I had an MI 9 years ago and stents fitted, and have been taking the usual meds. ever since - aspirin, Ramipril, Bisoprolol and Atorvastatin. I went for my annual blood tests earlier this week and today looked for my results on the NHS app - no cholesterol results. I’ve asked if they just take longer to come through, but have been told they won’t have been done “as it’s not done annually now”.
Has this officially changed or is it just my GP that’s making this decision? Seems odd when I’ve had an MI and am taking a statin to try and keep my cholesterol down 🤔
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Squashie457
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Some years ago my husband had a massive heart attack which resulted in cardiac arrest, he can't remember the last time he had a cholesterol test. Perhaps the dr's take the view your statin is protecting you & therefore you don't need annual tests unless you start getting angina pains?
Quite possibly an 'after' approach. I can say my husbands HA was 25 years ago, he went on statins about 15 + years ago, he just recently had a MIBI and his consultant said there was nothing in the results that warranted further investigation so presumably his arteries are in a good position. Having said that, since that conversation with his cardiologist my husband has been getting what is presumed to be angina pains (will be posting myself about this shortly)but he has had serious health issues which have affected his heart massively & he's been really poorly just recently so it's a conversation he will be having again in June. Maybe you could ask your Dr why you're not getting a routine test.
Yes, I’ve got an appt. next week when I’ll raise the question, I just wanted to get some idea beforehand if it’s official guidelines now to only do it every so many years post-MI, or if it’s my GP that has taken this decision.
Hope things improve for your husband - and thanks 😊
Regarding stains, I've been on them for 3.5 years (since HA and stent). I'd assumed that they were protecting me. However, I've just had a second HA. Angiogram found significant plaque build up within the original stent plus additional plaque next to it. So, in my case at least, they haven't prevented another attack.
It's unfortunate that there doesn't seem to be any way of detecting plaque build up (short of another angiogram).
I'm considering buying a cholesterol monitor in the hope that it might give me some indication.
Hi, Hope you don’t mind me asking, but am I reading your post correctly that you didn’t have any cholesterol blood tests after your first HA, or did you?
I had my fifth annual Cardiac Check-Up a few months ago. Like all the others this latest blood test included lipid screening. It's so central to heart care that I'd be astonished if this wasn't just an admin error. Your GP does have to tick the relevant box on a check list of blood test options.
However, if my GP ever decided to drop the lipid test, then I'd have it done privately. I appreciate for many people budgets are already stretched, but I think a basic lipid test costs less than £40. I already augment the NHS blood tests with private Cortisol and CRP tests.
Hi, Thanks for that. Yes, I have to say, it’s done nothing to ease my anxiety! If I’m not offered it next week when I see the GP I definitely will look at getting it done privately somewhere. Fingers crossed for admin error 🤞
Maybe there was simply a communication issue or an error. I had a blood test 3 weeks ago, results came back but some were missing. Turned out they just hadn't done them for some reason so I was back yesterday having more blood taken 🙄
Would be nice to get a yearly check up, I was at my Gp a few weeks ago and he said I was due check up as it is over a year since my HA and stent, but when he looked on his computer he just shrugged and said no appointment was forthcoming.
Hi I get my cholesterol checked twice a year and kidney function every three months, my cholesterol had went up 4.8 to 6.2 so they doubled my statins and thankfully it went back down. I am so glad that they do a routine check. Char
I have annual bloods done and up to now they've always included cholesterol although I do have difficulty getting them to tell me the lDL and HDL results separately. The one that's been stopped here is thyroid. YOu used to be able to get a test just by asking but the nurses were simply unable to find the test. Seems it can only be authorised by a gP and if they think you seem ok they just refuse. Mine has always been right at the bottom end of normal on the basic test so, despite beings symptomatic, they point blank refuse to do the full test.
I phoned BHF this morning and spoke to a lovely Cardiac Nurse to ask their advice on the frequency of cholesterol testing for someone in my situation. She said it should be part of my annual blood tests. She also said she couldn’t find any changes to the NICE guidelines on this. So, I’m going to speak to my GP next week. 🤞
Just wanted to provide an update - I’ve seen the GP today and no reason was given for the cholesterol test not having been carried out other than because my levels have been stable. I’ve requested the test still be done on an annual basis, for peace of mind if nothing else, as per the BHF advice and, it would appear, the NICE guidelines. Am having it done in next few weeks. Thanks for your support - much appreciated 😊
Glad to hear you've got it sorted. Interesting to hear that your levels are stable hence no test, that kinda bears out my theory but, without further tests how would you know if they continue to be stable! Well done you for perseverance. 👍
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