HEART & SOUL & VISION

So I started this exercise program and loved the bicycle. Really getting into it. I scheduled a routine physical, and all was going well until the EKG. Doctor said "You've got a borderline prolonged QT interval". I responded, "What's that mean?" He said, "Your heart could go into arrythmia and then just stop. And you'd be dead!". Prolonged QT interval means that the electrical system in your heart that controls heart beats doesn't work correctly, and that the time between a beat and recovery for the next beat is longer than normal. People diagnosed with this are sometimes put on beta blockers. Others require an implanted pacemaker.



So what followed was a series of tests (cardiac ultrasound, wore a holter that measures heart activity for 24 hours). Nothing abnormal on either of these. Doctor said, "At your age and given the fact you've had no symptoms (fainting, dizziness), yours is probably benign. Keep on exercising but avoid drugs that prolong the QT interval."



Found a website that had lots of information (www.qtsyndrome.ch/faq.html) and directed me to a site that had a list of drugs to avoid. Interestingly, two of the drugs (Zithromax and Levaquin) were in my system when I took the EKG. (I'd had bronchitis for two weeks before the physical.) So my thought is that everything is really OK with me. I know I need to have a repeat EKG.



Anyone who has had unexplained rapid heartbeat, dizziness or fainting should have an EKG to rule out QT syndrome. If diagnosed, then close blood relations (parents, siblings, children) should also be tested since there is a genetic disposition for the disease.



I've continued to exercise, riding my bike 40-50 miles each week. Other than a crash in late July where I ran into the back of my husband's bike, went over the handlebars, and slid on my hands, elbows and shins, things have been great. Didn't break anything and was back on the bike a week or so later.



I've added yoga to my exercise routine. Hey, it's harder than I imagined, but it's good for flexibility, strength, and for my soul. I'm routinely doing the meditation and breathing exercises. And I love it!



Lastly, in mid-September I had lasik eye surgery. I've worn glasses or contacts since I was in 5th grade and was very nearsighted (over -7). The day after surgery I drove a car for the first time in my life without contacts or glasses. It was so easy, and my vision is between 20-20 and 20-25 now. What a dramatic change!



So that's the latest. Life goes on!