A&E for chest pain (update)

[TirednessOnToast]

On 14th I was moving some heavy boxes. My lower legs & feet swelled quite suddenly. I got chest pressure/ some pain (mostly dull) giddy, cold, my BP dropped to 92/58 & pulse increased to 90. Stupidly I didn't call 111 but when it happened again 2 days later (less severe but less activity to provoke it) I went to A&E where they did bloods, ecg & standing test: all normal. Ruled out repeat of Pericarditis I had last year as 'not stabby pains' but said 30% = 'dull pain' so GP if not better, A&E if worsens. I am under Cardiology so emailed them (as GP/A&E dont communicate). They said: 'monitor BP & will call you in a few weeks'.

My BP at 8am is 158/96. Since last July (208/110, sent to A&E) on Felodipine & Ramipril. It goes down to 138-142/90-94 & stays that way during day/evening.
Pulse is 52/54 at 8am and 58/60 during day. Normal pattern for some months.

Each time since (less & less activity to provoke) my BP has dropped to around 98-112/62-64, pulse 80+ It seems a pattern. Since 14th I have had an 'episode' each day I've tried to do normal activities. Yesterday just trying on some clothes for a holiday I hope to have. I called GP (usually dire) who told me to wait for Cardiology appt / call 111 if it is worse (no cardiology / echo avail at weekends)

I've been taking ramipril alongside indapamide for many years, and I do get very light headed when going from seated to standing. They did all sorts of tests but nothing found. As my BP is stable, they're happy to leave well alone and I just am careful especially if I've been sat for some time.

This sounds horribly frustrating OP, can you keep calling the hospital appointment line to see when you are likely to be seen? DH is waiting for a cardiac surgery and I think they're sick of hearing my voice but I ring once a week at least.

I remember your previous thread, sorry you're still none the wiser. I agree with the above poster, mither the hospital once every few days!

(Why didn't you just update your first thread?)

I think you've given far too much medical information in your OP. Unless an actual doctor or cardiac nurse reads it, nobody will be able to advise.

You know yourself that any unexplained cardiac symptoms or chest pain require a visit to A and E.
111 will just tell you to go there (or send an ambulance) so that's a waste of resources. No point ringing them, is what I mean.

Just go to A and E. Nobody online can do anything.

Thanks @BridgetJonesV2 my BP drops really sharply when I have cardiac pain. I was surprised they did a standing test but it's ruled that out at least.
@BinNightTonight thanks, I will have to.
@TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne I did, but no-one reads a thread which starts: 'shall I go to A&E' that is a week old... If it worsens again I will call 111 & explain I don't need an ambulance as I have someone to drive me in (its literally 5mins away). That keeps the ambulance free but gets me in A&E system quicker as the symptoms are quite bad. That was the general advice before.

Personally I wouldn't bother calling 111; if you arrive at A&E with cardiac-sounding chest pains you should get an ECG very quickly. I'm surprised they haven't done a 24 hour or even several-days bp monitor.

Can you afford a private consultation with a Cardiologist? DH did this to get "into" the system, and the consultant then put him sideways into the NHS queue for surgery. It was around £200 for the appointment, then around a further £600 for the tests that he advised.

DH is on a so called "urgent" list for a catheter ablation. They quoted 6 to 8 months (he's in permanent atrial fibrilation and medication isn't helping) and that was last July. They're now quoting August/September. I hate to say that cardiology wheels can turn very very slowly.

@BridgetJonesV2 I hope your DH makes progress. I'm in 'the system' but my Cardiologist (head of local small hospital) says 'indigestion / anxiety / windy weather'. Another family member had quite a serious cardiac issue, again not getting help, so went private & NHS guy refused to accept diagnosis (private guy also very senior MHS in neighbouring health board) & gave them a row for 'questioning my opinion'.