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The patient was a single, 23 year old female, non-smoker, mixed sedentary/active lifestyle, nominal caffeine intake. Regularly medicated for several ongoing conditions. The patient (corroborated by specialist) had suspected Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT), with symptoms presenting from age 12 onwards. Family history. Patient complained of unrelated tachycardia in daily life leading to tiredness, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Resting (lying horizontally) heart rate varied but sat around ~105bpm. Patient investigated suspected Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome— but was referred to an interventional cardiologist (referring physician was unable to justify this particular decision). Patient was advised to increase sodium intake in diet.
In the weeks preceding the patient's death, patient's psychologist noted discussion of health concerns. According to psychologist, the patient felt considerable anxiety toward intensifying symptoms. A series of unfortunate, reportedly unhelpful and demoralising specialist appointments placed undue financial strain on the patient, while failing to accurately diagnose and treat the underlying condition that precipitated her death.
The patient was found dead in her sleep at her residence on XX/XX/XXXX. Investigations point to heart failure as the cause of death.
I woke up this morning feeling faint. I brushed my teeth (with my electric toothbrush) and recorded my heart rate as 147bpm.
I am laying down on the couch and my heart still races in my chest. I feel tired, sluggish, and faint. I am short of breath.
It is not out of ignorance or avoidance that I have given up trying to discover and treat my condition, but out of the consistent negligence I have experienced at the hands of medical professionals.
I feel like I am running out of time. Like each rapid heartbeat reduces my lifespan by who knows how long. I have tried to figure it out, by myself and with doctors, but that has been no help.
tempting fate. it's not medical malpractice if they didn't do anything to treat me, though. inaction is its own kind of fresh hell. I do not feel lively and energetic. Something has broken into my garden and dug up all the flowers. No, it isn't fair. Where are the golden days I was promised? By rights I should be the healthiest I will ever be.
so why do I get the feeling that I'm dying?