I heard from the cardiologist today in followup to the cardiology visit last Wednesday. I am to start a blood thinner today. It’s twice daily, so it begins with dinner tonight. It’s brand name is Pradaxa, but I am using a generic version.
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Tag Archives: Cardiac Health
My Journey with Cardiac Health: Recent Developments
2 JulIt’s been a while since I shared anything. A lot has happened, and I’ve been rather overwhelmed.
Continue readingNavigating Health Challenges and Family Connections
17 DecThis time of year, when everyone is joyous and excited for the holidays, is difficult for me. I have been single for over 14 years. Well, technically that’s not true, but the few flings in that time were fleeting and ultimately inconsequential. I am perpetually separated from family. They all live in Texas, which is a “Do Not Travel” state for people like me. If you missed that, you can see the latest risk map here.
Continue readingPremature Atrial Contractions
22 JulThis past Wednesday morning, I experienced another period of continuing palpitations. My cardiac team got back to me this morning, and let me know that what was happening was premature atrial contractions.
Continue readingCardiac concerns as a transgender woman
11 JulSomething I’ve been struggling with lately is the intersection of my identification as a trans woman and my recent diagnosis with cardiac issues. To recap that: I was diagnosed with AFib, POTS, and an enlarged aorta, among others.
Continue readingBradycardia episode
12 JunI had an episode this afternoon where for roughly an hour, my heart rate dropped to 30bpm. This is according to my smartwatch readout. You may remember that I have experienced some bradycardia in the past year, and it’s part of why I had a loop recorder implanted in my chest recently. Never before has such an episode lasted this long though.
Continue readingEchocardiogram
26 MayI had a transthoracic echocardiogram on Monday 20-May, as a followup to my cardiac diagnostics. They wanted to check on that enlargement of the ascending aorta, as well as the aortic valve calcification. Short story: Everything is stable.
Continue readingImplant surgery update
2 MayTL; DR: The procedure was quite uneventful. I have an implant (or as my heart sister called it, an alien implant) in my chest. It’s under the skin of my left breast, which is tender and sore at the incision site.
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An Aging Trans Woman 