Brainstorming

Well…tomorrow is the day and both, my friend and I, are brainstorming to make sure he does not forget anything important to bring up during this visit. The help we get from this forum is invaluable so a big thank you to all who contribute.

I have a question about the rate response. My friend has a provocable gradient. Will this have a negative effect on his obstruction? I wonder… Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Last night he did an experiment. (Thanks Smitty!) He took his heart rate while he was sitting down calmly and watching TV. It was in the 60’s. He then briskly got up and went up a flight of stairs to go to the second floor of his house. His heart rate went up to 100. Within a minute his heart rate was in the 80’s and working its way back to the 60’s once he sat back in his couch in front of the TV. All this to say that I guess his natural heart rate does kick in at the end of the day when the effect of Atenolol has worn off. (He only takes it in the morning.) But during the day, with the effect of atenolol still strong, his heart has a hard time adjusting to his needs… Any thoughts on this?

As for the MRI vs the CT Scan… The reason why he does not want to have a CT scan is the exposure to radiation. Since he does not really NEED one, he would rather forgo it. He already has had way too many with another condition he’s been diagnosed with (osteochondroma in his left hip). Also, he feels that an MRI would be much more informative with respect to the structure of his heart. Is he correct?

4 Comments

Brainstorming

by drashmore - 2011-04-14 09:04:07

How much Antenolol does he take? My doc has me splitting mine....taking half in the morning....half in the evening.

Talk to the doctor.

Brainstorming

by AnjelicaJones - 2011-04-14 09:04:15

He's on a 25mg dose.

Sounds like an over active Rate Response

by ElectricFrank - 2011-04-15 02:04:42

Such a quick increase and decrease is unusual unless it is part of a rate response function. It generally takes longer than you describe for a natural HR to come down even in a healthy young person.

One other thought: He doesn't have an attractive young woman waiting for him upstairs does he? LOL

In his case both the CT and the MRI present unneeded risk unless they are necessary. Personally, I would avoid MRI's especially of the heart when I have a pacemaker. I would rather give that technology a while to mature first.

frank

unless you have a

by walkerd - 2011-04-15 06:04:05

MRI friendly model, MRIs are out anyways, they will heat up the leads in the heart and could actually cook your heart. Cts as far as I know are safe for a PM inserted person. But these are questions to ask your doctor for all the clarification you will need.

dave

You know you're wired when...

Your signature looks like an EKG.

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