Advice appreciated for cardiology appointment

[Pokemon555]

Hello and thanks for taking the time to read this.

I have been diagnosed with heart failure following echo test and it appears there is at least a two month wait to see someone at the local NHS, I’ve decided to go privately.

I have a severely dilated LV and an ejection fraction of 36 and am obviously concerned about what my future holds. Does anyone have any advice on what I should expect from my first cardiologist appointment or have any suggestions of questions I need to ask at the meeting. It’s already been indicated to me that a set of bloods will be needed.

Thank you for reading the post, I appreciate anything you can recommend.

[Shabana1974]

Hi That's actually ridiculous that you have to wait to see someone. I was called to come to hospital immediately sameday they broke the news. And was given medication to start that day. But if you are going private it's best to make the most of the appointment. So write down a list of questions you may have as if you are like me you get to the appointment your mind goes blank.Ask them for a reason for the heart Failure.

What tests are they going to do to investigate.

Are they Angioplasty procedure to check your arteries.

If that shows absolutely perfect clear arteries like in my case will they then do a Cardiac MRI

What medication are they going to give you for your heart failure

If medication doesn't work what's the next step. ( they told me it would be a device)

If I can think of any other questions I will add them

[Pokemon555 in reply to Shabana1974]

Thanks Shabana, for the reply and advice and will update after I see cardiologist. Hope your doing ok.

[Shabana1974 in reply to Pokemon555]

Please do keep us updated. And as soon as my MRI results come in I will let you know

[Pokemon555 in reply to Shabana1974]

Hi,

Thanks all for showing an interest in my progress and for the information you provided. The Cardiologist appointment was very helpful in terms of review, evaluation of potential causes and development of a treatment plan.

I’ve been/will be prescribed five different medications. Hopefully they will be tolerated, if not we will try something else.

I’m off to have a MRI followed by bloods at 2 and 6 weeks and to have a holter (14 days) as have ectopic heart beat, which we need to better understand.

For those who haven’t yet had a first appointment of this type, the below link is something I found helpful:

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng106/...

End result was, likely heart failure, given family history, but small potential that I have contracted myocarditis as a result of the pneumonia.

Overall, despite the situation I was reassured and encouraged to get on with my life, with some lifestyle changes.

[Shabana1974 in reply to Pokemon555]

I am really glad that you have found the appointment really helpful. Yes I have 5 different tablets but Entresto is 2 medication is 1 so 6 medicines new and as they helped me they hopefully will help you.. so glad you are feeling more positive about it and please keep me updated on your progress

[Dkhanka]

Hi, sorry to hear about your situation.

What are your symptoms ?

If you go to your local ED they would admit you and treat you for heat failure straight away

I have been told that if caught in time and with proper medication you could live a normal life with gauged restrictions.

Questions: do’s & don’ts

Root cause of the problem

MRI/CT/Angiogram which one to do next

Discuss any family history

Any other health issues for correct medication

Any drug if the cardiologist can put you on straight away

[Pokemon555 in reply to Dkhanka]

Hi,

Thanks so much for replying, symptoms are occasional lightheadedness and breathlessness, I don’t seem to get very tired but I do struggle to sleep at the moment (probably the stress). Beyond that I have a severely dilated LV and a 35% EF by echocardiogram.

Thanks for the reply and advice and will update after I see cardiologist.

[Pokemon555 in reply to Pokemon555]

Hi,

Thanks all for showing an interest in my progress and for the information you provided. The Cardiologist appointment was very helpful in terms of review, evaluation of potential causes and development of a treatment plan.

I’ve been/will be prescribed five different medications. Hopefully they will be tolerated, if not we will try something else.

I’m off to have a MRI followed by bloods at 2 and 6 weeks and to have a holter (14 days) as have ectopic heart beat, which we need to better understand.

For those who haven’t yet had a first appointment of this type, the below link is something I found helpful:

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng106/...

End result was, likely heart failure, given family history, but small potential that I have contracted myocarditis as a result of the pneumonia.

Overall, despite the situation I was reassured and encouraged to get on with my life, with some lifestyle changes.

[Deejay62]

Hi everyone seems to have answered your question. Things have changed a lot due to a backlog of patients waiting with heart issues. Hopefully an appoint will come through soon. If you’re in a position to go private then you’re doing the best thing for you. All the best. And let us know how you get on.

[Pokemon555 in reply to Deejay62]

Thanks for the reply and advice and will update after I see cardiologist.

[Pokemon555 in reply to Deejay62]

Hi,

Thanks all for showing an interest in my progress and for the information you provided. The Cardiologist appointment was very helpful in terms of review, evaluation of potential causes and development of a treatment plan.

I’ve been/will be prescribed five different medications. Hopefully they will be tolerated, if not we will try something else.

I’m off to have a MRI followed by bloods at 2 and 6 weeks and to have a holter (14 days) as have ectopic heart beat, which we need to better understand.

For those who haven’t yet had a first appointment of this type, the below link is something I found helpful:

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng106/...

End result was, likely heart failure, given family history, but small potential that I have contracted myocarditis as a result of the pneumonia.

Overall, despite the situation I was reassured and encouraged to get on with my life, with some lifestyle changes.

[Taviterry]

I've mixed private and NHS care and soon found out that the fees can mount up. Recently I paid £230 to see a gastroenterologist, £660 for some comprehensive blood tests and £190 (IIRC) for a short follow-up discussion by telephone. (And the test results were badly presented on an eight-page spread sheet with faint printing. I spent 90 minutes copying them on to one page so they could be more easily included in my NHS Patient Access records.)

[Pokemon555 in reply to Taviterry]

Thanks for the reply and advice and will update after I see cardiologist.

[Pokemon555 in reply to Taviterry]

Hi,

Thanks all for showing an interest in my progress and for the information you provided. The Cardiologist appointment was very helpful in terms of review, evaluation of potential causes and development of a treatment plan.

I’ve been/will be prescribed five different medications. Hopefully they will be tolerated, if not we will try something else.

I’m off to have a MRI followed by bloods at 2 and 6 weeks and to have a holter (14 days) as have ectopic heart beat, which we need to better understand.

For those who haven’t yet had a first appointment of this type, the below link is something I found helpful:

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng106/...

End result was, likely heart failure, given family history, but small potential that I have contracted myocarditis as a result of the pneumonia.

Overall, despite the situation I was reassured and encouraged to get on with my life, with some lifestyle changes.