Is this a long wait to see a cardiologist, or is it normal?

[Beckimo]

I had an MI while abroad in December, I had to have CPR, I had a stent put in and spent 4 days in a foreign hospital ( it was very nice and my treatment was excellent) and I am now on what appears from this forum to be a pretty standard cocktail of thinners, statins, beta blockers, etc .

I’ve seen my GP twice since getting home for niggles and worries and adjustments to medication. No one in the UK has read or even asked for the notes from the hospital as they are in French.

Anyway, I have just had my first appointment to see a cardiologist confirmed for June!

My question is…..is six months a normal period of time to wait to see a cardiologist for the first time after what felt like quite a serious heart event? It seems a long time to wait.

[Fanfab1]

Although it may cost you for your own benefit you may want to get them translated - not sure how but there must be a way. Then I’d send directly to GP and Cardiologist.

It may not speed up the appointment but at least all will be well informed.

The wait may be cos of long waiting list but also where you fall in the priority list - you’ve had treatment and medication and I’m assuming you are not having symptoms? And GP is not concerned about the wait?

But being able to read your French notes might change things.

Good luck

[Beckimo in reply to Fanfab1]

Thank you.

[Alison_L in reply to Fanfab1]

Google "Translation Services". There are plenty of companies offering this, just need to find one with a medical specialist.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

The NHS is subject to a 'post code lottery' it seems. Some NHS Trusts are better than others, within any one specialism. But there is an NHS code of practice about waiting times here....

nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospita...

That's the theory, how it works in practice in accelerating you being seen earlier if you qualify under the rules is an unknown.

But if you can afford £250 or thereabouts for a consultation with a senior cardiologist of your choice in the private medicine sector as an investment in your piece of mind and bringing forward any treatment required then it might be worth it. However if you go that route get your notes translated and prepare a briefing note on your situation to optimise your time with the cardiologist for which you are paying.

[Beckimo in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thanks, this is very useful 😀

[roughquest in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

This times 1000.

[Tos92]

Hi Beckimo,

I also had an MI abroad in January 2022. My GP did not chase up with me after the MI, despite providing my medical notes. My local cardiology team also did not contact me. My symptoms got worse around Summer 2022, and after frequent trips to A&E, they wrote to the cardiology department. I had my first cardiology appointment in the U.K. after 9 months of my MI, despite being symptomatic. Had it not been for the multiple A&E trips and me also calling the cardiology department, I’m quite confident that I probably wouldn’t have seen a cardiologist until about a year or a year and a half in on the NHS.

I did eventually go private as my local cardiology team were not very proactive or knowledgeable about the type of heart condition that I have. As suggested already, if you are concerned about symptoms and feel that your current treatment is not working, I would recommend going private for the first consultation. This will reduce waiting times and you can also ask to be referred to be seen for following future appointments on the NHS.

Good luck.

Tos

[Beckimo in reply to Tos92]

Thank you for your advice 😀

[Taviterry in reply to Beckimo]

£250 is about the going rate for an initial consultation, but be aware that any tests that the cardiologist may advise will be extra. In November I had a scare and was seen very quickly by my cardiologist (it turned out that my heart was OK) but paid the hospital £550 for an ECG. And when I had a first appointment with a gastroenterologist he sent me to another building for a comprehensive blood test - at £650, with a £130 fee for a follow-up telephone consultation about the (inconclusive) results.

Do use a human specialist medical translator - don't rely on Google Translate.

(My medical records are now spread between three hospitals and my GP and are seemingly inaccessible by those who don't hold them. I'm in the habit of preparing a summary of my circumstances with a few key statistics and emailing it in advance to the consultant I know I'm going to see or taking it along to the appointment when I'm not sure with whom it will be.)

[Rnfrds10]

went to a&e with palpitations in Feb 23, had an echo and 24 hr holter in March, but appointment not until April 24, got a letter saying unfortunately appointment has been moved to Fe24. Thankfully I do have private insurance through work. Will still go to my nhs appointment as it will be to be in the system if ongoing care is required. So a long wait is seems normal

[Hjb83]

Hi Beckimo,

I had a similar situation to you I went to GP he said will do the referral and I naïvely presumed it would be pretty instant. I had my HA in Turkey in August23 and my first contact apart from gp was in November23. I never seen a cardiologist. I had an echocardiogram and was issued a call with a cardio nurse I was referred to cardio rehab which I recommend very much if you push for that I contacted them myself, found their number on BHF. The team looked at my Turkish notes and translated to me they were so helpful and nothing was a bother to ask. I think the wait is damaging to your mental health as you have so many questions and like me looks like you came to the right place here! 🙂 always happy to chat if you need advice or just a chat.

[andrew290171]

I think sadly that sort of wait isn't unusual these days due to the state of the NHS. May be worth seeing if the gp can chase it up

[Avagra]

I had my HA and stent Oct’22 and have experienced various aches and chest twinges and visited A&E twice ! Have I seen a cardiologist during this period short answer NO ! As good as the NHS is once the cardiologist has fixed the plumbing then that’s end of story !

[Swimmerb]

We lived in France for 12 years and on our return I had all important medical records professionally translated. I took them to our surgery and they were very pleased to have them. When seeing a specialist for the first time I take a copy. I have always been thanked.

It worked doing this because I had forgotten there was a recommendation for my husband the have a repeat test after three years and our surgery contacted him to say it had been booked.

[LaceyLady]

nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospita...

Waiting times guide

[Sazznyre]

I had a Stent fitted End July 23 and went through Cardiac Rehab 6 weeks after. I had a few twinges and pains and saw a cardiologist in Oct23 prior to my holiday. On return I saw a cardiologist again end of Nov23 and this week had an echocardiogram so will get my results from the cardiologist in the next 10 days.

During this time I have had two trips to the docs who only seem to act on the Cardiologists advice.

[Sashvuk]

don’t be surprised I’m in same situation as you are … I had stroke and heart attack in France in 2018 and 2020 and still haven’t seen gp or specialist in UK … I have seen cardiologists and he did Echocardiogram and prescribed me Ranexa for my heart disease or angina but I have to fight with my gp each time to get my medication… Medical staff in UK are disgusting and disrespectful to their patients

[Oldknees in reply to Sashvuk]

You must be living in the wrong place my cardiology team,GP surgery and every nurse I have come across have been wonderful.I for one think they should be on a lot more money for the abuse they put up with.x

[Sashvuk in reply to Oldknees]

Maybe I do live in the wrong place ( London) but most of us have different experiences with GP and Doctors

[Beckimo]

thanks to everyone replying. It’s really useful to hear everyone’s experience.