This old heart of mine

Yesterday I had an appointment with a local cardiologist as a follow-up to my annual medical with my doctor.

The doctor with his stethoscope had picked up “A very soft murmur on the aorta”.

I was rather freaked out by this and the reference in the referral letter  to “an early sign of heart failure”.

The more so as I get the occasional twinge in the chest.

The cardiologist first, in taking a case history, sought for any symptoms and then did an ECG followed by a echo cardiogram.

This latter treatment is a form of ultra sound.

He found nothing to concern him or me. I found it fascinating – and worth the admission money alone – to see the image of my heart pumping away in its chambers supported by 4 functioning arteries.

It’s been broken a few times over the years but, bless him, still showing active service. He showed me the aorta which had some calcification which he attributed to normal wear and tear.

I liked the cardiologist a lot.

I said to him that my late father, an eminent general practitioner, was no fan of cardiologists who in his opinion regard themselves as the Praetorian Guard of the medical profession. His particular critique was their failure to reassure adequately.

This cardiologist agreed with the assessment although it did not apply to him.

He gave me advice on warning signs and even advised that red wine was better than white. I had read an article that heart disease was a bigger cause of death than Covid. Some 170,000 people a year die in the UK of it.

The cardiologist, in agreeing this figure, said it would not reduce because of Covid; indeed some afflicted by heart disease may not take the necessary measures for fear of catching Covid.

My p/a Polly wanted to drop around late afternoon as she was in the area. I said  that I would confirm as perhaps I would need further tests. In fact I was back home early afternoon greatly reassured and played the Isley Brothers classic: “ This Old Heart of Mine  “

 

I would recommend an echo cardiogram not just as a precaution but a fascinating insight into the workings of the heart or possibly otherwise.