To go to A&E whilst on holiday about my chest pains?

[Albadross]

I had an ECG this morning, booked by my GP because I've been having chest pains for a while on and off, and I have a benign arrhythmia diagnosed a few years ago. I also have anorexia and have had some symptoms of low potassium (weird bruises and cramps).

I've had loads of ECGs in the past and they've always told me at the time that it's all normal, but this time she kept asking me if I was relaxed (I was as relaxed as I can be whilst semi-naked in a room full of people, albeit inside a curtained cubicle) and then she took the result to consult with her colleague before coming back and handing it to me in an envelope. Of course I opened it and it said 'abnormal ECG', but I was allowed to leave and nothing more was said about it. She might have been a trainee or something, I had heard someone outside the curtain mention needing to check another person's analysis and it sounded like that was because they were still learning. There was also a letter in the envelope with the results telling the gp that the machine is really sensitive and so abnormals come out a lot.

I then had to drive 3 hours to see family, and had quite severe pains during the journey, which made me feel I couldn't breathe well, but my DP told me it was probably anxiety because of the ECG. I've now arrived and had some painkillers, but I still have this pain accompanied by a funny cold feeling in the left side of my chest. My lips are a little blue looking too.

So would IBU to drive myself to A&E really early tomorrow to get checked out again?

[notapizzaeater]

Personally if you are having pains in your chest and your lips are blue, I'd go to a and e tonight

[atticusclaw]

I'd say the local NHS drop in centre is more reasonable

[Gingerandcocoa]

YANBU

[mummy0bummy]

YANBU.

I know we hear a lot about people seeking medical treatment unnecessarily, but if you have chest pain and a funny feeling + bluish lips, then it's better to get a professional opinion. Please do!

[mummy0bummy]

Tonight, not tomorrow. Can someone else drive you?
Hey, better safe than sorry.

[RobotHamster]

Chest pains and blue lips is A&E. Call 111 and ask for advice first, if you're not sure.

[FortyCoats]

Score out of 10? 1 is no pain, 10 is the worst you've ever experienced?

Is the pain 'moving'? Radiating to arm, neck, jaw?

Is it the same on resting and exertion?

Is it affecting your breathing?

Can you check your radial or carotid pulse? What's the rate?

Any pins and needles in arm?

What's your skin like? Dry/clammy?
Hot/cold? Normal colour/pale?

[TheTravellingLemon]

YANBU.

Go to a&e now I think, no point waiting. I would be concerned about the additional symptoms.

In terms of using resources, I think this is a perfectly legitimate use of a&e.

[Anon4Now2015]

Yes you would be unreasonable drive yourself to A&E tomorrow morning. If you have chest pains, struggling to breathe and blue lips, go NOW and get someone else to take you. It may be anxiety (I'm not going to say just anxiety, because anxiety isn't "just") but then again it might not, and that's not the kind of risk to take.

[FortyCoats]

Have you done any physical work in the last few days which could have caused injury or muscle pain?

Any heartburn/indigestion?

[swooosh]

Is it the ECG that said 'abnormal' on top? This can be quite common for this to happen in my experience, yet reading the actual graph looks fine. Does the ECG say anything else on it?

If you're concerned then definitely go to A+E.

[TheTravellingLemon]

Just to add, be aware that if you call 111, they will want to send an ambulance, so if you don't want that I think you should just go now.

[Sirzy]

Well if you can wait til the morning and drive yourself then yes you would be unreasonable.

If it is really bad then no you wouldn't be unreasonable to go now.

[FortyCoats]

Agree the 'abnormal' ECG is a regular enough thing. You mention arrhythmia, could be that but also lots of other insignificant things. They would not send you home if it were serious BUT you must treat the ongoing symptoms as a new emergency I'm afraid. Chest pain is not to be taken lightly. As someone else said, better safe than sorry.

[RobotHamster]

True, 111 would very likely send an ambulance, because you need to be in A&E.

[ditavonteesed]

blue lips = A&E

[Baddz]

Chest pain and Blue lips?
ambulance

[FortyCoats]

Have you taken a flight recently? Any leg pain?
Any recent surgery?

[BoffinMum]

Fuck, go now. Something is wrong, clearly. Blue lips are the clue.

[Younique]

You say you have symptoms of low potassium, have you had bloods taken recently? You don't have to say but if you abuse laxatives and/or induce vomiting, especially while being at a low weight, you are higher risk of heart problems.

[RobotHamster]

Go through these questions
www.nhs.uk/symptom-checker/chest-and-back-pain/start

[Bakeoffcake]

Go now and take the ecg results with you.

I've if you say you've got chest pains you're taken straight in so you won't be hanging around.

[RobotHamster]

I expect it'll tell you to call 999

[pseudonymity]

I can't believe someone is recommending NHS drop-in centre for blue lips and chest pains!