What is the Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic? Should you have any worries about the procedure the technicians will be only too pleased to discuss them with you. Your GP has referred you to this clinic as you have been experiencing chest discomfort. He wants to know if the pain is of cardiac origin. Alternatively, depending on your risk profile and your ability to walk, you might undergo stress echocardiogram. This is at discretion of the Before the test nurse/physician. During this test the heart rate is increased with Please brink a copy of your repeated prescription/list of the medication medication and continuous echocardiogram scanning monitors the with dosage. It is important that you eat only light meal and avoid heart’s response to stress. strenuous exercise for 4 hours prior the test, refrain from smoking for 24 hours and stop any of medication listed below for 48 hours (i.e. last What Happens Next? dose taken 72 hours prior the test). Some of these drugs may be known The cardiac nurse will explain the results to you and if necessary by other names (brand names). If in doubt check with your pharmacist prescribe you appropriate medication. If the test shows you have angina or doctor. Please also bring the actual list of your medication an appointment will be made with you to see the cardiac nurse in one including dosage with you. week.

♥Acebutolol ♥Nadolol Complications ♥Atenolol ♥Nebivolol There is a small risk of complications, but the technicians are very ♥Bisoprolol ♥Oxprenolol experienced at this technique and have all the necessary equipment and ♥Carvedilol ♥Pindolol backup to deal with any emergency, so reducing the risks to the ♥Celiprolol ♥Propranolol minimum. ♥Labetalol ♥Timolol ♥Metoprolol ♥ Diltiazem Cancellations ♥ Verapamil ♥ Ivabradine We have many patients waiting for this clinic. If you cannot keep your appointment it is very important that you let us know so that another On Arrival person can be offered that slot. Please phone us on 0161 746 2190. Please hand this letter in at the reception desk within the department and a member of staff will direct you where to sit. The whole Comments appointment will take about one hour. We are always trying to improve the service to our patients. If you have any comments or suggestions at any time during your visit or after What Happens you have left the department we will be delighted to discuss them with You will first be seen by the cardiac nurse specialist who will ask you you. questions about your condition. The nurse will then examine, check your pulse blood pressure and listening to your heart and lungs. You How to get there will then be asked to walk on a treadmill if you feel you are physically The hospital is situated on Moorside Road in Davyhulme. able while connected to an ECG monitor. This is to see the effects on Parking is available at the front of the hospital, and is free of charge for the heart while doing exercise. The cardiac technicians will supervise three hours. You may find it more convenient to use the parking at the the test throughout. rear of the hospital, by driving via Moorside Road, past the staff car park barrier to the car park at Pathology. You may also use the pick up If you feel you cannot continue the technicians will stop the test but it is and drop off point at the endoscopy unit on the right as you go past the important that you do as much exercise as you possibly can in order for staff car park barrier. You will find the department first on the left as the results to be meaningful. you enter the main hospital through this door.

Once the test has finished, the technicians will ask you to sit back in the Please note: vehicles found illegally parked within the hospital ground chair and your heart will be monitored until it returns to its resting rate. are wheel clamped and are subject to a release fee. The whole test takes approximately 30 minutes. If you have any questions related to the clinic please contact the cardiac nurse on 0161 746 2697.

Please make sure you understand your condition and the proposed treatment before leaving the department. Ask for clarification if any point is not clear in your mind.

Cardiology Department

Further information about Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust is available at www.trafford.nhs.uk General Information

Date leaflet produced: February 2011 Review date: February 2013 Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic Version no: 13 Author: Richard Baugh, Cardiac rehabilitation Nurse Patient information leaflet