First cardio appointment, what happens, what to ask?

[Anonymousxo]

I have been constantly dizzy/lightheaded it's like a elevator feeling all the time and I almost feeling like I'm being pulled to the floor when it happens, I also get a pressure in my head a week before period every single time, it's a pattern...all of this since august last year, it really gets in the way of everything and I suffer from it everyday - it is considerably worse about a week before my period.
ENT mri was fine so doctor thought maybe it might be heart related, ecg came back abnormal so have been referred to cardio for potential pots - thing is, I don't get the 30bpm heart rate on standing, only when I start walking (even around my house from the other side of the room) will send my heart rate up to 120, once it gets like this it does not go back down unless I lay down.
I personally don't think I have pots but maybe a blood pressure problem, I have been told my blood pressure has been abnormally low to the point they almost did diagnose me with a blood pressure problem, but it resolved after fluids however my symptoms did not :(
I'm so upset because I can't do anything without worrying that I will faint it scares me, I just want to know what's wrong with me and get treated already, I have my appointment next week and I don't know what to ask or what usually happens? I just want them to treat me :(

Anyone? :)

Myself and teen dd both see cardiologists because of congenital heart defects.
For ours we have ECG and ECHO every visit, cardiologist asks of any new symptoms. My daughter has had Zio patch monitoring so you could be offered that or a holter monitor. I have also had 24 hour BP monitoring before so maybe someting they may suggest. I believe there are tests for POTS so i guess they will discuss that.

You sound like you need a comprehensive blood panel with electrolytes, iron, ferritin, liver and kidney function and thyroid panel. A holter monitor and blood pressure monitoring. Then potentially an echocardiogram and a stress test

Cardiologists are usually not very empathetic and do better when asked specific, direct questions. Make a list of everything you want to ask and take notes

@SeaToSki

You sound like you need a comprehensive blood panel with electrolytes, iron, ferritin, liver and kidney function and thyroid panel. A holter monitor and blood pressure monitoring. Then potentially an echocardiogram and a stress test

Cardiologists are usually not very empathetic and do better when asked specific, direct questions. Make a list of everything you want to ask and take notes

I have had a full blood count which did show a high tsh level however recently just had the thyroid checked again and completely normal - so not that, my bloods have always be fine and have never shown anything, I did have a heart monitor though that's why they've referred me to cardio as it was spiking abnormally when my notes suggested I wasn't doing much - thank you though! I will write in my notes tonight

@NK346f2849X127d8bca260

Myself and teen dd both see cardiologists because of congenital heart defects. For ours we have ECG and ECHO every visit, cardiologist asks of any new symptoms. My daughter has had Zio patch monitoring so you could be offered that or a holter monitor. I have also had 24 hour BP monitoring before so maybe someting they may suggest. I believe there are tests for POTS so i guess they will discuss that.

Thank you, yeah I'm aware of the tilt table test however I just have a feeling it is not pots, my heart rate doesn't always match the criteria

Did you have thyroid antibodies done? Thyroid levels shouldnt vary much if there isnt a problem, so if your TSH was a bit high and then went back to normal then I would want a bit more investigating and follow up

You need a full blood panel to be done. Ask for a electrolytes to be carried out as well. A holter monitor, blood pressure level check and other tests too like a ecg and the stress test.
Make notes and have a list of questions to ask.

@SeaToSki

Did you have thyroid antibodies done? Thyroid levels shouldnt vary much if there isnt a problem, so if your TSH was a bit high and then went back to normal then I would want a bit more investigating and follow up

Yeah it went back down so they said they won't do another one now as they said people who don't have thyroid can have variation in tsh levels but a normal t3 and t4 which is what I had, my two other hormones never changed so they said it is definitely not that

@languagelover96

You need a full blood panel to be done. Ask for a electrolytes to be carried out as well. A holter monitor, blood pressure level check and other tests too like a ecg and the stress test. Make notes and have a list of questions to ask.

I've had all of these done except the echo and stress test, il ask for these

Just a little update! I had my appointment at cardio, she believes I am suffering from postural hypotension, she also said that I haven't had my iron checked in two years! I thought a full blood count meant iron aswell but she looked at my blood tests and seen in 2020 my iron came back low and was shocked the doctor never put me on any supplements! She has now done an iron test and believes if it comes back I have low iron then that is also contributing to my low blood pressure - no medication for the time being until I do a TTT

Good news, glad to hear this doctor is on the ball