A Racing Heart - by Ane

Friday night after Mark was out playing with some of the grandkid he came in feeling light-headed and faint.  He checked his heart rate and it was close to 140 and didn't return to normal after resting. Saturday morning it was still high so he e-mailed the oncologist and the electrophysiologist who had done Mark's catheter ablation. Right away he heard back from Dr. Urba (he is truly amazing!).  He, of course, would defer to the heart doctor, but if we didn't hear anything Mark was to take it easy.  If his resting rate got over 140 Mark was to go to the ER.  If Mark did much of anything it would get close to 140, so he had to lay low all week-end.

This morning we had a previously scheduled appointment with Dr. Urba.  Before we left the house we tried to get an appointment for today with a cardiologist, any cardiologist in the Providence system, with no success.  We particularly wanted to see Dr. Zemsky since he was the electrophysiologist that did Mark’s catheter ablation.  The earliest appointment  we could get with him was March 2^nd.  Fortunately, Dr. Urba has more clout than we do! J  While we were with Dr. Urba Mark had an EKG.  Dr. Urba got the results and called Dr. Zemsky’s office.   Before we even got home Dr. Zemsky’s medical partner called us, and then called in a prescription of Metoporlol. Mark now has an echocardiogram scheduled for the 9th and an appointment with Dr. Zemsky on the 11th. Wow, how thankful we are that Mark already had the appointment with Dr. Urba this morning so he could get the ball rolling!  

With the medication Mark's resting heart rate is fluctuating between 75-95. His normal resting rate is 60.  While it's not back to normal he feels so much better and isn't in danger of a stroke.  Hopefully he will be able to have another catheter ablation.  We’ll know more next week after we meet with Dr. Zemsky and find out why this has happened. We’re not worried.  Mark just hates to have to slow down! J