Just had a heart bypass - 34 years old

dark_lady

Porridge actor Richard Beckinsale had the genetic/ cholestorol problem and it killed him in 1979 at the age of 31. So i find it surprising that doctors are unwilling to test younger people though to be fair some of them are probably too young to remember this actor. Well done for insisting on them doing those tests OP and good luck in the future.

PaulJM

dark_lady wrote: »

Porridge actor Richard Beckinsale had the genetic/ cholestorol problem and it killed him in 1979 at the age of 31. So i find it surprising that doctors are unwilling to test younger people though to be fair some of them are probably too young to remember this actor. Well done for insisting on them doing those tests OP and good luck in the future.

I was kicking about then but don't remember the actor.

Most of the medical people I've come across have been amazing during this, but the biggest stumbling block for me has been the actual GP's.
It's been really hard to get a consistant approach from them, to see the same doc, or to actually get a decent one. Most of them just gave me the impression they wanted me out of the surgery so they could get on with sorting out colds and flu. Don't forget that until I got the pains badly 6 months ago, I'd hardly ever been. I found with GP's that you need to remind yourself that it's not a privilege to be able to see them - I've paid a fortune over the years to be able to do it!
I imagine there is a reason for this malaise though - maybe they're under great pressure, maybe the majority of people that see them are basically fit. I just know that I very nearly slipped through the net.
As soon as you're past the GP stage, you see some amazing professionals.
Some of the contradictions I've encountered have been brilliant.
Call GP as a none urgent, for appointment that week, and told that I couldn't see the doctor I wanted for 3 weeks, and to call between 8 and 9 for an appointment that day. Call between 8 and 9, get a doctor call me back to tell me that I couldn't phone in the morning for a routine appointment!
On my 4th visit with chest pains, I wasn't refered to a consultant, I was again given stomach acid pills, and told to go to A&E if I get further pains. Went to A&E, and told that I should be there if I'm being treated for reflux!
I could get bitter about this...but I won't, it's done now!

sairy2005

I am a lot older than you but have had heart problems for years and could not get any one to believe me. I finally had to insist on further investigation and found I had cardiomyopathy. This is an inherited condition but like you I cant find any one else in my family with it. It is not unheard of in younger people (Gabby Logan's brother died of it at 15).
I think there is a support group for this for younger people,
After being told there was very little they could do for me and I probably only had about 18 months to live, I was found to have a valve problem.
I have since had a valve replaced, a myectomy and a hole in the heart repaired. (Not sure how that happened)
I now unfortunately have pulmonary hypertension which I think was caused by the delay in treatment.
So although you are quite young I should just be glad that you have been treated early and enjoy yourself as far as you are able.
The charity which deals with young heart problems is called CRY which stands for cardiac something or other in the young. You may be able to Google it.

Savvy_Sue

sairy2005 wrote: »

The charity which deals with young heart problems is called CRY which stands for cardiac something or other in the young. You may be able to Google it.

http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/

Cardiac Risk in the Young - looks like it could be useful to the OP.