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 was diagnosed with a-fib about 5 weeks ago. Woke up with heart going fast (no other symptoms)- did not go away so went to ED and they gave cardiozem and it stopped. 59/F with hypertension treated with losartan.
Just went to a cardiologist and he wanted to start eliquis 5mg 2X daily, and gave cardiozem to use only if an afib happens. I am freaked out about taking a drug for something that happened once. I purchased a new apple watch and have been wearing it even at night to make sure I have not had 'episodes' without knowing and there have been none.
Can one episode happen and never again?
I was on your shoes just last June and decided not to take any of the medication they want me to take, I start learning all the triggers and now I'm taking supplements with a low dosage of a blood pressure medication and I feel pretty good. I'm also very careful now with triggers like
1]. Stress
2]. Caffeine
3]. Alcohol
4]. lack of sleep
5]. getting a flu/cold virus
6]. Smoking
7]. Extreme hot
Eliquis, they want you on it in case you have another episode and triggers a blood clot to travel to an critical area of your body that is all, this medication works as a preventive measure---in many cases, these meds damage more with side effects than anything else.
losartan is a blood pressure medication with a low effect to liver damage, is usually given to people with diabetes. A common complication of diabetes is heart disease---so, if you have diabetes i would think the answer is definitely yes.
they say that, once you have one A-fib episode, the chances are to have more episodes in the future.
cheers
T
One size fits all treatment is a bad idea I think.
Thanks again for the great info.
The blood thinner is very important indeed, again to prevent blood clots but with a lot of side effects indeed.
consider in adding more garlic, ginger, turmeric, tomatoes and oranges to your daily diet, these guys are super healthy especially for arteries/blood circulation, heart, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant etc... on the top they taste pretty good too.
I added a supplement called MK-7 + K-2 derived from Nato [Nattokinase extract] that is a natural powerful blood thinner with "no side effects". K-2 is also according to studies very powerful to the prevention of cancer and etc.
I had in the past some sharp pains in my lower legs that we believe are caused from tiny blood clots and since I start taking it, no more pain what so ever. I take it with dinner and a full glass of water.
cheers
T
la
They did all the heart tests, etc, and really didn't find anything wrong with me...I did some research, and
most of it said that it was probably "LIFE STYLE INDUCED" A-Fib...After a while, I decided to cut out caffeine, and low and behold my AF went away....Told the Dr. I no longer wanted to be on Warfrin, and
he told me to take an aspirin....Well, after about a year, with now A-Fib, I decided to stop the aspirin, and just went cold turkey...I went >> 10 yrs <<< with NO A-Fib....
So, here about 1 1/2 yrs ago, a Dr. sent me over to a Physical Therapist , where they put me thru some 'Strenuous exercises for almost an hour....It really tired me out, and I told them I had to stop, and rest for a while....I went home and sat down to rest, and happened to check my pulse, and i was in A-Fib....
WOW!!! How did that happen.??? It took about a couple of hours and I converted by to NSR...
Went another year,,,NO A-Fib....Then one time, I drank to much liquor...[the hard stuff]...Was feeling the effects of it, so I went to bed....Just happened to check my pulse again....A-Fib. again... WOW!!!
Converted back to NSR after a couple of hours when I sobered up....
The most recent time, it was '""STRESS""
Same thing.....after a couple of hours when I finally fell asleep, it converted back to NSR...
SSOOOO!!!
What I read, was that a Dr. John Mandrola, a Cardiac Electrophysiologist and book author ,
said this....
>>>> ""A-Fib is a disease of EXCESS""...
I'll testify to that....
YAH!!! You can get blood clots from A-Fib....""BUT"" what are the chances....3-4% a year...
"BUT"" what are the chances you can get a hemorrhagic stroke taking Warfrin or Eliquis..???
How about 2% a year...
SOO!! Bottom line it's a gamble....
But, IF you watch your triggers to can win the bet .......
The ""ABSOLUTE"" most important thing is to take your MAGNESIUM is sufficient quantity..
My Cardiologist still want me on a OAC...and I refuse...
I have only had one episode, although the cardiologist claims I may be having it without knowing....I monitor my heart rate almost 24/7 and can check for afib with the apple watch4 so I know I have not had another episode. I will not be taking the eliquis because I have always had such a tendency to bruise/bleed easily. I shared this but the cardiologist said if I did not take it I would have a stroke. I hope not- but also don't want to have a hemorrhagic stroke.
I have changed my diet to a pretty clean one. I read that blood sugar spikes could cause an afib attack...so no flour, sugar, white potatoes or rice for me. I exercise regularly and have not had a problem during particularly stressful exercise.
I ordered some magnesium, MK-7 + K-2, and hawthorn extract for the afib and some b12 because I am deficient.
Next is a stress test and echo to rule out any issues with the heart...outside of afib.
We shall see.