Archive: Around Town

	A few years ago, my heart stopped functioning properly. A cardiac artery was blocked, and I felt some strange and scary symptoms. The blockage was relieved with a stent, and the hospital that installed it included a detailed lecture to all such patients. They don’t want to see us again. Heeding that information has kept me healthy, and I want to share what I’ve learned.

In a recent conversation with one of my readers — and both are doing well, thanks — I mentioned record keeping. Of course, I need to pass this on, to help the other reader.

Surely, you have a little notebook with you, or a smart phone, so you can jot things down, or do voice notes, unless you’re an autistic savant who remembers the date and hour of every event. Every time you feel a flutter, skipped beats, tachycardia, irregular heartbeat, or any odd chest sensations, WRITE IT DOWN! And record what you were doing at the time.

This is important. Your doctor needs to know these things, and the more precisely the better, every time you have an appointment. Saying, “Oh, a few times, not many,” or “It’s been happening for maybe three-four weeks” isn’t nearly as useful as reporting exactly what happened, when, in what circumstance, and for how long.

You’ll be amazed at what a good doctor you have when you’re a conscientious patient. When the doctor has you as an active partner in your treatment, you can expect much better outcomes.

For those doctor visits, have this diary of cardiac events with you if anything’s been going on, even once. Also have a card listing your meds and supplements with exact dosages. I know mine, but I have my card in case I blank on a medication whose name I thought I’d never forget.

And when you have to make any change, remember to update your medication profile on line so your medical ID is up to date. That could be a very big deal in a traumatic situation. As with insurance, let’s hope you never need it.

I’ve devoted a column to medical IDs, one of the smartest cheap purchases you’ll ever make. Filling out your profile may take an hour, time so well spent. That’s #1. Your meds card is easy and quick to record somewhere so you’ll always have it with you (#2), and (#3) today’s main subject, your cardiac event diary, takes hardly any time, because — let’s hope — entries may be rare.

You need to keep all three of these records. Take responsibility for your health, your care, your being alive. This is what being a grownup is about.

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