CRT-D Rocks

My first post on here since CRT-D implant 18 months ago.

Back then following MI in Singapore I was diagnosed with LBBB, QRS width > 150, not a great deal of movement on the WM index, and LVEF of 20%. I had 4 stents fitted immediately.

Four months later I had Biotronik CRT-D fitted and immediately felt better.

Coming up to date, three weeks ago another echo showed,”An excellent improvement in LV function to near normal levels”, and apparently my heart is back to normal size.

Reason for the post: The ratio of problems and worries/anxieties vastly outweigh the positive stories (quite understandably, and I have gained a lot of background knowledge from them), but I thought I would try and redress the balance!

Whilst the improved numbers are important from a medical treatment/prognosis point of view, more importantly I feel good, positive and optimistic for the future.

As well as recognising the wonders of CRT, exercise, improved diet, cardiac rehab, and of course a few glasses of red wine must all take credit.

One down-side is that on moving back to the UK and following my recent echo, I have an eight month wait to see the consultant to discuss the results! Yes you read right 8 MONTHS!

Best rgds

Marineboy

2 Comments

Waiting 8 months to discuss your echocardiogram

by Selwyn - 2017-03-22 08:12:57

It may be more appropriate to discuss this with your general practitioner. If your G.P. cannot do this ( although they should be able to), get your GP to  email the cardiologist for an opinion.  Most cardiologists deal with their email within a few days.

I recently emailed my consultant about a ultrasound scan and got a letter though the post as a reply the following week. Yesterday, I got the results of my echocardiography, done by one consultant, and reviewed by my cardiologist, some 3 weeks after my echo.

Here in Liverpool, U.K. my waiting time to see a cardiologist was about 3 weeks. Your condition does not sound urgent, and you do seem to be stable. Standards of care in the NHS are contractual, here in England our GPs are part of a contracting group- this group both commisions services and sets standards, they can both pay the bill ( out of the CCP budget for the area) and fine hospitals for not keeping to their agreed standards. You can, as an NHS patient, ask to have copies of all correspondance between your GP and your consultant led departments.

I am not familiar with your system in Scotland which may have now devolved away from the English NHS!

Selwyn

ECG

by BOBJ - 2017-03-29 15:42:21

Man! I get a ecg morning appointment. Before I cang et home the results are posted in my patient portal.

Do they monitor for abnormal results? You could die before they caught it otherwise.

 

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