10/31/2025
Dr. Chris’ Words:
A patient came in with a complaint of palpitations with a heart rate up to 104.
After taking a careful medical history, like asking about how much caffeine he drinks, asking about any signs of bleeding, asking if he’d had any meds changed by any other doctor or by himself (he’d stopped his blood thinner, thinking it was the cause of the palpitations), if he was using any over-the-counter medications, and so on, I reviewed his medical record and was reminded that he’s got atrial fibrillation that was cardioverted back in September and he’d had a heart attack and had a coronary artery stent placed in 2013. I performed a thorough physical exam and then ordered an EKG.
The patient looked concerned. “Doc, do you think something serious is going on? I’m really nervous about all this! You got a cigarette I can smoke?”
My jaw hit the floor. “Are you kidding me? Even if I had a cigarette, which I don’t, you would be the last person on earth I’d give one to!”
He laughed, “That look of shock on your face was exactly like your daddy’s when I asked him for a cigarette years ago a few months after I’d had my heart attack! I haven’s smoked since that heart attack. I was pulling your leg.”
He got me.
