Since my Heart attack on Dec 4th 2022 when I was given 3 stents I have been to A&E three times with distressing symptoms. Each time I have to sit in a corridor for at least Seven hours to have 2 blood tests. They show no rising in my levels that held a 7. So I am told to leave and find my own way home. I am reluctant to go again and cannot find a way to explain the pain. So I did my own research. I probably have unstable angina. One GP agreed and put me in to go back to Cardiology. Finally got appointment after 6 months, disappointed to find it is just a telephone call. I cannot see how I can explain my complex symptoms over the phone. Without even seeing me I got a prescription for a nitrate drug. My BP and HR are already too low so I refused to take it. (well I tried it for one day and my BP dropped to 78/49 BP 68.
All the GP could say was, "the consultant will tell you to take it."
So I await the phone call with no idea what good it will do. I can feel myself getting worse by the week. I was so positive for the first six months. Lost 3 stone,completely changed diet, eliminated most Sat Fats. Exercised every day improving my walks to 10000 steps a day, then it all started to go wrong. I can't walk more than half a mile without terrible pains.
I don't know what to do.
Written by
Zombi
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Not medical advice, opinions and suggestions only,
I will say from the outset yours is a complex case and its difficult for us to really know whats going on. So I will rephrase it as what would I do if I was in this this difficult situation described within your paragraph, this would be mainly after I had exhausted all other avenues.
1. I would look into seeing if I was a candidate for bypass graft/s, by looking at where my stents had been placed, and how many coronary arteries were involved. This may change the course of your symptoms.
2. I would look at adopting a WFPB diet which has some good evidence of calcium reversal.
4. Aggressive lipid therapy has been observed to modify the disease process,
Along the lines of: Ezetimbe + Statin + PCSK9
Would be hard to persuade them to prescribe this on the NHS.
5. If WFPB was to hard to maintain I would switch to KETO.
6. I would write letters to all cardiologists at all the top centres, Papworth, John Radcliffe, the London hospitals explaining my situation to see if somewhere there could help, maybe there's a new trial or they have some further insight.
This is my list of what would I do if medical interventions were no longer appropriate.
We can only read the information and make the educated choices our self.
I wish you the best.
DM me any time if you wish to talk privately.
But first off you need more tests to get a more concrete diagnosis, and also think finding a cardiologist who understands your situation and is willing to work with you would do your wonders.
I can only add that the medication might be completely wrong for you, that perhaps this isn't heart related but another illness or caused by the drastic change in diet. Lastly that if all else fails a private consultation might be worth it if you have the resources.
In preparation for the phone call, which might resolve your concerns I would write down your symptoms and concerns as bullet points, as you may forget them when speaking to an impatient consultant
I hope once you get to see a cardiologist they will be able to offer some help and do some tests to get a diagnosis and treatment for you.
I’ve been in the same situation myself going to A &E multiple times with no resolution it’s so frustrating and disheartening I really do sympathise and hope you get to see a cardiologist soon who can help x
Yes I have a book itemising the change in condition and a list of questions. I have listed the changes in my BP in the last 6 months. My problem is I wear hearing aids and he has an accent lol
My suggestion, assuming you can afford £250 or thereabouts, is to go seek a private consultation with the cardiologist of your choice at a private hospital. You will be given adequate time (about 15 minutes) to explain your situation face to face, better if you write out and take a briefing note about your relevant medical history, you will be treated courteously rather than just someone on a conveyor belt, and you will, if my experience is anything to go by, leave feeling you have achieved something rather than just feeling frustrated. And if you decide to proceed you will be better placed to decide what to do.
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