cluemegan
Sep 28, 2011
Undergraduate / 'my heartbeat came back in just a few seconds' - Common App [5]
When I arrived in the emergency room on April 16, 2010, I was utterly and completely terrified. My heart was beating much too fast and I was acutely aware of each heavy, rapid beat. The doctors quickly gave me adenosine, a drug that essentially causes the heart to stop, reset its rhythm, and then continue beating. Adenosine's most common side effects are numbness, apprehension, and an evanescent sense of doom. It was not a pleasant afternoon in the ER.
I was diagnosed with a fairly mild heart condition: paroxysmal supra ventricular tachycardia (PSVT). In simple terms, I have an extra circuit in my heart; this circuit is much smaller than the normal one and allows my heart to beat over 200 bpm. This irregular beat can easily be fixed, and its occurrence is very uncommon. Though I hardly view my heart condition as disconcerting, I will never forget the few seconds of flat line on the EKG.
The first changes that came were purely out of necessity. I am required to take medicine daily, carefully monitor my body and heart rate while exercising, and attempt to limit my caffeine intake. I miss drinking Dr. Pepper more than almost anything, but I consider this to be a small sacrifice in my attempt to avoid another ER visit. Because of my PSVT, I have become much healthier and more in tune with my body. I exercise, eat healthier, and am thankful for the ways I am completely healthy, something I never would have recognized without this experience.
The discovery of this condition also taught me that life can throw unexpected challenges my way at any time. Life ignores the fact that there is an AP US History test next mod, and simply decides that leaving school for the ER is a much better pastime. In the past, unexpected challenges were typically met with a groan, and a frantic attempt to cope with the situation. Now, I accept the fact that unforeseen challenges can, and do arise in almost every aspect of life. However, I no longer allow myself to become agitated over the aspects I cannot control. Instead, I have learned to think on my feet and accomplish great tasks even in adverse conditions.
Though my PSVT is not the most desirable of conditions, I have learned to embrace it. Do not misunderstand; if my heart never enters an abnormal rhythm again, I will be more than ecstatic. But my heart condition reminds me that I am human, and yet more capable than I ever imagined.
Does this rewrite seem to have a stronger introduction and better content?
When I arrived in the emergency room on April 16, 2010, I was utterly and completely terrified. My heart was beating much too fast and I was acutely aware of each heavy, rapid beat. The doctors quickly gave me adenosine, a drug that essentially causes the heart to stop, reset its rhythm, and then continue beating. Adenosine's most common side effects are numbness, apprehension, and an evanescent sense of doom. It was not a pleasant afternoon in the ER.
I was diagnosed with a fairly mild heart condition: paroxysmal supra ventricular tachycardia (PSVT). In simple terms, I have an extra circuit in my heart; this circuit is much smaller than the normal one and allows my heart to beat over 200 bpm. This irregular beat can easily be fixed, and its occurrence is very uncommon. Though I hardly view my heart condition as disconcerting, I will never forget the few seconds of flat line on the EKG.
The first changes that came were purely out of necessity. I am required to take medicine daily, carefully monitor my body and heart rate while exercising, and attempt to limit my caffeine intake. I miss drinking Dr. Pepper more than almost anything, but I consider this to be a small sacrifice in my attempt to avoid another ER visit. Because of my PSVT, I have become much healthier and more in tune with my body. I exercise, eat healthier, and am thankful for the ways I am completely healthy, something I never would have recognized without this experience.
The discovery of this condition also taught me that life can throw unexpected challenges my way at any time. Life ignores the fact that there is an AP US History test next mod, and simply decides that leaving school for the ER is a much better pastime. In the past, unexpected challenges were typically met with a groan, and a frantic attempt to cope with the situation. Now, I accept the fact that unforeseen challenges can, and do arise in almost every aspect of life. However, I no longer allow myself to become agitated over the aspects I cannot control. Instead, I have learned to think on my feet and accomplish great tasks even in adverse conditions.
Though my PSVT is not the most desirable of conditions, I have learned to embrace it. Do not misunderstand; if my heart never enters an abnormal rhythm again, I will be more than ecstatic. But my heart condition reminds me that I am human, and yet more capable than I ever imagined.
Does this rewrite seem to have a stronger introduction and better content?