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?
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?