Walt's Journey

Yesterday was my electrophysiologist appointment. The purpose of the appointment was to find out the results of my holter heart monitor test and to determine what course of action to take based from those results.

I was hoping to see doctor Chugh, as I enjoyed speaking with him during my last appointment. He is one of the top doctors in his field. Yesterday I spoke with the Nurse Practitioner. The results of my test showed that during the 48 hour period that I wore the heart monitor, I had approximately 11,000 Premature Ventricular Contractions. Overall, this is right around the 10% mark of my overall heartbeats. Since I am right at the limit to where it would be appropriate to take action in order to limit the PVC’s I could 1) Move forward with the cardiac ablation 2) Attempt to treat the PVC’s with medication or 3) Do nothing and come back in one year for a checkup.

I was told that if I wanted to try to illuminate the PVC’s, then I should go ahead with the cardiac ablation opposed to medication because of my younger age. I do feel them often, but have become a bit more tolerate to them, so for now I am going to leave them alone and try to move forward. Doctor Chugh will closely follow my progress with my cardiologist and surgeon, and if any red flags present themselves, then we can discuss changing strategies.

I am relived to have this appointment behind me, and am glad that for now I do not have to have the surgery.

As long as I do not have any complications, I will not have to go back to Ann Arbor until August. I am trusting the Lord that my aorta tear does not get any worse, that my blood pressure stays at an acceptable level, and that the leak in my aortic valve does not present a problem.

Sarah had her CAT scan this afternoon. The procedure went well, and she has an appointment with the ear nose and throat specialist next Tuesday to discuss the results.