Heart problems and GP

Go to A&E as soon as you feel odd. You will be assessed by a different doctor and several tests will be done. This should turn up more and better information about your problem.
You should be processed fast if you have heart problems like dizziness

Like others have said these symptoms need to be investigated properly and an initial private consultation would seem to be the most appropriate course of action. I can't offer any advice as it's not a health issue I have experience in but hope that you get these worrying symptoms addressed soon. I also wanted to say that my GP herself has private medical insurance as she "doesn't trust the NHS" - kind of says it all.

This is appalling. Time after time, women are not listened by doctors and dismissed. Studies have shown that medical research has been conducted with the male body in mind and that men's pain is treated more seriously than women's. Please see another gp and ask to be referred for tests at the hospital if necessary. I think it would also be a very good idea to write a letter of complaint to the practice manager. I am sure that you will not be the only patient to have had a bad experience of this rude, arrogant, patronising man.

It is possible that medication could treat the symptoms but not the underlying cause - which may be normal wear and tear.

I’m very vocal with my gp if I have unanswered questions or my concerns are dismissed, as my DM went to our GP as she was tired all the time and had found a small lump in her breast and was told to return to see him once she’d stopped smoking and low and behold she died of breast cancer at the age of 43. Doctors are not gods although some think they are. My DD works in the NHS and has to challenge some doctors on their requests, she’s a radiographer and as she says it’s her registration that’s on the line if something goes wrong. So glad you changed GP

If I were you I would change your GP and then put in a strong letter of complaint. You need to get this investigated and treated properly.

Your symptoms are very sserious. Take M0nica's advice. My husband paid for a private referral to a cardiac consultant and then went on tratment via NHS. A friends husband did the same and was referred immediately for a heart op on the NHS.
Good luck.

I was diagnosed 2023 with AF my heart beating erratically feeling sweaty to cut a long story short I passed out on the shower in January and was hospitalised, in their investigations they found I had a compressed fracture at my C5 disc.
I’ve been put in Bisoprolol and Edoxaban to prevent further heart problems but on Friday it happened again without any warning again taken to hospital they ran tests CT scan as I’d hit my head X-rays on
my chest and knees as I fell forward this time and hit my face off the shower also causing a black eye.After the doctor at the hospital seen the results she was happy to let me go home they felt they had covered all the bases but I did have to go to my own doctor on Wednesday but unfortunately my doctor wasn’t available so I saw a locum he wasn’t happy why the hospital or previously seen consultant can’t do more checking to give me a reason why these fainting episodes are happening I’ve just turned 67 I used to be fit and healthy till I got those Covid vaccines 🤦🏼‍♀️yes could be a coincidence but in my heart of hearts I don’t think so.

I think it depends where you live. I went to my GP for suspected AF, she immediately referred me and I was given a 24 monitor by my local hospital within a week.. this was last year..

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!