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A number of people called and emailed me recently for my birthday to ask how things are going, etc, etc. Well, the simple answer is “not so good”. My doctors are running me through a series of tests for possible heart problems and tomorrow is the “big day” of tests. Here is what we know so far:
- My heart is only pumping out 48% volume which normal is 50%
- There is reduced blood flow to an area on the left side of the heart
- EKG shows a left bundle branch block
- I have not been told to worry about it, so I am trying not to myself
- The goal is to confirm that nothing is wrong, NOT to try and find out what IS wrong
Tomorrow morning I go into the hospital for a cardio-cathetertest. During this test they will determine what, if anything, is actually wrong. It is entirely possible that this is just a normal condition and is nothing to really worry about. In many cases, a small blockage will be found that can be corrected by inserting a stent into the vein to hold it open. Only in very rare cases these days is anything more drastic than that needed. Of course I am a bit freaked out today but I am in very good hands with my cardiologist and the risks are exceptionally low. He is giving me about a 5% chance that they will insert a sting and about a 0.0001% chance of having to do anything more drastic than that. I will update this site the moment I can.
