I've been laid low with a nasty chest thing for about two weeks; one of the consequences has been an increase in the PVC's/PAC's I suffer with from time to time. They suddenly started to become very troublesome and always when I was active. Decided to have a chat with the NHS hotline two weekends ago - fully expecting them to suggest I see the doctor Monday morning. But no. I was instructed to go straight toA&E.
Anxiety levels rising, I duly trotted off to have the once over i.e. blood, ECG (not ambulant) etc. Couldn't replicate the palpitations as they were only happening during exercise. They sent me home with the instruction to return if they got worse. Last weekend a gradual improvement suddenly went the other way and I felt really ropey again - like I had flu, but without the fever; breathless, exhausted and palpitations when walking. Back to A&E. Same tests plus x-ray. Still nothing untoward. The doctor suggested that stenosis was possibly responsible so suggested I see my cardiologist.
My last check up was 6 months ago (MRI) and showed no stenosis but I know these things can change rapidly so I scheduled an appointment, fully expecting to be told the time had arrived for me to depart the waiting room.
Instead I got a lovely surprise; no stenosis, trivial mitral leak (which I knew about) and the measurement of my aortic root remaining resolutely at 4.5cm /4.6cm (same measurement as at diagnosis 7 years ago) . I had been led to believe by my previous specialist (now retired) that it was now 4.8cm. I changed specialist earlier this year, not because the first chap retired but various little niggles and mishaps gave me a few confidence issues.
So all in all a lovely and unexpected surprise. The palpitations are easing slowly - perhaps I have been overdoing it? Apple Watch has been telling me most days I've done 220%of my exercise target and exceeded my 10,000 steps by 9am (two lively dogs are responsible) I suspect it may be time to re-evalute my idea of taking it easy when ailing.
Anxiety levels rising, I duly trotted off to have the once over i.e. blood, ECG (not ambulant) etc. Couldn't replicate the palpitations as they were only happening during exercise. They sent me home with the instruction to return if they got worse. Last weekend a gradual improvement suddenly went the other way and I felt really ropey again - like I had flu, but without the fever; breathless, exhausted and palpitations when walking. Back to A&E. Same tests plus x-ray. Still nothing untoward. The doctor suggested that stenosis was possibly responsible so suggested I see my cardiologist.
My last check up was 6 months ago (MRI) and showed no stenosis but I know these things can change rapidly so I scheduled an appointment, fully expecting to be told the time had arrived for me to depart the waiting room.
Instead I got a lovely surprise; no stenosis, trivial mitral leak (which I knew about) and the measurement of my aortic root remaining resolutely at 4.5cm /4.6cm (same measurement as at diagnosis 7 years ago) . I had been led to believe by my previous specialist (now retired) that it was now 4.8cm. I changed specialist earlier this year, not because the first chap retired but various little niggles and mishaps gave me a few confidence issues.
So all in all a lovely and unexpected surprise. The palpitations are easing slowly - perhaps I have been overdoing it? Apple Watch has been telling me most days I've done 220%of my exercise target and exceeded my 10,000 steps by 9am (two lively dogs are responsible) I suspect it may be time to re-evalute my idea of taking it easy when ailing.
