I can understand your anger, Fred, and wish a good recovery for your step father .


Perhaps you may feel able to give us follow up in due course.


It’s impossible and inappropriate for me to fully explain the issues raised in your thread, not only by you but also Imagine / Stewart, and Slip.


I hope this may be of some help :-


• ANY blockage of the 3 main coronary arteries is serious if it’s over 80% or complete. Unless there's a thrombus ( clot ), narrowing takes time - allowing " collateral " vessels to open up.


• Chest tightness and shortage of breath occurs in asthma and heart disease but the two are not usually confused. Heart disease can however be " silent " , without typical symptoms like chest pain.



• Ribs may be broken during CPR ( cardiopulmonary resuscitation ) – worth it if a life is saved. Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting / CABG involves taking VEINS from the legs and / or ARTERIES from arm or chest. It may either require splitting of the breastbone / sternum and rib fractures ; or " minimally invasive " ( keyhole ) techniques like totally endoscopic robotically assisted CABG ( incising between ribs involves stretching of the space and possible fracture ).


• Not everyone can afford adequate private health care in the Philippines. Most UK citizens are unable or unwilling to pay twice over in taxation and fees, for treatment which may still be provided by the same healthcare workers.



• ANY death under the age of 65 is premature, and – while you don’t give details – I’m very sorry to learn of your own father’s death at 55 due to " poor health care " in the UK.


• Criticism of GPs for not recognising possible symptoms of cancer and referring patients to hospital specialists is a concern in the UK. Cancer diagnosis levels would ideally be the same everywhere. Unnecessary referrals could saturate specialist services and delay – not speed up - accurate diagnoses.



• Clinical examination, x ray, and careful " history taking " from the patient is often needed with foot injuries. They may need to return to the clinic if symptoms persist and swelling has obscured the diagnosis. The crisis in UK Accident and Emergency services is another cause for concern.