← Return to Fears about ectopic heart beats and PSVT's. Doctor not concerned.

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Profile picture for ellanz @ellanz

@susieq1957 So sorry to hear about your situation. I'm in New Zealand and was able to see a cardiologist privately the week after the GP referred me. I feel for you living in an area where that appears not to be possible. There were a couple of things that I wondered about. Have you told the GP why you are not comfortable taking beta blockers given your low blood pressure? I was curious as to whether they were able to provide any reassurance on that. I started a few days ago on a calcium channel blocker because I have asthma so can't use beta blockers. It's made a massive difference. I was having daily EBs and SVTs that were making me dizzy and fearful of fainting while driving etc. Since starting on the meds, I've only had a couple of tiny flutters that were barely noticeable, didn't make me dizzy and lasted a few seconds at most. No side effects thus far. I wore a 7 day heart event monitor the week before getting the meds and the cardiologist said I'd had loads of SVTs every day during that week. She's set up an appointment for me with her colleague who does ablations to review things in 3 months but if I have problems before then, I can see him sooner. The other thing I wondered about was whether you had considered a video consult with Sanjay Gupta? I see that he offers them on his website to people anywhere in the world and you don't need a referral. It's about $350 NZ for a 40 minute appointment. He can't provide treatment to people offshore but it might be reassuring to talk to him, and it might inform any questions you want to put to your GP. I wish you all the best.

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Replies to "@susieq1957 So sorry to hear about your situation. I'm in New Zealand and was able to..."

@ellanz We live in Nelson and apparently there is only one cardiologist clinic and they are very busy, so, unless it is a dire emergency, patients have to wait. I have told my GP numerous times why I don't want to take beta-blockers but they just don't seem to get it and keep telling me to take them. Well, I am not going to take them. I stay clear of drugs as much as possible. I like Dr Sanjay Gupta, unfortunately, we just don't have the funds for the appointment. We are on a very strict budget and have to watch what we spend, that's why I can't get the echocardiogram done right now, it costs close to 800.00 and we simply can't afford it at this time.