I had an appointment with the doctor at 1 P.M. today. Cliff and I had some errands to run, so we took care of those and still had plenty of time to kill before my appointment. It was noon, I was hungry, and I haven't had any Kentucky Fried Chicken for a long, long time. So that's where we went.
The appointment was just a routine one; I needed to get my blood pressure prescription refilled. The doctor asked me the usual question, "Do you have any aches and pains?"
I always have to laugh inwardly at this. I'm sixty-seven years old; of COURSE I have some aches and pains. But I always tell him no, I don't. Because none of my pains are unusual.
He asked if everything was OK... had I been feeling all right?
"I haven't had so much as a cold this winter," I told him.
When he listened to my heart, I thought to myself, "I feel a little fluttery; I hope everything sounds OK in there." The nurse had mentioned that my blood pressure was a little elevated.
And then the doctor announced that I have a heart murmur.
This isn't the first time I've heard this news: During an exam before one of my minor knee surgeries I was asked if I had ever been told I had a heart murmur. No, I answered, I had not. The guy said I might want to mention it to my doctor next time I saw him.
I did, and he listened to my heart: there was no murmur.
Now it's back. Obviously I have a hide-and-seek murmur.
I also have a theory. After we came home today, I put two and two together: That "fluttery" feeling? It's how I always feel after eating a meal out that has been prepared with MSG. That, and an intense thirst. I'll bet that's why the blood pressure was a tad high, too.
So now I can't help but wonder if there's a connection between the MSG and the heart murmur. Google doesn't give me any positive connection between the two, but when I go for the test the doctor wants me to get, I will make sure not to eat out for three days in advance. We shall see if that dratted murmur is still there.
MSG can also trigger an asthma attack in those who are prone to such things. Pesky little ingredient, isn't it?
