Health Journey: Heart Monitor

Another healthy journey diary entry from me!

I went through a roller coaster health journey from early 2021 until now (still fighting some symptoms) and one of my biggest fears has been developing heart issues. Many people who have had issues with vaccines have had heart related problems and I quickly felt irregularities in my day to day. I was getting light headed, clammy, heart rates of 200 walking up the stairs, heart palpations and everything in between.

I feared I was going to have a heart attack and worked to find a doctor to take a better look into my heart health. After my initial appointment with my cardiologist listening to my health story, he decided to have me wear a heart monitor for two weeks.

At this point in time I was starting my fall semester of senior year and I was terrified to wear something that was so evident that I was sick. I was so overwhelmed with people constantly asking me if I was okay and asking about my health issues or if it was "real". I really wanted to hide behind it as much as I could. I didn't want to be known as being the sick girl.

Going into the heart monitor appointment I was really nervous. I was scared they would find something but I was also scared that they wouldn't and then what? The process itself was quick. She cleaned off my chest, used something scratchy like sand paper to rough up my skin, and placed it on. I was suffering from severe sensitivity when it came to my chest. Pressing on it with any amount of pressure made me wince so this process definitely was hard for me.

I did find it interesting how high tech the monitor was with it being attached to another phone. There was button in the center of the heart monitor that I was supposed to click every time I felt weird. After pressing the button, I was told to use the phone to describe my feelings.

I am really proud of myself for finding the confidence to wear the heart monitor with pride. By the end of the two weeks I was no longer hiding it. I am happy I was able to get through it and come more at peace with my health.

#lemon8partner #wellness #vulnerability #lemon8dairy #hearthealth #womenshearthealth