Comments on: i have atrial fibrillation now missing beats again.should i rest more? is it dangerous?Tell best way to live.?

By: Anna E

Anna E — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:20:59 +0000

I was diagnosed with Afib about 10 years ago. I also have high blood pressure so I was put on metoprolol (beta blocker) and warfarin (anticoagulant). Afib is one of the most common heart arrythmias and is not fatal. In my case, I have frequent episodes that last a short period of time and occasionally an episode that last several hours before it resolves it’s self. My cardiologist states that this is very common for Afib and that if I can deal with the episodes, he would rather not put me on any anti arrythmic medications because of the serious side effects.
Afib does not cause increased risk for heart attack or heart disease, but it does increase your risk of a stroke which is why many people are put on anticoagulants like warfarin.
The short episodes usually do not keep me from doing what I want to do, but if I am having a longer episode, I stay at home and try to rest. I am usually very tired afterwards for about 24 hours.
Don’t let a diagnosis of Afib scare you, it is a chronic illness, not a fatal one. At your next doctors appointment, be truthful about your fears and before the visit, write down any questions you want to ask. There is a lof of information on line about Afib, but it can be scary to read at first diagnosis.
A number of things trigger Afib, I notice it more if I don’t get enough sleep or if I drink alcohol.
Just take a deep breath, try to keep calm during an episode and feel free to contact your doctor anytime you have any questions.
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By: Cardiac Rep

Cardiac Rep — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:40:59 +0000

As everyone else recommended, I also suggest you follow up with your doctor to see what he recommends you doing.

Atrial fibrillation is a common form of heart arrhythmia. Basically the top part of your heart quivers from excessive electrical activity while the bottom part of your heart beats in an irregular pattern. It is the bottom part of your heart that is being measured in your pulse and the irregularity explains the skipped beats.

What your doctor may do is give you a blood thinner to prevent a clot from forming in your atria. Because of the quivering movement, as opposed to a squeezing movement, there is a possibility that blood can pool in the atria and a clot may form. Your doc may also prescribe rate control drugs, or rhythm control drugs if the rate doesn’t seem to work.

A procedure called an ablation may be suggested as an option to stop the afib. This is not open heart, but rather a less invasive procedure used to eliminate all the extra beats going on in the top part of your heart. Basically all the tools needed to do the procedure fit in your blood vessels and find their way to your heart chambers via those vessels. Entry point is usually in the groin area, but is definitely much less pain than open heart and much less recovery time.

I go into more detail on my website—www.understandingatrialfibrillation.com

But the information there is to help you understand what’s going on with your body and what goes on with the treatments. The best bet in actually getting treatment is to check back with your doctor. Hope this helps.
References :
http://www.understandingatrialfibrillation.com

By: Andrea M

Andrea M — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:56:59 +0000

I went to the ER for A-Fib recently. (First time.) The doctor wanted to be sure I understood that this is NOT a heart attack, and is not related to heart attacks, it is an "electrical problem." Many people live with irregular heart rhythm for many years without ever having a heart attack. Read up on it, and don’t let people scare you.
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By: Joseph T

Joseph T — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:26:59 +0000

Go to your doctor again. Yahoo Answers is not a medicine reference program.

That being said, A-Fib is normally treated with anticoaglutes, antiarrhythmics, rate control drugs like Beta Blockers or Calcium Channel blockers, or possibly cardioversion (being sedated and having an electrical current passed through your chest.)

Also, open heart surgery may be performed to destory part of your hearts electrical system.
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By: dasher

dasher — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:36:59 +0000

OMG I seriously can not belive that you are on here asking this instead of calling your cardiologist !!!!!!!!!!

how should you live ?? very carefully

yes, you can have a heart attack
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