Sandra Brown, I am writing and taking the chance that this letter might get to you, but it's worth the effort. You supervised my nuclear stress test at Sentara Princess Anne. The test was ordered in an attempt to evaluate why my heart rate had increased by approximately 50%. After completion, the results were summarized as essentially “within normal limits.” You then discussed the findings with me and indicated that while the test (and subsequent doctor’s discussion) might say that everything was normal, I should push for additional reviews and tests... that something was amiss with me.

Well, you were right on so many levels. First, I subsequently had two doctors contact me to say that my test indicated that I was “normal.” That it is possible to have a heart rate that relatively suddenly increases at rest from 60 beats per minute to approximately 100 beats per minute. They appear to have written off the increase due to hypertension and probably my age. Regardless, I pushed on, unsatisfied with the answers I was receiving that were all normal. I had an echocardiogram and an earlier ECG two years ago to validate a slight heart murmur, so there was a good comparison over time. The bottom line is that the technician discovered “posterior mitral valve leaflet prolapse with flail tip of posterior leaflet, likely torn chordae”. Finally, an answer! 

I am now working with the cardiologist. This coming week I’ll receive a couple more tests to validate the extent of the issue and move toward a repair or replacement.

While the future efforts and hospital stays are not what I was expecting, having rational answers and the path forward are reassuring.

While I probably would have continued to press the system for problem resolution, your comments certainly helped push me ahead with a bit more urgency. And I just wanted to share my thanks for your intervention. It made a difference.