Heart problems and GP

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.

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. 💐

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.