6 years ago tonight at 3am, I had a heart attack. Now 2 stone lighter, medication much reduced and BP even better than it was although very breathless. BP was good even then. I just wish I could find out how the two other blockages they found are doing. At 64% blocked they weren't deemed bad enough to stent but you can't help wondering. I've been waiting since last October for an appointment to hopefully have a scan to find out. How cardio care has deteriorated in just 6 years.
Thank you to everyone on this forum who helped me so much, especially in the early months.
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Qualipop
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Hahaha I just did exactly that. I tried via reception and got a message from the lady who does referrals that no matter how urgent, the waiting time is 12 months. I then spoke to a GP I've never met at all, explained everything to him and he was absolutely lovely and promised he'd first try to chase up the referrals ( actually 2 different ones- one by a hospital department in October and one by my GP this January) by making it sound as urgent as he could and failing that he would try to get medical advice from the cardiologist . I'm not holding my breath but at least he's trying. (Not that I've much breath to hold).
That is quite a worry to hear no matter how urgent it is that it will still be a 12 month waiting time
I know what you are saying about not holding your breath but the Doctor you spoke to is trying by the sounds of it to do whatever he can and that at least is something that someone is trying for you which I am glad he is x
Those were the referrals secretary's exact words. "No matter how urgent". They haven't been able to get anyone bumped up the list. Sounds as if the only way you get seen is if you have a critical incident. Ordinary tests like holters or echo scans are quite quickly available but who is acting on the results if you can't see anyone?
I had an Echocardiogram on May 2nd 2024. I also had a 48 hour Holter Monitor on May 14th. My main concern is my breathlessness. I have heard nothing re:these investigations, other than they must be okay otherwise I would have received a letter. 😳😳
I totally agree that cardiac services have deteriorated over the last 6 years. I consider myself fortunate to have had my heart attack in 2017. The doctor that carried out the angioplasty said that while he had sorted out my right coronary artery, there were still issues on the left and as I was fit and active he referred me for bypass surgery. Having this resolved that issue and my surgeon even bypassed the stents in my RCA. Even my GP now considers me to be "fixed".
Notwithstanding the excellent service I received from the NHS, I still wonder what is happening inside me. My situation is perhaps as good as it can be, but without any monitoring all I can do is do my best in terms of diet, lifestyle, etc.
I hope you manage to progress matters and get some answers. Not knowing is perhaps the most difficult part.
I'd totally agree with the care going downhill in that time though (7yrs for me). Waiting times MUST be adding to critical incidents its such a bonkers system, badly in need of care itself!
Congratulations Qualipop on your 6 year anniversary! I always love to read the messages from people who have gone on years without another event - it’s very encouraging but I do think that many of us have it in the back of our minds that something could happen again (or perhaps that’s just me). I remember you replied to my messages when I first had a NSTEMI back in October’22 and I was in shock and terrified. I think all we can do is trust the medication and just live as healthy as possible but still live if that means going out with family and friends for lunch or dinner, a glass or two of wine and a bit of cake here and there. That really helps with the mental and emotional side of all of this but it sounds like you’ve done so well losing 2 stones - that’s amazing! Hopefully by doing that and eating well along with exercise that will slow down the disease in the old arteries - that’s what the cardiac nurse told me. If you’re feeling breathless, could it be your medication that perhaps needs altering? Let’s hope you get an appointment sooner than expected and you can get matters resolved. Well done again, persevere and keep your chin up (easier said than done sometimes). But thanks for letting us know about your 6 year achievement! Keep going…..❤️🧚🏼♀️
Many thanks. GP always thinks the breathlessness is muscle spasms from my spinal problems but he said that the first time when it was a heart attack so I do worry about the two other blockages, especially in the LAD. It can't be medication as I now only take aspirin and simvastatin plus my painkiller oxycodone. A heavy smoker all my life, my GP Is always amazed that my lung function results always come back good enough for a 20 year old. BTW I lost the 2 s tone right after the heart attack after changing our diet. I didn't even try.
Great news about the lungs! Goes to show how our bodies all work differently doesn’t it. Some folk do all the “naughty” things and they live a life without health issues and some can be as good as anything sticking to the guidelines and then bang! Something happens - you can’t win 🤣 but the body is amazing at recovering and compensating to help out the damaged bits. Well you’re on the preventative medication (statins) so hopefully your issues won’t be heart related. Keep in touch with your GP and as I say hopefully you’ll get your appointment sooner than expected. Take care and good luck ❤️🧚🏼♀️
Oh I've done that around May time . They said they were only just getting to do those from June 2023. Your HA sounds just like mine; horrific indigestion for 3 days that nothing touched then a very slight tingle down my arm and up my neck. It was only then I wondered if something else was going on besides indigestion and rang 111 who immediately sent an ambulance.
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Post AVR 3 & 1/2 weeks, Atrial Fibrillation 
CAD and OMT/STATINS
Pain under arm pit area following by pass surgery.
