Waiting Times

[Glenfiddich]

Hi,

I eventually saw my cardiologist in September 2024 for a sit down face to face consultation. I saw him briefly a couple of times when I had been admitted to hospital. I thought I was on the way to things speeding up as my stent was done in 2022. I got a letter a few days later with my next appointment and it said January 2026. I thought it must be a mistake so called the hospital and they confirmed January 2026. Are others having to wait so long?

In September I was put on Amiodarone and feel knackered all the time. Is this normal?

[mjames1]

I'm from a different healthcare system, but giving the cardiologist the benefit of the doubt, maybe they think you're stable now and don't need a more timely follow up.

I would point out to them that you're having some current issues such as medication side effects and request an appointment as soon as possible. If this doesn't work, I would try to switch doctors or get a private consultation.

Jim

[Wonky_heart]

I had a similar experience. Despite having AFib episodes nearly every day (I'm very symptomatic) I was given an 18 month follow up appointment (in Glasgow). Then in April this year things got even more erratic so the appointment was brought forward to October. I'm now on a 9 month waiting list for an ablation. Going privately can be a good option (you'll probably see the same consultant) but it's also worth going to A&E when things get bad so that the hosp is aware of how it's impacting on you. Good luck

[Sunshinebrew]

I had a couple of visits to A & E las t February with chest pain. I have stents and microvascular angina. I was discharged and my meds were increased and I was put on the list to see my cardiologist urgently but I’ve still not seen him so waiting times are very long. My GP advised me to go back to A & E if symptoms persisted and I was worried. However I haven’t needed to go back to A & E and my symptoms have calmed down so the increase in meds for me worked. My advice would be to go to A & E if your worried.

[1a2b3 in reply to Sunshinebrew]

hi there, you mention you have microvascular angina. What test definitively diagnosed that? It is suspected that I may have this and am going back in for my second angiogram in less than a year. I have been suffering chest pain on exertion for four years and after much testing, it was finally discovered that I had I blocked LAD. I I had an angioplasty done in April thinking that would fix the pain, but it did not. Now they are suspecting microvascular. I have read that it can’t always be diagnosed through an angiogram, but also have read there are different types of angiograms. I am in Canada, but I would assume that the testing protocol would be the same. .

[Sunshinebrew in reply to 1a2b3]

I’m in wales and the diagnosis is based on symptoms continuing after having 3 stents in my LAD I’ve had 3 further angiograms done which showed that the stents were fine and no further blockages were found but I’ve not had the test specifically to diagnose microvascular angina.

I can be fine for months and then symptoms of tight heavy chest with breathlessness and exhaustion can return but I am able to manage the symptoms effectively with medication and I’ve been advised to go to A & E if I’m worried at all. So I’m hoping to have a good winter as the cold weather can be a trigger.

[1a2b3 in reply to Sunshinebrew]

Thanks for your reply… I have had all of the tests over the last four years, repeated twice which led to me having a stent put in in April of this year. Symptoms never subsided always pain on exercise which subsides after about five minutes on its own. No breathlessness or any other issues , any other time other than during exercise. It is very troubling and frustrating to go through all of that and still not feel relief so I’m hoping that having the second angiogram will rule out blockages and hopefully get me closer to figuring out what is going on.

[Sunshinebrew in reply to 1a2b3]

I had the stents 7 years ago now and it’s taken a while and a few more tests but I’ve been reasonably ok with the medication and managing my symptoms over the past few years I wish you well there is some information on the BHF website about microvascular angina I’ll see if I can find the links for you

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

it’s difficult to diagnose and to treat but there’s a lot more awareness now about this condition, it’s worth posting on here about it specifically as there are a few who have it and can give support and advice.

[1a2b3 in reply to Sunshinebrew]

Thank you so much for your reply. It is frustrating and worrisome . I do hope I get some answers soon . I will have a look at the suggested site . Take care

[Glenfiddich in reply to 1a2b3]

The first test was an exercise tolerance test which highlighted an issue. I then had an angiogram and I had an 95% blockage of my LAD. I had a stent put in and had issues while they sorted my medications out. The tachycardia was a secondary problem. I haven’t had any tachycardia episodes since I started the Amiodarone but feel rubbish on them. I told the cardiologist this but have had no reply. I don’t know what the protocols are but at least they are investigating the situation so hopefully they will get to the bottom of it soon.

[1a2b3 in reply to Glenfiddich]

Thank you for your reply . I hope you get it sorted quickly

[Silvermedal]

Did you get a copy of the consultant's letter to your GP? This is standard in my area. This would tell you the length of followup your consultant wanted and you could then see if this is the same as the time you are waiting.

You could ring your GP's secretary to access the letter if you don't have a copy.

[Glenfiddich in reply to Silvermedal]

Thanks. My GP practice is terrible. They don’t even have a practice manager.

[Alixia]

What is your diagnosis for the Amioderone? It has a long list of side effects, is it the first anti-arrhythmic you have been prescribed? There are others available that do not have the hard side effects.

[Glenfiddich in reply to Alixia]

Yes, it’s the first one I been put on. I have a tachycardia arrhythmia, angina and a myocardial bridge and some partial blockages in three other arteries.

[Alixia in reply to Glenfiddich]

Perhaps ask your cardiologist to explore other anti arrhythmics that have less side effects. Are you having your lungs, thyroid and eyes tested whilst you’re on amioderone?

[Glenfiddich in reply to Alixia]

I had a blood test two weeks after I started the medication and I have to go back in early December for the next one.