Cardiac Nemesis (a toothache spin-off)
Due to my elevated heart rate, my cardiologist recommended a 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor (ABPM). Thankfully this was covered by my health card.
On a rainy Saturday afternoon, the kind nurse hooked me up with the device which was an upper arm blood pressure cuff that was connected to a tiny device slung on a holster.
I couldn't remove this device for an entire day because it would periodically take measurements of my blood pressure to find out if I was was always hypertensive or it just spiked at certain times of the day.
That meant I couldn't take a bath for 24 hours as well. It's a good thing the weather was rainy and cool so I didn't sweat much and I also made liberal use of wet wipes.
Aside from the ABPM, I had to keep a record of what I was doing during the measuring periods and I was given a sheet of paper that served as my personal diary. I opted to use my Keep app to record instead. See below for my activities of that day.
12:30 first reading standing then released from clinic - reading a book
13:00 standing in line to buy milk tea - relaxed
13:30 sitting down playing video game - relaxed
14:00 same
14:30 same
15:00 same
15:30 same
16:00 same + eating
16:30 same
17:00 standing. Riding the train - relaxed
17:30 standing. Walking to seat in Araneta coliseum - related
18:00 sitting at concert 18:30 same
19:00 same
19:30 same
20:00 same
20:30 same
21:00 sitting. About to eat dinner
21:30 sitting eating dinner
22:00 standing -walking home after dinner
22:30 sitting going home. Inside car
23:00 sitting at home -relaxed. Getting ready for bed
24:00 sitting down playing video game - relaxed
01:00 lying down reading - relaxed
02:00 asleep
03:00 same
04:00 same
05:00 same
06:00 same
07:00 same
08:00 same
08:30 same
09:00 same
09:30 lying down awake relaxed
10:00 same
10:30 standing, fixing up
11:00 standing, walking - relaxed
11:30 standing. In line for food.
12:00 sitting down having lunch
12:30 sitting down writing diary after lunch
13:00 sitting down. At medical city waiting for ABPM removal.
Detour: Mamamoo
Yup, I had a concert scheduled on that day as well, so that might have affected my blood pressure at those specific points in time.
I watched MAMAMOO live, which was one of my favorite girl groups back during my Kpop days. We're not getting younger, so l thought it was a good time to see them as it could be their last time performing in Manila.
It was a great time. They're a complete group of performers and even the newer songs I haven't heard of where nice to listen to (something the group always had a talent for).
Hwasa's charisma, Wheein's cuteness, Moonbyul's coolness, and Solar's charm were on full display and the night was also filled with their distinct comedic moments.
Every time Solar said "salamat", the crowd went wild and the entire Araneta Coliseum was shaking because of the fans stomping their feet. I think it was memorable for both the audience and the performers.
Hearing "Decalcomanie" live was a long time want of mine and that's another bucket list crossed off. Now I want to see the other groups I'm a fan of as well. As long as they don't perform at the terribly inconvenient Philippine Arena complex.
The next day, I dropped off the ABPM at the clinic and now I have to wait for the cardiologist to interpret the results. Hopefully I don't need maintenance medication and hopefully my BP can return to normal so I can have my tooth problems sorted out.
Stay tuned for the next gripping installment in this toothache saga.
-jgzn