The article discusses the phenomenon of denial in medicine, focusing on how individuals, including medical professionals, may ignore serious health symptoms due to fear and rationalization. The author, an anesthesiologist, reflects on his own experience with chest pain during a workout and acknowledges the common symptoms of coronary artery disease. Despite being health-conscious and having a positive family history, he fell into denial about the potential seriousness of his symptoms, illustrating how our minds can engage in magical thinking to avoid confronting health issues.
I was aware of the characteristic triad that makes up the most common presentation of coronary artery disease: exercise-induced chest pain, under the breastbone, relieved promptly by rest.
However, I knew that plenty of other irritations (such as acid reflux and muscle strain) could cause chest pain. I didn't have heart disease.
Nevertheless, I decided to end my workout. I had good reasons to bolster my rationalization. I had always been in superb health.
At 62, I had no fear of impending heart disease.
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