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.

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Heart, Blood & Circulation
/ Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

One Year Anniversary

opsyn
opsyn
I had an appointment yesterday with my ep to mark the one year anniversary since I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. He discussed my recent echo and things look good - I no longer have lvh which was due to my vigorous running, which I have cut back since being diagnosed, ejection fraction is 85% (no I dont have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), LA diameter has shrunk. EP said I was in great shape with great numbers and not to see him in a year. Previously I had seen him at 3, then 6 month intervals. This made sense to me since I am asymptomatic and there is really nothing else he can do. I am currently on diltiazem and aspirin. We spoke about anticoagulants in the future including use of Lariat and I asked about left atrial appendage morphology as an independent predictor for stroke risk. He indicated this was not broadly accepted but if I wanted to know the shape it could be done via TEE or cardiac MRI. We also spoke about ablations and he does not perform them for people who are asymptomatic.

opsyn
Surfrat
Surfrat
Congratulations. Sounds like a very thorough and informative visit. All the best moving forward. :)
pacyetep
pacyetep
Opsyn: I forget, how old are you? Your situation mirrors mine. My LA shrunk when I laid off the "crazy" running (at 62, now 64). TEE would not be worth it, but MRI would be easy. I had this done, but I wonder if they looked for shape of the LAA on mine or if there are pictures. My EP doesn't perform ablations on the asymptomatic either. that says a lot. I guess our solution is to monitor the situation, apply anticoagulants when appropriate, exercise moderately, do something fun with our good health (ability to exercise), and stop trying to get better/faster/stronger. petey
yogacat
yogacat
Hi opsyn, I am very happy to know you are doing so well. Great to have that kind of appointment. One never knows if these apts. will have us relieved or stressed~
hegel
hegel
Wow my cardiologist was not nearly that thorough. I've been told in passing that I have a slightly enlarged left atrium. I exercised quite vigorously--especially on elliptical machines, stairmaster--for years before afib. Also, I nordic ski--highly aerobic. My first afib episode came after three days of skiing. I still exercise but I've cut back on my heart rate levels. I've wondered if I wasn't pushing it on my heart rate in the past. Anyway my eco looks good . I'm curious about the possible advantages of a 'smaller' left atrium? (I may be misunderstanding things here.) Also, I'm curious about "applying anti-coagulants when appropriate." I backpack and worry about being in a situation where I can't get to the emergency room in 36-48 hours. Wouldn't I want to have an anti-coagulant if my afib persisted over that period? But I don't know how these drugs work. Sorry if I'm rambling here.
pacyetep
pacyetep
hegel: When appropriate means when your CHA2DS2VasC score dictates it. It can also mean (to some people) when they are in afib for 24-48 hours.

The benefit of smaller atria is: less chance of afib, better chance of success with ablation, and less chance of stroke. Slightly larger probably doesn't matter from what I read. Over 60 is significant. -petey

I always carried aspirin with me as a precaution (before afib) in case I thought I was having a heart attack or stroke. I don't know if that's rational, but I felt better doing it.
opsyn
opsyn
Hi Petey,

I am 63. I like your advice and have been following it. I never thought I could enjoy exercising moderately but since afib diagnosis I am grateful that I can at least do that. I don't even miss my endorphin high. I expect to go on OAC at 65,

opsyn
hegel
hegel
Thanks Petey. Interesting about the left atria. I'll ask directly about mine; probably not an issue as you say. And I'll ask my cardiologist about backpacking strategies. ( I discussed my backpacking but nothing was mentioned about this sort of situation. No one can think of every contingency, especially at the beginning of this condition!)