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.
Today I had my 6 month visit with my EP. I have had a Reveal LINQ loop recorder imbedded in my chest for approximately 15 months, which provides continuous monitoring on my AFIB Events.
It appears that I am improving!
At least 40 years of AFIB, who knows what my AFIB burden was, maybe 50&
23 months ago stroke
18 months ago ablation performed
15 months ago recorder installed (when Medicare would pay)
12 months ago my AFIB burden was 13.3%
6 months ago it was 10.3%
Today it was 4.5%
These readings cover the data back to the previous reading.
Interestingly enough I was in AFIB at the time of the visit with a resting
rate of 104. I've been pushing myself lately. The data points to several AFIB events per week, but most are rather short and terminate within a few minutes. However today I had been in AFIB for over 5 hours.
We discussed Rythmol again. I didn't think that the risk of side effects were worth trying to get my AFIB burden down any further. I asked if it was worth trying Rythmol as a 'pill-in-the-pocket' . The EP said that a vast majority of my events self terminate within the time that it would take for the Rythmol to take effect, so it really was not worth it for me.
It's nice to get good news.
It appears that I am improving!
At least 40 years of AFIB, who knows what my AFIB burden was, maybe 50&
23 months ago stroke
18 months ago ablation performed
15 months ago recorder installed (when Medicare would pay)
12 months ago my AFIB burden was 13.3%
6 months ago it was 10.3%
Today it was 4.5%
These readings cover the data back to the previous reading.
Interestingly enough I was in AFIB at the time of the visit with a resting
rate of 104. I've been pushing myself lately. The data points to several AFIB events per week, but most are rather short and terminate within a few minutes. However today I had been in AFIB for over 5 hours.
We discussed Rythmol again. I didn't think that the risk of side effects were worth trying to get my AFIB burden down any further. I asked if it was worth trying Rythmol as a 'pill-in-the-pocket' . The EP said that a vast majority of my events self terminate within the time that it would take for the Rythmol to take effect, so it really was not worth it for me.
It's nice to get good news.
How long does your Dr. figure it takes for Rythmol to take affect? Sometimes it takes a couple of hrs. for me to convert when I use it...sometimes sooner.
Finally, being semi-retired and not letting myself get sucked into stressful projects/situations really helps. No kids, cats are much less stress. Of course, participating in our AFIB forum with other travelers like me almost daily for over six years has certainly helped me along my journey.
laurab
That's great. Just curious who did your ablation.
Always nice to hear good news at a doctor's appointment. Congrats on your Ablation success !!
I have my 6 month follow up next Monday, I hope I get the same good news.
My doctor told me I could only have one glass of wine. On Thanksgiving, I cheated and had "two" glasses of wine. My chest tightened up for about 15-20 minutes. I think he will tell me to go back to "one' glass of wine !!!
Sally
In general, you are doing pretty well except for some afib here and there. Congratulations. Also, I am happy that your thyroid is under control. That is a big one. Great.
Just curious, can you tell when you go into afib? Have you correlated your events with anything specific beside getting stressed out in your job?
It looks like ablation is not definitely the silver bullet for afib. At least, it has not been for me. I am sure McHale disagrees with me :-)
By the way, I still take the Atenolol as soon as I feel the afib is coming. It usually stops after half to one hour. So, still life is good. I never leave home without a couple of Atenolols.
I know it works for you too, but unfortunately, you can't take it, ouch.
Good luck.
Scott
Panicker: My ablation was done by Dr. Aysha Arshad out of Arrhythmia Associates of Ridgewoood, NJ. She has since moved to the Washington D.C. area
Scott:: yes, with a usual resting heart rate of 50, beta blockers are a no-no for me. A large meal will set me off. I'm still working 2-3 days/week. Since the project is now in production, that means night shift. I start around 2:30-3:00 pm. If I work past 8:00-8:30 it's not good for my AFIB. If I work on the weekend, I'm back on days. All this shift chaos aggravates my afib. Hopefully, this project will be done soon.