Had a bout of tachycardia today, but I didn’t know what it was when it came on. Seemed pretty obvious I was having heart trouble though. Beth drove me to the University Hospital Emergency Room. I presented as a 63 old, overweight, male, lightheaded, experiencing dizziness, shortness of breath, clamminess, chest discomfort.
They were kind enough to skip most of the intake paperwork and take me down to the examining room, shove an IV in my arm, and take my vitals: Pulse rate about 170, blood pressure way high. They hooked me up to the EKG machine and ran a few tests. The doc came back and prescribed an adenosine treatment. They shoved a dose of that down the IV efectively shutting down the electrical activity in my heart.
Within maybe ten seconds, my heart picked up with a normal heart beat, all the ER staff let out the breath they were holding, my blood pressure started down, and over the next few hours lying about watching the Disney channel, my heartbeat returned to my normal 68, and my blood pressure returned to the usual 120/78 or so.
Didn’t see any white light, but felt an uncomfortable pressure, first in the carotid arteries, then in the femoral, and my whole body felt flushed. Felt somehow cheated to have remained conscious while my heart was re-booted. But, the worst discomfort I experienced was the removal of all the tape and electrodes. Carla, the ER nurse, was quick, but enough hair came off with each tug that I was more than glad when it was over.
Technorati Tags: heart stopping excitement, benign rapid heart rate, I’m okay really I am, more bananas, less coffee
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Shelley 02.02.08 at 5:28
Wow, Frank. Very glad to hear they were able to get your heart under control. Do you have a follow up? Do we need to get in shape?
Allan Moult 02.02.08 at 6:29
I presented as a 63 old, overweight, male, describes me too …
Wishing you all the very best Frank. And as Shelley says, I think we both better ‘get in shape’.
Charles Follymacher 02.02.08 at 7:34
Body doesn’t appreciate being ignored, Frank. Pay attention now.
Very relieved that you’re ok. You and the wife are too young for such drama.
Frank Paynter 02.02.08 at 7:38
Funny, I was yakking with Jon Husband yesterday about his fitness, and going on in a self deprecatory way about my lack of same. I think that today I had one of those signs that I had indeed better get in shape! (Not that I will ever be up to the 3000 meter swimming standard!)
And thanks to you all for your care and concern!
Jon H. 02.02.08 at 8:09
Please take care of yourself.
Starting slow and even swimming 100 or 200 metres will undoubtedly be good .. just floating in water is relaxing. And even swimming slowly is great exercise .. no pressur eon load bearing joints, appropriate stretching, regular rhythmic breathing, and so on .. you’ll grow to appreciate it if you start, I am sure.
Doug Alder 02.02.08 at 8:54
OMG - do take care of yourself Frank - I’m relieved that this is one you survived.
Frank Paynter 02.02.08 at 8:55
I think I can use the university pools. I’ll give it a try!
madame l. 02.03.08 at 3:27
jesus, frank. had no fucking idea. last night was the first night in a long time i haven’t talked with you. you’ve got to get it together. you Must. selfishly yours. regards to beth and the animals. speak later.
Tree Shapiro 02.03.08 at 3:29
I hope the nurse gave you a Brazilian while she was at it. In for a penny, in for a pound.
madame l. 02.03.08 at 3:34
not “less coffee”. NO COFFEE.
Winston 02.03.08 at 7:08
Good lord, man, what a shocker! So glad it was not worse, but just a warning shot across the bow. Your self-description is me too. We all need to behave and treat ourselves better. But they’ll pry my coffee mug from my cold, dead hand. Take care…
Stu Savory 02.03.08 at 10:30
Been there, done that
Hey Frank, look after yourself man!
And get a check for Diabetes too.
Stu
RB 02.03.08 at 11:15
I didn’t mean you should hit THAT button, Frank! Holy crap, man. Glad to hear you’re OK. Getting old is really a trip, ain’t it? Please make sure that you cease all pleasurable activity immediately. Me, I’m gonna go make another cup of coffee to go with these fried pork rinds. Ever had those? Mmmm, del.icio.us!
jeneane 02.03.08 at 11:16
HOLY COW!!!! I bet it was reading about LULZ that did it. STAY OFF THE INTERNETS! Oh man Frank, I am so sorry you went through that. I’d present the same way, minus the male and the 63. I am exercising every day and even though it doesn’t seem to be doing shit for the weight, my blood pressure is down and I sometimes verge on being sane.
My favorite is the water. But I can’t afford the Y right now. If you can use the university pools, start running about in the pool and go from there. Although, I’ve seen you on the tractor and I know you’re a farmer - I would bet you’re not exactly a couch potato.
Anyway, tell beth to call if she needs anything. Maybe I can bring over a pot roast. (not for you. for you it’s parsnips).
Frank Paynter 02.03.08 at 11:48
Hey, thanks for the concern! On Monday I will make the appointment for the follow-up exam… they’ll run all the tests I’m sure (including diabetes), because it’s been more than a few years since I had a physical exam. Tree, I would have asked for the Brazilian or indeed a full body wax (I’ll go the extra mile in pain for enhanced beauty), but I was thinking about how embarrassed I’d be disrobing for the MD. Talk about naked! Anyway, I’m looking forward to Superbowl… fully stocked on cholesterol laden goodies (including pork rinds!), in fact I took the IV apparatus home from the hospital with me, including a bag of saline and a bag of cholesterol to hang while I’m sitting in the recliner so I don’t have to waste arm energy moving hand to mouth.
We took dad out to breakfast at the Cholesterol Cafe this morning. I had decaf. Decaf sucks. But probably it doesn’t suck as bad as parsnips.
Mrs. Parsnip 02.03.08 at 8:47
I think that comment shows great insensitivity on your part. I think you might find many who will disagree with your assertion that “parnips suck badly”. If your paltry commenting forum allowed html, “badly” would be underlined or bolded. Mark my words.
bmo 02.04.08 at 12:07
DUDE! I mean Dude!!!!! I have a diet for you. Quit working and go broke. Tea is a good substitute for the coffee. If stress has in any way been a contributing factor, outsource it. The French have much time on their hands. We have contacts there. Ignore Husband’s advice about swimming. He lives where winter is up a mountain. My old man - 89 this year and snowbound - walks two miles in his basement every day. But he’s nuts. Ex army, you know. Have you thought of punk rock? Joining a band? They seem to be skinny. If weight is the issue. But my god wear ear plugs. Tinnitus is no tradeoff for tachychardia. DUDE! Jesus we’re all being selfish here not wanting to lose you. Was Carla hot? You bet on The Giants didn’t you? Geez that was the easiest bet in the history of Sports. Probably that was it. The spike in the heart rate was all due to do the anticipation of seeing the Dullest Team of All Time falling to a bunch of ragamuffins.
Zo 02.04.08 at 3:32
Look at it as a one-time-happening. A fluke. You know as well as I that The Hip Never Grow Old - thought it’s strange how all their friends do. And what is all the crap about coffee? Just be sure to get Organic, it’s a heavily sprayed crop, and sure tastes good sans herbicides!
Ultimately glad to have you among us - such as we are.
tamarika 02.04.08 at 7:32
Oh dear Frank. Where have I been? Am thinking of you - holding you in my thoughts. You are a precious man. Take good care of yourself.
Liz Ditz 02.05.08 at 11:38
I step away from the computer and bad things happen.
Frank, you wrote:
On Monday I will make the appointment for the follow-up exam…
Well, did you?
And at our age (although I am a bit younger) we can’t afford to slack off on the fitness.
I hope this is a good wake-up call — get with the program, dude.
Frank Paynter 02.05.08 at 12:40
Yes. I had an appointment yesterday, and another test with more tests to be scheduled and consultation with specialists. I’m lucky to be on Beth’s great insurance policy!
Doug Alder 02.05.08 at 2:57
Like BMO said Frank - look at the French - lots of wine, the more red wine the better - all that reservitrol and all
- garlic yes tons of garlic (hmmm better make sure Beth eats lots too) 
and let’s not forget (close your eyes now Beth) mistresses - If you’re going to go French well it’s pretty much de rigueur, I’m sure Beth will understand if it’s necessary to keep you young and strong. Just thinking of what’s best for you Frank. .
Frank Paynter 02.05.08 at 3:09
Doug. Dude. Young and strong? I’ll have to settle for strong at best.
Karl 02.05.08 at 3:34
Happy to hear you’re okay. Man that sounded scary. Keeping my fingers crossed for those follow ups.
McD 02.05.08 at 11:31
Robotic Voice: “Good morning Mr Paynter… this is your wake up call.”
Anything that makes you sweat for 20 minutes will help. No expensive equipment needed. I just go up and down stairs for 20. I go slow and get better but I do it until I sweat.
PS> If you want to see the bright light just look down into a copying machine.
“Dearly beloved, my ass…” or yours rather.
PS2> Shelley… stairs. Long brisk walks.