I was worried. Quite worried actually when a few weeks ago I felt what I imagined to be something wrong with the rhythm of my heart. I didn’t do anything about it and tried to blame it on gas or imagination. I didn’t want to worry my wife so I didn’t say anything. I searched the usual sources online for a possible explanation, and fell in the very thing I strongly advise against: only a fool becomes one’s own doctor, and I had. What I read served only to make me more anxious.
A couple of weeks ago the “flutters” were more consistent. I capitulated and together with my wife, decided to drive to the “Chest Pains Clinic” at the BDF. I walked in and was received by the attending nurse. I told her that I have a pain in my chest which I described as a flutter or a murmur, a sort of what I think would be like an air bubble trapped in a tube of liquid. She asked me for my CPR which I proffered, and then was led to a room and invited to take my shirt off and lie down on a bed. I did, and was immediately connected up to an ECG machine. After a flurry of questions and them reading the resulting chart, they decided that I have nothing to fear and go home and told to immediately check with the centre should I feel anything else untoward. “It’s all in the head, then” I thought…
I unfortunately continued to experience discomfort. I know already that three months ago my cholesterol results were way beyond average – in fact, my LDL was at 8.25 while the “norm” for my age group is a mere 2.6. That put me straight in the target site of a heart attack. But although I have changed my diet, I redoubled my efforts at exercise and three months hence I’m happy to say that I am somewhat fitter, weigh less, have discovered extra holes in my belt and reduced the LDL to 7.15, it was hardly enough to scare away a heart attack.
With that information in hand, I decided that I should talk to someone about my concerns. Fate decided that I should meet Prof. Dr. Mary Lynch Tareif, the Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at the Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Cardiac Centre who shared my alarm at the results and decided to look into the situation a bit further. Thanks to her concern, I did another battery of tests at the Centre: another ECG, Echo through to a stress test on a treadmill and then finally a CT scan of the heart. Although some anomalies were discovered, I was told that those were not currently life-threatening, and was let to go home with a a bunch of pills to take care of my cholesterol and a dire warning to take care of myself better, something I shall certainly keep in constant consideration.
I am really happy that I made the effort to go and get thoroughly checked. And, staggeringly, I wasn’t charged a single fils for the privilege, as is the case with any other Bahraini citizen referred to MKCC! I didn’t even have to sign any papers whatsoever!
I’m not sure that there are other specialist cardiac centres in the world in which a citizen (or anyone else for that matter as far as the MKCC is concerned) can simply walk in and just state that they’ve got chest pains and they’re immediately investigated without any further ado.
Thank you MKCC and particularly Dr. Mary for taking such a keen interest. I’m very much indebted to you, as is everyone who has made use of your selfless services, I am sure.
Comments
Too much fuss is made over cholesterol. The body actually makes its own. It’s a vital ingredient in the making of testosterone, did you know that? It’s my belief that high cholesterol levels are a symptom of trouble more than a cause.
It’s a lifestyle thing. If Alia Almoayyed wants to come and set this straight, it would be cool, but for my part I say:-
Spend more of your day standing up – recent studies show that this is critical. People who sit all day are much more at risk of heart trouble than those who don’t – even if they do exercise regularly.
Look after your teeth. There’s data to show that immune response to certain tooth-inhabiting species of bacteria actually causes arteries to harden before their time.
I only learned these things recently, but I’m going to start looking after my teeth with a little more diligence. My workplace vibe is not friendly to people like me who like to get up and walk around a lot, so I’m looking for a solution to this one.
Just my $0.02
Two doctors I visited suggested that diet contributes to only 20% of the cholesterol problem, the rest is genetically inherited and liver generated. My family – I’ve found out – are plagued with high cholesterol, so at 8.25 which is 3 times the regular limit, and with the constriction of some vessels, I would rather follow their advise and dose up, while continuing on the regime which obviously has been working for me too.
I’ll definitely take your advice and stand up once in a while, heck, I’ll even walk about and pester my colleagues, I’m sure they’ll love that!! 🙂
I also found information on research done by a couple of doctors that say that high doses of vitamin C will help arteries look after themselves and eventually unclog themselves. That was an interesting surprise.
Whatever: I wish you all the best with your chest, sir 🙂
Baithan and Joes (almonds and walnuts) are apparently very good too, but not in excess. My uncles swear by them and they’re also recommended by the MayoClinic.
My cardiologist in the U.S. said that the single most important drug developed in the last 50 years was Lipitor. He said it has saved more lives, extended quality of life, and most importantly reduced the numbers of patients requiring surgery.
He always caveats that with “ensuring you eat right and exercise more”. 😉
Heart disease has taken its toll at various points along my bloodlines, as well. My old man quit smoking cold turkey after his first “involuntary” visit to Salmaniya’s cardiac ward.
I haven’t heard you say much about it, but I will assume that your public renunciation of the “cancer sticks” is going well.
In any case, good to hear that you are taking care of yourself, my friend. Here’s to many happy years before us!
I can understand my friend…. and no, I haven’t gone back to the cancer sticks since I divorced then, thank goodness!
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