Bad News...
On April 18th, we went to Kettle Moraine for our regular Saturday morning volunteer trail work, building new singletrack in the Wisconsin State Park. It was the first "warm" day of the year, mid 70's I think.
As I started swinging a Pulaski ( www.mtbresource.com/TrailBuilding.html ) I would quickly develop tightness in my chest, similar to the pressure I occasionally feel when cycling or walking up steep hills, only it was much worse this day. I would get light headed to the point where I would have to lay down because I thought I was going to faint. And my arms would get a "lightheaded" weak feeling. After a little rest I'd feel fine and start again. And the same thing would happen. Something was wrong.
We left early and went to eat. After eating, I felt much better so we decided to go mountain biking. That same feeling returned along with a "bonking" feeling, I had to stop and rest almost every mile, So, we cut our ride short and went home. An appointment was made to see a doctor.
We went back for more trail work the following Saturday, and I felt fine. I also got in a couple mountain bike rides in the back yard, and felt OK, a little out of shape from not riding as much as I'd like this Spring, but not too bad.
Bad News...
At the doctors office on April 29th, they decided to hook me up for an EKG. The first attempt didn't work, the nurse said she normally gets different readings when the machine is plugged into this outlet, and she usually uses the outlet across the room under the chair where Sue was sitting. So she tried the top socket. Bad reading because of bad connection at my chest, she rechecked everything and tried a third time. At this point I'm wondering, If this machine pops up different numbers just from being plugged into a different outlet, how accurate and useful can it be?
The doctor read the charts and along with the symptoms I described, thought something wasn't right. He suggested an Echo CardioGram (An ultrasound of the heart,
www.heartsite.com/html/echocardiogram.html ) And a Thallium Stress Test.
( www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4743 )
When I discovered my High Blood Pressure in '06 they wanted me to take a Thallium Stress Test to maybe find out why my BP was so high. The test was over $2000 then and my insurance wasn't going to cover it, so I passed.
The doctor said if he admits me into the hospital immediately, Insurance Companies will pay. Otherwise, we could order the tests, and it might be a few days before they get done, and they might not pay. I wanted to get it over with, So I went right over to the hospital (More on that in a future Blog) and was checked in about 12:45PM.
The tests would be in the morning, so I had to spend the night in the hospital.
On Thursday morning at 6:45AM, The nurse comes in to inject me with the radioactive juice. I am wheeled down to the room where the "before" pictures are taken. After a while, I'm put on the treadmill. They start it out slow, and crank it up every 3 minutes. They constantly check my Blood Pressure and run an EKG during my time on the treadmill.
I need to reach a heart rate of 144 so they can inject more radioactive juice, no problem. After the injection they slow it down and lay me on a table for a few minutes, then take me in for the "after" pictures of my heart.
Good News...
While I'm in the big "camera" the cardiologist comes in to tell me my EKG looked very good. Whew! That's a relief.
Now it was back to the room and wait.
After I got to my room on Wednesday, I was told I'd be getting the Echo CardioGram any minute now. It wasn't til after 1:00PM the next day when they came to get me for that test.
The Echo CarioGram was kinda kool. I got to watch my heart beating on a TV screen from several different angles. The nurse running the test isn't supposed to say anything, but when I asked her if she noticed anything "funky", she smiled and said "Well. I didn't have to call a doctor." That was another good sign.
Back to my room to wait for the results from the tests.
About 3:00PM a nurse came in with release papers and said I could go home, everything looked great, and they found no problems.
Bad News...
OK, It was good news to find out my ticker is in good shape (at a big cost $$$$) But now I'm back to square one. I still don't know what's wrong. I still think it's the effects of the Blood Pressure Drugs, but the doctor insists that's not it.
Next appointment is in three weeks. We'll see what happens then.
Until then, I'm riding.
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Showing Comments
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  Glad to hear the news is good. Bikers have stronger hearts than sedentary people. So with news like yours about your heart, Ride with a song in your heart!
posted by bikerjohn on
5/1/2009
at 10:13:51 AM
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 We'll be thinking of you Craig and hoping that they can figure this out. I guess the doctor knows best but some of those BP meds can be pretty nasty. Take care.
posted by Sagebum on
5/1/2009
at 11:51:24 AM
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