Anxiety, waiting for referral ‘Atrial... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

54,642 members34,205 posts

Anxiety, waiting for referral ‘Atrial Flutter’

Fight-the-good-fight profile image

Following on from my post yesterday - thank you to all who responded.

Whilst waiting for referral appointment for ‘Atrial Flutter’ which should have arrived this week.

I find myself getting pretty anxious and agitated with every little twinge, breath, etc.

Humidity and heat is not helping.

I currently not on meds. My bloods were normal and my ECG on Monday was normal.

I am taking 150mg aspirin daily as I am terrified of having a stroke.

How do you guys cope with stress and anxiety whilst waiting for appointments?

Sorry if I come across as a weakling.

Written by
Fight-the-good-fight profile image
Fight-the-good-fight
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
9 Replies
Tos92 profile image
Tos92

Hi Fight-the-good-fight

We all can get stressed when waiting for an appointment or results of a test, it is absolutely normal so know that you’re not alone in this.

I personally speak to my friends and family when I am anxious regarding any appointments or results. I find ways to distract myself such as throwing myself into work (not an option for everyone), meditating, breathing exercises, walking and also looking for the positives. I can see your positives so far are that your ECG and bloods were normal therefore, you should take some relief in that.

Humidity and the heat isn’t helping most of us hearties this year. Stay hydrated as much as you can and avoid going out when the sun or heat is at its peak. Early morning or late evening seems to be cooler.

You always have 111 if you do feel particularly concerned about any of your symptoms, or 999. So know that help is available should you need it.

Let us know how the appointment goes.

All the best.

Tos

Fight-the-good-fight profile image
Fight-the-good-fight in reply toTos92

Thank you Tos92 for your prompt response.

Unfortunately, circumstances and events in my life have led me to be a glass half empty type person. I appreciate your words of encouragement and advice. I will keep you posted on the results of my appointment.

Stay well…🥰

Chinkoflight profile image
Chinkoflight

Anxiety can be good as it makes you self aware, but it also needs an outlet, ie self aware to do something.Like you I felt relatively fit and active for my age (70 at the time) compared with my peers, younger and older. I did have a severe stroke out of the blue and I was away from home.

I experienced brilliant acute care and made a good recovery following FAST thrombolysing treatment etc.

I was discharged to my local trust area.

Here is my anxiety story.

Because I had not been treated initially by them I couldn't gain any access to follow on stroke recovery community programmes without a local consultant referral.

Although follow up discharge investigations to look for the cause of the stroke were itemised the wait time even for a 24hr Holter ECG monitor was 3 months echocardiogram etc longer still. My GP mentioned, as they do, would you consider a 'private referral'.

I'm not proud of this but I couldn't imagine doing nothing for three months except monitoring my pulse too much, internet searching too much and generally feeling anxiety overload and above all worried about what I could or could not do.

I don't have private medical insurance and thought the fees would be astronomic. They weren't cheap (about £600 all together) but I've spent more getting a car repaired. I had expected a four figure fee. Annoyingly all the tests and the consultant time were provided in the local hospital within a week, the same people who couldn't see me for three months on the NHS. Of course I was treated well and had a 45 minute consultation with the heart specialist on my results, explaining clearly what the outcomes were, the benefits of my medication and how I could get on with my life.

This all enable me to get control back. My GP advised me to buy a Kardia6l personal ECG device, my family advised me to get a smart watch and activity tracking app with emergency fall and call facility.

I used to cycle but this felt risky. The stroke was so suddenly I didn't want to fall off downhill in the sticks! I found Couch to 5k NHS running app for beginners and support here for C25K on HU.

But since then a year ago, regular monitoring with my GP, checking out post code lottery on NHS I persevered with seeking all the eliminating tests including a 7day Holter. This persistence led to my local NHS Trust catching up with NICE guidance and offering to fit a LINQ implanted ECG monitoring device. Within three months it picked up atrial fibrillation and/or flutter leading to a change of medication to anticoagulants. It's taken 14 months to get to this position.

But I also took control of my health as pay back for that brilliant acute care I received. There was stuff I could do to get my cardiovascular system fitter. Today was the anniversary of my first 5km Parkrun. It was my 28th and a whole 8 minutes faster than my first (20% better).

I feel in control and anxiety is massively reduced.

It can't be the same for everyone, but try to find things that you can constructively pursue.

I would have borrowed money to pay for the private consultation and investigations.

Fight-the-good-fight profile image
Fight-the-good-fight in reply toChinkoflight

Wow! Chinkoflight, thank you so much for sharing your story.

Very inspirational and encouraging… I understand your initial reluctance to go private, however, if needs must.

Reading a lot from other members about Kardia systems. It is something I will definitely consider.

I am so pleased you are in control of your health-long may it continue. Massive congratulations on the anniversary of your 5km park run.

Will continue to post my progress.

Stay well 😘

DW4019 profile image
DW4019

Don't ever apologise for the way you feel, people who have not experienced what we go through will never understand as I’m sure they have anxiety of things that we don’t understanding. Stay strong my fried and keep communicating

Fight-the-good-fight profile image
Fight-the-good-fight in reply toDW4019

Thank you for your kind words DW4019. Stay well.

Dogloverxthree profile image
Dogloverxthree

you re not coming across as a weakling just a worried human being looking for reassurance your not alone, and you will find it here, take care and try not to worry 🤗

Fight-the-good-fight profile image
Fight-the-good-fight in reply toDogloverxthree

Thank you Dogloverxthree 🤗

Czech_Mate profile image
Czech_Mate in reply toFight-the-good-fight

Thank YOU for initiating a useful conversation.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Constant anxiety since Atrial flutter diagnosis

Hi there. I was diagnosed with AFL 15 months ago after a visit to A & E when I woke up one...

Atrial flutter

Hi all. I had 2 x catheter ablations for multiple ectopics last October.the second was successful....

Waiting list for Ablation

Hi, can I ask for those who have had an Ablation, did you have general or local anaesthetic and if...
BorderMLH profile image

SVT or Atrial Flutter

Hello, I'm new here! I was diagnosed with SVT around a year ago after ECG's and monitors. I had the...
Bcost318 profile image

Atrial fibrillation /flutter: non-medical non-dietary solutions?

Dear BHF community, I had a 5 graft bypass operation last September, a week after a heart attack....

Moderation team

See all
HUModerator profile image
HUModeratorAdministrator
Luke_BHF profile image
Luke_BHFPartner
Amy-BHF profile image
Amy-BHFPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.