What the Doctor Said about My Palpitations and What's Next

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The good news is I got a good night's sleep and have had no new episodes today. I did see the doctor. He has a good sense of humor, and I like that. We went over all the data and he confirmed that my problem is electrical, not structural. My original diagnosis 40 years ago was that my palpitations were because I had mitral valve prolapse. When I moved here and changed doctors, I was finally referred to my current cardiologist in about 2005. He told me I did not have mitral valve prolapse, and he changed my medication from digoxin to metoprolol. Since October, my metoprolol dose has been changed several times because of the result of a blood test. That's when my palpitations started to get bad again. They have been controlled by medication since about 1976, when I first saw a cardiologist. My worst day back then was having an episode at work that lasted six hours. My boss drove me to the doctor who was not far away. I didn't have a cardiologist yet then. Now to today's medical appointment! The doctor answered questions I've had since the beginning. He reassured me again I did not have mitral valve prolapse. Instead I have what he called an electrical problem. He said my original diagnosis was probably given because back in those days they attributed most palpitations to mitral valve prolapse because it also causes palpitations. The doctor also said that my heart murmur has nothing to do with this. Today he decided to add digoxin to the metoprolol to see if the combination will do the trick. He said he is also referring me to an medical "electrician" - a cardiologist in their group who specializes in solving electrical problems in the heart. By the time I see her in April, we will know how the changes in the medication are working out. He said my options are control with medication or having surgery. My heart has the equivalent of a short circuit. The surgeon would cauterize the "wire" that is causing the short circuit and that should stop the problem from recurring. I'm hoping the medication will work. I really don't want heart surgery. Hospitals can be dangerous places. On the other hand, it's hard to be dependent on medications. What if the day came when I couldn't get them? If I solve the problem surgically, I could survive without the heart medications. I will have to think carefully and prayerfully about this. After leaving the doctor's office, I took a photo walk. The sky was magnificent and I visited three different wineries' vineyards, and my other house in Templeton. My battery died after taking this photo at Doce Robles Winery, so I went home to charge it so I could still take the evening sunset photos. I thought this photo relates a bit to this discussion. Can you see why?