‮Heartbeat

The experiment was fascinating; the result was unexpected. Watch the transition from tachycardia to high-rate AFib. 💓

Note: My apologies for the lack of PCG (heart sounds) in this clip. That’s a different story for another time—keeping the symphony private for now. 😉

Full video on YT:

All I know is that long after it was over, my heart remained utterly lost in the moment, its racing pulse expressing a lingering reluctance to let go. 💓

It hit me without warning—a potential episode of VT at 280 bpm (or SVT? I'm not sure as there was only a single-lead ECG available).

Even though it only lasted three seconds, it felt like an eternity; my mind was already racing, debating whether I needed to call for emergency backup.

Full video on YT:

A metallic taste of fear coats my tongue, and my mind races faster than the ECG tracing, looping a single, frantic question: What if I can't do it? This isn't just a simulation anymore. The cold weight of the defribrater in my hand feels like a promise—or a threat—of the unknown power I'm about to wield.

You can see my chest visibly rising and falling with each heartbeat as I take a deep breath and hold it.

Then, you carefully pick up the 3M Littmann Eko Core stethoscope, its silver chestpiece gleaming with a cool sheen. Once you confirm the precise spot, you press it firmly against my apical impulse. With gentle pressure, the clear and resonant sound of my heartbeat is electronically amplified, streaming into your ears—each beat flowing like a captivating love song, steady and full of life's vibrant rhythm, echoing deeply within your heart.

In that moment, it's more than a sound...

Feeling every beat through the stethoscope and tightly bound heart rate strap makes it all worth it.

• Pros: Lightweight and comfortable, no tightness like heart rate straps

• Cons:

 1. Moderate hold, less pressure than heart rate straps

 2. Takes longer to set up

 3. Disposable

Overall, it’s a pretty good method.

When the shock was delivered, you could clearly hear my heart beating rapidly three times in a row.

This video provides a detailed demonstration of a 1J synchronized cardioversion procedure performed on a normal human subject. Synchronized cardioversion is a critical medical intervention used to restore normal heart rhythm in patients with certain arrhythmias.

In this video, we walk you through the step-by-step process, including patient preparation, equipment setup, synchronization with the cardiac cycle, and the delivery of a low-energy (1J) shock.

WARNING: DO NOT TRY THIS YOURSELF!!!

3-leads ECG connected...

Therapy pads connected...

Extremely nervous. My heart is in severe tachycardia.

Shock delivered...

You can hear real-time heart sounds in this video.

After a synchronized shock of 15 joules, my heart transitioned from sinus tachycardia to a more severe arrhythmic rhythm (I haven't identified exactly what it is yet).

To be honest, it felt exhilarating - I enjoy the sensation of tachycardia, especially when the ventricular rate hits an astonishing 260.

However, it is indeed very dangerous, so I wouldn't recommend anyone trying it.