What the heck do I do?

Lucygirl, do you have a GNT spray for your angina?

The rule is, that you take the first dose, if that doesn't work, then a second. If you need a third dose, you need to dial 999 ASAP.

That's what I did twice and I was actually having a heart attack, although I didn't realise it.
The ambulance call handler will also advisel you to take a dispersible asprin (they tell you the dose), while waiting for the paramedics. So it is advisable to have some on the house.
On both occasions, that lessened the severity of my heart attacks.

I have no been given a GTN spray but have been put on ranolazine. It would be great to have some line of defence when it happens.

Luckygirl3

I have no been given a GTN spray but have been put on ranolazine. It would be great to have some line of defence when it happens.

I have both, Luckygirl.

The GNT spray first, then a few years later, after a number of drugs, which were unsuitable, Ranolazine.

Hoping things settle down for you.

Luckygirl3

I have no been given a GTN spray but have been put on ranolazine. It would be great to have some line of defence when it happens.

My GP was very clear with me Luckygirl, that if I get pain with the AF that I should go into hospital.. It does sound as though you need an angiogram and possibly a stent to put your mind at rest.. I am always a bit uncertain now when I get chest pains as I also have reflux and it's difficult to distinguish.. I do have a GTN spray..
It's not an easy condition to live with but having had the stents 20 years ago I am still here.. I wish you well..

Thank you for the responses and benefit of others'experience.

I am to have an angiogram soon - sometime during the summer I was told, so hopefully I will have a clearer picture soon and possibly some treatment at the same time.

I am off to the seaside today - only about 2 hours away. It would be lovely if this trouble might leave me in peace for a few days - and if the sun stays out!

You can call the ambulance service and in some areas, they will send a firefighter as a First Responder. They will come much quicker than an ambulance and will bring a defibrillator with them just in case it is needed. They will stay with you until the paramedic arrives who will decide whether you need to go to A&E. It is better to be safe than sorry.

My mother had AF, she did what you are doing and when she spoke to her GP, the GP gave her a right ticking off and told her that if ever she felt like that again, she was to immediately dial 999.

Don't want to scare you too much but my sister who was 71 suffered from Atrial fibrillation and she was taken into hospital about 6 times, it calmed down they sent her home. She was supposed to be having treatment but it wasn't quick enough. We had a call from her last time and this time they kept her in. While in hospital she had 2 massive heart attacks and was really unwell then she contracted sepsis and died. We were so shocked ad didn't see it coming, so my advice is go to the hospital no matter how many times it happens you may be luckier than my sister and they treat you properly for your condition.

Luckygirl3

Thank you for the responses and benefit of others'experience.

I am to have an angiogram soon - sometime during the summer I was told, so hopefully I will have a clearer picture soon and possibly some treatment at the same time.

I am off to the seaside today - only about 2 hours away. It would be lovely if this trouble might leave me in peace for a few days - and if the sun stays out!

I hope you had/have plenty of water to drink, please be careful.

I admire your fortitude Lucky (I think). I have health anxiety so there’s no way on earth I could sit at home prevaricating shall I shan’t I? I’d be in A&E lickety split - no matter how many times. Plus that would give medics an ongoing indication of events.

Anyway I wish you all the best and hope you enjoy your break by the sea with your companion.

I’m late to this

But absolutely no question

Dial 999

The ambulance staff have all the equipment to decide if you need to go to hospital.

If you have chest pain, you can’t possibly know what is actually going on, so never second guess.

Enjoy your break🙂

Hi Lucky. I have AF which is kept under control with medication but I have also had 2 ablations after having a Pulmonary Embolism. I was about 50 at the time. Might be worth mentioning to your Doctor. Glad to hear you are feeling a little better.

111

Have you tried the Waitless app from the play store. It will show you local hospitals with wait times and patients waiting.

I've found it quite useful.

I had had similar symptoms myself a few times in the previous few weeks but always in the middle of the night. They only lasted a few minutes, but on the last occasion more than two hours, when I had rung 111. I described my symptoms and the operator said a clinician would ring me back. No phone call till 8 a.m. when the voice message said they had tried three times (not true) and had taken me off the list!!!

Six weeks ago I had another "episode" but went to our local "out of hours" clinic, where the nurse said my heartbeat was irregular and I was to go immediately to A&E which is half an hour away. If I went worse en-route I was to dial 999.

On arrival, a triage nurse asked a few questions and told me to wait. Six hours later I was still waiting.

At 2 a.m. I had some tests and things moved quite rapidly. I was diagnosed with AFib, given intravenous drugs plus tablets to take at home, and told I would get an urgent appointment with a cardiologist.

A few days later a letter from the hospital confirmed that no appointments were available for a minimum of six months.

So I would not suggest that you don't dial 111 or even go to your nearest A and E, but unlike some contributors on here there seems no chance of any "fast-tracking" or sense of urgency at all hospitals.

Good luck if you do go to A and E, but be prepared for a long and boring wait.

A&E won't make you wait with chest pain, you'll be seen immediately, I would go there straight away

How are you doing Lucky - Hope you’re having a nice day at the seaside? Keep us posted .

Cossy

Call 111

Yes this and ask for a paramedics visit urgently, they will examine you, guide you as to what you do next and more than anything be there to re-assure you. When you feel better you need to do a contingency plan, so you know exactly what to do when it happens, involve anyone from friends and family who is willing to support.

#Luckygirl3 I, too, have AF but not coronary heart disease (thank heavens). I'm not an A&E person or a GP person either for that matter. However, regardless of the wait at A&E I would definitely go there if I was in your position. I really hope you're okay but you can't take chances with your heart.

Of course you must go straight to A&E as others have said. I'm sure you will be seen quickly, hope you will soon be feeling better.

I can actually understand how you felt, Luckygirl3, as I have had a similar problem and it is not quite as clear cut as it may look to others. The thought of waking my husband and driving in to the hospital in the middle of the night is not appealing and I of course do understand that this is very necessary for some, even most cases but not every pain is a heart attack.

I also have an arrhythmia and have had night-times being woken from sleep with similar pains. I, too, decided to sit it out, promising myself that I would contact the doctor if it happened again. Only after the fourth time (I didn't keep my own promises...) did I call my GP who, after listening to me and asking a few questions said 'the ambulance is on its way' and would not take no for an answer. The ambulance crew said my arrhythmia was showing in the ECG and they had to take me in to A and E. I was reluctant as my last visit took over 12 hours (they 'lost' me!)

I can perhaps suggest that you speak to the wonderful cardiac nurses at the British Heart Foundation on 0808 802 1234; they are extremely knowledgeable and although sometimes will follow the usual protocol of 'go to A and E now', not always. They are available on weekdays only, 9 to 5 p.m. They understand the disquiet we feel about having to go in to A and E.

It really is not as straightforward as others may think and not every twinge is a heart-attack in the making, although, as women and men present differently with heart attacks, no one wants to be responsible for letting someone slip through the net.

I really wanted to say that I understood your nighttime dilemma. I hope that you are able to enjoy your seaside break - hopefully in some sunshine!

I have AF - v few episodes post ablation- I was told not to go to A&E if rate under 150 and time less than 10 hours BUT to go if I had chest pain or if I felt frightened. I wonder what you did??

I'm a bit similar to Candelle and agree that Luckygirl's dilemma is not as straightforward as immediately going to A&E or calling for ambulance if you have already been diagnosed with Afib and are on the appropriate medication. As happened with Luckygirl , if you can relax and go to sleep, heart has often settled back to normal by morning.

After my diagnosis, 4 years ago I've had numerous episodes of fast Afib (confirmed by my Kardia gadget). They last from a few minutes to hours - longest was about 18 hours, (before beta blocker changed). I've never gone to A&E - have annual appt with cardiologist and had usual range of tests. I don't have any other heart problems and don't get chest pain - just "unsettled" feeling and sometimes slight dizziness.
I asked cardiologist if and when I should go to hospital but he didn't give a clear answer - also asked him about travelling. He said as long as I keep taking the meds (including statin) I should live my life as normal. Only warning was against dangerous sports because of anticoagulant!

Last night I woke up about 2-30, needing to pee (one symptom of Afib in some people is increased urination). I realised I was in Afib, but went back to sleep, waking again to pee at about 4-30, slept again till 7. Still in Afib but got up and pottered around. By the time I'd had my morning coffee and got dressed, heart was back to normal.

Please please go to the hospital. My friend refused, wanting to see her own GP the next day but it was too late. I’m sorry this is scary, but you are too precious to take any chances. May as well wait there as hang around at home worrying.

Sasta read the whole thread