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1/
Systole and diastole, a reflection.
When the heart contracts, we call that systole. When it relaxes? That’s diastole. With me?
Cool.
Back in the day? Seems like systole was all we ever talked about—how effectively the pump is pumping.
Yup.
Systole and diastole, a reflection.
When the heart contracts, we call that systole. When it relaxes? That’s diastole. With me?
Cool.
Back in the day? Seems like systole was all we ever talked about—how effectively the pump is pumping.
Yup.
2/
In fairness, systole IS kind of a big deal. And when the muscle gets weak and doesn’t do what it’s supposed to do, we can all agree that that’s an even bigger deal.
Yup.
But what about how it relaxes? What about when that part gets messed up?
In fairness, systole IS kind of a big deal. And when the muscle gets weak and doesn’t do what it’s supposed to do, we can all agree that that’s an even bigger deal.
Yup.
But what about how it relaxes? What about when that part gets messed up?
So, of course, we know lots about diastolic dysfunction now. But when I was in med school? The focus was always the function of systole.
Output.
Output.
Output.
Later we’d learn that diastole matters, too. But it’s hard to think about that when it’s always been about systole.
Output.
Output.
Output.
Later we’d learn that diastole matters, too. But it’s hard to think about that when it’s always been about systole.
4/
For a lot of us (okay me) that’s a metaphor for my life—especially my professional life. It’s always been about systole. How to work hard and do more without tiring out.
Get As.
Get in med school.
Get a good residency.
Get a good job.
Get promoted.
Yup.
For a lot of us (okay me) that’s a metaphor for my life—especially my professional life. It’s always been about systole. How to work hard and do more without tiring out.
Get As.
Get in med school.
Get a good residency.
Get a good job.
Get promoted.
Yup.
5/
Over time, my life’s systolic function was fantastic. My ability to relax? Not so much. I was proud of my EF:
Got As.
Got in med school.
Got a good residency.
Got my dream job.
Even have 2 kids, a great partner, and a dog.
I told myself this was fine. And I believed it.
Over time, my life’s systolic function was fantastic. My ability to relax? Not so much. I was proud of my EF:
Got As.
Got in med school.
Got a good residency.
Got my dream job.
Even have 2 kids, a great partner, and a dog.
I told myself this was fine. And I believed it.
6/
I wasn’t intentional about vacations or nonessential self care. I focused more on work and the needs of others than myself.
Output.
Output.
Output.
What I did do for me was in the context of convenience. Forgetting that a chamber that doesn’t get filled can’t work.
Nope.
I wasn’t intentional about vacations or nonessential self care. I focused more on work and the needs of others than myself.
Output.
Output.
Output.
What I did do for me was in the context of convenience. Forgetting that a chamber that doesn’t get filled can’t work.
Nope.
7/
Was it because I didn’t have support? Nah. Mostly it was because, much like when I was a med student, I had no idea that diastole was a thing that should have my attention.
But now we know different. We speak of wellness and self care. But old habits die hard, man.
Yeah.
Was it because I didn’t have support? Nah. Mostly it was because, much like when I was a med student, I had no idea that diastole was a thing that should have my attention.
But now we know different. We speak of wellness and self care. But old habits die hard, man.
Yeah.
8/
An octogenarian patient once told me:
“Make sure you take the time to do stuff. Stuff for you. While you still got all the rhythm in your hips.”
I think that was a lesson in diastole. And was when I realized how bad my diastolic dysfunction had become.
An octogenarian patient once told me:
“Make sure you take the time to do stuff. Stuff for you. While you still got all the rhythm in your hips.”
I think that was a lesson in diastole. And was when I realized how bad my diastolic dysfunction had become.
9/
And so. Just like treating diastolic dysfunction of the heart, I started working to bring down my “pressure” and began trying to get better at filling. I listened to my wise patient and made up my mind to carve out some things that I’d do just for me.
Yup.
And so. Just like treating diastolic dysfunction of the heart, I started working to bring down my “pressure” and began trying to get better at filling. I listened to my wise patient and made up my mind to carve out some things that I’d do just for me.
Yup.
10/
But to get that life pressure down, I knew my systole and diastole needed to work in concert. So I asked myself: How can some really meaningful diastole amplify my systole?
I started thinking and working on that very thing.
Yup.
But to get that life pressure down, I knew my systole and diastole needed to work in concert. So I asked myself: How can some really meaningful diastole amplify my systole?
I started thinking and working on that very thing.
Yup.
11/
Like, what if time with friends could make me better mentor? Or riding a giant water slide with my son could give me courage to take on a new role? Or taking a 14 day trip overseas might give me inspiration to do more where I am?
Kind of like ventricular remodeling, right?
Like, what if time with friends could make me better mentor? Or riding a giant water slide with my son could give me courage to take on a new role? Or taking a 14 day trip overseas might give me inspiration to do more where I am?
Kind of like ventricular remodeling, right?
12/
So here was what I did this weekend:
I got on a plane, flew to another state, and joined 11 other women to run a 200 mile relay race in 36 hours.
It didn’t coincide with a conference or family event.
It was just for me.
Time with women.
Time with me.
Time to refill.
So here was what I did this weekend:
I got on a plane, flew to another state, and joined 11 other women to run a 200 mile relay race in 36 hours.
It didn’t coincide with a conference or family event.
It was just for me.
Time with women.
Time with me.
Time to refill.
13/
I ran 3 tough legs in 30 hrs. 1 was 8 miles in mountains. 1 was even at 3am!
We lived in a van.
We laughed a lot.
We cheered each other on.
There were tears when we finished—and there always are. Because this is my 3rd year doing this with them. And damn, we are strong.
I ran 3 tough legs in 30 hrs. 1 was 8 miles in mountains. 1 was even at 3am!
We lived in a van.
We laughed a lot.
We cheered each other on.
There were tears when we finished—and there always are. Because this is my 3rd year doing this with them. And damn, we are strong.
14/
And so, sleep deprived I’m heading home and reflecting on it all. This jolt of strategic diastole has me excited to return to the systole of the hospital and of my life.
I can make it over hills.
I can navigate darkness.
I can walk when I’m tired.
And then run again.
And so, sleep deprived I’m heading home and reflecting on it all. This jolt of strategic diastole has me excited to return to the systole of the hospital and of my life.
I can make it over hills.
I can navigate darkness.
I can walk when I’m tired.
And then run again.
15/
At the finish line I said, “I feel like a super hero!”
Here’s what one of my amazing team members said in response:
“We were always superheroes. We just need to permit ourselves to wear our capes in different ways sometimes.”
At the finish line I said, “I feel like a super hero!”
Here’s what one of my amazing team members said in response:
“We were always superheroes. We just need to permit ourselves to wear our capes in different ways sometimes.”
16/
My diastole may not look like yours. And the idea of running 200 miles and living in a van may not fill your chamber. But however it looks, filling is essential.
Lastly: Never forget that even high output hearts fail. Systole and diastole need each other.
Yeah, man. 👊🏽😉
My diastole may not look like yours. And the idea of running 200 miles and living in a van may not fill your chamber. But however it looks, filling is essential.
Lastly: Never forget that even high output hearts fail. Systole and diastole need each other.
Yeah, man. 👊🏽😉
