Hi, I had some shortness of breath late in 2024 and decided to have it checked. After several visits to Derby hospitals, I had an angiogram. The results were less than promising with 3 nearly blocked arteries, "severe" artery disease. The consultant spoke to me immediately afterwards and explained that they had not performed any procedures as the damage was too bad. He said that stents were not going to help and that it was unlikely that I would be able to have surgical itervention (bypass surgery) due to the severity of the disease. Bottom line seemed to be that I have a time bomb on a very short fuse and there is nothing that can be done.
Today I went to Leicester for a consultation. The Consultant showed a very serious face and told me that I had Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), this did not come as a shock. However he then said that I would need bypass surgery in the next few months, he is putting me on the list today - this was a very positive response that I really did not expect. He said that there was a 99% success rate and after some recuperation I should be able to get on with life and not need any further interventions for at least 15 - 20 years. I am 60 and might feel different when I am 75 - 80 but right now it is much better than fearing that I would not be seeing 61.
I hope that this brings some hope to anyone that was in my initial position - assuming that it was just a matter of a very short time before the inevitable would happen. Wait until you see the expert cardiology consultants.
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SuddenShock
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I'm so glad you got a more positive response at your second opinion Consultation, and will be keeping my fingers crossed for you for a speedy operation date and a smooth operation.What's somewhat scary is that you were told such a decision at your first consult with such a message of finality.
Many people don't think about getting second opinions or waiting to see another Consultant, and they put all of their faith in the idea that every doctor always knows what they are talking about. Many people would have left things like that, gone home , coped with the distress of the news and a potentially terminal condition looming over them and not gone back.
In reality, this sort of thing is very common.
Often , you will get completely opposite opinions from different teams about the same health condition.
Often , this isn't because something has been missed by the initial tests but more to do with the skillset and equipment available to the surgical team or hospital department you go to.
Many give very stark opinions off the cuff before they need to.
Many won't take chances on procedures they haven't done before.
Many won't do procedures with a greater level of risk because they or the hospital unit aren't willing to give a patient a chance of second life in expense of their surgical mortality ratings.
Many will state something can't be done just because it can't be done at their hospital because of equipment or budgets or lack of Consultants in their Unit able to do a specific procedure.
Sometimes, they choose the easier option for them because of executive management decisions, which have little to do with what could be a miracle for the patient , and more to do with what might muck up there league table position.
For the patient this leaves them going home untreated with the belief there is no treatment that they can have.
It's scary to think about it really , but it can be a lottery.
Your story was a good one to post because,hopefully lots of people will read it whom have had similar decisions to you. Hopefully, it will bring awareness that this sort of lottery exists, and that the first diagnosis you get about any health issues you have may not always be the only one.
It will hopefully show people that it's a good idea to get a second opinion , and often one from a different hospital or unit to see if you have alternatives for which ever type of condition you have or treatment you need.
I've got many long term health conditions, only a few involve my heart , but I learned over the decades of being a patient that although you need to trust your doctors , you certainly shouldn't trust that they know everything or get everything right and that you should always ask for a second opinion and do your own research and ask more questions, no matter whether your seeing an NHS doctor or a private one.
The first diagnosis isn't always the right one ; the first decision isn't ever the only one.
Sometimes, if your condition is complex, or you have many multi system health conditions like me , you may get many mixed messages or be put through the mill for months and even years before the right Consultant , gives the full diagnosis and the best treatment is exposed through a combination of better knowledge and experience and a lot of trial and error.
Unfortunately, when we are first confronted with ill health most of us don't realise this is a Truth of Treatment.
Let's face it your doctors aren't going to give you the heads up on that , which is understandable in part , they need you to trust their abilities, hearing ,"I could be wrong" , doesn't instill much hope or faith in the Doctor either!
So , that's why joining support groups online or face to face is really important, because they teach you to expand the way you think about the care you get , teach you that you may have more options open to you to help you get you life back, and to give you the tools to be confident as a patient to ask more questions and search for better care options locally or further afield.
Thanks again for posting your story , you are giving people hope and building our awareness of these common health issues.
And again , I hope all goes well.
It would be really good if you kept updating us if your progress both before and after your surgery, and build up that hope with your inspiring story.
To be fair, the Derby consultant did send the letter to Leicester inviting an opinion. I am reading the letter that was sent, it says "there is no obvious target for PCI" and "that surgeon should cast an eye to see if there is possibility here". When the consultant spoke to me at Derby hospital following the angiogram I remember feeling mentally numb, saying "oh, OK" getting dressed and leaving. I seriously did not know what to do including the possibility of never going home again, I did start to tidy up my affairs that day and could not speak to anyone about it, the words just would not come out.
I do not particularly want to have major surgery, who does, but the relief that I felt when the Leicester Consultant was so matter of fact when he said I was ill but they would have me and sort it out, no drama, no indecision (not a quote!) was astounding.
Very pleased you have some positive news and can have surgery. Wishing you the best of luck going forward. Please post when you’re on the road to recover .
Wow, you have really been through it. Am so glad you have been given more positive news now. Wishing you every bit of good luck for the future. Take care
That is good news, and just goes to show how opinions differ. I think we are conditioned to accept the first diagnosis, because if we ask for a second opinion it seems that we are insulting the first. In June 24 I had an echocardiogram which show possible mild tricuspid regurgitation. In November 24 I had another one at a different hospital, which didn't show it.
I would guess there are a lot of people on this forum who can tell of different opinions.
I have been told by an old family member that I was diagnosed with a heart murmur when I was very young, I know that it was again diagnosed in my mid teens (after school sports when it was cold) but it was never mentioned again until I went to the urgent care centre at the start of this current episode a few weeks ago (45 years after the last diagnosis). Perhaps it is an opinion thing or maybe murmurs just happen "sometimes"
You are correct about the second opinion part, it does seem like an insult BUT this could be your life and that is far more important than a potential slight dent in an ego especially when the dent could lead to better diagnosis or care of someone later down the line.
Hi, similar here, consultant doing angiogram simply lent across and asked, 'Do want me to refer you to Southampton or the Brompton?' whilst still on table. That was last March, CABG x 4 early June and up and out now. Just been shovelling chippings and laying a pathway? Not going to lie, CABG leaves you rather battered and bruised but it's not as bad as you imagine. I was home on the 5th day, out walking the dogs a few days later ( but not holding lead!) Rehab helped but I found just doing normal daily activities was great for mind and body; if it hurt I stopped. Best wishes and good luck.
Thanks for the reply and encouragment. I am assuming that this might not be the most comfortable thing that I have ever done but I really want to build a summer house in the garden later this year...
I was under a Derby Cardiologist who, in my opinion, was totally incompetent. I had no faith in him or his team. It was very scary as my condition was deteriorating rapidly. I called BHF in tears, and they gave me the name of a specialist cardiologist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. I asked my GP to refer me, which she did willingly. There was an 18-month wait to see the consultant. However, I was deteriorating rapidly, and my GP asked them to expedite my appointment. 6 weeks later, I met the consultant, who I swear has saved my life. I am still under his care and can not praise him and his team enough. They go above and beyond for their patients. It is so important to have faith in the team who keeps your heart ticking! I'm from Derby, and although it's not easy getting to Birmingham, it's worth every mile. I hope your journey turns out as successful with Leicester.
Hi Bayleigh1, I am really sorry to hear of your similar problems. I don't want to be too harsh on the Derby Consultants, at least they identified something for me and I have been able to move forward as a result.
I think that I was trying to inspire others not to give up hope and, if needs be, get the second opinion as you have done.
I haven't heard anything from my GP, they have been copied on all of the hospital letters. Before this started I tried to get an appointment with my GP and was told the same old thing, "phone again tomorrow morning at 8am", I am so glad that I said about shortness of breath just before giving up. Since my diagnosis I have called the GP a few times, initially to try to understand whether my diagnosis really meant what it seemed. I have never been higher han 29th in the call queue!
I am so happy to hear that you have had progress and success and really do hope that the progress continues for many years into the future for you.
Hello, Sudden Shock. It is such good news that you have finally got the diagnosis to put your long term health right. My need to have a CABG ×3 did not get recognised till I finally got an Angiogram a fornight after being admitted to hospital with unstable angina. Then, immediately after the Angiogram, I was told that the coronary artery blockages were too extensive for stents to be possible, and therefore a CABG op would be necessary. In the early days of admission, there was doubt by the hospital, and by me, that I had blockages as, other than the Angina, I did not seem that unwell. However, what might have helped was that the 4th Cardiologist to see me asked me to say again what my angina symptoms were, and then she told me that she believed me, but that many of her colleagues might not. That helped me not feel a fraud or an imposter. I think that Bleary Eyes's reply to you is really helpful to everybody in undestanding the variations in medical opinions, and the possible reasons for them.
Congrats, you're probably one of the first people ever to be told you need a bypass and see it as positive! 😀 As someone 2 years post heart attack and quad bypass I've learned medicine isn't as precise as we think. Opinions by doctors are led by what they find but also their particular background, training and personality type. This doesn't sound like you but I would say to anyone in a similar position, don't become a passive 'subject' who is 'treated'. We need to see ourselves as active and equal partners in the process. The good news for you is you have the time to prepare by getting as fit as you can physically and mentally which will help with the op and recovery. I had mine at 62 with just 5 days to prepare and yes, it's tough, but it's much better than the alternative. All the best and good luck.
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CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURES 
What questions should I ask as a relative?
Feel a bit of fraud?
Still waiting bypass
failed CABG
