Cardiac referrals of reviews. Can someone tell me if I stay on a Cardiologist list for any length of time?

[onadiet]

Saw Cardiologist 1 yr.ago as have Hypertension. Now diagnosed preliminary with RBBB & poss. Angina.Can I just contact his Secretary ? Or does my G.P have to contact or even re refer. Cardio fist did a letter for me for my H.I op.6 months ago.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

The last correspondence from the cardiologist, for which you should have a copy, will indicate whether you have been discharged back to the care of your GP or alternatively what they intend for you as a follow up. If it is not clear contact the cardiology secretary who is assigned to your cardiologist and ask the question concerning whether you are still with them or not, and if you are still with them what is the plan.

[Lezzers]

If you've been discharged from cardiology then you need to be re-referred. Unless you're on patient initiative which some hospitals are using now. My husband is on patient initiative, which means he doesn't regularly see his cardiologist anymore but if he needs to see him then he just has to phone the hospital and he'll be given an appt.

[PadThaiNoodles]

Yeah, it's highly dependent on your particular condition.

I have a mechanical valve and so am on a cardiology list for life. (Actually, I'm on two, as I see my "main" cardiologist privately in Dublin but I also have to be on a local cardiologist's list for my local warfarin clinic.)

[Murderfan58]

I saw my GP in think it was August about water retention and she said she would refer me back to cardiologist as they don't give out water tablets. Also she wants me to have an echocardiogram been 4 years since my last one. Heard last month my referral had been approved and was on the waiting list. Apparently the waiting list is 12 weeks so assume that's 12 weeks from approval not when my GP sent in the referral. Still having problems with water retention. My weight can go up by 4lb a day depending how much I let the water out. I know it will be up from my weight in this morning as hardly went to loo yesterday and slept all night when I am up normally twice .

I still keep to my 8-10 drinks a day . It's so annoying my weight is up and down like a yo yo. I lost 7st over 5 years period as it a marathon not a sprint through counting cals kept it off and been trying to lose the last stone last 3 years. But this water retention has pushed my weight up . The other week put on 6lb in a week next week lost 6.25lb but I know it was through the retention as keeping to my cal allowance and doing my daily exercises.

It's not the pain when my legs swell as been in pain my whole life it's the tightness in my lower legs and ankles that bugs me. And my skin gets red and shiny. Plus can't wear some shoes when it's bad .

Don't expect to see the cardiologist until next year now . Just having a moan . If I was just given the water tablet it would be all under control.

[Alicant]

Do you have HF nurse?She can prescribe water tablets so can GP if they want.

[pastapot]

Yes you can contact the secretaries, they sometimes respond. Unfortunately, getting things done can be a trying experiencebut worth a try.