Welcome, you've come to the right place. You will get lots of support and information here.
I could write a book about what is ahead, but everyone's experience is different.
Do you know when you are in afib? Are you in afib all the time?
What is your age?
First thing is to evaluate your general health, check for thyroid problems, and evaluate your heart health...stress test, echocardiogram, etc.
Find an EP (electrophysiologist) that will give you all your treatment options. Medication can be trial and error to find what works.
If you decide on ablation, find an EP that is very experienced.
Read through the posts here....and best of luck.

Sorry if my reply sounded a bit short. Its late.
Anyway....glad you found us.

Don't be discouraged. I met a airline pilot in Dr. Natale's waiting room in Austin last year. He was there for a a six or nine month followup after his ablation so he could begin flying again. He said that there were a fairly high number of pilots that get afib. Apparently he had no idea this was the case until he had it himself and shared that with others he worked with.

Welcome! Get an EP and make sure you are anticoagulated and this does not mean aspirin. Read marikay's post, she has asked the right questions and given some sound advice to get started on the journey of afib. It is not the end for you, there are things you can do to help with the beast. I do not know about how you would get your license reinstated bit I do think if you find a good EP the chances are very high, Good luck!

Welcome. You need to tell us your medical history to get good advice.

petey

Thanks for all your input. My first EKG showing A-Fib. I'm a long distance runner, age 60. In fact just ran a 1/2 marathon 2 weeks ago, ran 9 miles yesterday. I feel fine.

I am meeting with my primary care doc tomorrow and have a recommendation for a cardiologist. Hopefully I don't need to go the ablation route. That would be a major grounding.

Flatflyer:

Your history with endurance running could potentially be one of the reasons why you have afib. There is a strong connection between endurance athletes and afib. With that said, I would cut back on the endurance running until you get everything figured out. Moderate exercise is crucial for those with afib.

You may or may not need to be on a blood thinner. The cries that you have to be on a blood thinner just because you have afib are completely false. I've had afib for 9 years and have never taken a blood thinner until now. I'm only on it temporarily as I'm recovering from my ablation.

If push comes to shove, you'd actually be better off going the ablation route vs. the drug route. The drug route will only prolong the inevitable and will likely make things worse for you long-term. Personally, if I were you I'd look at having an ablation asap.

If you go to an experienced EP, an ablation isn't that big of a deal. You can read about my ablation experience here if you're interested:
http://www.livingwithatrialfibrillation.com/1434/catheter-ablation-experience/

Best of luck to you.

Travis

Without anticoagulation, 35 percent of afibbers will have a stroke in their lifetime. If you are older, even without any other cha2ds2vasc stroke risk factors, stroke is a possibility. While ablation intuitively seems like it will eliminate stroke, most stay on anticoagulation after ablation.

Hi Fla,

I sent you a private-message regarding flying/afib.

@pacyetep - Petey - you said,

"Without anticoagulation, 35 percent of afibbers will have a stroke in their lifetime. If you are older, even without any other cha2ds2vasc stroke risk factors, stroke is a possibility"

what if one is taking an antiarrhythmic regularly and constantly staying in NSR and with a zero CHADS score?

I think the risk of a stroke would be higher if the patient has repeated AF episodes but if the patient is able to, with antiarrhythmics or whatever, stay in NSR, the risk shouldn't be greater than one who has never had AF.

If you are in NSR risk goes way down... if you are really in NSR (not silent afib). Are you 65 yet? You get 1 point for that... I gudess not if you have a 0 score. petey