Reality Check - Medical Version

At the very beginning of this month , the good intentions of chores finally addressed evaporated in the wake of cardiac symptoms . The very classic fist-sized pressure between the shoulder blades , then under the left arm , then mid-sternum , seasoned with breathless-ness and sweating , all made their appearance . Although each past event had slightly different hints , the ER cardiologists' advice was the same... since I am unable to differentiate between cardiac and neurogenic events (where a trio of spinal conditions conspire to pinch the very nerves that generate scary symptoms , though not involve the heart ) , getting to the ER is a must !!! And so , a bag was hastily packed , close friends alerted and EMS called . In our community , the ambulance is accompanied with an additional one that bears a paramedic and sometimes , even a police car...a triple alarm for my dear neighbors . Blood work was done...several times...and as a component thereof ( that reveals if the heart has suffered damage) was rising , I was kept overnight , for observation . I was finally released late afternoon the following day , with the stern admonition to follow up with my PCP and a cardiologist , ASAP . The cardiologist (new to me , but highly recommended by dear friends) was a surprising gem ! He actually made eye contact , listened to how I landed in the ER and past experiences , asked intelligent questions and listened to my responses !!! The appointment lasted about TWENTY MINUTES !! It seems , there IS now a way to find out if I am at risk for a cardiac event ! It involves a very specific CT scan of my heart...if the "score" is zero , there is no risk for me . If it is higher , we confir about options . This will go a long way to eliminating the "waiting for the other shoe to drop" concerns of the past , where I never knew if those symptoms would really be cardiac "this time' . By the Grace of God , life goes on !