"I just need to see a Cardiologist now"

I was diagnosed with AF and Heart Failure. This seemed to be as a result of a virus I started with 2 weeks before.

I was frightened as I had an ejection fraction of 18% and was fit and healthy at Xmas and I was gasping for breath all the time. I was sent home .. in my opinion too early as I live on my own. I was told by the hospital to get myself a trolley to walk round the house , a wheelchair and apply for attendance allowance.

On discharge I was told I would receive an appointment for an Urgent Referral to see a Cardiologist at the hospital through the post.

That was the end January .. I have not seen one yet..

My family rallied round me at home. I did not know what to do or expect. I saw 2 heart failure specialist nurses who told me about the tablets I would be on when I left hospital.

I was extremely frightened as I had never had a heart problem before and dare not do anything in case I had a heart attack. I felt faint every time I stood up. I dare not go upstairs in case I exerted myself too much.

A week after leaving hospital I was contacted by Helen .. the heart failure specialist nurse for my area and after a month’s wait I had my first appointment with her.

I could discuss all my worries and fears with her and she helped me realise that I needed to exercise to feel better.

I went to Kings Mill for Rehab and was really surprised how much exercise I could do..

The heart failure nurses do a great job.. I don’t know what I would’ve done without mine.

After a while with the medication I did not need the trolley and I only used the wheelchair a few times.

I was taken a back by the response from DWP with regards to attendance allowance.

I was flatly rejected and told in no uncertain terms that basically if I was wobbly on my feet I could fit grab rails and I was also refused because I did not need help with my bodily functions.

I just need to see a Cardiologist now who can perhaps help me understand how I ended up with this.