She was floored. Absolutely gobsmacked.

She had only made the initial appointment because logically, she had no excuse not to. 

But whilst respecting their knowledge and dedication, she  really disliked going to the doctors, found it an inordinate  waste of time, and avoided it like the plague. 

Her partner however had  kept nagging her. Only because he cared. And also because recently, he had undergone medical tests himself, which had disclosed an issue needing attention.

“Have you ever had your heart tested?”

“No,”she’d responded, “I feel fine, my annual blood tests are excellent, I take no medications, I walk or swim most days, I’m fit. “

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, was her mantra.

And so she’d casually gone along, day by day, until finally, trying to nip -in -the -bud her partner’s concerns, a few initial tests were taken. 

She found doing these tests to be an annoying compromise. After all, her diet from an early age was fastidious; a cigarette, cigar or any other substance to smoke had never touched her lips, and her healthy lifestyle was exemplary. Well, maybe a little too much wine, but then that made her smile, as Dr Lindeman said so aptly.

And now the results were in. 

They would be perfect, and she could then get on with Life and stop worrying.

After a low risk assessment from a calcium score, and a low risk assessment from a questionnaire, she was quietly confident, almost gloating inwardly.

The ECG results however told another story. There it was on the medical report, clear as day.

At some time in the past, she had experienced a myocardial infarction.More commonly known as a heart attack.

No way. 

There’s no way this is correct, she’s too healthy. No history of heart ailments in her family, she’s never sick…… there’s obviously been a mistake made.

Patiently, the doctor explains. More tests will now be needed, more care will need to be taken. 

Leaving the surgery, she runs the gamut of thoughts and emotions: disbelief turns into questioning:how, and when? 

How could this have happened to her without any pain, any difficulty breathing, ? When did it happen, surely she’d know if she was having a heart attack ? The whole prospect seemed surreal.The overriding feeling though, is one of relief, she’s still in the land of the living. And also a certain embarrassment has set in, from having been self deluded and stubborn in managing her health.

Now, in the knowledge she’s doing what’s needed for a healthy future, she will power ahead, living life even more fully, but realising she’s not Superwoman, and never has been. 

And she’ll certainly thank her partner for nagging her, and the Powers That Be that she’s still around to tell this tale.