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[sonerohi]

So, I just got diagnosed with a somewhat debilitating heart condition that causes the oxygen poor side of my heart to leak blood into the oxygen rich side, and it is then pumped out to my body, meaning my body does not get all the delicious oxygen it needs. The hole it leaks through widens when I work hard, so I can no longer play football or lead an active lifestyle. I'm not really that worried about dealing with it. What I am freaking out over is a) how do I tell the people that need to know, and b) how do I let everyone else know what is up without attention whoring.

[ChairmanPoo]

Surely you can get it fixed? IIRC some of these conditions could be fixed through minimally invasive interventions.

[sonerohi]

We talked with my doctor and fixing this would be an open heart procedure, four states away.

[Heron TSG]

Don't preface anything with the statement; "Don't panic, but..." or the statement; "Not to worry you, but...". That just makes people panic so hard they won't listen to you. Calmly tell them that you have a heart condition and that you thusly cannot do strenuous tasks. You can minimize attention whoring by not going into details. You can attention whore all you want if it's a life threatening situation where you have to tell someone about the dangers of what is about to occur.

For example, you go to your local sternum-massage parlor. You warn them not to punch you very hard because that would make you die.

[eerr]

Use delicate politician words, like "recent health complication"

and, "I am fine, though doctors discourage heavy physical activity."

[IronyOwl]

Explain symptoms first, causes second. If you walk up to someone and say "I have a hole in my heart, so-" they'll promptly start panicking. If you say "I can't do strenuous activity due to a heart condition," they'll be far less worried about the cause because you've already explained what it does.

[Il Palazzo]

Tell people that you're part-reptile:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptile#Circulatory

[ChairmanPoo]

Tell people that you're part-reptile:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptile#Circulatory

This reminds me of David Icke's conspiracy theories. Which are rather bad even inside the realm of conspiracy theories.

British author exposes the reptilian bloodline that rules the world. Learn the truth about many people, including the British Royals, Brian Mulroney, ...

zomg!  :lmao:

[malimbar04]

Tell people that you're part-reptile:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptile#Circulatory

Full of win!

It depends on the reaction you want out of people really. If they want to know why you can't do something, you tell them it's because of a heart condition. If they want to know what heart condition, say you're part reptile, smile, and then say you have a hole inside your heart that mixes oxygenated blood with unoxygenated blood.

I know that everyone is different, but I would personally want to know all sorts of details. I would want to know where the hole is at, what the name of it is, how much work you can do before you start feeling it, and so forth. Of course, I'm the kind of guy that would videotape his own surgeries... so guesstimate the type of audience first.

[Zrk2]

Compose an email that outlines the facts so you have everything in order and expressed logically and send it to those that need to know. Then go and visit themm all the next day and talk about it in person after their bout of ZOMGWTF has passed.

[Vector]

Compose an email that outlines the facts so you have everything in order and expressed logically and send it to those that need to know. Then go and visit themm all the next day and talk about it in person after their bout of ZOMGWTF has passed.

I've had people give me information like this before.  It made me about 20x angrier than I would have been otherwise.

I'd just mention that you have a heart condition when there's a good point in conversation, or, if you want to have a Conversation about it, just say "listen, there's something I'd really like to talk about.  Can we [go over there/whatever]."  If it's a teacher or someone else you have a formal relationship with, for example, I'd ask them if you can speak in private ASAP.  The "asking" part can be by email for a teacher, but really shouldn't be for a friend or other casual acquaintance you see with any frequency.

Don't be surprised if one or two people say "Oh my god, why didn't you tell me when I met you?  I put so much effort into making friends with you!"  They are assholes.  I say this mostly from personal experience, as when I was being tested for a genetic disease (that would have involved a rupture of the heart a couple years down the line) my friends responded in precisely this manner.

Meh.  I guess I'm just saying "this is going to be an emotionally charged conversation with some people, so don't let any negative responses get you down."

[sonerohi]

Thank you Vector. Yah, I've kind of seen those asshole responses already, unfortunately. My girlfriend dumped me a couple of hours after I told her, and one kid went around telling people I would die in a few weeks.

[The Scout]

Get the surgery done. Tell them they are retarded and live in the forum.

[sonerohi]

I am not really excited for the potential risks of open heart surgery, and recovering in a hospital far removed from my home and the people I love.

[x2yzh9]

I am not really excited for the potential risks of open heart surgery, and recovering in a hospital far removed from my home and the people I love.

This is true. Some people go the surgery route and some want to be at home just in case something happens.