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.

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Heart, Blood & Circulation
/ Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

80 years old back from hospital

janni1234
janni1234
My 80 year old husband went into the hospital on Monday with renal failure. The level of the Coumadin that he takes for his heart went way up and caused the kidney to bleed. He has only one kidney, having lost the other to cancer in 1992. We know he is looking at dialysis and not a candidate for transplant. He is also supposed to be seen about a pacemaker. The cardio says he can't treat him for his rapid a-fib before the bradycadia is controlled by a pacemaker.

They have sent him home with a catheter, which they said he will have for some time. They saved the left arm from shots and sticks in preparation for the dialysis. Just wondering if there are any older patients on these boards who have been through similar situations, who can let us know what is ahead.

Jan & Gordon
CLane
CLane
Hello Jan: Just wanted to leave you a quick comment of support. While I cannot relate to the conditions that you and your husband have had to contend with, I feel compassion for you both. I hope the days ahead are alittle better now that he is back from the hospital. Take care and I hope you hear from others that might have had simillar situations.
pacyetep
pacyetep
Jan & Gordon: While I don't have a similar situation, maybe I have an idea. Concering renal failure... there must be a Daily Strength kidney oriented support group or a Yahoo support group for that.

Something that doesn't make sense... bradycardia is slow heart beat... anything below 60 bpm. Pacemakers fix that and there are people on this site that have had them. But what doesn't make sense is the cadio saying he can't treat your husband's RAPID a-fib until he has the pacemaker... I thought he had a slow heart rate, not a fast one. Is he in normal sinus rhythm most of the time with a slow heart rate and a fast heart rate when he is in afib?

Hopefully you will hear some more comments.

petey
janni1234
janni1234
Thanx for the support. Yes, I've posted the same message on various groups. Regarding the heart rate, it is erratic, sometimes down to 30 and other times up to 112. He wore a Holter monitor, before being told he needs a pacemaker. The cadio referred him to the one who implants pacemakers, but we haven't met him yet. They called to set up an appointment when Gordon was in the hospital.
J&G
Moysra
Moysra
Dear Jan & Gordon,

Not in your husband age range but getting there. I am 73 and had an ablation in June. I am sending my kindest thoughts and wishes to you both and hope things improve and that you get some of your questions answered. Take great care.

Moy...
deleted_user
deleted_user
I am the same age as your husband, and while I haven't had the difficulties he has had I can relate you your problem as I have some loss of kidney function also. I hope you can find a satisfactory solution.