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.
6 months ago had a cyro-ablation. The procedure for me was routine with an easy recovery.
5 days later I went into a bad A Fib episode which lasted 2 hours----heart rate went to 128. A Fib episodes are common in the first 2-3 months after an ablation. I started Multaq and no more A Fib.
March 16th told to stop the Multaq. On the 3rd and the 4th days after stopping Multaq, my heart rate went into low 80's and my heart monitor showed a couple of brief episodes of A Fib on those days, but nothing since.
April 2nd had the24 hr. holter test which was normal----no A Fib.
April 26th had appt. with EP Cardiologist. The EKG showed zero A Fib.
My Dr. decided I should switch off from warfarin and take aspirin instead. He said now I have no risk factors for stroke: almost 63, with no stroke history, no diabetes, never had high blood pressure, normal weight, etc. We spend some time talking about changing to aspirin because I was hesitant. Dr. said he makes this decision based on each patient's individual history.
But my Dr. says A Fib must always be monitored. I'm to use my home heart monitor at least twice a week, and report any type of A Fib to the office.
In 2 months will have another holter test, and another Dr. appt. and EKG in 3 months. Gradually, the time between tests and appts. will lessen.
Dr. says my risk for A Fib returning will always be 1%. If that happens, then probably would have another ablation.
The only heart med I take now is diltiazem 120 mg. daily.
I failed 3 heart rhythm medicines in less than 1 year. And still have the ringing in the ears, a side effect of rhythmol, but fortunately, it's eased. So, in my case, a cyro-ablation seemed worth trying.
Thank you again, Joan, for recommending your Dr. He was willing to take the time to discuss my concerns. Several people I trust have told me how smart he is.
And thanks to everyone here who has offered sympathy and advice, and helped me along this strange and confusing A Fib trail.
I don't know what the future will bring, but today I'm truly thankful to
feel normal.
D.
5 days later I went into a bad A Fib episode which lasted 2 hours----heart rate went to 128. A Fib episodes are common in the first 2-3 months after an ablation. I started Multaq and no more A Fib.
March 16th told to stop the Multaq. On the 3rd and the 4th days after stopping Multaq, my heart rate went into low 80's and my heart monitor showed a couple of brief episodes of A Fib on those days, but nothing since.
April 2nd had the24 hr. holter test which was normal----no A Fib.
April 26th had appt. with EP Cardiologist. The EKG showed zero A Fib.
My Dr. decided I should switch off from warfarin and take aspirin instead. He said now I have no risk factors for stroke: almost 63, with no stroke history, no diabetes, never had high blood pressure, normal weight, etc. We spend some time talking about changing to aspirin because I was hesitant. Dr. said he makes this decision based on each patient's individual history.
But my Dr. says A Fib must always be monitored. I'm to use my home heart monitor at least twice a week, and report any type of A Fib to the office.
In 2 months will have another holter test, and another Dr. appt. and EKG in 3 months. Gradually, the time between tests and appts. will lessen.
Dr. says my risk for A Fib returning will always be 1%. If that happens, then probably would have another ablation.
The only heart med I take now is diltiazem 120 mg. daily.
I failed 3 heart rhythm medicines in less than 1 year. And still have the ringing in the ears, a side effect of rhythmol, but fortunately, it's eased. So, in my case, a cyro-ablation seemed worth trying.
Thank you again, Joan, for recommending your Dr. He was willing to take the time to discuss my concerns. Several people I trust have told me how smart he is.
And thanks to everyone here who has offered sympathy and advice, and helped me along this strange and confusing A Fib trail.
I don't know what the future will bring, but today I'm truly thankful to
feel normal.
D.
D.
He said that the number 1 trigger he sees is alcohol, but caffeine doesn't seem to be as much of a problem in his practice.
Also, when discussing strokes I asked, "Don't females have a greater risk for strokes?" He said that the types of strokes females have a greater risk for would have shown up already by my age (63), and since I've never had a stroke yet, I have no extra risk factor.
But he did mention that after 70, there is more risk.
I am about 3 weeks away from 6 months since my cryoablation. Not a-fib free by any means.