Went private - should we now keep NHS appt too?

[Verbena17]

So took DS for his cardio appointment today and we used our medical insurance to get a fast appt because DS’ GP referral letter to the NHS hospital hadn’t even been triaged last week. Just before we saw cardiologist, he had a normal quick ECG.

The cardiologist was confident that everything seemed pretty ok except he said there was some partial bundle branch block but instead of being assertive, he kind of said ‘it’s up to you if you want a 7 day monitor or not’.
So we kind of said ‘oh it’s ok, we won’t then’ but now I’m regretting it.

DS (17) also came away feeling that what the cardiologist didn’t really match the symptoms he’s been having and was hoping for something a bit more definite.

DH is very black and white and thinks we should leave it, but because I haven’t yet cancelled the NHS appointment we still haven’t been allocated a date for, I think we should also go to that when it comes up and ask that they do a monitor for a week.

Should I keep that appointment do you think?
Or should I email private doctor’s secretary tomorrow and say we would actually like the 7 day monitor? I guess waiting for the private report might also be worth waiting for in case he’s made any suggestions on that.

I’d email private and say you’d like the monitor. It could be ages before he is seen on the nhs.

wjat @DrSmoot said!

Yep just email and say you’ve changed your mind. It won’t be a problem.

ahh brill thanks.
We have barely used our private cover since we had it (literally only 3 times in about 10 years) so I’m really not up on how the private system works as much, but DH was saying it’s much more relaxed and ‘have it if you like, or don’t have it if you like’.

I’m the kind of person who likes them to be more assertive.😂

Also, would it be worth asking if they will do a Stress ECG?
I feel awkward and kind of like I’m undermining the cardiologist as he didn’t suggest it, however, DS can’t currently do ANY exercise or even walk very far due to breathlessness and being dizzy and heart pain/crazy beats etc. The cardiologist today didn’t really ask much about that other than are you breathless going up one flight of stairs - ds said ‘yes’.

With a 15 second ECG though (as he had today), they’re surely not going to get a full picture of when his heart is anxious/under stress.

I’ve just read that a short ECG can mask long QT syndrome and doing a stress test or longer monitor over several days can unmask a concealed long QT.

I would definitely contact the private doctor again and ask for the 7 day monitoring and a stress/excercise test.

Thank you @Saltywalruss - just have to convince DH now that I’m not (as he says) being over dramatic!

So even though DH completely disagrees with me asking for more testing, I’ve just been reading on the Mount Sinai website and found these….
So I’m feeling much more at ease with asking the private doctor for further testing.

Phew - the doctor got back straight away and is fine with sending a monitor for him to do!

Good news!

My son has been under the nhs cardiology team for the same symptoms.
They have done stress tests, echo, ecg and referred to balance clinic.
Im shocked that they aren’t taking it more seriously. Sorry I don’t mean to scare you but dizzy and breathless exercising as a teen is concerning.

Thanks - don’t worry, you didn’t scare me.
No, I thought it was strange that for a teen with symptoms and who cannot sustain even walking very far, they would be a bit more on it.

I’m glad though now they’re going to do the monitor and depending on what that brings up, I hope they’ll suggest a stress ECG too.

The doctor did mention muscular skeletal issues might be the cause but costochondritis doesn’t really match up with his symptoms.

Once we fit the monitor after Xmas, we’ll make sure he does periods of exertion to see what that does on the recording.

I hope you get some good answers for your son soon 🤞

We got the stress tests results and they showed that his heart rate dropped dramatically quickly after exercise- causing the dizziness. That was a relief and can be managed. Sort of too fit?! He’s a swimmer though so a tad dangerous in water!
Best of luck with the 7 day, get him up some hills :)

So they did say why his heart is dropping after exercise? Is his heart beat taking longer to recover (Long QT?) or getting delayed (RBBB?)

We are waiting for the full written report but she said that it returned to normal rapidly, rather than a steady return?

Ah ok. hopefully you’ll get the report soon.

We got our report today which said no Long QT Syndrome (although I’m waiting until we have had the monitor before I‘ll take that as 100%) and said it was intra ventricular conduction defect (or incomplete right bundle branch block).

oh no! I guess that explains the symptoms. Has he had myocarditis?

Not that we know of, but the first ECG he had said ‘possible right atrial enlargement’ but following ones haven’t said that.