I am between a rock and a hard place......

At the Welsh hospital visit I had previously had an exercise test that clearly showed coronary artery disease and I was awaiting an angiogram. I explained this when I presented there with chest pain, breathlessness and in AF. They tested troponin and it was raised ... not massively but above normal. And still they packed me off to holiday accommodation on my own.

After being treated with stent back home I contacted the Welsh hospital and they reacted very quickly and throroughly and sent me the documents outlining all this. They cincluded that they had failed to follow their own protocols, and they revamped these to try and prevent this happening again. They set up new training for A&E staff and use my case as an illustration.
I was impressed by how thorough and open they were. They did not try and cover anything up. I had already told them I had no interest in suing or complaining but that I just felt they should look into it which they did and I was impressed.

Luckygirl3

I thought I was having a heart attack and went to an A&E whilst on holiday in Wales having spoken to 999. The hospital sent me home! A week or so later the same thing happened and my local A&E admitted me and a stent was fitted. Hmmmm....

NSTEMI doesn't show up on an ECG in the same way a STEMI does. Blood tests will usually show elevated troponin levels. Delays seeking treatment sometimes won't show that a patient has had a heart attack. Maybe the Welsh hospital was at fault for not administering the right tests, but it sounds more likely that it was a grey area.

I have AF and I take one of the newer blood thinners called Apixiban. I don't experience any side effects. Just wondered why you haven't been offered them.

I developed heart failure because of COVID. My Cardiologist identified that if my AF could be managed I would no longer be in heart failure. I take Bisoprolol (which I assume is what you are taking?) It was awful at first. My Cardiologist reduced the dosage which helped with the nausea (as did ice lollies) and then split the dose so I take the same amount a day but in a small morning dose and a larger evening dose. That has helped considerably. Talk to your Cardiologist and see if anything could be done. Good luck and wishing you well 💐

I had a coronary artery split which caused a heart attack 6 years ago. Treated with loads of drugs, some of which are lifelong. I’ve lost count of how many I’ve swapped out because they’ve caused adverse reactions. Recently I’ve started to react to the calcium channel inhibitor which keeps my blood pressure low. They are giving me horrible swollen and discoloured feet and legs. Sometimes I can’t get shoes on. I am struggling to get doctors attention. I’m a full time carer for my DH who has Parkinson’s & dementia, so mucking about organising blood tests, blood pressure readings and waiting for another routine appointment are just too much for me to manage. I really sympathise with the OP - coronary care is really difficult to access.

Luckygirl3

I have been back and forth to GP and on one occasion A&E with weak, heavy, numb legs. I have just looked up rosuvastatin, which I am taking, and guess what? - it is known to cause precisely this. No-one even suggested it might be drug-related. I plan to give myself a break from it and see what happens. My cholesterol is not going to suddenly hit the roof.

When I worked at the doctors we always advised patients that statins could cause muscle pain and that they must see a doctor if that happened. It worried me because, at the time statins were being advertised as an over the counter medication that people could just go out and buy ( not sure if they still are?).

I thought I was having a heart attack and went to an A&E whilst on holiday in Wales having spoken to 999. The hospital sent me home! A week or so later the same thing happened and my local A&E admitted me and a stent was fitted. Hmmmm....

Sorry ... don't mean to monopolise this thread.

It's worth mentioning that I was very lucky. I had a STEMI. I was told that it's critical that heart attacks are treated quickly - and mine was. I called 999 and my stent was fitted within an hour. Apparently, 90 minutes is the cut off. If it's left any longer than that, there's a high risk that the heart will be irreversibly damaged.

Subsequent echos have shown that I don't have any heart damage, so I shall always be grateful for having a heart attack within a few miles of Papworth Hospital and the excellent service provided by the ambulance service.

A warning to everybody that if you think you're having a heart attack, ring 999!

I agree with you foxie. It sounds as though you have a good and honest consultant.

Luckygirl3

I too am confused as to how many of my problems are drug induced and how many due to the underlying problems.
I do not have any angina so presumably the coronary artery disease is less of a factor.

Coronary artery disease is usually a huge underlying factor (from what I've been told).

Luckygirl3

I am sorry you have had so many medical problems growstuff.

I did have an NSTEMI ... the right coronary artery was blocked to 94% at oe place so I had a lucky escape.

I don't deserve any sympathy. I know I have a number of issues, which is why I'm regarded as high risk, but I honestly feel fit and well. The heart attack was a wake up call to get my life in order. I already ate well (appropriate for my T2 diabetes), I wasn't overweight, I didn't smoke or drink alcohol, but I was always stressed/anxious about something, I wasn't sleeping well and I didn't do enough exercise. I have calcification in my arteries, which can't be reversed, but I can try to prevent from getting worse.

I have my check ups and everything is always fine. I'm treating the symptoms I can treat and just accept the rest for what they are.

I had an interesting conversation with my consultant ie it's really difficult to separate what are side effects of medication, what is caused by my medical condition and what is due to being mid 70's. His comment was along the lines of, doctors can also find that difficult! I accept that there are pros and cons in taking drugs but I take the view that if I don't give them a proper try, I'll never know if they improve my QOL or not. Heart arrhythmias are very common, especially as we get older and also come with other heart issues. fwiw high BP is one of the main causes, I've had periods of high BP, never particularly high but enough to do damage without me even knowing that there was an issue. I now take medication to keep it iro 120/70 as I don't want any more damage.

I too am confused as to how many of my problems are drug induced and how many due to the underlying problems.
I do not have any angina so presumably the coronary artery disease is less of a factor.

I am sorry you have had so many medical problems growstuff.

I did have an NSTEMI ... the right coronary artery was blocked to 94% at oe place so I had a lucky escape.

dalrymple23 When you say "minor heart attack" do you mean NSTEMI, which involves only a partial blockage?

You've been unfortunate with the side effects. I had a STEMI, which is a total blockage, had a stent fitted to unblock the artery, was prescribed similar drugs to you (and more) and can honestly say that I've never felt fitter.

I had one change of medication from an ACE inhibitor to an ARB because the original caused a cough.

Have you had your legs checked for PAD? There was a reason you had a heart attack and those causes should have been addressed, especially as you have AF. Your breathlessness should be investigated because medication shouldn't cause that.

It's been quite a journey for me. I used to be sceptical about taking medication, but I now take everything I'm prescribed. However, I do have six monthly reviews (and have done since 2017). I've realised that some of my symptoms (and what I thought were side effects) are actually the result of my medical issues. I've had to deal with two distinct cancers - the hormone therapy I have to take for five years has caused more problems than all the other medications combined, but I'm willing to accept hair thinning to reduce my risk of cancer returning.

Bit left field ( sorry about the left bit) but acupunture may be of some benefit perhaps?

This thread has been fascinating and so informative. I had a minor heart attack in 2022 and was put on the usual cocktail of drugs (Bisop, Apixaban, Lansopralol, Rosuvastatin). The side effects are horrendous. I can barely walk because of leg pain (I would quite like to see the other side of my new garden!) and have not been to a shop for 18 months. Fatigue is overwhelming. The hair loss is depressing and weight gain even more so.

Went to see a vascular surgeon who advised changing the statin. GP refused. In fact he said and I quote verbatim "I only ever read the first paragraph of a consultant's letter". He went on to say that GPs have a more holistic approach and specialists tend to have narrow minded vision.

How does a mere mortal deal with that?

I keep having AF episodes which wipe me out for a day (and are painful). I use the good old GTN spray. Cardiologists at the local teaching hospital have said that I do not fit the criteria for a referral, so they won't see me. I wonder what the GP said in his referral letter? Am suspicious.

I agree with previous posters - there is no quality of life. I sit here and vegetate - I get breathless just pulling on my socks or opening a can. This is not normal.

I don't understand why people are prepared to spend good money on supplements which haven't undergone the rigorous testing which prescribed meds have.

Have a look on Ethical Nutrition's website. They sell Magnesium Taurate for heart health. There are articles on their website about on
AF and Magnesium Taurate - very interesting. Lots of reviews saying that it helped them with AF. I left a review after 4 weeks without my AF - only problem is I had AF the very next day. I do still take it. A Dr S Gupta also recommends Magnesium on his website- he is a cardiologist at York Hospital. I had a pacemaker fitted June 2024 - did nothing for my 10+ years of AF. I would have weekly episodes that would last for 18 hours unable to do anything. I decided I was too old to wait for the NHS so went private for my ablation in November last year. It can take up to 6 months to feel the full benefit. I am still on the maximum dose Diltiazem. I do still have a mild flutters but nothing like before and it does not stop me doing anything. Hope this message gives you hope for the future.

cc, I expect your husband would benefit from an annual review. It’s clearly an attempt to reduce waiting lists. I wonder if it’s cost effective as routine reviews ensure our meds are still appropriate.
I was only referred to Respiratory where mild cope was diagnosed after my cardiologists treadmill test confirmed what I’d been telling my GP for a couple of years, ie I’m soon breathless on inclines. I was prescribed inhalers, then discharged to be referred by my GP if necessary. I’m finding inclines harder but can I be bothered to go to the doc! Nope

Iam64

Hello lucky -sorry you’re finding the costs outweigh the benefits of medication
I have permanent AF and take a regulator, statins and blood thinners. I couldn’t manage beta blockers, absolutely no energy, my cardiologist said they’d slowed me down too much.
I used to have six monthly or annual reviews but as I’m not in crisis, I was discharged 18 months ago. I’m to be referred back by my GP if needed
The wait list is endless. I feel id benefit from a review as I’m finding inclines make me breathless. The hot weather arrrgh. As I’d wait weeks to see the GP then months for cardiology I’m putting up and shutting up
Like you and many others 😀

My husband has heart failure and takes a cocktail of drugs to keep him going. He's slowed down a lot but doesn't really feel too bad.
Where we lived before he used to have regular GP blood tests and annual visits to the hospital, but they're not so thorough here. He had regular clinics with the Cardiac nurse but, like you, has now been discharged and the nurse told him that she was leaving and was unlikely to be replaced.
I was much happier when he saw somebody regularly, how else would he know he was starting to become unwell again? I think that the Cardiac nurses know a lot about the medications because they see so many patients, but locally they're obviously a victim of cost-cutting.

TattyBluebell

I haven't had time to read all these replies so apologies if someone has already suggested this.
Have you had or thought about having a cardiac ablation?
I had one a few weeks ago and I haven't had any AF or SVT episodes since.

I am glad that this is proving successful for you. It is there in the background as a posdible option and the more that the meds prove problematical the more likely it becomes. I already have a pacemaker.

I haven't had time to read all these replies so apologies if someone has already suggested this.
Have you had or thought about having a cardiac ablation?
I had one a few weeks ago and I haven't had any AF or SVT episodes since.

growstuff

CariadAgain

Thanks for that.

Have had a scout-around generally and found - on recent guidelines - that basically the NHS reckons on starting to treat people if blood pressure goes over 140. So - I'm okay personally - as mine hovers around 140 and the way it goes up to way over that with a doctor is, I think, probably down to "It's a doctor - and it's post 2021" and I feel worried/tense just being near one now...I know it's not a rational thing (as they can't touch me with a needle without my consent ....) but that's how it is ....and one can't argue with emotions that are "on guard - ready to run".

I am no doctor, so I can't give medical advice. If you're happy with systolic BP of 140, that's fine, but any self-respecting GP would tell you it's too high.

FWIW for years, my BP was consistently between 130 and 140/85-95 even with my heart monitor. I refused medication because, like most people, I didn't like taking meds. Then I had a heart attack and I changed my mind. Being in an ambulance being told you're having a heart attack (and thinking you're going to die) focuses the mind. I already had a fairly healthy lifestyle, so there wasn't much I could change, except to try and be less anxious and focus on getting enough sleep.

Since 2017, I've taken a low dose statin and BP medication (candesartan - an ARB) and my BP is now consistently between 110 and 120/70 and 80. I have not noticed any side effects. If my systolic BP were to return to 140, I'd be making an appointment with my GP like a shot.

Personally, I think you're in denial about your BP, but it really is your personal decision.

Each to their own.

I've worked out a programme of specifically heart diet supplements - including the top 4.

Admits I'm struggling with just how much is wrong with my body - I'm counting 11 things (!) including the heart thing. I've watched other peoples lives being overtaken by dealing with health/dealing with health/yet more dealing with health and what's left for themselves doesn't look like very much to me.

So I'm having to prioritise - I'm starting with urinary problem stuff, my feet (taken over a year so far - but I'm hoping today's appointment is the last one/end of that pain and footwear restrictions), heartburn. So I think "heart" is about no. 4 on the list - and there'll still be: deaf in one ear, fitness, figure, missing sense of smell, hair gone flimsy, cosmetic skin blemishes (which I've long been prone to) to deal with after that.

Quite a list - and so I'm basically going for what should be "quick wins" to start with. My own circumstances are that I have no "responsibilities" (not so much as a pet cat - I just encourage neighbours cats I like), I'm in my 70's, live on my own (so there shouldnt be anyone to hand if there's a heart attack - that might forget I've given everyone instructions NOT to revive me if...).

So - we've all got different circumstances and different priorities and different level of "will to keep living (on Earth)" and I've read the statins side effects. Each to their own - but I've had doctors over the years tell me something was incurable (I got rid of it), tell me work illness was "my own" illness (I proved it was work illness and I got rid of it), etc.

Luckygirl3

The stent was put in for blocked artery and this means I am not allowed some of the drugs that might deal with my AF which is frustrating. Stent itself is nonproblem and I am glad if it .... as I am sure you are!

My stent was also for a blocked artery, but I don't have AF. The stent isn't a problem, but I still get monitored for conditions which caused the blocked artery in the first place. In my case, diabetes and raised blood pressure and cholesterol.