Cardiac Scares

I recently asked for a cardiac work up at my GP’s office. I found her to be a pretty good (read, great) doc, and she gained my trust early on. Unfortunately, she was out when I went to my appointment, so I got the second string.

The EKG was done (four times), and the same results found – it looked like I had a prior heart attack, and was stat referred to a cardiologist. He looked at the results and said I may have had a prior heart attack. He talked about putting in a pacemaker or stint. “Oh, shit”, I thought. My wife (a retired RN) will be very displeased (to say the least) – I’m overweight and a diabetic and she’s been on my case for years to lose weight.

I called her while she was visiting the grand kids out of state to give her the news. We arranged for her to fly back right away.

Four weeks of testing go by and we see the cardiologist for the final results. I had another EKG done at his office that day, ‘cause I’m feeling some soreness on the left side of my chest. Nothing wrong with my heart, he says – I just pulled a muscle. (Yes, I’ve been lifting weights at the gym.)

“But nothing is wrong?” I tell him, “You’re the one who said I may have had a prior heart attack!” After some thought and discussion, it seems the leads for the EKG’s done at my GP’s office were placed incorrectly. Instead of placing two leads on my legs, the medical assistant placed the leads on my belly - thus, the false readings.

Needless to say, I’m relieved, my wife is relieved and we are both furious. I should have insisted on getting another EKG when I walked into the cardiologist’s office. Lesson learned – repeat and double check. And never go to the doctor without my wife.