Is there any family history of heart problems?
No, none at all.
No. And you don’t have high blood pressure or anything as …
No, no …
...far as you know?
...it’s never been diagnosed as high blood pressure. Always quite normal.
So when she said to you that there was something, was that a bit of a shock?
Well, of course it did make me worry, especially since I don’t really know how serious it is now, or how serious it could be in time to come. I’m not quite sure what I can or cannot do. I’m a very active person and one who likes to know beforehand.
So for you there are some questions here about what this really means. Did you get any information from them about what heart valve disease is?
No, I didn’t, and I didn’t ask either. I haven’t been back to the surgery since. And I did receive a, the notice officially of what was found at the time, but I haven’t taken any further steps.
Would you have liked to have been given something to take away with you, some information?
I might have been happier had I been told what, how serious it is or how unimportant it is, because to me it seemed, although it was found, but nobody gave me any indication as to what I can or cannot do, avoid any strenuous exercise or work or anything like that. But, as I say, at the moment I’m just waiting to see what happens.
And you’re not sure yet whether they’re going to ask you to go back for another appointment?
No, up till now nobody has bothered, so I’m just wondering. I feel rather, a bit let down.
