As you recall from my last post, there was no time for sedation due to my condition. While laying on my floor in the bedroom, the medic gave me a heads up that the cardioversion/defribrillation (please see attachment) will feel like someone punching you in the chest. So I said ok let's do this as I wanted to get it over with! The first one put me out, flatline they refer to it as. And the second time jumpstarted my heart back into normal rhythm or sinus rhythm in medical terminology. Ok so after that first one was administered, and I've never ever been punched in the chest, but my recollection of its feeling was that of a United Airlines 747 slamming straight into my chest. Holy Fuck I thought to myself. Case closed. It saved my life. Next time I'd like to request propophol as it works immediately.
http://www.m.webmd.com/heart-disease/electrical-cardioversion-defibrillation-for-a-fast-heart-rate
From there, I was taken to HMC and got admitted to the cardiac unit while the medical staff prepped me to get medivaced to Straub on Oahu where my cardiologist, Dr. Hingson Chun, would perform a catheter ablation. My wife Sheri accompanied me on the ride over and supported me throughout the entire ordeal...like any good wife would I kid with her.
Thanks for following my CK blog. Next up I'll go over what the ablation entailed.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Monday, April 18, 2016
The Cardiac Kid! Part 2
Here's how it all began.
So around six years ago, I noticed irregularities in my heart functioning such as an irregular heartbeat and palpatations. This is when i reported it to my PCP and he referred me to Dr. Don Matsuura, one of several cardiologists in Hilo. So after running numerous tests, he put me on a bunch of meds. Several months later, my heart went into SVT. Please see attached link. I swear, if my wife wasn't at home when it happened, I wouldn't be here right now. Guess my time wasn't up yet. The paramedics carried me out my shower and laid me on the ground in my bedroom and immediately proceeded to perform a cardioversion. Mike Brigolli was the lead medic and I am forever grateful for him saving my life. Ok so I begged them to sedate me but they were on a time crunch as my blood pressure as under 100 while my heart rate was racing at 220 bpm.
http://www.m.webmd.com/heart-disease/tc/supraventricular-tachycardia-overview
Thanks for following the CK's blog. Next up is what happened during and after the cardioversion so stay tuned! Mahalo!
So around six years ago, I noticed irregularities in my heart functioning such as an irregular heartbeat and palpatations. This is when i reported it to my PCP and he referred me to Dr. Don Matsuura, one of several cardiologists in Hilo. So after running numerous tests, he put me on a bunch of meds. Several months later, my heart went into SVT. Please see attached link. I swear, if my wife wasn't at home when it happened, I wouldn't be here right now. Guess my time wasn't up yet. The paramedics carried me out my shower and laid me on the ground in my bedroom and immediately proceeded to perform a cardioversion. Mike Brigolli was the lead medic and I am forever grateful for him saving my life. Ok so I begged them to sedate me but they were on a time crunch as my blood pressure as under 100 while my heart rate was racing at 220 bpm.
http://www.m.webmd.com/heart-disease/tc/supraventricular-tachycardia-overview
Thanks for following the CK's blog. Next up is what happened during and after the cardioversion so stay tuned! Mahalo!
Friday, April 15, 2016
The Cardiac Kid!
Ok, so over a period of five years, five trips to the ER, two cardioversions (one performed while conscious), and diagnosis' of atrial flutter, supra ventricular tachicardia, and currently atrial fibrillation, a partial leak in my mitral valve, one catheter ablation, and another Afib ablation being scheduled, and countless medications to monitor my heart rhythm, I've decided to start documenting my cardiac journey on my blog for educational and awareness purposes. Sympathies not allowed here! LOL
As I approach the half a century mark in age, I'm finally coming to terms with myself that our bodies are starting to slow and break down. Maintaining functional fitness becomes more of a challenge with our busy schedules especially if you have young ones like me. Bottom line is they are my motivation to stay as healthy as my body allows me to and minimize all external stressors that can contribute to developing a faulty heart.
So I applaud you for taking the time out to read this. The more i share my experiences, the more I find out about others who are suffering from similar conditions. At this time, I can only suggest that everyone my age start getting your physicals done and colonoscopies done. I've been asked on numerous occasions about how it feels when my heart episodes come on. All I can say is that it's a feeling that's out of the ordinary and you will know. You've lived all of your lives with normal functioning hearts so if anything happens, you'll know. You know your body the best. Trust it! And if the time ever comes, please get immediate medical attention. From what I learned, prolonged attention to these conditions can result in blood clots which can lead to possible strokes/heart attack, and even death.
Our local EMS services have been fabulous in tending to me as well my parents. So have our staffing at Hilo Medical Center, for which I am very grateful, in all areas of the hospital from the ER, the cardiac unit, and the ICU. So for me to avoid seeing them, I've been eating better, cutting down on the alcohol consumption, and gave up the smokeless tobacco. Gotta start exercising more and get the family involved! for your mental health, surround yourself with positive people and don't dwell on bullshit in your lives. And don't try to think you can please everyone, cause it's mighty difficult! All we can do in our lifetimes is to minimize any risks that could cut it short. Otherwise, pray like heck for a long and prosperous and healthy life. In the meantime, trust and listen to your doctors. Plenty guys grumble not enough doctors on this island. You chose to live here...deal with it. Lucky we do have good ones!
Until my next post, please all take care of yourselves while I try to do the same. If you must, re-evaluate your current levels of health and lifestyles and take any necessary actions for the better...MY FRIENDS!!! Don't procrastinate when it comes to your health!
As I approach the half a century mark in age, I'm finally coming to terms with myself that our bodies are starting to slow and break down. Maintaining functional fitness becomes more of a challenge with our busy schedules especially if you have young ones like me. Bottom line is they are my motivation to stay as healthy as my body allows me to and minimize all external stressors that can contribute to developing a faulty heart.
So I applaud you for taking the time out to read this. The more i share my experiences, the more I find out about others who are suffering from similar conditions. At this time, I can only suggest that everyone my age start getting your physicals done and colonoscopies done. I've been asked on numerous occasions about how it feels when my heart episodes come on. All I can say is that it's a feeling that's out of the ordinary and you will know. You've lived all of your lives with normal functioning hearts so if anything happens, you'll know. You know your body the best. Trust it! And if the time ever comes, please get immediate medical attention. From what I learned, prolonged attention to these conditions can result in blood clots which can lead to possible strokes/heart attack, and even death.
Our local EMS services have been fabulous in tending to me as well my parents. So have our staffing at Hilo Medical Center, for which I am very grateful, in all areas of the hospital from the ER, the cardiac unit, and the ICU. So for me to avoid seeing them, I've been eating better, cutting down on the alcohol consumption, and gave up the smokeless tobacco. Gotta start exercising more and get the family involved! for your mental health, surround yourself with positive people and don't dwell on bullshit in your lives. And don't try to think you can please everyone, cause it's mighty difficult! All we can do in our lifetimes is to minimize any risks that could cut it short. Otherwise, pray like heck for a long and prosperous and healthy life. In the meantime, trust and listen to your doctors. Plenty guys grumble not enough doctors on this island. You chose to live here...deal with it. Lucky we do have good ones!
Until my next post, please all take care of yourselves while I try to do the same. If you must, re-evaluate your current levels of health and lifestyles and take any necessary actions for the better...MY FRIENDS!!! Don't procrastinate when it comes to your health!
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