Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
I have been following this site since last November when I was first diagnosed with AFIB. Before I share a little bit of my story, let me simply say "Thanks" for all of the wonderful information and encouragement that I've discovered by reading the posts here at Daily Strength. It helped me navigate the rough waters of fear and uncertainty that come with the initial diagnosis of AFIB.
I'm a 45-year old male, excellent health, with no underlying cause (thus far) for my AFIB. My first episode last November occurred as I was riding my lawn mower. The all-too familiar "heart flopping" was taking place, but having never experienced it to that degree, I wasn't sure what was occurring. I continued doing yard work for another hour or so, came in and showered, then had some lunch. I continued to have some shortness of breath and dizzy spells so I finally told my wife what I was feeling. We immediately traveled up to the ER and I was soon presented with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. I don't believe I had even heard the term prior to that moment.
It turned into a 2-day stay in the hospital. I converted to NSR after 24 hours via a Cardizem drip. The EKG and bloodwork came back normal and I was discharged with a prescription for Multaq and a daily baby aspirin. After doing some research on Multaq, I contacted my cardiologist and asked if it would be too big of a risk to not go on any anti-arrythmics at this point. He agreed to let me forego the Multaq so my next step was to contact an EP.
I ended up seeing David Delurgio at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta. He advised a 30-day monitoring period along with a sleep study. The 30-day period revealed no additional AFIB episodes and the sleep study didn't show any sleep apnea.
I had read about the PIP approach so I suggested this as an alternative treatment option and the EP felt I was an excellent candidate. So, I'm currently keeping Rythmol (propafenone) on standby. I ended up having to use it back in May when I had my second episode (while playing softball). I ended up converting back to NSR after 2 hours.
Since then, no additional episodes so I continue to adapt to living with an arrhythmia that can rear its ugly head without any warning. All in all, I consider myself fortunate as I could remain paroxysmal for a long time to come. I realize that there are many who have to deal with the daily effects of persistent or permanent AFIB.
I did have my thyroid tested within the past 2 weeks and I'm in the high normal range for my TSH (currently 3.1). My PCP believes that I have hypothyroidism and wants to start me on Synthroid. He wants my level to be at 2.5 or below. An endocrinologist I consulted believes I'm simply at the high end of normal (less than 3.5 TSH) and says just to monitor it. I know the thyroid can play part in all things heart and cardiovascular related (among other things), so this is something I'm having to weigh into the equation as well.
For now, I'm not on medication of any kind, including anticoagulants as my CHADS score is 0. My goal is to avoid medication for as long as possible and wait to see if ablation technology advances over the next 5-10 years to the point that the success rate increases to a 90% or greater level.
Your replies and insight are welcomed. Thanks again for the service all of you provide on this forum!
I'm a 45-year old male, excellent health, with no underlying cause (thus far) for my AFIB. My first episode last November occurred as I was riding my lawn mower. The all-too familiar "heart flopping" was taking place, but having never experienced it to that degree, I wasn't sure what was occurring. I continued doing yard work for another hour or so, came in and showered, then had some lunch. I continued to have some shortness of breath and dizzy spells so I finally told my wife what I was feeling. We immediately traveled up to the ER and I was soon presented with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. I don't believe I had even heard the term prior to that moment.
It turned into a 2-day stay in the hospital. I converted to NSR after 24 hours via a Cardizem drip. The EKG and bloodwork came back normal and I was discharged with a prescription for Multaq and a daily baby aspirin. After doing some research on Multaq, I contacted my cardiologist and asked if it would be too big of a risk to not go on any anti-arrythmics at this point. He agreed to let me forego the Multaq so my next step was to contact an EP.
I ended up seeing David Delurgio at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta. He advised a 30-day monitoring period along with a sleep study. The 30-day period revealed no additional AFIB episodes and the sleep study didn't show any sleep apnea.
I had read about the PIP approach so I suggested this as an alternative treatment option and the EP felt I was an excellent candidate. So, I'm currently keeping Rythmol (propafenone) on standby. I ended up having to use it back in May when I had my second episode (while playing softball). I ended up converting back to NSR after 2 hours.
Since then, no additional episodes so I continue to adapt to living with an arrhythmia that can rear its ugly head without any warning. All in all, I consider myself fortunate as I could remain paroxysmal for a long time to come. I realize that there are many who have to deal with the daily effects of persistent or permanent AFIB.
I did have my thyroid tested within the past 2 weeks and I'm in the high normal range for my TSH (currently 3.1). My PCP believes that I have hypothyroidism and wants to start me on Synthroid. He wants my level to be at 2.5 or below. An endocrinologist I consulted believes I'm simply at the high end of normal (less than 3.5 TSH) and says just to monitor it. I know the thyroid can play part in all things heart and cardiovascular related (among other things), so this is something I'm having to weigh into the equation as well.
For now, I'm not on medication of any kind, including anticoagulants as my CHADS score is 0. My goal is to avoid medication for as long as possible and wait to see if ablation technology advances over the next 5-10 years to the point that the success rate increases to a 90% or greater level.
Your replies and insight are welcomed. Thanks again for the service all of you provide on this forum!
It's amazing how we can deal with a crisis when we're armed with sufficient knowledge! If my first AFIB episode had occurred in that setting (undergoing physical exertion), I probably would have thought I was having a heart attack. Instead, amid my shortness of breath, I informed my coach that I would have to come out of the game due to my heart arrhythmia. I walked over to the concession stand and asked for a cup of water, then walked to my car and swallowed the two Rythmol pills that were in my wallet and drove myself home.
Advice: Hit the ball OVER the fence so you can walk around the bases.
petey
My wife's brother and mother have afib. BTW, my wife used to run half marathon, and I ran on cross country teams... so I think you know where this is going...
My son is obsessed with beating everyone... winning... just like I was up till I was diagnosed... my wife and I are thinking... is this worth it? Running like a maniac? I think the answer is knowing when to cut back. The fact of the matter is there are 2 types of healthy people who get afib... endurance sports participants, the elite, the push themselves hard... and the middle aged athlete with accumulated miles...
Who knew?
petey
Welcome Aboard Flipperdo
I'll think of a poem, especially for You.
Well actually, I'm kinda stuck
so I'll have to rely on luck..
You see my Kitty passed away
just the other day
and the tears are still flowing
I'm so stressed and it's showing!
You've done Everything Right
You are really quite Bright
to have researched so much
my heart you Do Touch!
I don't have an answer,
and I won't make you Laugh,
But stay with us Friend
and Welcome on our Path!
Welcome Flipperdoodle.(*..*).*
So I have asymptomatic bradycardia which has likely been with me since I was born. I was first diagnosed with it in my early 20's. I have an older brother who also has bradycardia and AFIB so the genetic influence is always a question that's in my mind. His AFIB is the opposite of mine as his heart rate slows down instead of increasing.
Anyway, the end result of my visits with both the cardiologist and the EP was: "Don't worry about the AFIB. If it becomes more progressive, there are treatment options. Go and enjoy life!" Needless to say, that brought me a lot of peace of mind considering how uncertain I was after first being diagnosed.
So, depending on what course my AFIB takes, it's good to know that there are some viable options out there (even though the anti-arrhythmic meds seem a little scary if you have to be on them long term). I like the PIP approach and hope that it can remain my main option for the foreseeable future. Also, since I'm an excellent candidate for ablation, I'm hopeful that I can buy 5-10 years and allow technology to improve the outcomes.
Hi Flipper, sorry you're a member of our club. It seems there's no rhyme or reason for afib... Athletes and people who never exercised a day in their life.
I have thyroid issues. I was hyper, and now hypo. Your tsh is not where it should be, and you should be on synthroid. Go see a good endocrinologist and don't mess with your primary care physician. They know little about thyroid matters.
Flipper, sounds to me like you are doing okay. No pills and diet. I wish I did not have to take.
"Taller patients with left ventricular dysfunction at greater risk of atrial fibrillation
April 21, 2006 Michael O'Riordan
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Atlanta, GA - New registry data suggest that taller patients with left ventricular dysfunction are at greater risk for developing atrial fibrillation (AF) [1]. In multivariate regression analysis, increasing height was strongly associated with the arrhythmia, even after adjustment for traditional AF risk factors.
"The reason for looking at stature is because there has been evidence, clinically as well as in experimental models, showing that larger animals are more susceptible to atrial fibrillation," said lead investigator Dr Ibrahim Hanna (Emory University, Atlanta, GA). "For example, if you look at mice and compare them with horses, it is almost impossible to induce atrial fibrillation in mice, whereas horses can go into atrial fibrillation quite easily. We have also seen evidence where larger people, like basketball players, end of up having more problems with atrial fibrillation than smaller people."
The study is published in the April 18, 2006 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
http://www.theheart.org/article/690041.do
Taller People More Likely To Develop Atrial Fibrillation
ScienceDaily (Apr. 13, 2006) Analysis of data from a registry of patients with left ventricular dysfunction indicates that height is an independent risk factor for an arrhythmia of the upper chambers of the heart, according to a new study in the April 18, 2006, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
"Tall stature is a potent risk for the development of atrial fibrillation and is independent of other clinical risk factors. Indeed, the male predominance of atrial fibrillation appears to be explained by the difference in height between men and women," said Jonathan J. Langberg, M.D. from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. During an episode, the upper chambers of the heart flutter instead of pumping blood effectively. The incidence increases as people age, with a prevalence of more than 5 percent in patients over the age of 65 years.
The size of the left atrium of the heart is known to be associated with atrial fibrillation, so the researchers wanted to see if bigger people have a higher risk of atrial fibrillation.
"It is well known that small animals do not develop atrial fibrillation, while those larger than humans, particularly horses, seem to be quite susceptible. I also encountered a string of very tall patients, most of whom were former basketball players, with lone atrial fibrillation," Dr. Langberg said.
The researchers, including first author Ibrahim R. Hanna, M.D., reviewed data on 25,268 enrolled in the ADVANCENT registry. ADVANCENT is a prospective, longitudinal, multicenter, observational registry designed to collect and report data on the histories, diagnostics, therapies, and interventions for patients with left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction -- 40 percent). They separated the patients by height into four groups each for men and women and then compared atrial fibrillation rates.
The patients in the tallest quartile group had an atrial fibrillation prevalence that was 32 percent higher than those in the shortest quartile. Extrapolating from this result indicates that every 16 centimeters (about 6 inches) increase in height is associated with a 50 percent increase in the chance of developing atrial fibrillation.
"Tall patients may need more aggressive attempts to attenuate risk factors. Controlled trials should evaluate stature in treatment and control arms," Dr. Langberg said.
He noted that this study just used a snapshot of the health information of the patients at a single point in time, although the patients of course reached their adult height long before they were likely to develop atrial fibrillation. And while all the subjects in this study were patients with impaired left ventricular function, Dr. Langberg speculates that the same results would be found in other groups.
Professor Michael Feneley, M.D., F.R.A.C.P., F.A.C.C. from St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, Australia, who was not connected with this study, pointed out that height is not a modifiable risk factor.
"Although the paper supports previous evidence of a relationship between atrial size and atrial fibrillation, there is no therapeutically applicable outcome from the study, because you can't alter your height as a risk factor for atrial fibrillation!" Prof. Feneley said.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/04/060414005047.htm
Physical activity, height, and left atrial size are independent risk factors for lone atrial fibrillation in middle-aged healthy individuals.
Mont L, Tamborero D, Elosua R, Molina I, Coll-Vinent B, Sitges M, Vidal B, Scalise A, Tejeira A, Berruezo A, Brugada J; GIRAFA (Grup Integrat de Recerca en Fibril-laci Auricular) Investigators.
SourceThorax Institute, Hospital Clnic, University of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomdiques August Pi i Sunyer, C/Villarroel 170, Barcelona, 08036 Catalonia, Spain. lmont@clinic.ub.es
Abstract
AIMS: The aetiology of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unknown in some patients. The aim of the study was to identify new risk factors for developing lone AF (LAF).
METHODS AND RESULTS: A series of 107 consecutive patients younger than 65, seen in the emergency room for an episode of LAF of
METHODS AND RESULTS: A series of 107 consecutive patients younger than 65, seen in the emergency room for an episode of LAF of
CONCLUSIONS: Accumulated lifetime physical activity, height, and left atrial size are risk factors for LAF in healthy middle-aged individuals.
petey