Query Heart Attack

[PurpleRose37]

So I had some serious palpitations back in January, which took me into hospital, no signs of heart attack except slightly elevated blood clotting, so went on thinners for 4 days(only!) Took myself to gp lots of tests and a 24hr ecg and months later being told its just down to low iron and nothing serious.

So when I had another bout of painful pounding/crushing palpitations and couldn't breath, whilst at rest on Saturday thought nothing of it, even though I did momentarily black out and had tingling in both arms- but I've been checked, there's nothing wrong, its in my head - how I've been made to feel.

Go back and see GP - new one who's also a cardio specialist- to be told I should of dialled 999, I probably had a very mild cardiac event, or heart attack (his actual words to me) and that he'll get me in for an ultra sound, and write to the cardio team to update them to see if they want to see me. And told to stop driving for 6 months.

Well I'm left feeling confused, that's it, nothing further, should I worry, should I be taking time off work?! Should I push to be seen quicker? I just don't know where to turn.

[xMgx]

Thats really horrible, sorry to hear you are going through this.

Regarding work, see if you can work from home as you cant travel and cant predict events, youll probably get a appt with Occupational Health but they are not your enemy.

If you dont feel up to working, get a Fit Note from your doctor, maybe 4 weeks at a time. See how you get on.

[High_fives]

Hello

Seems to me you have good reason to push to be seen earlier, because you've been asked not to drive for 6 months, that alone justifies it.

So-called "silent" Heart Attacks are definitely a thing and because they're not diagnosed at the time they often don't get dealt with properly. I had one, and I'm doing great.

Sitting around at home, for me, wouldn't be a great idea, so depending on what you do for work it could well be beneficial to keep moving at work (assuming you enjoy your work/ not stressful etc). Moderate activity is generally good.

Once you get clarity on what's happened you'll feel much better, so do push.

All the best

[AlfredV]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. If they did blood tests to determine if you'd had a heart attack, they are fairly definitive. They look for elevated troponin levels. These could indicate something other than a heart attack, but if they aren't elevated then you are in the clear. I believe they can remain elevated for up to two weeks after the event, so the test is quite a useful one.

I hope that helps a bit.

[Alison_L in reply to AlfredV]

My troponin was still high more than 3 weeks after my silent heart attack (which presented as a gastric problem, hence I could date it).

[JessicaRed]

My troponin level was raised but i was diagnosed not with heart attack but with supraventricular tachycardia palpitations and a severe aortic stenosis

I hope you get the right diagnosis and appropriate help, diagnosis of heart events in ladies can be problematic but at least these days there is more understanding of that

[Lowerfield_no_more]

I would be very miffed if I had been told I couldn't drive for six months by a GP arising from a a diagnosis made on the back of anecdotal evidence without any back up tests. Anything longer than three months gets a bit complicated as far as the DVLA is concerned according to their website. I suggest you check this out. Nonetheless long-term or permanent loss of your driving licence may not be a problem for you. As far as a return to work, either you are fit to work or you are not as far as your employer is concerned, so that must be a decision between you and your GP. However if you are self employed your circumstances might be different.

[Deejay62]

Hi sorry to hear what you’re going through.

Reading what your Gp is saying I think he mentioned the stop driving for 6 months as a precaution because it seems like these tests even urgent ones are taking longer to come through. Also some tachycardias can actually make you pass out. Even a heart attack, if it happens whilst driving. You can see there point.

Once you’ve had your tests done and if all is well you can ask if you can begin to drive again. If you have to see the cardiologist then you can ask them, depending on what the scan shows up.

As for work if you feel able to work continue. I worked with various arrhythmias, but I told my work about my medical situation. They can’t sack you, they can say continue to go into work, work from home, or get a fit note.

But it does sound like your Gp who is also a cardiologist is putting you first, in case something happens while you’re driving.

[fishonabike]

would i be right in thinking that you are a woman? this is not "in your head" and any medic who implies or says that should be reprimanded

this sounds very similar to episodes of INOCA (Ischaemia with No Obstructed Coronary Arteries) - this needs to be investigated as it can lead to a vraiety of issues including Myocardial Infarct with No Obstructed Coronary Arteries (MINOCA) or Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy as well as increasing your risk of stroke

i can understand how inconvenient it must be to be told not to drive for a period, but it is for your safety and that of other road users and pedestrians - you last episode caused a brief blackout, imagine what could happen to you and others if this happened while you are driving????? - anyone who has concerns about their abilty to remain in control of a vehicle in motion should not be driving, whatever the cause - could you check whether or not your doctor has reported this to the DVLA, if they have you should imediately find out about what this involves as it can be complicated to get your licence reinstated if it has been suspended

please make sure that your low iron is treated and followed up - low iron affects the blood's ability to carry oxygen and this means your heart has to work harder to supply your body with the oxygen it needs - don't be fobbed off