[Help] Medical advice - cardiology

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Bedsex

not my real name
Jan 29, 2009
2,178
Flitwick
I’m not seeking specific medical advice, I realise that there are probably better forums for this than a football chat site! However I am aware of at least one member of our collective (@%1; ) who may have some insight into the issue I am seeking advice on.

My father in law has some heart issues, he had a heart attack a number of years ago and now (I don’t know whether this is consequently) he suffers from a leaky valve. This leaves him quite breathless and unable to do very much in the way of physical activity. This is now impacting on his quality of life. 3 or 4 years ago, he saw a cardiologist where he lives in Cambridgeshire, who told him that he couldn’t do anything about the leaky valve other than prescribe medication (which isn’t really helping), as my father in law had a brain haemorrhage (over 40 years ago), that the cardiologist said was too big a risk factor to be able to operate. He then told my father in law that he suspected he’d only have 4-5 years to live! So my father in law now believes this is pretty imminent!

I’d like for him to get a second opinion. I’ve done some reading and found that there’s a cardiologist who practises in Sussex, who may specialise in this area. I believe that his name is professor Hildick-Smith. I’d be keen for my father in law to speak to this cardiologist, but given that he’s based in Sussex and my father in law is in Cambridgeshire, I assume that this would have to be done privately, which I imagine could be pretty expensive.

Does anyone on here have any experience with professor Hikdick-Smith, or has anyone else sought a second medical opinion from an expert outside of their local area and managed to get this through the NHS?
 




Motogull

Todd Warrior
Sep 16, 2005
10,462
If the initials of the treating cardiologist are RH, you might be as high as it gets.
 


Eric Youngs Contact Lens

Well-known member
Dec 9, 2020
602
East Sussex
The NHS agenda is focused on personalisation and choice, so seeking a second opinion is very much part of that, and whilst my understanding is that it's not a "legal right" it is unusual for that second opinion to be refused. I would certainly recommend a good dialogue with the treating speacialist and your Father-in-Laws GP to ensure his concerns are heard and that further explanations can be provided. Often this is a good thing to do with a chaperone who can take notes, ask questions etc on the patients behalf. I have certainly seen many instances where the top Drs, academically and in terms of experience are not the best communicators when it comes to explaining things !!
 


herecomesaregular

We're in the pipe, 5 by 5
Oct 27, 2008
4,649
Still in Brighton
Can't be much help I'm afraid other than my dad just had open heart surgery for a valve replacement after quite a long wait and was told that he could have skipped the wait and had the same op by the same people in the same hospital (Brighton) for £17k. I thought that figure would be much higher (compared to the price of a car or something). So I'm sure getting a 2nd opinion privately if necessary may not be that expensive. Hope it works out, leaky valve is progressive and cannot be treated with medication (my dad was told) so sadly it will prove fatal without a tavi or avr.
 




PILTDOWN MAN

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Sep 15, 2004
19,593
Hurst Green
I’m not seeking specific medical advice, I realise that there are probably better forums for this than a football chat site! However I am aware of at least one member of our collective (@%1; ) who may have some insight into the issue I am seeking advice on.

My father in law has some heart issues, he had a heart attack a number of years ago and now (I don’t know whether this is consequently) he suffers from a leaky valve. This leaves him quite breathless and unable to do very much in the way of physical activity. This is now impacting on his quality of life. 3 or 4 years ago, he saw a cardiologist where he lives in Cambridgeshire, who told him that he couldn’t do anything about the leaky valve other than prescribe medication (which isn’t really helping), as my father in law had a brain haemorrhage (over 40 years ago), that the cardiologist said was too big a risk factor to be able to operate. He then told my father in law that he suspected he’d only have 4-5 years to live! So my father in law now believes this is pretty imminent!

I’d like for him to get a second opinion. I’ve done some reading and found that there’s a cardiologist who practises in Sussex, who may specialise in this area. I believe that his name is professor Hildick-Smith. I’d be keen for my father in law to speak to this cardiologist, but given that he’s based in Sussex and my father in law is in Cambridgeshire, I assume that this would have to be done privately, which I imagine could be pretty expensive.

Does anyone on here have any experience with professor Hikdick-Smith, or has anyone else sought a second medical opinion from an expert outside of their local area and managed to get this through the NHS?

If he has been given this "death sentence" by a cardiologist due to the risks of his history, there comes a point that doing nothing outweighs the risk. I would insist with his GP he is sent elsewhere. Obviously not knowing his or family's financial situation the cost of initial private consultation isn't that high. Scans etc etc are not now as high.
 


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