Off the Cuff
I have a very very slight murmur in my heart. I was born with a valve that didn’t switch over at birth. It was undetected until I was four and we moved to Minnesota where it just so happened that a lot of good heart work was being perfected. Upon realizing the issue, my pediatrician ordered surgery for me. They would go in through my back, cutting a line from my left shoulder to the bottom right of my right shoulder. It was a big scar. But they went in, manually closed my valve and sewed me up tight. I have had no problems with my heart since.
Every so often my heart will skip a beat. I know when it happens because it causes me to pause a moment to catch my breath and I get a little light headed at the rush of blood coming back into me. Mostly they are little tiny skips that are hardly noticeable. But they seem to be growing in frequency. Last night while I was driving I had a big skip. The kind that made me pull over to catch my breath, wait for the pounding of blood rushing to my head to stop and my body to catch up before I could get back on the road.
There is no pain associated, it’s just a little bother really, but sometimes it scares the crap out of me. I start to morbidly think about my heart doing this in heavy traffic and causing a major accident, not being around for my kids, or worse yet, taking the life of someone else who, like me, really just wants to be there for her kids. Those moments scare the crap out of me more than the little heart skipping a tiny beat. Those moments make me remember my priorities and even though I have the thoughts that come through, I appreciate the message they leave behind.
Tags: heart
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May 6, 2008 at 9:28 am
Treasure what you’ve got…we’re on the same page today Missy.
May 6, 2008 at 9:34 am
My partner and I just got back from a conference in Philly for the Adult Congenital Heart Association; she’s had surgery four times to correct anatomical issues with her heart (yes, that scar on her back is very big, we compared scars when we first dated and she squashed even my four inch long non-surgical scars).
The doctors and doctors with CHDs, and patients with CHDs speaking at the conference were all adamantly addressing those that had surgery once and haven’t gone back (”I’m fixed” is the mantra), because the body changes and then things get scary. I don’t know how you’re approaching your condition (or what your condition is), however, there are organized forums for support if you are interested, including listings of care centers dealing directly with ACHD.
May 6, 2008 at 9:36 am
that’s flipping scary! have you told your doctor? They might have some pill that will keep your heart from skipping a beat. Beta blockers maybe?
May 6, 2008 at 11:35 am
Blimey. That sounds quite frightening. Is it worth a trip to the doctor?
Puss
May 6, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Hi Franki:
Good to know I’m not alone in treasuring my loved ones.
Hi Ricky:
Thank you for the web site and info. I had echo’s done when I was pregnant, and then a few years ago with the onset of inflamatory issues (which currently seem to have minimal flaring). I suppose it doesn’t hurt to get it checked out when I see my doctor next. Its just something thats been normal for me, I don’t think much of it.
Hi Rachel:
It seems its normal for some people. Like I said to Ricky, Its been monitored, but never been a big issue. But YAH, it sure can be freaky.
Hi Glam:
I don’t think it is. But again, it can’t hurt to tell the doc next time I see him.
May 7, 2008 at 7:23 am
Very interesting! My daughter has an arrhythmia she “skips” beats as well. She can’t yet express what it feels like.
May 7, 2008 at 7:23 am
That would scare me too! and yes, it is important to cherish the moment….and live as if it’s your last day on earth….we never know…….
I agree with the others. Just to be on the safe side…have it checked out.
Peace
May 7, 2008 at 7:24 am
lol at the symbol that came up there by my name….I didn’t put it there!! Must be the interpretation of my lil dance icon! Strange huh?
May 7, 2008 at 1:24 pm
beautiful post.
i think it’s amazing when something so seemingly small (not that your heart is a small matter, but you know) can show us something so magnificent.
May 7, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Hi Em:
I never noticed it until I was older. Maybe being busy and preoccupied had something to do with it? Or maybe being in shape did.
I Odat:
What is wordpress doing? Everyone seems to have these quilt avatars, as if someones mom tidied up the place.
Hi Martha:
Kinda like when an itty bitty spider shows me what real fear is when face to face in the shower?
May 7, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I have occasional small strokes known as TIAs — transient ischemic attacks. My left arm and hand will go lightly tingly and numb; the corner of my mouth will feel a bit like a dulling weight pulling on my face.
I don’t think of them too much. Not when I realize that I could be hit by a runaway bus on the sidewalk on the way to work. Or crushed by a falling Goodyear Blimp. Or shot in a meth deal gone wrong on the next block. Or my heart could explode. To live is to risk. I like risk. Because I like feeling alive.
So I wait for the tingly numbness to pass off. And get on with my life.
A life fully lived.
Sorta like yours, my friend.
May 7, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Health stuff is scary. Talk to the doc. Doesn’t hurt to, right?
May 8, 2008 at 8:11 am
My mother has leaky valves and this happened to her for a year or two. She then got off all sugar and salt and cut the fat from her diet. It stopped. The doc had put her on some meds that made her feel awful. She also was able to get off the meds. What is your doctor saying?
May 8, 2008 at 8:12 am
Oops, I didn’t mean her heart - but the skips - -
May 8, 2008 at 8:30 am
Stress sweetie. Stress. Sometimes ya gotta breathe and de-stress! The heart is an amazing organ even if it can scare the crap outta ya though.
May 10, 2008 at 8:24 am
Shit, I had a comment and my browser crashed.
Please tell your doctor about this. Just to be safe. And {{HUG}}
May 10, 2008 at 10:56 am
Awww, you are all too sweet. FINE, i will mention it to my doc.
May 12, 2008 at 8:43 pm
I have had the thing where my heart skips a beat or double-beats or whatver it is off and on since I can remember. Now many, many times a day. I’ve been dragging my feet about looking into it.