Here's part 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqiNl7sd_es&feature=related

Thank you Thomas for posting this. This video was very informative and easy to understand. Even though I was diagnosed over 18 months ago, I still learned new information from this video. Thanks again! Take care, Carrie

Excellant, Thank you for sharing!
Carrie is so right, always something to learn and beter understand. Hugs

Thanks Thomas. This was a great way to absorb a lot of information in a simpler understandable way. Some of the info is a little dated on the blood thinners only because the video was made prior to the newer drugs (made in 2009), but the basic info and the reasons why blood thinners are needed was all there. Very helpful for both the newbies and those who've been dealing with this for a while but may have gotten a bit of information overload that confuses the basic facts.

"...gotten a bit of information overload that confuses the basic facts"

Very true indeed. At least that's how I feel sometimes. Especially when you've discussed this subject with so many different individuals.

Everyone seems to have their own slant/opinion/advisement. i like the speaker's comments at the beginning; "I'd like to start from scratch."

CLane; You're mentioning 18 months, prompted me to figure out mine and I guess it's about 22 months right since my diagnosis may 2010. Time flies when you're on pins and needles all the time thinking about this stuff (Lol). ;) Have a good day everybody.

Great job Thomas. This is a very coherent summary that pulls together all the issues we struggle with. What I like about it is that he describes a logic tree to make decisions and to realize, in some cases, you shouldn't be even asking the question. Further, he helps us understand/evaluate/weigh risks of whatever we decide to do or not do. Finally, he explains what decisions are patient preference versus must make decisions.

In my case, since I am asymptomatic and otherwise healthy, the downstream method (rate control) is the way to go. Rate control medicine and anticoagulation.

For me, the fact that he says the rhythm drugs not only affect the atria, they also affect the ventricles, and could although not that often, cause ventricular arrythmias and they are serious. Of course the other choice, ablation, is still there. It has its own risks and is more invasive. I have been told previously, unless you are very symptomatic, the risk/gain analysis favors staying on rate control. He is very clear that anticoagulation is forever, no matter what the treatment or perceived success.

Until they get the ablation to a higher risk mitigation level and more effective for persistent afib, as long as my situation is stable, I need to stay right where I am... rate control.

Thanks so much for your finding this. I wish we had a place to store all the videos and afib documents/narratives on this website.

petey

Great video I wish an ablation was the answer for me however I can not have an ablation, but i will pass the video on to others I know so they can understand and hopefully it will help them.

Thanks for sharing! Liked both videos.

They just need a new part aded that says that ablation works 100% of the time with a 0% recurrence rate, that they totally understand afib, that the cost of ablation is the same as a regular doctors visit, that rhythm drugs will no longer be needed as the procedure will be available for everyone, and that anticoagulants will no longer be used after ablation and will only be prescribed for other medical problems and for rat control.

Surfat, thanks for posting these videos, both were easy to understand. The benefit of something like this is to be able to send them to family. I may understand what is happening to me, but it has been gradually over the last few years. This is a way to explain what you are going through to others.

Thanks. Joan

petey " ~ I am in the same situation as you and will continue with rate control on medications and Warfarin. I have had AFIB for 10 yrs. now so I hope any of you folks that are sacred or worried...please don't be...take your meds...listen to your Doc and be well...Life is good and just get it off your mind...enjoy life !

Hey Falkon, have you shared more of your story here on DS yet? 10 years, is a good tour for sure. Congratulations. If you haven't done so yet, please consider doing so. All the best!

;-)

Thomas

Wow Falkon, thanks for your post. It actually did make me feel better. I have had afib for three years and every day I wake up fearful and think all day that I feel my heart going out of rythm. I just hate it and I feel like I waste a large part of my life worrying. Again thank you.