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Office of Education
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Edie Earl: Interview
Edith: I think I may be having a having a heart attack. I had this strange sensation in my chest about an hour ago. I was just sitting at the kitchen table reading the newspaper. Dr. Grey: What did it feel like? Edith: Like my heart stopping, then starting with a thump. Dr. Grey: Go on. Edith: It seemed to go away when I walked around, but it came back when I sat down. It was very scary. Dr. Grey: Do you feel it now? Edith: Not as often. There's one right now. Dr. Grey: Ever had it before? Edith: Never. Dr. Grey: Are you having pain? Edith: I wouldn't say pain. It's just a weird sensation. Kind of like a sinking feeling. Dr. Grey: At your employment physical 6 months ago when you joined the Coastal Times you were in good health. Have you had any symptoms or medical problems between then and today? Edith: No. That's just it. I've been feeling fine. I'm in training for the Boston Marathon next Spring. I run 8 miles every day. And I'm a vegetarian! I don't see how I could have heart disease. Dr. Grey: Are you taking any prescription medications? Edith: No. I avoid 'em whenever possible. Hey Dr. Grey, I'm really worried. Dr. Grey: Worried? Edith: You know, about the sort of thing that happens out of the blue. Like when an athlete suddenly drops dead. I'll tell you something: I was photographing the UConn Syracuse game three months ago when Harold Jones keeled over. He'd just brought down a rebound and collapsed. The EMTs worked on him for maybe 20 minutes, right there on the court, but no dice. There I was shooting pictures while 18,000 people sobbed uncontrollably. It was horrible! Dr. Grey: It was a tragedy. Edith: To tell the truth, Dr. Grey, I haven't been the same since. I keep seeing it happen over and over again. And I've been waking up with nightmares. I feel like I'm in a fog... Dr. Grey: I understand how frightening that experience was for you. Maybe there are some things that I can suggest that can help. [pause] If it's ok I want to ask you a few more questions about the palpitations. Edith: Sure. Dr. Grey: I'd like to know more about your personal habits. Sometimes they can affect the heart beat. Do you smoke cigarettes or any other tobacco products? Edith: No. And I never have. I'm a fitness nut. Dr. Grey: When did you have your last alcoholic beverage? Edith: I can't even remember. I have a can a beer once in a blue moon. Dr. Grey: Do you ever use recreational drugs, like uppers or downers, or cocaine? Edith: Never. Dr. Grey: What about coffee? Edith: Never drink it. Dr. Grey: Any other sources of caffeine? Sodas, chocolate, tea? Edith: I love colas. Drink 'em all day long, especially when I'm working out. And at night I drink tea. Dr. Grey: About how many colas a day? Edith: At least a six pack; sometmes more. Dr. Grey: And tea? Edith: Usually 2 cups after dinner and more if I'm photographing a night game. But recently I've been having another cup in the middle of the night, if I wake up and can't get back to sleep. I just sit up and watch ESPN. Dr. Grey: Edie, I'd like to examine you now. We can talk some
more later.
The correct answer is d. The sensation of the heart stopping and starting is consistent with an arrhythmia.  The correct answer is False. The most common cause of sudden death in competitive college-age athletes is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is found post-mortem in 36% of cases. Coronary artery anomalies account for another 19% and the rest are due to miscellaneous congenital and developmental abnormalities of the heart and great vessels. |
