They say doctors are “practicing” medicine. It’s not an exact science. My use of a prescribed dangerous drug has clouded the answers to the cardiac condition that I was prescribed in 2023. Some tests have to be redone now that I am off that drug. Thus, the process of getting definitive answers is prolonged over the next several weeks while more tests are performed.
Being patient has never been easy for me, although I have learned to monitor my response to my lack of patience by being diplomatic. It is rarely beneficial to exhibit adverse reactions to waiting for answers. Of course, I couldn’t be in a better place to seek those answers.
In this case, the required patience isn’t regarding the healthcare professionals handling my case. It’s regarding this Black Box drug I’ve been taking for the past 11 months which was condoned and prescribed by three cardiologists in three different countries, not here at the Cleveland Clinic.
Sure, I need answers as to the condition I am suffering from, which is looking more and more like an electrical problem with my heart, not a plumbing problem, which I’ve described below.
The cardiovascular system can be compared to a house’s electrical and plumbing systems. Each plays a crucial role in keeping the system functioning correctly, and problems in either area can lead to severe issues.
Electrical System (Heart’s Electrical Activity)
The heart’s electrical system controls the rhythm and rate at which your heart beats. This system generates and conducts electrical signals that trigger heartbeats, ensuring blood is pumped efficiently. Here are some key points:
- Components: The electrical system includes the sinoatrial (SA) node, atrioventricular (AV) node, and a bundle of His and Purkinje fibers.
- Function: The SA node acts as a natural pacemaker, creating electrical impulses that spread through the heart, causing it to contract and pump blood.
- Issues: Problems with this system can lead to arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), tachycardia (fast heartbeat), or bradycardia (slow heartbeat). For example, atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a standard electrical issue where the heart beats irregularly and inefficiently.
Plumbing System (Blood Vessels and Flow)
The cardiovascular system’s plumbing involves the heart’s structure and the network of blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries) that carry blood throughout the body. Here’s how it works:
- Components: The heart’s chambers (atria and ventricles), valves, and the vast network of arteries, veins, and capillaries.
- Function: The heart pumps oxygenated blood through the arteries to the rest of the body, and returns deoxygenated blood through the veins to be reoxygenated in the lungs.
- Issues: Plumbing problems often involve blockages, leaks, or malfunctions in the blood vessels or heart valves. Common issues include coronary artery disease (blocked arteries), heart valve disorders (e.g., stenosis or regurgitation), and heart failure (where the heart doesn’t pump blood effectively).
In Summary
- Electrical issues involve the heart’s rhythm and rate, and problems here can lead to irregular or ineffective heartbeats.
- Plumbing issues involve the blood vessels and the heart’s structure. They affect blood flow, leading to blockages, leaks, or inefficient pumping.
Both types of issues can have serious consequences, but they originate from different aspects of the cardiovascular system’s function.
After Friday’s upcoming angiogram, which tests the heart’s plumbing, we may be able to narrow down my problem to either electrical or plumbing or, in the worst-case scenario, both. But at this point, I am hopeful it’s only electrical, which is most likely based on new and upcoming tests.
In any case, being off that drug has changed everything. I can breathe better, walk better, and sleep through the night. I hope my remaining issues can be addressed and resolved so we can continue our travels.
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, September 4, 2014:
There was no post on this date ten years ago due to a travel day.