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My old cardiologist called me in the office yesterday afternoon, and asked me to be part of a research study that one of his colleagues is doing on people (specifically athletes) with congenital heart defects/issues like me and who have (A)ICD's (implanted defibrillators) and continue to exercise, etc.<br><br>
He thought of me right away and gave me a call. Although he is no longer my cardiologist, (I see another one who specializes more in the condition that I have), him and I have always had a special relationship, since I was so young, 34, when I found out about my condition. I had been a very active person, and was devastated to learn about this, and what I had to give up as result. In the days of doctor's spending very little time with their patients, he gave me his time, made himself available to me whenever I needed him, and most importantly, gave me a shoulder to cry on.<br><br>
Although I don't really consider myself an athlete any longer, the fact that I still get in the saddle and pedal 4-5 time a week, I guess qualifies me as someone who exercises.<br><br>
This is the same doctor who when I asked him two months after I was diagnosed with a serious heart condition if I could exercise again, told me that he wish a lot more of his patients would ask if they could exercise instead of being told to exercise. Also a month before that conversation he told me that the marathon I ran a little over a year before diagnosis, could have killed me (I had no symptoms at the time)<br><br>
I always think its neat to participate in studies like these, as it has a potential to be very beneficial to other patients who may in the same situation that I am.
He thought of me right away and gave me a call. Although he is no longer my cardiologist, (I see another one who specializes more in the condition that I have), him and I have always had a special relationship, since I was so young, 34, when I found out about my condition. I had been a very active person, and was devastated to learn about this, and what I had to give up as result. In the days of doctor's spending very little time with their patients, he gave me his time, made himself available to me whenever I needed him, and most importantly, gave me a shoulder to cry on.<br><br>
Although I don't really consider myself an athlete any longer, the fact that I still get in the saddle and pedal 4-5 time a week, I guess qualifies me as someone who exercises.<br><br>
This is the same doctor who when I asked him two months after I was diagnosed with a serious heart condition if I could exercise again, told me that he wish a lot more of his patients would ask if they could exercise instead of being told to exercise. Also a month before that conversation he told me that the marathon I ran a little over a year before diagnosis, could have killed me (I had no symptoms at the time)<br><br>
I always think its neat to participate in studies like these, as it has a potential to be very beneficial to other patients who may in the same situation that I am.