Emma’s Visit to the Cardiologist (video)

Today, I’m bringing you along to my cardiology appointment to see if I’m eligible for a heart procedure that could potentially fix my arrhythmia (Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia, or IST).

If you’re not familiar, IST is a condition where my heart rate spikes way too high—even with minimal activity—leaving me feeling dizzy, exhausted, and short of breath. I’ve been managing it with medication, but this clinical trial offers a hybrid catheter and surgical ablation that could drastically improve my symptoms.

I don’t know if "cure" is the right word, but this could significantly reduce or even eliminate my symptoms—and potentially get me off medication. That’s exciting because so many chronic illnesses, including mine, don’t have options like this. The thought of moving past this chapter feels hopeful.