HEART MONITOR
A couple of weeks ago, at my ever four months wellness visit, I told my general practitioner that when I checked my blood pressure that on many mornings the electronic monitor I took my blood pressure informed me that I had irregular heartbeat and should consult with my doctor. So I consulted with him. He didn’t expect a problem but gave me an
EKG and then said he would put a monitor, with a special adhesive, on my chest for two weeks, after which it would be mailed to the company offering the service and a report on my heartbeat would be mailed to him.
I didn’t know if I should be panicked or not. I was supposed to write down any symptoms: fainting, rapid heartbeat, ches pains, extreme tiredness or weakness. I didn’t notice much of anything beyond the daily report that came from my blood pressure device that I continued to have an irregular heartbeat. But with no obvious symptoms, I didn’t write anything.
But when my Dr. Cannon’s nurse called today I had a flash of anxiety. Sure enough, the device glued to my chest had picked up some irregularity, but Dr. Cannon said it was benign. The fact that he didn’t call but left it to his nurse to call reassured me. He would have called if it were serious. But I have no idea why an irregular heartbeat can be considered benign. I guess I’ll find out three months from now when I see my doctor again.
BILLYBABA’S WANDERING 