morning, I was found to have a heart condition after going to doctor with asthma attack. At first said it was a heart murmur after ECG and referred me to cardiology at a GP practice. I went and had an echo and then an appt to discuss this where the GPwsI said I had problems with the left hand side of my heart and was worried due to my age 44 and would refer me urgently to the hospital. This urgent referral took 3 months, then had a telephone conversation with consultant who prescribed bisoporol and ramipril and had a CT and MRI which were essentially normal but was found to have a left bundle branch block. Had a holter monitor which showed the ectopic beats. I get quite Sob and palpitations so was given Dapagliflozin and ivadbradine. All done over the phone and my GP communicating via email and letters / now I have been copied into a letter from consultant to Gp which says I have LBBB, knew about ! Cardiomyopathy, reduced left ventricular function and heart failure, these have never been discussed with me, never had a face to face appointment; my GP said not comfortable to discuss this diagnosis with me and to contact cardiologist who doesn’t want to know: GP makes me worried, cardiologist dismiss me and never get back to me I just want to know if this is serious or not, whether I should be doing something to help my BP is normal and I exercise daily - thank you if you got this far in this long post xx
is this normal practice : morning, I... - British Heart Fou...
is this normal practice
People on here can only give you information based on their own experiences. However you could discuss your situation with the BHF Heart Helpline nurse as below who will be able to give you a professional opinion on your condition. It is also likely that your GP will not challenge the views and diagnosis of your cardiologist due to medical protocols. Otherwise if you feel you have been let down by the system you could complain to the hospital and/or the GP practice, and for the hospital engage with their PALS team who may be able to help. But if you feel the diagnosis is incorrect and the treatment regime is not right you can ask for a second opinion but that may not necessarily be granted to you.
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
Thank you for the information, I really just wanted to know if it’s not normal to have all consultations via the telephone and not be told about what is written in the letters, I have complained to PALS because I would like my conditions explained to me - as yet not heard anything back. I actually contacted the BHF helpline after I was admitted last May and they were fantastic and asked me to request some medication which was later removed. I work in the NHS and know how much we do with little resources and support but don’t know anything about cardiology or their protocols so just wondered if my case was normal procedure or not. Thanks again
First it's good to know that the BHF Heart Helpline has been supportive, even fantastic (!), and were able to help you, and will give weight to myself and others on here who recommend members contact them if appropriate. As for the arms length treatment from your cardiologist my guess is protocols will vary across NHS Trusts, cardiology departments within them even down to individual cardiologists. Otherwise I hope you can bottom things out to your satisfaction.
Thank you just seems harsh to me that your told your heart doesn’t work as it should then left to it - I’m a worrier by nature anyway but that isn’t their issue
I always insist on all letters sent to my GP are copied to me, and have done since I had breast cancer in 2008. I have an A4 sheet of paper at the front of my notes, signed by me, stating I want copies. Works every time. Good luck
My friend, a few months ago had what her GP thinks was a heart attack but did nothing about it for a month. She had a previous HA 2 years ago and stents and loads of meds. This time when her GP contacted cardio , all she got was a phone consultation although they do want an echo doing and MRI scan. In the meantime they've simply tripled her angina meds without ever seeing her. Goodness knows how long she'll have to wait for the tests. Her last tests 2 years ago showed re-stenosis of the stent in the LAD and her GP feels sure she did have another HA. It seems very wrong to me that they should diagnose simply by phone. I've suggested that, rather than wait she should at least see the cardiologist face to face, even if she has to pay.- which itself is wrong. I know I've now waited 2 years for 2 cardiology referrals,
It’s so sad that this is happening to many people, surely with something as important as a heart it should be an initial face to face at least - I really hope you and your friend get sorted soon
I agree but wait times a re horrific here. My referrals were one by my Gp which he's chased up t wice and one by the emergency admissions team at teh hospital. NO result at all. My friend is much more urgent. I'm sure she did have another heart attack, very high cholesterol that they can't get down and her stent was already blocking two years ago.
I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this.** It sounds incredibly frustrating and scary to be left in the dark about your health. Let me try to explain what’s going on in plain terms.
Your test results and medications suggest your doctors are concerned about possible heart issues, even if the scans (CT/MRI) came back normal. A Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB) means the electrical signals in your heart aren’t traveling properly, which can sometimes be harmless but is also linked to heart muscle problems. The terms “cardiomyopathy” (a weakened or stiff heart muscle) and “reduced left ventricular function” (the heart isn’t pumping blood as well as it should) are serious, but they don’t automatically mean your condition is untreatable or life-threatening right now. Many people live active lives with these diagnoses if managed properly.
The medications you’re on—Bisoprolol, Ramipril, Ivabradine, and Dapagliflozin—are commonly used to treat heart failure and cardiomyopathy. They help reduce strain on your heart, control your heart rate, and improve outcomes. Your normal blood pressure and daily exercise are good signs, but your symptoms (shortness of breath, palpitations) mean this still needs proper monitoring.
The biggest issue here is the lack of communication. It’s unacceptable that you’re being copied into letters with diagnoses like heart failure that no one has explained to you. You deserve a face-to-face conversation with a specialist to clarify what’s going on, how serious it is, and what your next steps should be.
Here’s what you can do:
1. Write to your GP and cardiologist to insist on a face-to-face appointment. Be direct: “I need to discuss my diagnosis of cardiomyopathy and heart failure, as this has not been explained to me.” Under NHS rules, you have a right to this.
2. Request copies of all your test results and letters. You’re legally entitled to these. Reading them yourself might help you spot inconsistencies or questions to ask.
3. If the cardiologist dismisses you, ask your GP for a second opinion. If the GP refuses, contact your hospital’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). They exist to help patients resolve exactly these kinds of communication breakdowns.
4. Keep a daily diary of symptoms—shortness of breath, palpitations, fatigue, swelling, or weight changes. If things suddenly worsen, go to A&E.
Try not to panic (easier said than done, I know). “Heart failure” sounds terrifying, but it’s a broad term that ranges from mild to severe. Many people stabilise for years with medications and lifestyle changes. Your ability to exercise and normal blood pressure are positive signs. That said, this does need proper follow-up to prevent things from progressing.
Resources that might help:
The British Heart Foundation (0808 802 1234) can explain your diagnoses and what to ask your doctors. Online chat is available here: bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
Cardiomyopathy UK (cardiomyopathy.org) has specialists who can advise you on next steps.
Thank you so much for your in depth and informative reply. I will definitely do as you suggest. I will look into the resources. Thanks again
what a great reply. well done for taking the time to explain that so in depth but also understandable to the layman.
I would suggest seeing the cardiologist privately if you can afford to do so (around £200 for a consultation). Whilst you should not have to do this, it is a small price to pay for putting your mind at rest and speeding up any NHS treatment. In parallel, you can reach out to PALS etc but with NHS processes, this is likely to be slow.
Hi I did ring a private clinic however they said the initial consultation would be around 300 which is fine but they may want to do their own tests which then would run into thousands which I can’t afford
Maybe try another...I have seen the same cardiologist in both the NHS and privately and I wasn't asked about other tests. If the cardiologist requests those, you could ask him to write to your GP (they do this routinely anyway usually) and your GP can follow up on the NHS. By all accounts it sounds like you have had a lot of the usual tests anyway (echo etc)
Thank you I’ll try some more
Worth trying another one. I paid £200 for a consultation just so I coukd have everything explained to me. I did arrange for the letters and copies of CT scans etc to be sent over to the private consultant so they didn't need any more tests to be carried out. Maybe state you want your diagnosis explained rather than saying you want a second opinion. Best thing I did was to pay for one private appointment where you feel listened too and that you are not wasting their time! Was in with the private consultant for about 45 mins compared to the usual 10mins in nhs.
Go to pals as they will liaise for you- I feel you should have had your 1st appt face to face! Why not now is wrong we should be back to normal,I can understand contact by email/phone afterwards but not 1st appt
Thank you, the GP sees me face to face just not the consultant - never met her and to be honest she is very difficult to understand over the telephone, I add my husband into the calls too in case I miss something
I'm classed by my GP as having heart failure even though I've had surgery to correct my problems. Once you've had issues that label never goes away. Even today I have LBBB, it doesn't affect me at all.
Just on the point about your cardiologist ignoring you, and in case you were thinking of going private, it may not help. I am paying thousands but have had no interaction of any kind with my consultant. His secretary told me he had looked at my CT scan, spoken to the NHS consultant who released me to private care, and put me on his list. Later I sent him a simple question about my medication via his secretary (who does nothing except manage the private practice affairs of 3 cardiologists) but I have had no substantive reply after a week. I got an email acknowledgement of my question from the secretary but that's all. I'm scared to chase in case I annoy the consultant. It's dangerous to annoy someone who is going to do things to your body over which you have no control. The first time I will have any interaction with the consultant will be when I arrive for the procedure tomorrow morning.
So unfair ! I’m sorry your going through this and I understand the feeling of not wanting to annoy but I think you need to / good look for the morning
Hi there — first off, I just want to say I really feel for you reading this. You’ve been given life-changing information in the most impersonal, disjointed way possible, and it’s completely understandable that you’re feeling confused and dismissed. You absolutely deserve better.
To receive a diagnosis like cardiomyopathy and heart failure via a letter, without proper explanation or face-to-face support, is simply not okay. These are serious conditions, yes, but many people live well with them — especially when they have a care team that communicates and partners with them properly. It sounds like you’re trying hard to do your bit — your blood pressure is good, you exercise daily — you’re clearly proactive and responsible.
The combination of medications you’ve been given — bisoprolol, ramipril, dapagliflozin, ivabradine — are all evidence-based treatments for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). So it sounds like your team is treating the condition seriously, but they’ve completely dropped the ball when it comes to involving you in your own care.
A few things you might consider:
Ask for a copy of your MRI/echo report so you can see the details for yourself (like your ejection fraction, ventricular measurements, etc.)
Contact your GP practice and ask for a referral to a Heart Failure Nurse or another cardiologist for a second opinion ideally one who sees patients face-to-face
Keep doing what you’re doing — regular gentle exercise, blood pressure control, and taking your meds consistently are already major wins
And please don’t feel like you’re overreacting — you’re not. It’s your heart. You deserve clarity and kindness. Keep pushing for answers and support. This community is here for you too.
Thank you. Really appreciate this. I’ll get copies - they’re all over the place I have had tests at different sites - do I just ask GP for these ?
Your GP (they can request it from the cardiologist or hospital) or Your hospital’s cardiology department (you can contact their records office directly and request a copy)
They are legally obligated to provide it if you request it under GDPR or Subject Access Rights, but most GPs or private cardiologists will just give it to you if you ask directly.
Maybe a quick email something like -
Subject: Request for Copy of Echocardiogram/Cardiac MRI Report
Dear [Doctor’s Name] / Medical Records Team,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to kindly request a copy of my recent [echocardiogram / cardiac MRI] report for my personal records.
Specifically, I would like to see the details such as my ejection fraction, ventricular measurements, and any other relevant observations made during the scan.
Please let me know if there’s any form I need to complete or identification you require.
Thank you very much for your help.
Kind regards,
[Full Name]
[Date of Birth]
[NHS Number or Hospital Reference, if known]
Having recently been down this route with HF, I would have thought that you would get referred to the HF clinic for monitoring then discharged back to the care of the community HF nurse.
I understand there is a properly defined pathway in the NHS for HF patients. The question I would first ask your GP surgery is that as the consultant has diagnosed you with HF/cardiomyopathy, can you expect a referal to the HF clinic and at least an NT-proBNP blood test in the meantime. Or even a contact number for your local regions HF clinic to discuss your condition and concerns.
Wishing you luck with it.
Thank you, It was January when this all started and May was diagnosed with LBBB and then received letters in March this year with all the other things on. I did contact the secretaries and ask for an appt as per GP advice as she didn’t feel comfortable discussing my diagnosis and they emailed to say I am on an urgent waiting list for an appointment but with no clinic date yet - this was a month ago - nothing has been quick, I was told to start the latter medications in September last year and my GP got the letter January this year and I had an appt to start them start of March .
We don't have HF nurses at all where I live as I also asked to see them thinking it might help between appointments if I needed help. There's also no HF clinic as I've never been advised of one. It's just as if they give you the bad news and expect you to just get on with it.
I've only just received my third letter back from my MP who I wrote to as a last hope to get something done as I've had a similar experience with my GP (although luckily I have a very good cardiologist - when I can see him). This stems from trying to get to see a GP who understands and is interested in his patients and will tell them the facts as they are not pussy-foot round it like patients are thick.I have left sided heart failure and recently found out I also have chronic kidney disease plus now very low blood pressure 80/55 is my new normal..I had my suspicions after several abnormal blood tests over a short period. My GP said to my face I hadn't got CKD and poo-pooed my asking him why it had been mentioned on the results and to tell me straight if i had it! Barely 2 weeks later I had a consult with the practice pharmacist who said I have got CKD!!
I'm with you ..the professionals need to tell us how to look after ourselves and tell us what we have and how it affects our overall health..just give us a chance to help our 💕.
Sorry I've now rambled !
Keep us updated 😊
So sorry to hear about your issues and it’s not fair, all we want to know if what is happening with our own health, I personally don’t think it’s a lot to ask - you ramble away - hope you get some answers
My story is similar, asthma for many years getting worse puffers daily, Sent for .e.c.g. Diagnosis blocked aortic arteries, bypass surgery within 5 weeks. Wonderful treatment at St Georges hospital, recovering well, good luck to you.
Glad your recovering well and had great treatment - take care
Hi I personally would pay £250 and get a private Cardiology Consultation it will give you peace of mind hopefully and a faster diagnosis.I understand a lot of people don't have the resources but if you do it's worth every penny.
Good luck 👍
I will try another hospital as the one I tried said it wouldn’t be a one off appointment - thanks
Hello Chellejacko,
Reading this was as if I had written it myself !
My situation and experience is extremely similar. I really do feel your anxiety over this .
I am 51 , lead an extremely healthy lifestyle and what was first diagnosed as an irregular heartbeat turned out to be dilated cardiomyopathy. The left ventricle is severely impaired.
Like you , I had an ecg , 3 day monitoring , ultra sound . After the ultrasound I was told I am being referred to cardiology as my heart is functioning at 30% and was prescribed bisoprolol spironoloctane Ramipril.
This followed with a 5 min call phone call 6 months later from a consultant who said “ your heart condition is what we would expect to see in someone who has had a major heart attack!”
He said the options are to try and treat with medication and monitor your condition or an operation which has to be performed whilst you are awake . He read off to me the statistics of the operation and what could go wrong and then asked me on the same call “which option do you want to go for?”
As you can imagine I was shocked by this 5 min call and had not been given any useful information about what my condition actually means long term or even any simple advice on on do’s or don’t re exercising .
It left me in complete limbo and threw me into anxiety sick with worry . My heart palpitations were worse than ever !
I contacted my gp and raised my concerns at the lack of information , he arranged some further tests such as another ecg , blood test , heart monitoring as the previous ones had been done 6 months before the consultant phone call .
I took the results straight to a private cardiologist at Spire who explained my condition further and she also prescribed two more medications , dagpagliflozin Atorvastatin .It did calm me somewhat that she listened and took time to explain things . The best £250 I’ve spent .
I am now waiting for an mri on the nhs under Basildon cardiology department to investigate why my heart is in this condition and what steps to take next .
Oh my word ! That’s awful, I can’t imagine making a decision after a 5 minute phone call. Health anxiety is the worse. Hope your get sorted - i will contact Spire their is one nearly two hours away but I think it will be worth it, I’ll try and get all my test results to take with me. The Echo,MRI and CT and monitoring were all done at different hospitals
This seems to b mirroring a lot of peoples experiences. Communication is so important when these type of diagnoses are given. I was lucky being in hospital when I had my diagnosis as it was face to face, all be it a bit factual but I think that was because of the assumption that because I was a nurse I was going to b better at dealing with the news. Not necessarily the case as I realised when I was trying to absorb the info and got very emotional. Thank u to that HCA who walked past my bed space just as I was turning into a quivering heap for recognising that feeling of just being knocked over and offered an emotional shoulder. Being seen face to face seems to b a rarity. Hope that u are feeling OK.
Yes it does seems so . For me it was the delivery of the news and then the lack of information about my heart condition that left me so anxious. A little time spent explaining things would go a long way .
Interesting to see you are under Basildon health authority. I'm under Southend!
I was seen at Southend first then referred to Basildon to a consultant who specialises in dilated cardiomyopathy, I havnt been seen there yet .
Sounds so long winded for you ..do you know who you'll see ie have they told you his ir her name. Apparently there are still long waits at both hospitals so hope youre not waiting too long x
The private consultant told me who I’ll be seeing but we don’t know how long the wait is for the mri or the consultant appointment
Hopefully not too long as once you've got the mri done there's another wait. Feels like forever doesn't it x
Yes it’s been 7months already since I was first seen . Have you had to wait long ?
This is what I say worth every penny for your health Mind and Body and only £250 Health or Money ! Can't take it with you.
Absolutely agree
No, it's not normal practice. Sounds like you're not being taken seriously at all. Please do make a formal complaint about these doctors and the lack of treatment you're received thus far.
Your health is of great importance and it's possible that your condition is too complicated for the current doctors and their arrogance to not admit it is truly disgusting.
This is serious. I do recommend that you seek out an alternative cardiologist quick smart.
Thank you, I will look into it, I didn’t know if k was being a bit dramatic and that’s why it wasn’t seemed to be serious if you know what I mean
Yeah. I do know what you mean.
Cardiologists I'd been seen within the public health system have been right muppets. Lying to me +and my GP) and dismissive. They would have me believe that I didn't have say in the direction of my care, but their care is supposed to be patient-centric, educational and supportive.
I shopped around for someone knowledgeable, who specialises in my condition and my GP did the rest.
Worth the money. Being able to trust a medical practitioner again certainly knocks anxiety back where it belongs.
I’m pleased you found someone knowledgeable and have a good GP too. I will have a look around and hopefully get some peace of mind
No. U have genuine concerns. Any health care professional that is doing their job should recognise that effective communication is critical and has a major impact on how we get up and move on. Being informed and feeling able to ask questions and get them answered or at least get someone to recognise that our concerns are genuine has a significant impact. I know that sometimes health care professionals get tired and it can be difficult to b empathetic ( I was one for 30 odd years) but u just have to push through that. I wish u well with your ongoing journey.
Some of this is similar to my experience last year. Was never seen face to face to my GP, asthma thought to b issue initially. Increase in inhalers really not making a difference. Resorted to 111 when I had reached a point of major concern due to symptoms that were escalating. Good move as they were really helpful and agreed I needed a paramedic opinion. Paramedics asked if I was aware of any bundle branch block of which I wasn't because there were changes on the ECG tracing. Also had reduced air entry on the right lung. Taken in and told I had cardiomyopathy and also a clot in my left ventricle. GP has not seen me since and still seems to b more focused on asthma and wanting to review that. I was seriously thinking of reporting her to the GMC due to her handling of the situation. The cardiologist has been helpful although not seen face to face follow up have got his contact details . Have had various queries. which on the whole have been responded to pretty promptly. I was referred to and seen on a regular basis for the first 6 months by the heart failure team to get meds tweaked and although have been discharged by them can ring if I need to. I have no faith in my GP and have told her that I am disappointed and remain sceptical of her ability to manage my condition so will be using other health care professionals as my initial contact for any cardiac related concerns. I would write to the surgery manager and discuss your concern. I would say that your GP needs to speak to the cardiologist so she can get to grips with the situation to b better able to discuss with u the implications/potential implications of this. If I was not able to address someone's concern as a healthcare worker I would try and source info or direct them to a suitable resource, although as a supposed medically qualified person she/he should have a fairly complimentary understanding of basic cardiac conditions.
That’s horrible, I think you need to report your GP or maybe see a different one. I completely agree i did think it was a cop out she wouldn’t discuss my diagnosis with me, even more so knowing I can’t get an appt with cardiologist and that’s been an issue for over a year. In the last letter the cardiologist asked GP to start me on new medication but didn’t put a dosage so the GP had to contact again, delay at every appointment - hope your get sorted
Demand to have a face to face with cardiologist, it's your right,you need to know more, simple, all this second guessing causes more anxiety.
I have asked many times to have a face to face appointment but the cardiologist always makes me a telephone call clinic appointment
I'm afraid you have to make it clear, that's not good enough.
Same view as everyone else, this is awful. I havent actually spoken to my GP about my CAD, cannot get an appointment even to discuss changes to my prescription meds. They have been copied on all of my results, I can only assume that someone at the surgery has looked at them.
My first appointment at the Urgent Coronary Care drop in centre was arranged by the GP receptionist. The heart specialist doctor gave me an ecg and referred me to the hospital for an angiogram. After the angiogram, the hospital consultant said that my problems are so serious that there was nothing that could be done (ouch) but I was free to go home (yep, nothing more). The one thing that consultant did do was to send a copy of the results letter to NHS Leicester Groby Road specialists who took it seriously. After a short delay, I am now booked in for CABG on Tuesday.
I must say that this site and the nurses on bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo... have been incredibly helpful and supportive but that really does not take the responsibilty away the from your GP for explaining or obtaining a satisfactory explanation of what is happening and why.
That’s negligence surely - I hope Tuesday goes well
I don't know. I do know how scarey it was and how happy I was when Leicester consultants dismissed my problems as a walk in the park surgery that they could fix very easily.
change your doctor
Unfortunately I can’t all the GP’s near to me are in ten same group of practices and the ones not say I live too far away to be at their practice
malpractice law suit. If there is something wrong then you should get answers.
I was first told about heart problems at a pre opp assessment for an entirely unrelated op. Had a very quick Echocardiogram and anaesthetist was happy for the op but agreed with consultant for me to have a spinal anaesthetic. I managed to get LBBB out of the anaesthetist, and after the opp was referred to cardiology. 4 mths before a cardiology appt. Told I had heart problems, but they weren't quite sure what. Put on ramipril and bisoprolol, appts for MRI and CT took 4 mths to come through. Results from those sent through to GP with only change that they wanted me to have a statin and aspirin as one artery was less than 50% blocked. Only managed to wrench full info that I think I had problems similar to you as in Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction, but mild. GP wary as had no opinion from Consultant, but just carry on with medication. Never seen a Cardiologist since. I never saw the Professor who I was supposed to see, just one of his team as he was very busy. Ironically he has just fitted a pacemaker into my husband.
GP says the left side of my heart is not functioning properly but I am on the right medication. I am assuming if I feel worse, I would be rereferred. I trust my GPs so am carrying on with my life.
If you can put the time aside, perhaps a couple of days, it might be worth attending a hospital A&E department and explaining that you have concerns about your cardiac health. A&E is a grim and uncomfortable experience - my last visit meant waiting for about 9-hours, but mentioning that you are experiencing chest pain usually gets you past reception more quickly. This was my experience, and it got me back in the system after my heart attack, (which had been box-ticked into oblivion).
If you don't present yourself at the treatment point you will not be treated. The NHS has been almost destroyed by the previous government in favour of private (commercial) healthcare providers/contractors; there's not much of the NHS left, so you need to go to them - they won't come to you because they can't afford the time or funding. This route got me an echo-cardiogram, 24-hour ECG, and a consultation with a cardiologist, all of which had previously been postponed three times then cancelled.
Good luck.
Low pulse and Bisoprolol 
Micro vascular angina, coronary artery spasm now heart murmur and possible valve disease
update re full blood tests and 24hr Holter fitted at my GP surgery
Finding a Cardiologist 
