At my physical back in 2006, my GP noticed my heart rate was 40. I’m in pretty good though not fantastic shape, I lift weights and do some form of cardio for at least 30 minutes 2-3 times per week. I’ve noticed that my pulse gets that low when I’ve been sitting at my desk for a while in a mellow state, so I wasn’t surprised. Also, I’d been fasting for bloodwork, and had only a partial dose of coffee that morning, so naturally my metabolism would be down a notch. And, I like to do a slow exhale when they’re checking my pulse, just to make sure it’s nice and low. Well maybe that overdid it because she said I had bradycardia, and sent me to a cardiologist.
The cardiologist thought my HR was ok, but noticed I have carotid sinus hypersensitivity, which is where when you compress the artery in the side of your neck you tend to pass out. I’ve noticed that before, for example when resting my neck against my hand, but thought it was normal. Of course you’d feel faint when you squeezed off the blood flow to your brain, right? That was the only time I noticed it, and I’ve spent a lot of time in wetsuits that squeeze my neck a little, and never had any trouble there, so I didn’t think much of it.
Anyways, the cardiologist said I needed to get a pacemaker within the next month or so, but sent me to another cardiologist for a second opinion. The second guy put me through the tilt-table test, which gave inconclusive results. He said he didn’t think I needed a pacemaker, and instead recommended that I drink more coffee and eat more salt. I went with that prescription, and wish he’d written it down so my health insurance would support my coffee habit.
At my recent physical, I mentioned I’d been having some palpitations, which I’m pretty sure is normal for a woman heading into menopause, and my HR was rather low again (44), so my doctor is sending me to a cardiologist again. I’m not happy about it because the last coffee-and-salt recommendation cost me hundreds of bucks in deductible and co-pays.
Also, I’m hoping to ER in a couple years. My post ER budget has $983/month for health insurance premiums plus, hopefully to err on the side of caution, maximum deductible.
Can anyone tell me if a diagnosis of bradycardia raises health insurance premiums much? How about having a pacemaker?