Heart Disease/Issues?

Arsenetatters · February 9

Peter_G said:

@Arsenetatters When I was referred for an echocardiogram I waited a few days for an appointment, but, having heard nothing and feeling quite unwell, on 9th June last year I just went in person with my referral letter to the cardio dept at the hospital (the Princess Royal in Farnborough) and asked the receptionist for an appointment. I was given one just two days later. When they did the echocardiogram on 11th June I was admitted immediately. If you have a referral letter it might be worth trying the direct approach?
I then waited several months for the 24 hr ECG monitor, and thankfully it didn’t reveal any new horrors, but it was the echocardiogram that was the key test for me.

Thank you for this! Although on the text from the NHS is says contact us if you don’t hear from us by April I used the code they gave me to go into the referrals online and book myself in for 1st March for the echocardiogram. Not sure how that worked but it’s all on the NHS direct app that I have an appointment now. Very strange but I’m not arguing!

That must have been quite a shock to be admitted immediately after your test.

Peter_G · February 9

Arsenetatters
…
That must have been quite a shock to be admitted immediately after your test.

I had driven to the hospital with my daughter and had my car in the car park, but the doctor flatly refused to let me back out again. My daughter doesn’t drive so I had to call her brother to come and get the car.

Good to hear that you got the appointment. I sincerely hope that you get a good result.

Peter_G · March 10

An update on my heart ‘condition’. I’ve been waiting for a cardio MRI scan for months, and King’s rang me a couple of weeks ago saying that the waiting list was so long that they were now sub-contracting scans to a private hospital (the HCA in The Shard building) and could I go there on 20th March which I agreed to. Last Wednesday King’s called again and said that HCA had bumped me off (so to speak) so I was back on the NHS waiting list, however a scan had become available at King’s yesterday, so off I trotted to Denmark Hill and had it done.
It’s quite an experience; almost an hour in the scanning tube with regular instructions to breathe out and hold my breath for maybe 7 or 8 seconds at a time and that seemed to go on about 50 times. They injected a contrast fluid into my blood stream about halfway through.
I can see how some might find it difficult, particularly if you’re even slightly claustrophobic, but I was ok with it.
So now it’s a two week wait for the results. 🤞

LargeAddick · March 10

I had an irregular heart beat, up to 150 when resting !! Had a couple of ECG’s, then a cardiogram and then a cardio version to shock me back into rhythm. That was last April/May time. All done privately because I wanted to get it sorted, about £4.5k in total. My consultant then suggested I have an ablation which is more of a permanent fix. He referred me back to the NHS as I couldn’t/would’nt fund it myself any further. Had a telephone consult today the upshot of which is that I’m now on the list for the procedure.

Hope everything works out @Arsenetatters whatever route you take.

redman · March 11

Peter_G said:

I am strictly limited to the amount of fluid I can consume (one and a half litres each day) so my days of supping copious pints of best bitter are behind me,

Can I ask the logic of this bit please? Good luck anyway

Peter_G · March 11

redman said:

Peter_G said:

I am strictly limited to the amount of fluid I can consume (one and a half litres each day) so my days of supping copious pints of best bitter are behind me,

Can I ask the logic of this bit please? Good luck anyway

Thanks. Apparently, the more fluid you have in your bloodstream makes it harder for your heart to pump. The meds I’m on all work to lower my blood pressure and ease the workload on my heart. Doctors will also prescribe diuretics to help remove fluid from the body. I was on them last year.

redman · March 12

OK thanks, I didn't know that. My heart rate is always much higher later in the day than the morning. Perhaps I should also reduce my fluid intake. Not sure about the beers though!

msomerton · March 13

Peter_G said:

redman said:

Peter_G said:

I am strictly limited to the amount of fluid I can consume (one and a half litres each day) so my days of supping copious pints of best bitter are behind me,

Can I ask the logic of this bit please? Good luck anyway

Thanks. Apparently, the more fluid you have in your bloodstream makes it harder for your heart to pump. The meds I’m on all work to lower my blood pressure and ease the workload on my heart. Doctors will also prescribe diuretics to help remove fluid from the body. I was on them last year.

Yes fluids cause higher blood pressure, think in terms of more volume to be pumped, I am on eta blocker as well as blood pressure tablets. Have had to cut down on coffee to a mug once in awhile, latest pharmacist suggests I cut down the tea from 4 mugs a day to say two. Alternative e is decaffeinated, tried that but then drink more tea and coffee so more liquid.

holyjo · March 13

I had a heart attack in Feb 24.

I was on a very steep and gnarly trail on my MTB in the Surrey Hills. Fortunately my friends spotted what was happening ( I foolishly wanted to carry on) and got me to the hospital. That was on the Saturday - I stayed in hospital over the weekend. I had the elctro-cardiogram and on the Tuesday AM had a stent fitted at 9am. Was home at 5pm and back on a bike the following Saturday , albeit very carefully

I am trying to reduce the amount of tablets I am on but they are not keen. I keep pretty fit and last week my resting heart rate was 44 bpm, hence my desire to come off the beta blockers

Arsenetatters · March 13

LargeAddick said:

I had an irregular heart beat, up to 150 when resting !! Had a couple of ECG’s, then a cardiogram and then a cardio version to shock me back into rhythm. That was last April/May time. All done privately because I wanted to get it sorted, about £4.5k in total. My consultant then suggested I have an ablation which is more of a permanent fix. He referred me back to the NHS as I couldn’t/would’nt fund it myself any further. Had a telephone consult today the upshot of which is that I’m now on the list for the procedure.

Hope everything works out @Arsenetatters whatever route you take.

Thanks Large

I've stuck with the NHS as I managed to get the 48 hour ECG pretty quickly. I hardly had any palpitations followed by lots after the machine was removed! Just hope they see enough. I had an echocardiogram booked a couple of weeks ago but it was cancelled due to staff sickness. Back again on Tuesday for the repeat. It's this one that they're interested in because if it shows any cardiomyopathy then they'll know I've got what some of the family have. Not entirely sure what they can do about it if I have though.

Edit - I dont have any symptoms of cardiomyopathy so I'd be surprised if anything showed up. I really want to find out what the palpitations are about. With both parents having heart probs and my Mum having a heart attack at 57 I'm concerned.

sillav nitram · March 13

I’m back on Hospital duties.

Had an Echocardiogram last week haven’t got the results back and then need to have a more extensive ECG next Friday.

I’m even experiencing breathlessness on fairly level surfaces rather than just stairs:(

msomerton · March 14

sillav nitram said:

I’m back on Hospital duties.

Had an Echocardiogram last week haven’t got the results back and then need to have a more extensive ECG next Friday.

I’m even experiencing breathlessness on fairly level surfaces rather than just stairs:(

Sorry to hear that, hope they sort the issues quickly. The NHS is good at these things, not so good at the smaller issues in life.

Arsenetatters · March 14

sillav nitram said:

I’m back on Hospital duties.

Had an Echocardiogram last week haven’t got the results back and then need to have a more extensive ECG next Friday.

I’m even experiencing breathlessness on fairly level surfaces rather than just stairs:(

Have they given you any medication so far?

sillav nitram · March 14

msomerton said:

sillav nitram said:

I’m back on Hospital duties.

Had an Echocardiogram last week haven’t got the results back and then need to have a more extensive ECG next Friday.

I’m even experiencing breathlessness on fairly level surfaces rather than just stairs:(

Sorry to hear that, hope they sort the issues quickly. The NHS is good at these things, not so good at the smaller issues in life.

Thanks

sillav nitram · March 14

Arsenetatters said:

sillav nitram said:

I’m back on Hospital duties.

Had an Echocardiogram last week haven’t got the results back and then need to have a more extensive ECG next Friday.

I’m even experiencing breathlessness on fairly level surfaces rather than just stairs:(

Have they given you any medication so far?

Yes, but neither made any difference @Arsenetatters

letthegoodtimesroll · March 15

holyjo said:

I had a heart attack in Feb 24.

I was on a very steep and gnarly trail on my MTB in the Surrey Hills. Fortunately my friends spotted what was happening ( I foolishly wanted to carry on) and got me to the hospital. That was on the Saturday - I stayed in hospital over the weekend. I had the elctro-cardiogram and on the Tuesday AM had a stent fitted at 9am. Was home at 5pm and back on a bike the following Saturday , albeit very carefully

I am trying to reduce the amount of tablets I am on but they are not keen. I keep pretty fit and last week my resting heart rate was 44 bpm, hence my desire to come off the beta blockers

Is it the fitness levels or the beta blockers that are lowering your resting heart rate though ?

KBslittlesis · March 19

Well my heart monitor showed everything is ok/normal apparently.
So I will have to go down the route of blood tests re my palpitations and what’s causing it as I’m still having them.
Sending love to all those who are going through their own heart issues ♥️

holyjo · March 19

letthegoodtimesroll said:

holyjo said:

I had a heart attack in Feb 24.

I was on a very steep and gnarly trail on my MTB in the Surrey Hills. Fortunately my friends spotted what was happening ( I foolishly wanted to carry on) and got me to the hospital. That was on the Saturday - I stayed in hospital over the weekend. I had the elctro-cardiogram and on the Tuesday AM had a stent fitted at 9am. Was home at 5pm and back on a bike the following Saturday , albeit very carefully

I am trying to reduce the amount of tablets I am on but they are not keen. I keep pretty fit and last week my resting heart rate was 44 bpm, hence my desire to come off the beta blockers

Is it the fitness levels or the beta blockers that are lowering your resting heart rate though ?

Prior to the heart attack it was 56 or so . I’m guessing a bit of both

Arsenetatters · March 19

KBslittlesis said:

Well my heart monitor showed everything is ok/normal apparently.
So I will have to go down the route of blood tests re my palpitations and what’s causing it as I’m still having them.
Sending love to all those who are going through their own heart issues ♥️

I haven't had my results from the 48 hr ECG yet but the person doing my echocardiogram said she saw nothing that would worry her

What blood tests are you having? I've asked for a vit b12

EDIT - are we just being fobbed off as 'women of a certain age?!

ElfsborgAddick · March 20

Arsenetatters said:

KBslittlesis said:

Well my heart monitor showed everything is ok/normal apparently.
So I will have to go down the route of blood tests re my palpitations and what’s causing it as I’m still having them.
Sending love to all those who are going through their own heart issues ♥️

I haven't had my results from the 48 hr ECG yet but the person doing my echocardiogram said she saw nothing that would worry her
What blood tests are you having? I've asked for a vit b12

EDIT - are we just being fobbed off as 'women of a certain age?!

The initial opinion looks like your results will be good news

KBslittlesis · March 20

Arsenetatters said:

KBslittlesis said:

Well my heart monitor showed everything is ok/normal apparently.
So I will have to go down the route of blood tests re my palpitations and what’s causing it as I’m still having them.
Sending love to all those who are going through their own heart issues ♥️

I haven't had my results from the 48 hr ECG yet but the person doing my echocardiogram said she saw nothing that would worry her
What blood tests are you having? I've asked for a vit b12

EDIT - are we just being fobbed off as 'women of a certain age?!

I don’t know yet.
She mentioned thyroid.
I told her at the start I thought best case it was down to lack of estrogen (I’ve been off hrt for 11yrs now having been on it for 10yrs before that) worse case, another side affect of Lyme.
She didn’t seem that interested in looking at either of those tbh.
I’m not letting this go, so we’ll see.
Keep me posted Gawjus xx

jonseventyfive · April 26

17 years today since my cardiac arrest, it took about 5 years to recover from the brain injury, longish down time, had my latest and biggest heart op last year realise I'm a lucky chap and carrying on with life.

ElfsborgAddick · April 27

jonseventyfive said:

17 years today since my cardiac arrest, it took about 5 years to recover from the brain injury, longish down time, had my latest and biggest heart op last year realise I'm a lucky chap and carrying on with life.

It looks like you are a strong guy, may you have a long healthy future in front of you.

PrincessFiona · April 27

Raith_C_Chattonell said:

KBslittlesis said:

Arsenetatters said:

There’s a new GP at my surgery who has actually taken me seriously and looked past the ‘nutter’ label. I’ve been having palpitations for a while now and had a couple of ECGs which were fine - because they took 5 minutes and I didn’t have any palpitations.
This doctor listened to me saying that there is a genetic cardiomyopathy condition in the family. I’ve never been tested. 4 of my cousins have been tested and 2 have it. I’ve asked for it before and the old GP said he didn’t know of a test and it was fine if I didn’t have palpitations- and sent me for an ECG! The genetic condition is on my Dad’s side but my Mum had heart problems- had a heart attack at 57.
Anyway, this doctor has referred me to cardiology to have 24 hour ECG and echocardiogram. I think there’s a long waiting list though. - but it’s a start.

Thinking of you MHL ♥️
I started having palpitations a few months ago. I never had them when I went through my menopause (mid 30’s) & they weren’t one of the many symptoms I had during my Lyme. So I went to a recommended female GP here at our medical centre who said she’d start at the worst case scenario & work down. The waiting list for a heart monitor on our equivalent of national health is over a year but it was €215 to pay for it myself. Money well spent if you ask me, so two weeks ago I had it fitted and had to keep it on for 48hrs. I definitely had a few while it was on (not during the Millwall game surprisingly). So we wait to find out what the results were.
convinced it’s hormonal and that I’ll probably need to go back on some kind of hrt as I came off it when I moved here.
I’m exercising more now than I have since overcoming Lyme and I never get them while doing that. Weirdly I get them more in bed. They wake me up. Weird.
I hope you get some answers 🙏🏻♥️

I was told to get monitored for 48 hours once and to get the monitor back asap after the test.

When I arrived with said monitor the guy told me off saying it should have been returned the day before. I protested it was a 48 hour test and he replied but this only a 24 hour monitor. Good old NHS.

The specialist told me there were several missed heart beats, but the good news was there were thousands of good ones. We left it there, I like to leave while I'm winning.

I have the opposite - very occasional additional beats, which feels like a trill or hiccup in my chest. Other than that I don't feel any symptoms. I've been thoughly checked out and I don't have any condition and there are no concerns, I just get the very occasional addition ectopic (apparently) beats which is nothing to worry about (according to Lambiase at Barts)

I've had various 48 hours and 24 hour holter monitors - there has never been a wait/delay for one. But like you my last one was only for 24 hours when I was expecting 48 hours. I don't drink coffee but a lot of pepsi max or a couple of energy drinks can mess with my pulse, so I seem to be intolerant of caffeine as it seems to mess with my pulse. And I've always had quite low blood pressure and still do, even though I could do with losing a couple of stone

jonseventyfive · April 27

ElfsborgAddick said:

jonseventyfive said:

17 years today since my cardiac arrest, it took about 5 years to recover from the brain injury, longish down time, had my latest and biggest heart op last year realise I'm a lucky chap and carrying on with life.

It looks like you are a strong guy, may you have a long healthy future in front of you.

My first surgeon in the seventies turned out to be a Charlton fan, based at St.thomases , he told my Dad, 'I did my best for a fellow fan' , unlikely but true story, safe hopping.

Bailey · April 28

Some interesting comments on here, thanks to everyone. Suffered my first heart attack just over two weeks back, two stents fitted and on the usual meds. One artery narrowing but the others were clear and in good shape with no furring. My experience was not that dramatic, chest on fire, but disappeared when I got up and moved around, no dizziness, sweating or feeling sick. I thought it was muscular but now glad I went to the hospital to confirm. I don't drink, I don't smoke and carry no weight, I don't eat crap, pretty close to the Mediterranean diet they want me on. It has taught me a lesson, if in any doubt, get it checked, seems to me you can be as fit as a butchers dog but still be at risk.

Heart Disease/Issues?

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