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@Big_Ted
Ok, I'll update a little on what's happened in the last 10 months in case it helps anyone else.
Although I was referred for the cardio version at the end of last year, I saw the cardiologist for the first time 3 weeks ago and now have a date for the procedure. So that's good but may help manage expectations of how long these things take to arrange.
I've not wasted the intervening time though - I've shed 16kg (people ask how - eating like you are De Niro preparing for Raging Bull beforehand helps), mainly by getting back exercise confidence. When I was initially diagnosed, I was very cautious/scared to raise my heart rate, not helped by the GP saying not to exercise until I'd spoken to the cardiologist. But after a couple of months, I decided I'd start, gently - I'd been exercising consistently for well over 40 years so felt I was as well placed to judge as anyone else. This may not have been advisable but it worked for me and I gave myself permission and gradually became ok with riding up a hill slowly and being slight out of breathe or, when riding off-road, not being shy to walk up a steep bank. As well as helping with the weight loss, this all did wonders for my mental well being and I managed to play county tennis in the summer, singles too. When I did see the cardiologist one of the standard questions was "how far can you walk on the flat?" - he expressed disbelief when I said "15 miles" but I explained that I could ride for a few hours without issue so on the flat I'd be able to walk for a while, even if I felt weary at the end.
There's obviously been some fun too. I now have blood thinners - not rat poison - which can be quite amusing when brushing past brambles but was a concern on my first day at a new job. I managed to nick myself very slightly when shaving but it wouldn't stop bleeding no matter what I did so by the time I got to reception there was quite a bit of blood on my shirt; explaining that I was from Hereford didn't wash so my start, with a visit to A+E within half hour and the purchase of a new shirt, was 'memorable'.
But that's not the end of the blood thinning fun. In preparation for the upcoming procedure, I had to have a blood test. I don't fear blood tests but don't relish them - I prefer my blood on the inside - but the nurse was jolly and chatty so I was distracted. Until she said "oh, this is a juicy one" and I felt liquid drip off my fingers. I resolutely stared at the wall - "oh, so juicy" - and started to feel quite light headed, so much so that I didn't say to the nurse that repeating the word juicy - it was at least half a dozen times - wasn't really helping. Eventually she realised that I was looking a bit green as she asked if I'd like a drink of water and the fan on to which I answered, in a small, pathetic voice, "yes please". having recovered I realised that I needed to replenish the lost fluid - the nurse mopped the floor at one point - so, using all my common sense, I had a pint of HPA and felt much better. I had another blood test last week, same nurse and she didn't recognise me; took 3 goes for her to strike lucky though so there is that.
Ok, oversharing complete. I'd say that although it's only my anecdotal experience, regaining exercise confidence was really important to me both physically and mentally.
(PS I'll leave the recent diagnosis of a severe sleep disorder meaning sleeping in a mask like a non-scary version of Dennis Hopper in Blue Velvet for another time)