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.
Thanks, Joan, for the "hug". How are you doing? Thanks for recommending your EP.
My cyro-ablation , 10 months ago, is still a success--no A Fib.
( notice that I don't use the word "cured") Feel normal again and life is good (most of the time)
The echocardiogram showed mild-moderate left ventricular hypertrophy. It means having yearly echocardiograms and to continue with diltiziem, the only heart med I now take.
Never have had high blood pressure, which can cause it. My EP doesn't seem concerned. He says that some people are just born with thicker heart walls.
Recently read that Left ventricular hypertrophy and A Fib often co exist.
Has anyone heard of this?
Recently, someone wrote on this site that people with A Fib know a lot more about their hearts than the average population!
But is this a good thing or a bad thing?!
As for me, I just like to know.
D.
My cyro-ablation , 10 months ago, is still a success--no A Fib.
( notice that I don't use the word "cured") Feel normal again and life is good (most of the time)
The echocardiogram showed mild-moderate left ventricular hypertrophy. It means having yearly echocardiograms and to continue with diltiziem, the only heart med I now take.
Never have had high blood pressure, which can cause it. My EP doesn't seem concerned. He says that some people are just born with thicker heart walls.
Recently read that Left ventricular hypertrophy and A Fib often co exist.
Has anyone heard of this?
Recently, someone wrote on this site that people with A Fib know a lot more about their hearts than the average population!
But is this a good thing or a bad thing?!
As for me, I just like to know.
D.
Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an enlargement of the left pumping chamber of the heart and may be due to several different things. The most common cause is high blood pressure. Other causes are due to exercise (athletic hypertrophy) and congenital (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HOCM).
The diagnosis of LVH is usually made by echocardiogram. The walls of the ventricle can be measured and a thickness of greater than 1.5 cm is considered enlarged. Athletic hypertrophy is usually less than this thickness and will return to normal size with cessation of the activity. HOCM may be diagnosed in the absence of other causes of LVH and with the presence of a family history.
The treatment of LVH depends on the cause. Hypertensive LVH is treated by controlling the blood pressure. Some antihypertensive drugs may cause LVH to regress but this is controversial. Athletic hypertrophy does not require treatment. HOCM is a rare condition that should be followed by a cardiologist with expertise in this area. It may require medical or surgical management.
Long term prognosis of LVH is good. There is an increased propensity to heart failure (see previous questions on heart failure) so a correct diagnosis and proper treatment is essential to decrease this risk.
petey
This is better than what I'd been able to find.
D.
D.