Cycling in Circles

The spirit is willing ... another ride to the German Heart Center
Tuesday April 17, 2018

Six weeks ago I wrote my first BLC entry and I promised a follow-up - it was my visit to the German Heart Center in Munich, one of Europe's leading heart clinics, a ten-minute bicycle ride from my home. I had been diagnosed as possibly having atrial fibrillation which was to be further investigated. They did a 3-day ECG and scheduled an appointment to discuss the results - which was today. Waiting six weeks to hear the results was unnerving, I had imagined all sorts of scenarios. Taking the meds for stroke prevention (the greatest danger with atrial fibrillation) was also unpleasant. However, in the course of these weeks I had been feeling much better. The symptoms seemed to be almost gone.

So today was the day. I didn't have to wait three hours to see the doctor as was the case last time. I was in and out within a half an hour. I had taken Janos with me so he could also get the report first hand. Should I make a long story short? Not tell you about the nice doctor, or how nervous we were, or what I had for lunch ...?

Deutsches Herzzentrum München - Our bikes are on the right.

Well, here's the news. I don't have atrial fibrillation, my heart beats steady and strong! Since I have a stent and have always had occasional, mild palpitations, nothing health threatening, my doctor was being cautious when I began experiencing extreme shortness of breath. That's why he recommended further examinations. Good to have a doctor like that. But his hunch was wrong, also a good thing in this case.

My shortness of breath isn't completely gone. There are some possible explanations and remedies, but so much medical detail goes beyond the scope of a bicycle journal.

We are both incredibly happy and relieved. And now it's time to finish the circle around Munich. And cycle more, walk more, train more - I'm feeling like superwoman.