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A typical day

Round on the hospital's heart patients from about 7am, checking overnight tracings and lab results. Mid-morning in the catheterization lab in a lead apron, threading a catheter through a wrist artery to look at the vessels around the heart. Afternoon clinic: 15 or 20 patients with chest pain, high blood pressure, rhythm problems or failing hearts, mostly a conversation and a plan. Then readings, notes and phone calls. Call nights mean being available for anyone arriving with a heart attack.