Heart problems and GP

This is absolutely appalling. You should be seen, and seen soon.

Others will follow me with better information than I have, what occurs to me are

1) Try and see a different GP in your practice
2) Ring 111 next time you have a problem, however slight and seek their help
3) Go to a walk in medical centre
4) Go to A&E
5) If you can afford it. Go private. You do not need a recommendation from your GP. C ontact your local private hospital directly and ask to see a cardiac specialist for an assessment. If the initial assessment shows, as it sounds, that you do have cardiac problem then ask to be transferred back to the NHS.

I would then change your GP if another pracrtice is within reach.

We all age at different rates, most of us are taking some form of medication the GP changed my meds resulting in a big drop in BP and heart rate, I couldn’t continue with it and have to accept higher BP.
Exercise becomes harder I now work for an hour or so then rest, I’ve tried going to the gym to get fitter but it doesn’t improve. I just kid myself it slows the inevitable downward progress.

Definitely you need this investigated. I've had similar issues, episodes of feeling dizzy, bit spaced out, low heart rate at times,mine was caused by LBBB Which is a common electrical fault diagnosed when I was slightly older than you. If you can afford to see someone privately I would but see an EP specialist rather than a cardiologist. My symptoms were initially dismissed by a GP because despite doing an ECG they didn't have the experience to properly read a 12 lead ECG. Don't be fobbed off. I've now got a pacemaker that prevents my heart rate dropping too low. I was still riding regularly, going to exercise classes and walking the dog up hill etc but I knew that something wasn't right.

Hello Notagran I have recently been diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation, but have had some random severe episodes since January and could not get any help or advice from a doctor.

I joined an online support group to learn more, and also the BHF, and found that a Kardia Mobile gadget is recognised by both NICE and the NHS and is not too expensive (£89-99 depending where you get it). On this gadget, which is really easy to set up even for someonenon-techy like me, you can do your own ECG and these results are acceptable to doctors whereas some gadget results are not.

It was only by presenting my Kardia results to a different GP within the practice that I made some progress towards getting help.

The problem with having random heart arrythmias is that you might not get symptoms during the ECG. I never did. But with your own Kardia, you can give yourself an ECG while you're experiencing palpitations/flutters any time of the day or night.

Thank you all very much for these replies. I had no idea that you can see someone privately without a GP referral. I've had a look at my nearest private hospital and I can see that a consultation is hundreds rather than thousands and that would be possible.

I can also change surgery, I've looked though of course most of them have draconian rules about accessing an appointment including being quizzed by the receptionist as to why you want to see a doctor! Awful though I can imagine why.

It's very good to hear about other's experiences of heart issues. I have been finding it quite frightening thinking that I might go to the gym or for a brisk walk and collapse and end up in A&E. I feel much better for having asked, thanks again.

Notagranyet24

Thank you all very much for these replies. I had no idea that you can see someone privately without a GP referral. I've had a look at my nearest private hospital and I can see that a consultation is hundreds rather than thousands and that would be possible.

I can also change surgery, I've looked though of course most of them have draconian rules about accessing an appointment including being quizzed by the receptionist as to why you want to see a doctor! Awful though I can imagine why.

It's very good to hear about other's experiences of heart issues. I have been finding it quite frightening thinking that I might go to the gym or for a brisk walk and collapse and end up in A&E. I feel much better for having asked, thanks again.

Yes a consultation will be around £250 or so BUT any tests will also be charged so look at their charges for ECGs, tests and Scans before you commit.

Your GP sounds absolutely appalling and I would a write a letter of complaint to the practice manager. Change to another GP if you can. I think I would pay privately to see a heart Consultant and take it from there. This needs sorting. You are only 71 and not old in my opinion. 💐

Go and make a fuss. You sound like me and I have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). It's a nasty, sneaky condition which comes and goes as it pleases. I can find no trigger to episodes of irregular, thumping heartbeats starting and no magic trick to make them stop. I don't need a machine to tell me I am in PAF. It can be very distressing during long episodes but my cardiologist ensures me it won't kill me, so I hold on to that. The aspect of this brush-off from your GP that concerns me the most is that if you are having irregular heartbeats you need to be on a daily anti-coagulant. When the heart beats erratically, the blood does not flow freely and smoothly and has a much higher ability to form clots. People with AF and PAF are at a much higher risk of stroke so preventative medication is vital. Ask to see a different doctor if you can but please see someone soon.

Please, please check out further investigations. It is your life and if you are able to pay to go private, even for an initial consultation, it may be worth it. I had my gallbladder out a few years ago and there was absolutely no follow up. I got myself referred to a private specialist and he diagnosed immediately IBS and went into great detail. I now feel much better and he has sent a letter to my regular GP recommending appropriate medication for my condition. We need to speak up and not just be fobbed off with 'its old age'. Good luck!

You have been treated appalling and you a) seek a second opinion, b) make a complaint!

He has no idea whether you have an heart issues without an ECG and/or heart scan at the very least!

Go back!

Is t it sad nowadays this need to go private? Nice if you can afford it. Initial consultations at least bring confirmation of the problem.

An acquaintance of ours was telling us yesterday he’d seen his GP pas both his knees were extremely painful. He’s our age (70-ish). GP said referral for an orthopaedic surgeon would bec’about an 18 month wait’ and twice that for an op. Blimey!

He went for a private consultation. Two new knees would cost £36k, but as he was deemed by the surgeon to ‘only’ need two half knee replacements it would be £22k. He was so fed up of being in pain he had the op done privately a few months ago, pretty much wiping out all his savings but he felt needs must.

NHS? Broken. Someone tell Wes Streeting.

I know someone who had some similar issues to you, Notagranyet. She had attended same GP for years, and complained about tiredness etc, but was dismissed. She was about to go on a long holiday, but developed a rash and saw a different GP at surgery. Maybe because the GP hadn't seen my friend before, he did a few checks, including listening to heart. He realised it was very slow with an unusual rhythm and immediately sent her to the hospital for further tests, She was kept in and had a pacemaker fitted a few days later! She's been fine since, but that holiday was cancelled!

My atrial fibrillation was diagnosed because of Kardia mobile device that was mentioned by another poster. GP recommended it - I was able to send ECG to him and he referred me to cardiologist. Some heart problems are not there all the time, so may not be picked up when having a "proper" ECG. I've had AF (paroxysmal) for some years, but it's never happened when I was having ECG or when at doc. But I'm aware of when it happens so can monitor and record with phone and Kardia device.

An ECG is just a snapshot in time. They should have given you a Holter Monitor, which can monitor you between 24 - 72 hrs or more. Often only available in a Hospital. I would ring 111 next time.

Change your GP.
Ask to see someone different at the surgery.
Extreme changes and differences in your heart rhythm and rate needs investigating, and not poo-pooing. ECGs are just a quick snapshot in time, and you more than likely need to wear a monitor for a period of time to get a proper recording of the rhythm and rate that your heart is doing - as another poster has said.

I've checked my records and my initial consultation was £200, an ECG was £30 and having a holter monitor was £380 for 72 hours but they let me keep it for a week for the same amount.
ECGs can diagnose a number of issues that are unrelated to or be an underlying cause of arrhythmias. However, it's obviously true that it can' diagnose an arrhythmia if you're not currently having one when the recording is taken.

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If affordable, investigate private care. World of difference, imo.

Another round of helpful replies. Thanks for the support and the information. I couldn't believe how arrogant and dismissive the GP I saw was. I have now registered with a different practice but of course that will delay things a bit.

As others have said, the need to look at private medicine is very shocking and says such a lot about the state the NHS is in. I'm sure many medical staff are under a great deal of stress, many of us are too. If I had to choose, my health would come before a holiday and I am so sorry for those who cannot make that choice.

My DD had symptoms like that- turned out was a condition called POTTS (heart related i think) shes only 44.

That is unacceptable. You are in need of investigations. Take heart from the community here and insist.

Press your new Gp for a 24hour ECG investigation, you wear the monitor for 24hrs and keep.a log of any strange episodes. This is then sent off by your GP and reported on. It will show any adverse events occurinh during the 24hrs and not just a short window during standard ECG

I think you are doing the right thing changing your GP but in my experience things move very slowly in cardiology units at NHS hospitals. If you can go privately this may be your best option but it may be worth chosing a consultant who also has a NHS practice.

I think this is awful from your GP. You need further investigations. It could be atrial fibrillation. Get another appointment with a different Doctor. Don’t wait.