I spent a lot of time over the past 6 weeks making some items to wear that would hid or disguise my heart monitor. Here I am below showing off my fancy heart monitor necklace.
I made the Ellie & Mac Around the Block Hoodie and it was perfect to hide my monitor and had a pocket for the monitor.
I made two George + Ginger Clover Dresses - Imade the Peplum versions. These were intended to be worn to work and I did finally get a chance to wear that top one. No one at work knew I had my monitor on.
You might be wondering why I had to wear a heart monitor. I have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and most people think that RA just causes your joints to ache and get deformed. That is so far from the truth. RA can attack just about any organ in your body.
From the Cleveland Heart Lab I found this "...people with rheumatoid arthritis have a 50 percent higher risk of experiencing a heart attack, twice the rate of heart failure and more peripheral vascular disease than those without the condition."
The photo above is me showing where my heart monitor is while I'm wearing my George + Ginger Posh Top. The photo below is to show how the top concealed it.
I had to see a cardiologist for the first time ever last year around June. After having high blood pressure for nearly 20 year, by blood pressure went extremely low. I stopped taking high blood pressure medication and it stayed low for a few months. Then it crept up a little, then went up, then down. My doctor didn't like the roller coaster my heart was on and is determined to find the cause of what has made this sudden change in my blood pressure. My RA is the number one culprit.
Another pattern I tested during January was the Itch to Stitch Uvita Add-on. The tall floppy collar and relaxed body were perfect for keeping my monitor disguised. Below I'm pulling the cord out a bbit to show I am wearing it underneath.
Another pattern I tested was the Sinclair Patterns Lauren Top. I loved that it covered most of my chest and I could wear a tank under it and tuck my monitor and cord into and the pleats couldd keep it hidden and hide the contacts on my chest.
I was so ready for January 30th to get here. I am severely allergic to adhesive and the pads started to cause more and more of a reaction as the days wore on. By mid month, they started to cause blisters that would ooze pus. I switch pad types and did slightly better with them. But I was just miserable the last week. Below is an unedited photo of the Halla Vivianne I tested. I had to photoshop out the red marks. You can also see the white pad peaking out.
I go see the Cardiologist on February 14th - Valentine's Day! I feel like it is an appropriate day. Hopefully she has good news for me and we will have a better understanding of how to control my blood pressure going forward. I'll be sure to let everyone know how it goes.
Be sure to take a moment this month to consider your heart health and do what you can to maintain a healthy heart.
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