Before the presidential debate commenced, my wife and I were in a hospital’s emergency room for 5½ hours because of an unanticipated heart complication (Tachycardia) I began having after drinking a large cup of fast food coffee.

Because that never occurred before and I don’t have a heart condition, the fantastic ER nurses ran umpteen tests with negative results! And, seven hours later after we walked out of the ER, I decided to quit caffeine “cold-turkey.”

Better, so far!

However, this letter is not about me but my wife who was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrilla- tion (Afib) in 2008. At that time, it didn’t seem to be as much information, collaborative care, and no support groups.

And, because of that she had to struggle with several different mixtures of prescription tinctures, cardioversions, as well as three uncompleted ablations. Nevertheless, with her most recent doctor visit and new medicine changes she has remained in regular heart rhythm, for now.

In closing, because of my recent ER episode and my wife’s persistent heart condition, I urge others to make an appointment with their doctor since September is National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month.

Rick Knight

Henrico