I’m wondering if I can seek some pearls of wisdom please?
I have dilated cardiomyopathy, mild heart failure, SVT and ectopic heartbeats and was diagnosed back in January 2021 following testing for ongoing symptoms after an emergency hernia operation. Most recently, I’ve been having ongoing cardiac symptoms since September. My cardiologist has changed my medication and now agreed to send me for a stress test as the majority of my symptoms are exacerbated on exertion.
What I would like to know is, how long (on average) does a referral take? What can I expect at the actual appointment? Is there any advice around what I should/shouldn’t do in the lead up to and at the appointment?
If you’ve got this far, thank you for reading! Best wishes, Sophie
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Sorry to hear about needing a stress test I've had sooo many there not the best if I'm honest but it's the best test for your symptoms I would say probably round 6 months weight can take longer or because of how series your heart condition is at the moment i would say hopefully few weeks maybe. On the lead up to the appointment make sure just before having it you have eaten and drank something preferably water I always forget because I get so stressed out before hand and for some reason never have any money on the day of an important appointment like that 😅.
Hope you get your appointment through soon and have a stress free stress test! 🤗🙃
Hi Sooty, thanks for your reply. Yes, I’m often reassured to an extent when I don’t hear quickly because I think if my cardiologist was really concerned then he would be pushing for things to be expedited urgently.
Yes he would push. I toddled along with annual tests, then all of a sudden, one day after my regular annual test, the cardiologist rang me from her home to tell me things now needed to happen.
Hi Sophie, Just replied to your reply to my post from few days. Don't know why I didn't see this one first time I looked at your profile and posts, but good to see you've updated us a little since your post of a couple of months back. With your history would really hope your stress test comes through soon - few weeks if not sooner? If not, you or if you have a partner, must call them and explain your background and needs. If the phones aren't being answered pop in , drop in a note, maybe even see them? Ask your GP to prompt them. We know they are all so so busy and there's a backlog and sometimes they need a little help to prioritise us where we need to be. Do not just leave it. Good luck. Thanks, Best Regards, Paul. p.s. You said cardiologist 'agreed'. Did you have to argue for it? You need to have a cardiologist that is actually looking after you!
The reason that my cardiologist has only recently agreed to it is because I was pregnant and then under 12 months postpartum so he felt it sensible to wait until my body had recovered from my daughter’s birth before making the referral which I understood and agreed to. Apologies, I realise now that I may have made it sound like I was having to push for this investigation (which I suppose I did but with valid reasons behind the delay).
He had said back in September that he would make the referral but when I phoned up this morning, a secretary told me that she can see I’m on the waiting list but couldn’t give me any more information.
I suppose my main concern is that I’m going back to work in January albeit on a phased return but my manager is making a referral to OH and I’m concerned that it’ll be difficult to build a clear picture without the results from this testing.
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