So, not to be just always in a shitty mood, but today sucked as well. (other than I got a new computer which rocks b/c my other one completely crashed on me).
I know I keep talking about my high blood pressure and high heart rate, but I really needed to get a womanly check up done so I made an appointment at the school medical clinic, and I'd figure I'd ask them about these other issues (just to finally lay to rest my increasingly terrible paranoia about mine and my friends/families health). Well, low and behold the first reading they take for my blood pressure is 155/118 (for those non-medical girls, this is BAD, this is stage 2 hypertensive), we decided to take a series of pressures both manually and with the machine and my blood pressure was continually elevated (although not to this degree). "We" then decided to take an EKG, and then run some other tests. I'm thinking, ok this is scary, I didn't realize my blood pressure was that high and, really, I don't feel like I'm an unhealthy person...but ok. So, we take the EKG and the seemingly wonderful PA who is my "doctor" (sorry to be snide) doesn't know how to read them. All she sees on the read out is that I have an irregular rhythm and the print out says something along the lines that I have an abnormal EKG. She then immediately wants to refer me out, and doesn't even give me advice as to what to do from now and when I go and see the cardiologist. So, I'm freaking out even more, because unlike her, I CAN read an EKG, and it looks like I have bradycardia (random) with Type I mobitz SA block with ST elevation in the posterior leads. So, all I really know is how to read it and just the very bad things these could mean (myocardial infarct, sudden death, etc. etc). Ok, the sudden death is me being melodramatic, but seriously Kim, what the hell does this mean?!? What can I do, and I'm honestly a lot less stressed out about this now because this happened this morning, but I am really scared. I do NOT need this right now...
On the flip side, we are going to Disneyland to celebrate our 1 year on Friday (it was the best time we had off). It's corny, but amazing, and the good times with Brent definitely outweigh the bad. So we will see. I continually just need to stay positive, because the negativity is obviously affecting my health.
Love you all.
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Sorry Kim, I meant Mobitz II SA block (P wave length doesn't vary)
ReplyDeleteGeez, I'll just say now that my first impression is that you're probably fine.
ReplyDeleteI know it sounds silly, but "white-coat hypertension" is a real thing, and is likely for your age and baseline health. I will not, however, underestimate the destruction living a high-stress lifestyle can do to the human body, so its definitely important to follow-up on.
Remember, the best treatment for elevated BP are all related to lifestyle changes. So, no you don't need to drop out of med school, but you may need consider some better ways to deal with your stress.
My impression of your EKG: you've been studying too much cardio.
Hoping I can get a hold of you tomorrow so we can chat!
You are probably right. Brent and I decided to keep track of my blood pressure throughout the day and just see how it varies. It's definitely high, but not as high as in the office. I'm gonna work on doing stuff I used to in Portland that helped calm me down (yoga and running) and see if this helps.
ReplyDeleteToday is a bad day to call, we have class (that we actually have to go to) until 5 and then we have a girl staying with us who is interviewing tomorrow. Wanna catch up tomorrow?
Okay! Tomorrow is good, and I leave Friday morning for the week (New York!!!!).
ReplyDeleteAshley, remember to take time to relax! Is it possible you're hyperanxious when getting your BP tested b/c you're a med student? (Kind of like how in psychology class everyone always thinks they have all the diseases?!) Just a thought. Have a wonderful time at Disney. xoxo
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