Referred to cardiologist, does anyone have any experience?

[needlesandpinns]

I'm so anxious and stressed. I had a 24 hour ECG and the doctor sent my results to a cardiologist and now they want an appointment with me

I have been given a (phone) appointment for December. I understand that there's a big back log for appointments but this just seems like a long wait to find out what's wrong.

Has anyone ever had to wait this long, to be told something bad is going on?

Family is telling me that if something was really bad I would of been called in sooner, but my anxious mind doesn't believe them 😔

December is great. Far enough away that they aren't worried about you, too. Some people are waiting much longer.

Thank you 😊 feels so long away!

I waited over six months last year - if it was urgent you would be seen V quickly x

@wineandsunshine do you mind me asking if there was anything serious wrong?

I work in cardiology, what are your symptoms?

I have atrial ectopy and SVT (only mild). My heart plays up with palpitations/flutters but nothing serious thankfully.

I'm nearly 40 and have had them since 18.

Beta blockers are the medication which really help but I find moments of stress don't help (I'm a teacher so inevitable!) x

Cardiology patient here. They’re super careful so check everything, even if it might be benign. And if they are worried they move very fast.

I’ve rung consultant’s secretary at 11 and been talking to consultant by 1400.

There are so many innocent reasons for a funky ecg, and so many heart conditions that you can live with, staying on the meds/kit.

I had a massive heart attack, and ensuing damage to my heart, in 2019. I now take various meds and have an implant to monitor my heart rhythm 24/7/365.

happy to talk via pm

Thank you all you have been so reassuring and kind, and I needed that so much.

My symptoms are

Pins and needles/ numbness in arms and legs (usually one side but not always)

Generally low heart rate 50ish

At rest I have a lot of ectopic beats, sometimes 15 per minute

For added info, normal blood pressure, I am 32, not over weight, don't smoke, hardly drink, do moderate excersize.
Do eat healty foods but also a hell of a lot of bad food.

Any advice would be really appreciated 😊

I had tingling in my arms/legs and ectopic beats caused by low ferritin.

When something is really wrong they don't make you wait. I thought I was really sick in my heart (ectopic heart beats, arrhythmias, tachycardia), went to the GP and she referred me to a cardiologist 6 months later!! I panicked, and spent a fortune on a private doctor and he told me it was nothing serious and it could have waited a year... he also said a hundred times that when something looks bad and a person's health is at risk, nobody makes you wait more than a week. All will be good!

Thank you all so much. I have been really lucky and I called to ask if there was anything sooner and they gave me an appointment next week!

Feel very relieved!

Good luck!! All the best and you'll see that everything will be fine

Thank you. Il post an update and let you know!

My son has been waiting over 18 months, actually think the consultant gave up on the cardiologist and referred him to a different specialism saying that they will check his heart as part of their process.

@Lemoncurd 😧 does that reassure you that nothing serious can be wrong with his heart?

Same. I get those symptoms whenever my iron gets low.
You say your diet is a bit off OP, so hopefully it's something treatable like this. I assume they gave you a blood test when you first went to GP?

Anyway glad you have an appointment next week and you get answers soon.

I had 2 postponements, Lockdown and after. Before the lucky 3rd I had an appt with private Dr. She gave me details and explanation of results of ECHO. Said nothing to worry about.
Cardiologist said normal wear and tear consistent with age. They will give me a heart monitor for 24 hrs to collect more data.
Beta Blockers, - Bisoprolol helps.

Sometimes we should believe them.

@KangarooKenny
blood tests were all fine. I have had almost everything checked. If anything my iron is quite high. I remember not long ago in my pregnancy blood tests they were surprised my iron is so good.

No beta blockers for me as my heart rate is already low.

@brianixon what were your symptoms that started this?

I have a congenital heart defect and have had awful palpitaions for last few months. I have been on waiting list for 12 weeks for a 24 hour monitor, received appointment today but that isn't until mid October. I have been told i will get appointment for cardiologist but will not be put on to a waiting list for that until monitor results are back. So i wouldn't be surprised if i don't get to see cardiologist until next year.

OP, hope you get some reassurance from your appointment. Interestingly i have low heart rate too.