Would you go into A&E ?

[TirednessOnToast]

Background: last June I found I had BP of 200/100 + over a week (headaches & chest pain). Sent to A&E & found Pericarditis & was told I had a heart murmer. On BP meds & GTN spray plus HRT now. Age 58, BMI 40
(please don't flame me for this, I have mobility difficulties & am trying to reduce it)

On Monday I was moving a bed. Suddenly ankles & lower legs swelled up, I went very cold & tearful & my chest hurt. I sat down & took my BP which was 84/52. Stayed that way for a bit so held off GTN.
Should have called 111 in hindsight.

Question: since then I have been completely wiped out despite resting yesterday and sleeping OK. Chest pressure, some pain deep in back & shoulder. I had a 'clear' CT Angio last year so Dr says: 'not Angina': GTN usually helps. Should I go into A&E and ask for an ecg/bloods to check all is OK or was this probably just a spasm/ 'angina' episide?

Not calling 111 as they'll send an ambulance & that's not needed. GP has no appts for 6 weeks or even call backs (I called at 8am)

I dont want to waste NHS time. I wish I'd called Monday- would it be too late to 'see anything' now anyway?

Did you tell the GP it’s urgent? You can refuse an ambulance from 111.

Dh had chest pains he ignored at the the time. Was admitted three days later for heart attack tests. So yes I think you should go. Back pain is a symtom in woman

Chest pressure and deep pain in back and shoulder would cause me to ring ambulance.
’Elephant on the chest’ pain can indicate cardiac event.
also BP so low also indicates need to be properly assessed by paramedics

You need to go to A&E. You can’t self manage a heart attack.

Your GP should make time to see you or at lw as st send you to a hub. I knows ours certainly would.
Did you tell the receptionist what your symptoms were?
You definitely need to get some proper medical advice.

I would call 111. If they send an ambulance then they clearly think you need it.
They’ve offered an ambulance for my DS before but we declined and drove to A&E as it was quicker, so they don’t force you to go via ambulance.
You could go directly to A&E but I find they respond better if you’ve already tried 111.

You need to be seen, call 111.

I second 111 for an appointment with a GP if possible, but if they can't do that definately A&E. You need a proper medical examination and proper advice. Ideally this would not be through A&E because it probably isn't a life threatening emergency, but if you can't get the help you need another way (through your GP or an emergency GP at 111) then that's not your fault and it will have to be A&E.

This. And use the ambulance.

Not a doc (need to add that disclaimer) but swollen ankles are a sign of heart failure.

In addition, that blood pressure after it having been high, suggests your heart is struggling to pump hard enough to support a normal blood pressure.

You need to have your heart properly checked out in an A&E setting (troponin levels, ecg, possible echo) and your medication adjusted.

No A&E department would criticise you for showing up with those symptoms.

Thank you. My BP has gone back to 158/92 this morning but I feel something was wrong. I should have called then. I don't want to waste anyone's time by going now but I'll get checked out.

It’s not time wasting, don’t worry about that OP

I hope you’re seen soon OP.

Would be better to feel embarrassed for time wasting than not addressing a problem if there is one. Take care of yourself, get checked out asap and if that means hospital then do it. I’m sure they’d rather send u packing knowing nothing is wrong!

I had to go to a&e for chest pain last year - I was on chemo and heart problems are a possible side effect.

Although it turned out nothing was wrong, every single person who I saw said I had done the right thing coming in, and the nurse looking after me told me at the end that I needed to come back to a&e if it happened again.

They won’t think that you’re time wasting even if it turns out not to be serious.

111 - that is what it is for. You don't have to accept an ambulance if you choose not to for some reason. They can also arrange phone consultation with a GP, which is what you need.

People give such bad advice.

111 is not for chest pain consistent with heart attack/heart failure. That is what A&E is for (assuming you are safe to get yourself there) or 999 if you need ambulance transport.

You will end up in the same place calling 111, but it will just take you longer (and that time may matter).

111 is better than nothing which is what Op is considering. Non of us are pretending to be medical professionals

I appreciate replies and know that no one 8s a medical professional. I will seek advice locally. I will update but it might be much later / tomorrow possibly. Thank you so much.

I know you’re going to get it checked but just to add to what everyone else has said, I think you’d be mad not to. I’m pretty sure that staff in A&E would rather stick you on an ecg and tell you it’s all fine and you aren’t having a heart attack, rather than wait until you’re rushed in by ambulance, very, very ill, and they have to work really hard to keep you with us.

You have a really serious thing going on inside your body; you’re not going up there with the sniffles. Nobody is going to think you’re wasting their time.

I would go to a&e ... I have heart problems and have gone down this route many times. But OP seems reluctant so 111 is the next best thing.

Chest pain = A&E. It’s that simple.

Have they not done bloods at all? My healthy, active mum, (non smoker, veggie, gym) with light chest pain and breathlessness was told by paramedics she couldn't be having a heart attack but they'd take her in and check her.

The blood test showed a heart attack and she had a stent 48hrs later. Womens heart attacks are different to men's.

Get on it - if you were my friend I would take you myself.

If they think it's a emergency they get you onto 999..they did for me. Sometimes you do know it's an emergency. I had a ambience within five minutes of my call.

I appreciate I was lucky I got straight through on the phone and a ambulance was local and free