Although I said not to tolerate Verapamil, a doctor gave me another calcium blocker, Diltiazem, when I had atrial fibrillation. When I came home, I had to decrease the daily dose to half and then stop using it totally. Diltiazem made me weak (possibly low BP or pulse) and the rhythm became very variable. Doctors should be careful when prescribing calcium channel blockers.
By the way, my pulse pressure (in sinus rhythm) can vary between 14 and 130. What does this mean? Is this normal?
My otherwise healthy 86 yo. mom was diagnised with Atrial Fibrillation and was admitted to the hospital for seven days. She is otherwise very healthy and was only on Hyzaar for blood pressure prior.
She was told her heart was strong and showed minimal damage, chest Xray proved negative, stress test was passed with exceptional results, but was kept hospitalized until her heart rate stopped spiking. She is now on 5.0 mill.
OK then, atrial fibrillation does need to be controlled. Because of the upper chambers quivering, there's the chance of clots forming. Are you on any blood thinners as well? From your last line it sounds like a-fib has not been diagnosed yet.
As to what causes it, I'm not sure. Some folks get it as they get older. Some people have ablations to correct one problem only to have a-fib rear its head. Not sure if the ablation actually causes it or just uncovers it.
Flecainide and Dilt are a common combination for management of symptomatic atrial fibrillation in patients with normal healthy hearts. It's an effective regimen that you will have to stay on. There is no way to cure atrial fibrillation with medications, however, there is an ablation procedure which is indicated in those who can't tolerate medications. There is about a 75% chance of curing atrial fibrillation with this procedure. You have to stay on the ASA for life.
Hi ! I have been taking Flecainide 100mg twice daily for 9 years for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. Since taking it I have noticed a small amount of hair loss each time I wash my hair but I still have my hair - it hasn't thinned or anything. I did notice fatigue for a while after starting the drug but I think once my body got used to it that passed. Hope all goes well for you.
I am 28 years old and otherwise a healthy individual. Last April I woke up one day with what I believe to have been atrial fibrillation, but by the time the EMT's arrived, I had converted. The doctor's at the hospital told me not to sweat it. I then had about two more episodes of atrial fibrillation after binge drinking the night before, but converted on my own. I did not think there was much of a problem until about a month and a half ago when I started to get PVC's every night.
I am one year older than you, so I do not stand a a proof of living into 80 years, but I can say I have suffered from atrial fibrillation and other heart problems for about 15 years and following my medical advice has helped sustain my life that long.
Happy to hear that the ablation worked for you. Do you know what the SVT was? (e.g., Atrial Flutter, Atrial Fibrillation, single focus atrial tachycardia?
It may also be causing atrial fibrillation later, so if there is a cause (like high blood pressure, overweight, sleep apnea, pulmonary diseases, etc), you must get it treated by your doctor.
Is your blood pressure normal when you don't have the tachycardia?
As far as I know, treatment is: 1) To treat the underlying condition, if it exists, and 2) if this will not stop the tachycardia from happening, the spot causing the tachycardia may be ablated.
I have been in atrial fibrillation for about a year .I have been asking to come off these pills for that long and the doctors ignore my wishes.
Now I am in the UK and I tell a two different pharmacies my problem. I think metropolol and diltiazem should not be combined they are contraindicated and make me feel awful. I had no afib symptoms before these pills. They make me feel worse than I ever felt in my life.
Hi,
What about trying propranolol (inderal)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inderal
I use it for mitral valve arrhythias (fibrillation) to reduce rate though I have a minor side effect (Raynaud's disease). or Lowpressor http://blood-pressure.emedtv.com/lopressor/lowpressor.html
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drugs/rx/rx-mono.aspx?contentFileName=Lop1235.html&contentName=Lopressor&contentId=315
Do you have blue fingers, LBBB, atrial enlargement or other?
Speaking of HR, what is the reason that you see an electrophysiologist? Atrial fibrillation? and are you feeling poorly when your heart rate is 40s?
I would say that if your HR needed to be a little faster than 40s, then adjust metoprolol or diltiazem as your had done, but then increase the enalapril and/or telmisartan to treat the blood pressure.
My daughter, age 49, has been diagnosed with Paroxysmal AF after heart tests and wearing an event monitor, for symptoms of palpatations and minor chest tightness that would come and go at any time of day. She has been under particular stress in the past six months while back in college, but is active and involved in life! Her cardiologist prescribed coumadin therapy. As an RN, I am aware of the distressing dangers and constant monitoring of patients on this drug.
Is there any way of distinguishing between ventricular and atrial fibrillation from the symptoms? The holter does not catch the arrhythmia due to sporadic episodes.
For some insight, Atrial Fibrillation induces an abnormal heart rhythm (irregular, slow, fast, skipped beats) and can affect almost anyone. Although it is linked to several cardiac conditions, Artial Fibrillation can also occur in otherwise normal hearts. The risk of Atrial Fibrillation increases significantly with age.
s important to realize that pacemakers are not an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation, but many patients with atrial fibrillation have a pacemaker to allow your doctor to put you on medications. It also will also not treat your PVC's.
My dad have a really enlarged left atrium (after decades of hypertension) which puts him a risk group for atrial fibrillation. He never had atrial fibrillation yet (except post-op bypass, almost everyone in that setting get atrial fibrillation for a couple of days). He is not very worried about atrial fibrillation.
PACs may set off short runs of atrial fibrillation in rare cases but for the arrhythmia to be sustained, changes must have been made to the left atrium.
There are many thousands of causes for this symptoms, one of which (by no means tha most common) is atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is a disorganized chaotic activity in the atrial tissues, and is significant because if untreated can lead to strokes. Only an EKG during an event, or more likely an event recorder can tell if atrial fibrillation is causing one's palpitations.
I'm trying Dr. Rath's vitamins for cellular health to control atrial fibrillation along with Mega CoQ10. Could this combination possibly stop my episodes of a-fib? My doctor has mentioned rythmol and sotolol but I'd prefer something natural without side effects. Please comment.
Thank you for response. Omega 3 worked wonderfully for me, even with my occasional Atrial fibrillation. One must, however, get a good brand from a real health food store and take 1 grm 3x's per day - my arrhythmia doctor recommended this. She also said selenium, magnesium, COQ10, calcium, aloe vera soft gels. I use what Dr. Oz recommends - Nordic Naturals - they have a bit of lemon so you don't get that awful after taste of fish oil.
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