"Cardiology waiting times"

As a person with various complex health conditions I have been so very lucky to have been cared for by such great teams, but particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in University Hospitals Hairmyres, Monklands and Wishaw.

In April this year, after suffering from chest pains, breathlessness, nausea, palpitations and dizziness as well as a range of other symptoms I made the decision - albeit extremely reluctantly - to attend my local ED at University Hospital Hairmyres.  After checking in, I was seen promptly and taken to triage where staff assessed and ran various tests. I have to say, what came next was a surprise. After being in the department for most of the morning and after various ECGs, AXR and a CXR, it was found that I was having an episode of tachycardia (SVT). Due to this, it was recommended that I be referred to cardiology and that should I have any further episodes of SVT or any other cardiac event, I was to attend A&E promptly.

Fast forward to June, I suffered another episode of SVT albeit much more intense than the last. This time ED was packed so I was ready to wait for a while. Nonetheless, after an hour, I was taken to triage, then immediately to resus, due to the fact my heart rate had skyrocketed and I was starting to struggle breathing.

I was thankful that staff allowed my Mum to come in, as I thought this would be beneficial for her to explain to staff about my premature birth and any other conditions which could have escaped my mind. I was then hooked up to monitors with various bloods and tests ran and the ED Consultant said that they  wanted cardiology to see me this time and wanted an echocardiogram carried out to further investigate issues.

I spent almost 12 hours in resus, where I was made to feel very comfortable which allowed my Mum to go home and rest, which I think was beneficial because this came as a shock seeing her otherwise healthy  son admitted to resus for only the second time since my birth.

The next morning, I was allocated a side cubicle in majors, where another doctor, who again was so caring and professional attended to me and recommended that an echo be carried out, which unfortunately wasn't done.  I left for home, without an echo being done,  with the same instruction as last time that should another cardiac event happen, again to attend ED.

I have since then had a ECG monitor for 48 hours, but since having that done in July have yet to receive any sort of clarification or results. I have been on the cardiac waiting list for an appointment with a specialist for over 17 weeks now and have since not received any indication of when this will be, or when I should expect to get an echo, which I was told could take up to 36 weeks.

I fully understand the NHS is under significant strain due to the long lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the significant reconfiguration of NHS services as they begin to remobilise, but I have to say, as someone in their twenties was otherwise healthy, the long waiting times are causing a great deal of anxiety and stress on me and my family, particularly as these cardiac issues have appeared from nowhere.

I feel at the moment my whole life and future is in a holding pattern with my mental health beginning to dip and feel unable to plan things or look to the future with other aspects of my health due to the unknowns and unpredictability of these tachycardic episodes, which seem to be becoming far more frequent, even causing me exhaustion while walking. I would do anything at all just to find out what on earth is happening with regards to this and hopefully find a treatment plan, as I didn't ever think I would be walking about with an otherwise undiagnosed heart condition which, even the thought of, is worrisome - especially for someone like me with many years of experience in dealing with my health conditions.

Lastly, I want to thank each and every one of my specialists that I am so fortunate to work together with. It's never easy, but I feel incredibly humbled and grateful for the support which I continue to receive from various medical and surgical teams, and hopefully, quickly, I will get answers from cardiology who will return me to full strength. 

With grateful thanks.