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.
Hi All
First posting to the AFib group! Joined daily strength after massive bilateral PE Nov 2008 and had rapid AFib in late February. Ended up in resus room, hypoxic, pulse 200 and rising, v high BP. Defibrillator used to shock heart back into rhythm. Subsquently put on bisoporol, flecanide, xarelto and was already on BP meds (candesartan). Felt truly awful for the first 3 weeks - really flat and exhausted, Generally feeling better although still get tired, occasionally a little light headed and have had a little chest pain on breathing deeply (had chest pain for about 3 weeks post release from hospital - they reckon due to defib).
Another episode 30 March, but did not go to the doc.
Subsequent echo was clear (apart from mild mitral reguritation - which I had post PE). Back with cardiologist yesterday. WPW ruled out / 2 first cousins also have afib. Cardio who has confirmed he wants to keep me on the meds and asked me to think about ablation - but he did say this is only about 60% succesful?? I am 46, overweight and have high BP but this has been managed. Walk 3-4 times per week and am working on the weight!
I'm not convinced about the ablation? but neither do I want to stay on the meds? And I certainly don't want a stroke, which they've said I'm high risk for given my history! even with the blood thinners, the breathlessness when in afib was severe. So any ideas would be welcome!
First posting to the AFib group! Joined daily strength after massive bilateral PE Nov 2008 and had rapid AFib in late February. Ended up in resus room, hypoxic, pulse 200 and rising, v high BP. Defibrillator used to shock heart back into rhythm. Subsquently put on bisoporol, flecanide, xarelto and was already on BP meds (candesartan). Felt truly awful for the first 3 weeks - really flat and exhausted, Generally feeling better although still get tired, occasionally a little light headed and have had a little chest pain on breathing deeply (had chest pain for about 3 weeks post release from hospital - they reckon due to defib).
Another episode 30 March, but did not go to the doc.
Subsequent echo was clear (apart from mild mitral reguritation - which I had post PE). Back with cardiologist yesterday. WPW ruled out / 2 first cousins also have afib. Cardio who has confirmed he wants to keep me on the meds and asked me to think about ablation - but he did say this is only about 60% succesful?? I am 46, overweight and have high BP but this has been managed. Walk 3-4 times per week and am working on the weight!
I'm not convinced about the ablation? but neither do I want to stay on the meds? And I certainly don't want a stroke, which they've said I'm high risk for given my history! even with the blood thinners, the breathlessness when in afib was severe. So any ideas would be welcome!
That being said, complications are rare if you go with an EP with lots of experience and a heart center/hospital with a proven track record for AF ablation.
I had my ablation at Ohio State last June and haven't had a hint of afib since. My ep told me last week that I "graduated"...I don't need to see him again unless it returns, and the odds of it coming back are now at 5%, which is the lowest odds they'll ever tell you. So I'm hopeful that afib is in my past for good, but doing my best to exercise and do other things that might help my odds. I don't take metoprolol or rythmol anymore. Just an aspirin plus my other non afib related meds.
It took me a year to go from afib every few weeks to multiple times a week. You may want to see how frequently it keeps happening before making a decision. In my case, even in afib I was able to function okay. I never went to the ER and never had to be electrically cardioverted, so physically it was more a nuisance than a major disruption on my life. Mentally though it was so depressing every time it came back...it's a feeling I wouldn't wish on anyone.
Good luck with your decision!
Best of luck to all
Thanks for your update - great to hear of successful ablations. I'm seeking a second opinion now ot help make a decision. I'm not going to rush into anything, but really don't want to spend rest of my life on these drugs..!!
Thanks & take care
Orla