In a packed emergency room, it's always a relief to see a straightforward case: 32-year-old male, light-headed, short of breath, vital signs normal.
Stressed young go-getters from Wall Street are common in this ER. Some days it seems every other patient arrives with palpitations, dizziness, chest tightness, tingling hands, and shortness of breath. All it usually takes is an electrocardiogram, some sincere reassurance, and they're on their way.
"Mr. Murphy," I said, entering the cubicle, "what can I do for you?"
"Don't know, doctor. Yesterday I was in line for theater tickets. It was very sunny and I hadn't had much breakfast. Next thing, I'm flat on my back."
"You passed out? Were you hyperventilating? Standing a long time?"
"Not really," he replied. "Then today I was still feeling dizzy and kind of out of breath when I got up."
"What do you do for a living?" I asked.
"I'm ...
