There is a reason doctor's "PRACTICE" medicine; because they learn from trial and error. Sadly, more than 250,000 people die each year in the U.S. because of medical errors. And it's not all doctors. Hospital mistakes, pharmacies filling the wrong medication, mislabeling of medicine or communication errors cause tens of thousands of deaths every year. The 250,000 is from a John Hopkins Study but other reports claim the the number of deaths could be as high as 400,000.

Do not be afraid to speak to your cardiologist. If asking you doctor if he thinks you may have sick sinus syndrome upsets him, then he is in the wrong profession. THAT would be a major red flag to find another doctor.

You could say... do you think this could be sick sinus syndrome? That shouldn’t be offensive at all...maybe... 😊

Or, I’m so worried about these symptoms I’m having (then list them) and ask what do you think could be causing this?

no "patient" should be considered a "consumer".....thats just wrong...

Hey Puma you must be going to my doc cuz hes a big believer in "just sit there and be quiet Miss Johnson. Im the one that went to medical school". We disagree alot. My gyno got mad at me cuz I told her I had cancer. After all the costly tests and making me wait three weeks she called me to come in and said "Im so sorry, you have cancer". No kidding lady!!! Moral of those stories is docs come in all types. If your doctor doesnt want to make you and your observations part of your care find a new doc. My "pushiness" is whats kept me going for 17yrs. COPD cong heart failure afib pulmonary fibrosis bradycardia cancer dementia is now setting in and cancer. O and apnea. Just talk - you are the patient and the consumer!