. I did get diagnosed with a shoulder imbalance and started some lifting exercises which have really sorted it out, but I am getting discomfort on the left side and what feels like palpitations in those small hours, whereas if I actually exert myself I don't have those problems.

Is this common? I want to be pragmatic and just lean into the advice and let the appointments come as they will - much as i'd hope to compartmentalise this feeling it just seems to percolate in the back of my mind. I've had two a&e visits based on stress exacerbation driving the BP to wild levels and just don't know what to do.

[Hidden]

hi what have you been diagnosed as having? Did they give a name for the left side obstruction?

[ChessPasty in reply to Hidden]

Hi, yes - a left ventricular obstruction - it's a very small thickening but just by the opening of the aortic valve.

[Captain_Birdseye]

Have you spoken to your doctor about being treated for anxiety?

[ChessPasty in reply to Captain_Birdseye]

I'm sure i've mentioned but not sure it's quite being grasped!

[SAMARJIT]

Ramipril and betablocker are quite different drugs with different indications for use. Ramipril is well recognised for raised BP but a betablocker is not usually used for this condition. You should seek your GP's advice. If you have palpitations, they need a diagnosis by perhaps a longer duration ECG. A betablocker can be used for some palpitations. Regards

[Duffa7]

Hi, I have been diagnosed with BAV (bicuspid aortic valve disease) which is something you have from birth. I suffer from high BP, palpitations, dizziness, sleep issues (being investigated for sleep apnoea). My cardiologist doesn't seem concerned about my heart issue but I've been told this is the way a cardiologist is until it gets worse. This is no help whatsoever to me, now I am on two medications but the past few months I have been out of breath and just very lethargic really.

You must keep fighting for yourself as I had something called Aortic regurgitation before I was listened to which is an absolute joke. Things are different in the USA where heart conditions seem to be taken very seriously. My BP was 165/110 and I was told I'm fine. Good luck with getting the answers you need.

[ChessPasty in reply to Duffa7]

Thank you Duffa, the same to you!