Dissapointed With Healthcare Professionals

I am new to this. I need to vent and I figure this is a good place. I had a heart attack on 2/15/2009. I am not happy with healthcare professionals. I guess I will get to the point. It has only been 10 days since my heart attack and I have a cough and cold. I call up the so called cardiologist office and advised the nurse and I was put on hold for 9 minutes and than advises I need to call my family doctor. I got upset and told her that dr crenshaw told me if there were any problems to call his office. Well, I am put on hold again and wait another 10 minutes and a so called nurse came on the phone and told me to make a appointment with my family doctor or I can try some otc medicine. Well, I said this is bull on how patients are being handled. I said I am still restricted on what I can do and I cannot drive yet. I am than told that when I come in for my follow up on 3/17 things will be discussed further. Well, I am now searching for a new cardiologist because I do not like the treatment I am getting.

Has anyone had bad treatment like this? I think this is terrible.

By martzj
Posted February 25, 2009 at 8:32 pm
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Hi spizzakid,

Welcome and sorry you are having a hard time right after your heart attack.

Are you experiencing and heavy shortness of breath at this time? And is your cough dry (could be flu or cardiac medication related) or chesty (phlemy?) A wet cough/congestion probably needs to be seen by your PCP, to ensure it isn't cardiac related. Since this is cold & flu season, if it isn't heart related...although you are more susceptible to illness after heart attack...the last place you want to be going right now is hospitals and doctor offices. THey are loaded with bacteria, other sick people.

I hear how frustrating it must be for you not being able to drive right now and your hubby on the road so much. If you feel that your current symptoms are truly heart related and escalating quickly....call 911. You should not try to drive at this time. Is there someone who could get you to a family doctor tomorrow?

Cardios are not known for any sense of urgency on behalf of suffering non-acute patients. It is common practice for the hospital/clinic cardio who treated your heart attack to send you off to your regular doctors for followup. Women are too often treated less agressively than men from acute ER to drug therapy. Changing cardios 10 days post HA is probably not going to be helpful at this time.

You are very very new to this. Spend some time reading postings by other women on this site. Someone always has helpful information or kind words when you need them.

Take deep breaths and let us know how you are feeling,

Jaynie

By joy2day
Posted February 25, 2009 at 10:21 pm
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My cardio only concentrates on issues directly related to the heart itself. He directs all other care to my primary -- keep in mind that I did not have a heart attack. My cardio didn't even want to sign off on my "okay to exercise" letter for my company's fitness center.

He doesn't mind changing my BP meds, though. :-)

By gracie62
Posted February 26, 2009 at 12:01 am
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Please remember that we are in the middle of cold season. Had you called your cardio with your only complaint being a sudden cough coming on so shortly after your MI, they probably would have responded differently. You need to contact your primary care doctor and I assure you they will want you to come in ASAP this soon after your heart event. I went in for my 6 week post MI check up with my family doctor and they checked me over head to toe and discovered I had the flu even though I had no symptoms yet. I was told that minor illnesses such as cold and flu can be serious in heart patients since complications can be worse for us. They get me in immediately when I call with cold or flu complaints. I go straight into bronchitis for some reason since my MI.

Lots of hot water/tea with lemon and honey, Vicks Vaporub and menthol cough drops! Also, ask your PCP about the Coricidin products designed for patients with high blood pressure. Even if you don't have high blood pressure, they are much more heart friendly than other over the counter could meds.

Take care -
Dianna

By pattyjw59
Posted February 26, 2009 at 5:59 am
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Welcome and I too am sorry that you are having such a rough time. We will keep you in our prayers. I agree with the other ladies, see you primary care doc, but I also know how you feel about not being listened to. It is so frustrating. I have 2 heart docs I have been seeing in addition to my PCP. One is an expert in ablation for a-fib, which is why I had been seeing him in the first place. (I ended up not getting it, he said as long as the meds control it, we'll just let it be.) But he has gotten so busy that when I do go in to see him, I always see a newbie doc first, then he breezes in for about 5 minutes and leaves. I hated that he wouldn't take the time to listen to me or talk TO me instead of AT me. So I put him on the back burner and went back to the other cardio, who I just love! He listens, really listens, and it is so very comforting, especially when you are frightened about symptoms and the like. My Dad had a doc like the first one, who wouldn't listen, and finally one day when she breezed in and was about to breeze out without answering his questions, he got mad and told her, "Look, lady, I am paying you for 20 minutes of your time. Now get back here and give me my 20 minutes and answer my questions!" LOL!!! She did, too. I am not saying to get mad at your doc, but ask around and I bet you can find one that you like a lot better. My mom has an excellent cardio out in CA, I just love her. She makes my Mom feel like she is her most important patient, and that is the way it should be I think. A good doc listens, and takes the time to explain stuff to you. Also remember that this website is a gift from God! I am so blessed to have found it, and there is so much love and support on here it is just amazing! LOL, in fact I said to my doc yesterday, " On Womenheart I read about such and such." He said he recommends this site to all his heart patients, it's a great site. Hang in there, baby girl, and let us know how you're doing. Hugs!!

By spizzakid
Posted February 26, 2009 at 7:32 am
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Thanks to all for your response. I feel I just don't have the patience right now. The last words from the nurse in the hospital was to call the doctors office. I am from the old school. I know the times have changed but I am still not used to getting the run around. I used to live in Chicago and it has only been 6 years since I moved from the area but 6 years ago I could still call the doctors office (no matter what kind of doctor) and get a answer. I was even lucky enough to have home phone numbers for some of my doctors. Now, we can't even talk to a doctor. Oh well, I am feeling better. Thanks to all for listening.

By heartgoddess
Posted February 26, 2009 at 9:03 am
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I know it seems cold, but in today's specialized world, a cardiologist only focuses on cardiac issues. I too had a heart attack, and soon discovered that the cardiologist would not address anything that he could direct back to my Internist. It is just the way things are done. Open up communications with your primary care physician, he or she will be better able to care for your needs if you see them and catch them up with your new health issues.

I am 5 years post op (had quad bypass beating heart surgery) and am doing great. Be sure to get into cardiac rehab as soon as possible, it will make such a huge difference!

By Kennarina
Posted February 26, 2009 at 9:27 am
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Hi Spiazzakid - so glad you are feeling better by now.

Ditto to all other good advice here, which boils down to: your cardiologist is for cardiology, your family doc is for other illnesses like colds (which are caused by viruses so there's very little ANY doc could do for you anyway!)

We wouldn't call our gynecologist because we broke a leg (even if we had just undergone a gynecological procedure) and we don't go to our cardiologist for a cold, even if we have just undergone a cardiac procedure. Cardiologists are booked up solid as it is - imagine if they were also booked with patients for non-cardiac reasons!

As for having your doctor's home phone number, my first reaction was: 'the poor doctor'! Imagine being on-call 24/7 - what kind of family life would any physician have with his/her patients phoning at home day and night?!?! In my profession, I don't give out my home phone number - do you?

I know some 'old school' physicians whose grown children will now tell you they NEVER saw their Dad while growing up because those were the days of house calls. These kids learned early that patients were more important to Dad than his own children were. Personally, I'm glad those days are long gone!

XOXOXO

By Ecksunbeam
Posted February 26, 2009 at 9:42 am
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Dear Spizz,

Well, you are certainly not alone in your disappointment with the American health care system. Modern high-tech cardiovasular procedures and heart medications do, indeed, save lives. But a harsh reality of a heart disease diagnosis is that once you are dumped out of the hospital, you are on your own where healing from your "event" is concerned.

Having had your heart attack so recently (a great overall trauma to the body) your immune system has become compromised. But the other ladies are correct, a cardiologist is not going to address the common cold. If you have extreme trouble breathing, hit the ER.

Make that Vicks on the bottoms of your feet with a pair of socks and a blanket. Sweat it out. (It works!) A hot steam vaporizer if you have it. In light of recent events, you may want to consider a high-potency vitamin/mineral supplement along with your regular meds.

The most important thing you can do for yourself right now is rest, rest, rest and your cold is going to help/force you to do that. So-o-o-o-o many women would like to treat a HA like a cold/ flu--pop a few meds and up and at 'em, back to regular life within the week. It really doesn't work like that. If you have any energy at all, you may want to start researching your diagnosis, get copies of your medical records together, and think about/come up with a game plan re: the lifestyle changes you are going to have to make in your future. Many of us have dual diagnoses, and along with the rest of the world we are subject to all the other bugs going around. You will very quickly learn that the more informed and proactive (learn to research and stay with this site!) you become about your own health care, the better off you will be.

May the Blessings Be!

Sherrie

By andi14
Posted February 26, 2009 at 11:43 am
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I know it is frustrating when medical professionals seem to dismiss us, tell us to call a different Dr, and so on. Being that you just had your first (and hopefully ONLY!) heart attack, I'd imagine that your nerves are shot and any physical symptom you have is going to be a cause for concern.
I would call your PCP, tell them your symptoms, explain your frustration, and hopefully they can guide you.
{{{hugs}}}

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