Chapter 2: Stress Test

Ochako was nervous about the stress test. Neither she or the doctors are sure about how advance the condition of Ochako's heart was. That was what they were hoping to find out with this stress test.

The doctors place the adhesive patches on Ochako's chest, which would measure her heart rate. They then put an oxygen mask on her face to pump air to her lungs during the test. She was well aware that in her current condition, the chances of her another heart attack during the test were somewhat high.

She was aware of the risks, but she knew it was the only way to know just how bad her condition really is.

"Now, the adhesives attached to your chest will be measuring your heart rate during the test," one of the doctors tells Ochako. "If your heart starts beating abnormally or anything like that, this machine should let us know immediately." Ochako simply nodded as she step on the treadmill.

She was understandably nervous about the test. Not helped by the fact that her heart sped up a little. She closed her eyes and proceeded to take some deep breaths, possibly to try and calm down her heart.

"We can begin the test when you're ready," one of the nurses says. And with that, Ochako began the test, doing a slow jog to start things off.

HR: 102 BPM

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!

Ba-Bump! Ba-Bump! Ba-Bump! Ba-Bump!

Ochako's heart rate was higher than normal, which was to be expected given her nervousness about the test. Still, she continued onward as the treadmill began to pick up speed. Her heart rate started to speed up as did her breathing.

Sweat formed over her entire body. She showed no signs of calming down as her heart rate was now skyrocketing.

HR: 145 BPM

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

BA-BUMP! BA-BUMP! BA-BUMP! BA-BUMP!

It was now reaching a dangerously high rate, as evident by the increased beeping from the heart monitor. Ochako figured her condition was dire, but she didn't think it would bethisbad.

Another sudden rise in her heart rate only amplified her concerns.

HR: 180 BPM

BEEP!BEEP!BEEP!BEEP!BEEP!BEEP!BEEP!

BA-BUMP!BA-BUMP!BA-BUMP!BA-BUMP!

Ochako's breathing and heartbeat were now essentially spiraling out of curiosity. She clutched her chest in extreme pain, her fingers digging into the black cloth of her sports bra. She was gasping for air and her expression was as if several needles filled with adrenaline were stabbing her heart all at once.

She fell off the treadmill and into the ground, the pain becoming more and more excruciating. The doctors and nurses immediately rushed to her side. "Try to relax," Ochako heard one of them say.

HR: 202 BPM

BABUMPBABUMPBABUMPBABUMP!

BEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEP!

Another spike. She was struggling to keep breathing. Struggling to stay alive. Her body twitched, violently and uncontrollably to the point of convulsing. "Stay with us, Ochako!" She heard one of the nurses say as her consciousness began to fade.

Her back nearly bends in half as the air in her lungs runs out. Her eyes rolled up to the back of her head as her soul seemingly leaves her body, causing it to go limp.

HR: 0 BPM

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!

Ochako's heart had stopped. She is now going into full cardiac arrest.

The doctors immediately began to give her chest compressions in an attempt to get her heart beating again. One of the doctors began giving CPR to Ochako as one of the nurses brought out a defibrillator, which was then placed on Ochako's chest.

"Clear!" The nurse shouted as Ochako's chest jolted upward, the electronic shock coursing through her heart. No response. It still wasn't beating. The medical staff continue the CPR, hoping to bring her back. The defibrillators were again recharged, this time to about 360 joules. "Clear!" The nurse shouted again. Another shock is delivered to Ochako's heart.

HR: 42 BPM

Beep…Beep…Beep…Beep…Beep…Beep…

Ba-Bump…Ba-Bump…Ba-Bump…Ba-Bump…

Ochako's misshapen heart resumed its beating. The medical staff feel a small sense of relief as the faint sound of Ochako's lungs rising and falling slowly signaled to them she was out of danger, at least for the time being.

A couple days had passed. Ochako is still recovering from the cardiac arrest she had suffered. She feels as though her condition may end up getting worse. She had been told by the doctors to ingest some PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline quinone, example of this being kiwifruit) and CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) to help repair her heart or at the very least delay her imminent end for just a little while longer.

She could hear her parents discussing, or rather arguing, about whether or not to take her home or to let her stay a while longer. She herself is conflicted towards the situation. One the one hand, she would be getting some care that her misshapen heart desperately needs. But on the other hand, she had been absent from U.A. for about a couple weeks at least. Her friends and classmates would undoubtedly become increasingly worried about her. Yes. Especially Deku.

Eventually, Ochako felt that any further absence from U.A. would only cause more concern, she reluctantly decided to leave the hospital the following morning. She was far behind her hero studies already.

Her two near death experiences have taught her to be cautious. Any prolonged use of her Quirk could potentially worsen her condition. She couldn't tell anyone about this. Not her friends. Not even Deku. She didn't want them to make them worry about her more than they already are.

She slept more or less soundly, hoping to take her mind off her situation.