PLEASE HELP!...I NEED ADVICE!

I have a 31-year old brother who is diagnosed with a 3rd degree complete heart block. He normally is fit and healthy active fella. He has had no symptoms of his condition at all. On Friday he went to register to a GP and the nurse realised how slow pulse he had during an asessment. he was then seen by the doctor at the GP and was immediately informed that he needed to wait for the ambulance to be taken to the Kings Hospital. He was not allowed to even go toilet. For half a day e was been assessed. we ad seen 13 different doctors and consultants and all agreed he had complete heart block and needs a pacemaker. He had been referred to Barts and the London trust to ave the PM fitted. before doing so, he had to have certain tests there as well. again he was been monitored 24hrs. we were then convinced that his case is serious and the only option he as is the PM Fitted. After all, he was booked for a surgery on Monday (today). every thing was ready. Him, the theatre and the docs..UNFORTUNATELY, The surgery got cancelled..yes cancelled...reason being that the consultant thought he can wait a little bit longer to have a PM. But the FUNNY thing is, just an hour before the surgery cancelled, the Hospital asked us about his visa in UK, and we informed them that he had no status in UK. Now my concern is..Does he really not need a PM as yet or is it because of his status in Uk?

6 Comments

pacing

by Tracey_E - 2013-01-21 08:01:59

I don't know anything about UK health care but I have 3rd degree av block so I can talk about that all day :o) If he has no symptoms, how did they come to find the block and why do they think the pm is so urgent? How low is his heart rate? If it's not that low (under 50 or so) and he feels ok, there is no rush to get the pm. If he is passing out, is too dizzy to function, can no longer be active, his heart is pausing, then it's more urgent but again, not crucial to do it immediately.

Don't confuse av block with blocked arteries. This is an electrical signal block, generally the heart is otherwise healthy. It can happen in healthy,fit people at random. It is not caused by lack of activity or taking care of yourself, and conversely taking care of yourself and being fit can't prevent it.

unexpectd block

by rwagenblatt - 2013-01-22 07:01:04

Morning, like the others, I can't offer any thoughts regarding healthcare in the UK, but like your brother, I'm relativley young, in good shape and very active. I had an EKG for unrelated reason when I later got a call from my PC telling me to get to the ER asap. Seems I have an asymptomatic 3rd degree av block. Didn't have a clue and while the docs all said I needed a PM, I waited two weeks while tests were run. Held an HR of 40-45 for the most part and was later told by the cardio that he reluctantly allowed the wait because of my physical condition and aside from electrical glitch, I have a healthy heart.
Hopefully his "legal" issues will be resolved soon and he gets his buddy...if they're convinced its full block, theres no other remedy (so I'm told). Good luck..post if you need us, this is an awesome site!
Peace, Rick

UK

by IAN MC - 2013-01-22 08:01:28

I am certain that if your brother desperately needed a PM here in the UK, he would get one !!

He needs to ask questions; it is impossible for anyone on here to advise you; but it does seem that the cardiologist has looked at your brother's medical background and decided that he is not a clear cut case,.

The UK has a reputation for being overly generous to ANYONE with a health problem who takes advantage of our free health care, whether they are here legally or not

As UK taxpayers we all have different views on this

Best wishes to your brother

Ian

NHS

by golden_snitch - 2013-01-22 09:01:01

Hi!

As far as I know the NHS is obliged to treat anyone in case of an emergency. I once talked to my insurance company about going to the UK, and my insurance said, in case of an emergency the NHS treats everyone - you do not even need to show your German/EU insurance card. However, since your brother seems to have been running around with that heart block for a while, this is no emergency. And if, in addition to that, his status in the UK is not clear, then this probably is the reason for cancellation of his surgery. And what's also typical for the NHS when you have something that can wait - they'll let you wait. The NHS is known for LONG waiting lists.

There are some folks here who have lived with a third degree heart block for 20, 30 years. Their bodies just got used to having a slower heart rate. If your brother never showed any symptoms, he was probably born with this block; rather unlikely that it appeared all of a sudden and he had no symptoms.

Best wishes
Inga

Thank you!!!

by pinarazra - 2013-01-22 09:01:52

Firstival, i thank each one of you for ur comments.. I also want to address some question.. My brother gad no status in uk but his also not illegal.. He goes to home office every month to sign on.. Secondly, his heart rate changes between 23bpm to 37 bpm. Which is very low. At first consultants said there is no other option.. He has to have the PM asap. Only 1 hour later of finding out his status, the surgery got cancelled saying he can wait. This does not make sense to us. I have contacted medical negligence solicitors and they agree with me. My concern now is should i take him to a private clunic for this? Because the nhs hospital is saying that its not a money issue so they accept funding from us..

I had similiar

by RobertS - 2013-01-22 11:01:56

very low heart rate that just happened overnight. Fine one day- could hardly walk 10 yards the next. I was very fit though much older than your brother. I had a pacemeaker put in the next day.

But if your brother had not noticed any symptoms then that is a bit strange. With a heart rate that low I'd have thought he'd be on his knees most of the time. That he was showing no symptoms may well be one of the reasons that they are not giving him a pacemaker immediately. I'd want to know a lot more before I underwent surgery. If you can see if you can get a second medical opinion.

Much more difficult is your brother's immigration status. You say he has no status in UK but I think that is a langueage confusion. If he is not an illegal immigrant that he has a 'status' of some sort.

Basically, if you are not a citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland either by birth or naturalisation then you are not entitled to free treatment on the NHS other than in certain circumstances. What these are depend on your immigration 'status': for example refugee recognised by UNHCR, registered asylum seeker, or a prisoner in Her Majesty's Prisons or of the Immigration Department. There are a number of others. From what you say your brother may have 'leave to remain' which is a sort of 'we don't quite know what to do with you but you can stay while we think about it'. Does your brother have a National Health Number or claim any social security benefits? If so that may change his entitlement to treatment.

Now the hard part. The UK has no money. And our NHS is hard to find ones way about. The NHS has to find millions of pounds in savings this year so there is going to be a lot of things that were done before that will not be done now. To be brutally honest you have to ask yourself why someone who is not a citizen of this country or another one that has reciprocal arrangements with the UK over healthcare or who has not paid into the system should obtain free treatment at UK taxpayers' expense.

For some reason there can be a problem paying for treatment in some NHS hospitals though in many cases the same doctor will see you privately in a private hospital if you pay. By all means see a medical negligence solicitor but bear in mind that they be expensive and medical negligence case are not only hard to prove but can take years.

Sorry to be so negative on this but you have to decide on priorities. Your brother's health or what might be a long and expensive fight with the NHS. If it was me and I could I'd take him to a privae clinic for a second opinion at least and go from there.

Whatever happens I am truly sorry you find yourself in this position and I wish your brother well.

Robert

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