Chapter 1: A Sudden Health Scare

Just a couple of mornings ago, I found myself jolted awake with a rapid heartbeat and a strange fluttering sensation in my chest. Standing up made me feel faint, and after two hours of this unsettling experience, my daughter decided it was time to call an ambulance.

During the short ride to the hospital, my heart rate became irregular, peaking at 190. Hearing the term "AFib" was enough to send anyone into a panic, especially someone like me who's binged on countless episodes of medical dramas.

Fortunately, by the time I arrived at the hospital, both my blood pressure and heart rate had returned to normal. The EKG came back clear, with my heart rate stabilizing at 80 and blood pressure at a slightly low 95/63. However, I did experience some unusual neurological symptoms, such as slowed speech and weakness on my left side. Thankfully, a CT scan showed my brain was fine, and the odd sensations faded within the hour.

Interestingly, I also discovered I had a urinary tract infection (UTI) that I hadn't noticed yet. The symptoms kicked in later that day, adding to my challenges. I anticipated receiving a lecture about managing stress, an antibiotic for the UTI, and then heading home.

Instead, a heart enzyme indicative of potential heart damage appeared in my bloodstream, leading to a subsequent ambulance ride for a 90-minute journey to Erie. What followed was a whirlwind of medical tests: a heparin drip for 36 hours, numerous blood draws, a CT scan of my adrenal gland, a full day of urine collection, an echocardiogram, and a nuclear stress test. I’m scheduled to head home tomorrow.

The cardiologist reassured me that my heart is in good shape, with no signs of a cardiac event, despite the elevated enzyme level. However, the endocrinologist wants to keep me one more night. I learned that I have an adrenal adenoma, detected incidentally during a CT scan in 2019, which she suspects might be causing my heart rate to spike. The results of a 24-hour urine test will take ten days, but she believes that low blood sugar may have also contributed to my elevated heart rate.

I spent nearly two days worried I was having a heart attack. No doctor would confirm that I wasn’t, and they all treated me as if I might be in danger. The terms "AFib," "silent heart attack," and "arrhythmia" loomed large in my mind.

This experience prompted deep reflection. I realized I had never seriously considered my heart health before. Heart disease is not a concern in my family history, with no cases of heart attacks or high blood pressure. However, I now understand that I’m not getting any younger.

Fortunately, I am currently healthy. After two full days of thorough examinations, I can confidently say my heart, blood, and brain are in good condition. I've come to the conclusion that maintaining health is significantly easier than trying to recover it once lost. This realization motivates me to take action.

Thus, I’m embarking on "Mission Epic Health," named after the app I’ve been obsessively checking for the past two days. The app is aptly titled "Epic," and trying to interpret test results without professional guidance, particularly after binge-watching medical dramas, is not ideal.

I’ll break this mission into manageable segments to keep my ADHD brain focused. First, I will tackle the major categories, then break them down into smaller, actionable tasks.