Next Steps

[Desjakey]

So in chatting with my GP he advised that the next step is for the cardio rehab nurse to discharge me to him. He said then they will see me in 12 months. Is this the norm after having STEMI and stent 7 weeks ago?

[Lowerfield_no_more]

After my cardio rehab following an NSTEMI and a hospital stay and an angiogram (no stents) I was discharged and that was that, no further follow up by anyone, although I have an annual cholesterol test and am occasionally asked to provide a BP reading (I take a statin, aspirin and a BP med). My guess is that unless you have a particular known heart condition say such as angina or arrhythmia you don't need any follow up and I can see the logic in that. But if you develop a subsequent heart related condition you will be investigated and treated accordingly.

[Crochetwoman]

Hi, my stemi HA was nearly six years ago but I remember being signed back( from rehab nurse) to the gp fairly quickly. The rehab nurses left me their contact number and said that I could still phone with any cardiac worries. You will probably end up having to request your annual check up at the gp. Don’t wait around to be asked - In my experience.

But you should still have a post HA follow up with a cardiologist. I think it was around 6 months. I remember it was just before I was visiting my son in San Francisco and was delighted to be signed back to gp care. This halved my health insurance! 😊

[Avagra]

I had a HA in Oct’22 and stent In circumflex artery having attended rehab for the set period I was discharged to the care of my GP. Since then it’s me that’s had to do the chasing of any test results and it’s took 18months to see a cardiologist regarding some issues and overall the NHS saved my life and obviously I’m grateful but the cardio after care is somewhat to be desired and it seems most on this forum have similar experiences !

[Qualipop]

Absolutely normal but you can see him at any time if worried or having problems. After my HA I was back and forth to the GP with problems from my medication and also to get him to explain my discharge letter. If there's anything your GP isn't sure about, he can contact your cardologist very quickly for advice. You should have blood tests in 3 months to make sure your medication isn't affecting liver or kidneys then a once a year fu ll check up and bloods.

[AAJJTt]

Hi, I think this may depend on where you are in the country.

My path was NSTEMI type 2 - angiogram (no stents). Further diagnosis of Afib.

I was referred to Phase 3 cardio rehab, as I recall this was about a 12 weeks program run through the NHS.

On completion, I was referred to phase 4 - this is run by a local charity with their trainers. This was a 9 month program starting and finishing with full CPET tests (treadmill/Bruce protocol). On completion of the first test, the results are analysed and you are given a target heart rate to work to. You then follow the program, twice a week, circuit training or gym, working to your target. The staff are there (to monitor, support you and to show you how to work safely to your desired intensity.

This was 5 years ago, I still regularly attend the phase 4 sessions twice a week; it’s an integral part of my weekly health/training routine.

I attend a ‘healthy heart’ clinic at my GPs too. This is an annual checkup of my status, with full blood works, etc.

[aardvark68]

Yes that sounds perfectly normal. After my STEMI and cardiac arrest back in 2015 I had stents and was discharged home very quickly. Attended the cardiac rehab which was excellent and saw the cardiologist once afterwards to be signed off. Since then I’ve been having annual blood tests done at the GP surgery- which I sometimes have to remind them about!

I still take a statin and aspirin as a precaution but apart from that assume that everything is fine.