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 going through some notes (way too early) this morning before work and ran across a small piece of paper my Pharmacist gave me a few months back. He suggested that I check out this site (no doubt many may have already seen it). Not that anyone needs another AF 101 dissertation/explanation - but it is well done and a pretty cool site.
The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook:
http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/heart_and_blood_vessel_disorders/abnormal_heart_rhythms/overview_of_abnormal_heart_rhythms.html
;)
The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook:
http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/heart_and_blood_vessel_disorders/abnormal_heart_rhythms/overview_of_abnormal_heart_rhythms.html
;)
"When atrial fibrillation or flutter is converted back to normal rhythm, the risk that a clot will be dislodged and cause a stroke is particularly high."
Seems counterintuitive that less time in afib carries a high risk.
When I was in the ER in my first episode of Atrial Fib my kids came in one by one to say hello. I felt myself convert to NSR while my Son in law was with me. My first thought was get my husband I don't want to have a stroke in front of my son in law it's too personal.
I was on a heparin drip at the time but still really worried.
I think aspirin and anticoagulants give us a much better protection now.
With all do respect (no fault of yours of course) that is about the scariest, most messed up thing I've read in a long time.
I know it was a long, long time ago, but was there no preventative stuff going on back then at all? Also I've never heard of there being any relationship to resuming NSR (which is a GOOD thing) and a further risk of the NSR resulting in a stroke,..... Is there any correlation to this phenom now even with the blood thinners (new med.s)? During this last trip to the ER on 2-17, for the first time, I herad not one but multiple stoke codes called during the several hours I was there. Once, I was admitted to a room upstairs, during the night I probably heard another 2 or 3, it was not fun nor was it fun for the poor people who were having them - no doubt.
Thoughts????
THX.
Thomas (Surfrat)
"When atrial fibrillation or flutter is converted back to normal rhythm, the risk that a clot will be dislodged and cause a stroke is particularly high."
Wow, I never heard that before and that's totally messed up too.
Well, that answers my question proposed to Peg. Huh, go figure. So what's really to be said for everyone self-converting at home in the event that it takes several hours etc. only with pill form thinners and no IVs or monitor-ization/guidance??
In my memory it was atrial fib or flutter then converted to NSR. Those first few BIG NSR beats pushed clots out of the atria and eventually to the brain. It happened a lot of times. It was sad and scary.
Then I found myself in Atrial fib and really wanted to freak out as I converted but with my SIL standing there I had to maintain and ask him to get my DH. Luckily I was already on a drip.
Thomas my EP and my Cardio guy both said one cardiac dose (81mg) aspirin a day is enough but if I find myself in atrial fib go ahead and chew a regular strength aspirin too. That's CHEW not swallow, works much better.
I know I fell a couple of years ago while I was on aspirin and bled like a SOB. Aspirin does a great job. Should be enough if the two MDs I trust the most say so.
Interesting huh?
Peg