On a visit to my GP to discuss test results for something unrelated, my GP took my BP which was fine, but my pulse was 137 so he sent me to A&E for an emergency ECG and told me that he thought my heart may not be working properly! A few hours later in A&E a lovely nurse did the ECG and my pulse was still high at 128. After a wait of about an hour I was seen by a consultant who did not speak English. He asked me what was wrong but did not understand when I explained that my GP had sent me in because my pulse was 137 despite normal blood pressue. He seemed to think I'd just walked in off the street having a panic attack. I could not get him to understand. He asked if I had any other health problems, which I listed, but he did not understand what I was saying and just kept repeating me and asking what it meant! He then tried to tell me that I must just suffering from anxiety and said I should take Valium and go home and get some sleep! I was not in the least bit stressed other than worrying why my pulse was 137, and then having to deal with this consultant. I did not take his advice, and went home very worried about what might be wrong. My GP has since referred me to a cardiologist.
"A&E consultant did not speak English"
About: University Hospital Lewisham University Hospital Lewisham London SE13 6LH
Posted via nhs.uk
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