"In most cases, it'll just resolve itself like it did for you." He looked at the file again. "By the time you got to the ER, it looks like your heart rate was in the normal range."
"Is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening again?"
"You can avoid high levels of caffeine and alcohol. Eat well and stay active—general heart care will help to keep it strong and healthy. I don't believe there's any scientific proof, but I've noticed SVT episodes happen more in the warm weather, so try not to get overheated."
"No caffeine?"
"That's not what I said." Brayden smiled. "Just don't overdo it. Small amounts should be fine, though you might want to avoid it for a while after an episode."
They spoke for a little while until Lana appeared to feel better about the whole thing.
"All in all," Brayden said, "if you're going to have a heart condition, it may as well be SVT. Can I get your blood pressure?"
Lana nodded. "The nurse took it before you came in, though."
"I understand, but I like to check it myself." Brayden stood, and walked to the other side of the room. "I'll need to wrap this around your arm, and the machine will do the rest."
"Okay." Lana walked over to him, standing only an inch away.
Brayden wrapped it around her arm and then he pressed the button for it to start. "Your blood pressure is high. Is it usually high when at rest?"
"I…I'm not sure."
"Let's try this again." He readjusted the strap around her arm, trying to ignore how soft her skin felt against his. He pushed the button, and it came up with the same high number.
"Hmm. You can sit back down." He flipped through the chart and saw that her heart rate had been normal when the nurse had taken it before he came in. "I'll be right back."
"Okay."
Brayden went into the hall. He got the attention of Eugene, one of the most experienced on the nurse staff. He explained the situation, and sent him into the room to take Lana's blood pressure again.
He studied the chart before going back in.
"Everything is normal," Eugene said.
"Let me see that." Brayden walked over and looked at the machine. Sure enough, it showed numbers within the normal range. He turned to Lana. "Mind if I give it a try again?"
She shook her head.
Brayden wrapped the strap around her soft arm again, and then he started the machine. The numbers came high again.
He frowned. "We'd better get this serviced. Eugene, can you take her to another room to use another machine?"
"Sure thing, doctor."
***
Lana Summers stopped in front of a fountain near the hospital entrance.
That had been the most embarrassing experience of her life. Cardiologists had no right to be that hot. None at all.
Every time Dr. Hunter touched her arm to get her blood pressure, Lana's heart pounded, nearly exploding out of her chest. She was so glad that neither he nor that nurse had figured out why her numbers were so drastically different when Dr. Hunter was there.
He was tall, well-built, and had a smile that could melt an iceberg. And he smelled heavenly. She could stand there all day with him adjusting her arm.
She needed to drop coffee cold turkey and stay out of the sun. Whatever it took to keep her SVT under control. There was no way she could face him again. Dr. Hunter would either figure out that she was attracted to him, or he would think she broke all of his equipment.
Get it here.
Other books by Stacy Claflin
The Transformed Series
Deception (#1)
Betrayal (#2)
Forgotten (#3)
Silent Bite (#3.5)
Ascension (#4)
Duplicity (#5)
Sacrifice (#6)
Destroyed (#7)
Transcend (#8)
Entangled (#9)
Hidden Intentions (Novel)
A Long Time Coming (Short Story)
Fallen (Novella)
Taken (Novella)
Gone Trilogy
Gone
Held
Over
The Complete Trilogy
Dean's List (Standalone)
Mercy Series
Chasing Mercy
Searching for Mercy
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Author's Note
Thanks so much for reading Seaside Surprises. This is my newest series, and I'm really excited about it. It's exciting to step a little bit out of my comfort zone and write sweet romance. It was a little strange to write without vampires or high suspense, but I really enjoyed it. I'm excited to write the rest of the Seaside Hunter books and get to know the other brothers.
If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review wherever you purchased it. Not only will your review help me to better understand what you like—so I can give you more of it!—but it will also help other readers find my work. Reviews can be short—just share your honest thoughts. That's it.
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I've spent many hours writing, re-writing, and editing this work. I even put together a team who helped with the editing process. As it is impossible to find every single error, if you find any, please contact me through my website and let me know. Then I can fix them for future editions.
Thank you for your support!
~Stacy
Seaside Surprises: A Sweet Romance (The Seaside Hunters Book 1) Page 17