Not actually related to this post but a question for Tom. Just when do you call an ambulance ? A friends mother (in her 70's) has obviously got something going on with her ticker. Might be SVT or just a lot of ectopics possibly an arrythmia of some sort as she complains more of a thumping in the chest. Now my question doesn't relate to diagnosis more to use of NHS services. She's had an ECG and a 24hr tape - neither of which has spotted anything as it's intermittent. Problem is - last time she was "bad" she could hardly get up. My suggestion if that happens again is to either get taken to A&E pronto so they can slap some electrodes on while something is happening , or , perhaps more contrevertially(?) call 999 so the ambulance crew can do the same and if needed take her to hospital. My thoughts are if it's that bad she should be getting seen quickly in case it becomes a crisis. She's one of those people that doesn't like to cause a fuss so I'm interested in the views of a p-m. Last time she called NHS direct who were of some use but basically said - go to your GP , who of course said go to the hospital by which point 48hrs had elapsed.