I have had an interesting couple of months. I changed my Medicare plan this year and have a much better plan. Better near-by doctors, good coverage, etc. So my new Doctor, who is wonderful, called for a battery of tests, from my usual yearly tests to a CT scan and a low dose xray of my lungs. Seems the low dose xray showed I have an “aortic root dilatation”, or an aneurism on the lower aortic valve.
My PCP sent me to a cardiologist. Cardiologist ordered a stress test among others. Stress test was “abnormal”. What does that mean? No one would tell me. Cardiologist ordered an angiogram. Had it Friday.
The whole procedure went smoothly. All the hospital staff was fantastic. A good friend (husband of Geordi’s breeder) works the ER at night so he came over when his shift was done. He knows everyone and everyone knows him. Jokes flew “So you brought your daughter in (I am older than friend)”, he says “no it’s my parents.” Everyone had a good chuckle. The resident working with the Angiogram Doctor (highly respected), finally told my why the test. The person who read the CT scan thought there was less blood flowing
through one ventricle of my heart, perhaps a blockage? The Head Doctor asked where I got my test, so I told him. A highly respected testing facility.
The Head Doctor who performed the procedure was fantastic. “Shall we see if she has a heart?”. He explained everything, and off we went.
After the procedure, Dr said they found nothing. Anything found can be treated with meds. He told my husband he thought the CT scan reader over-reacted and this test was not really necessary. I am fine. The aneurysm is nothing to be concerned about, it is well within an acceptable range to not suspect any future problems.
Overall, I am not happy that I have had to spend 2 months “taking it easy” before this test was done. I missed practice and trials with Geordi. At the same time, heart disease runs in my family (the men, but who knows? The silent killer of women). I am glad we have a baseline, and it is only perhaps upping my current cholesterol meds. My new PCP changed my meds this year, so we shall see in September if this new med is helping.
The gross part? They went in through my groin and my right groin is one huge bruise (totally expected). Getting up from sitting is ouchy. and I walk slow. Every day will get better, and my heart is healthy.
Back to my fairly active life!!
