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Actions to take when A-Fib is triggered

Posted by 3940wfkjnayk @3940wfkjnayk, Jul 25 11:12am

Back in 2018, I had an ablation for my active a-fib and it completely relieved the problem until now. It seems to be coming back. It seems that ablation is only good for some 5 years. My doctor says there are two options. Tough it out or have another ablation. Thoughts on this would be helpful. It seems that to tough it out is worth a try.

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barbaradh | @barbaradh | Jul 29 8:26am

Did doctor mention that A-fib predisposes to higher incidents of stroke? Have you considered a second opinion from a different cardiology practice? Colleagues in the same office usually will not challenge one another’s opinions.

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1 reply
harveywj | @harveywj | Jul 29 9:39am

It you heart rate is high > 100 but esp. greater than 125 you risk wearing your heart out IF you are in continuous A-fib.
If it is intermittent then you are at less risk. But stroke or PE(pulmonary embolism) are greater risk. That is the purpose of using anti-coagulants like eliquis.
I am at that point now 5 1/2 years out of my 1st ablation that I am having increasing intermittent A-fib. Within the last year I have been averaging A-fib events lasting 12-48 hours about on average every month or so. Cardiac mapping has improved significantly in the last 5 years as well as surgical procedures have improved. So I am scheduled for another ablation on Sept 25. I just had a 36 hour event this weekend and self converted on Sunday afternoon. So far I have not needed to be electro-cardioverted since my ablation 5 1/2 years ago. I have been fortunate enough to self-convert. Also my HR almost always stays below 90. But it still sucks and wears me down. I am 76 with a mild myopathy that weakens me. I have to continuously try to work out which includes gardening, walking and cutting firewood (love to heat my house with a wood stove). But every A-fib event knocks me back and I have to slowly rehab myself which slows me down. So I am hoping to get some better relief from an ablation.

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1 reply
3940wfkjnayk | @3940wfkjnayk | Jul 30 9:09am
In reply to @funcountess "What about medicines for AFIB?" + (show)
@funcountess

What about medicines for AFIB?

Jump to this post

I took two meds in 2017 before my ablation in 2018 hoping to get back in rhythm and neither worked. Flecainide for a few weeks and then Amiodarone for a few weeks. Then the ablation in 2018.

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3940wfkjnayk | @3940wfkjnayk | Jul 30 9:19am
In reply to @harveywj "It you heart rate is high > 100 but esp. greater than 125 you risk wearing..." + (show)
@harveywj

It you heart rate is high > 100 but esp. greater than 125 you risk wearing your heart out IF you are in continuous A-fib.
If it is intermittent then you are at less risk. But stroke or PE(pulmonary embolism) are greater risk. That is the purpose of using anti-coagulants like eliquis.
I am at that point now 5 1/2 years out of my 1st ablation that I am having increasing intermittent A-fib. Within the last year I have been averaging A-fib events lasting 12-48 hours about on average every month or so. Cardiac mapping has improved significantly in the last 5 years as well as surgical procedures have improved. So I am scheduled for another ablation on Sept 25. I just had a 36 hour event this weekend and self converted on Sunday afternoon. So far I have not needed to be electro-cardioverted since my ablation 5 1/2 years ago. I have been fortunate enough to self-convert. Also my HR almost always stays below 90. But it still sucks and wears me down. I am 76 with a mild myopathy that weakens me. I have to continuously try to work out which includes gardening, walking and cutting firewood (love to heat my house with a wood stove). But every A-fib event knocks me back and I have to slowly rehab myself which slows me down. So I am hoping to get some better relief from an ablation.

Jump to this post

I have been lucky with my heart rate which stays around 60 unless I have an episode and then it gets up to the 90's. The duration of a episode is not long at all and nothing like you are having. So, I feel that the ablation back in 2018 has been very helpful. I'm 85 now and like you I try to stay busy each day with outside activities for very short periods with this heat. My Doctor says to do whatever I feel like doing that my heart is very strong. I'm not a happy camper staying in the house all day. The episodes do set me back some but I really feel that we must stay strong mentally through it all. Keep cutting that firewood.

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3940wfkjnayk | @3940wfkjnayk | Jul 30 9:38am
In reply to @barbaradh "Did doctor mention that A-fib predisposes to higher incidents of stroke? Have you considered a second..." + (show)
@barbaradh

Did doctor mention that A-fib predisposes to higher incidents of stroke? Have you considered a second opinion from a different cardiology practice? Colleagues in the same office usually will not challenge one another’s opinions.

Jump to this post

Dr. did mention increased stroke risk but we have to stay vigilant with the blood thinner and mental attitude and pray a lot. I am happy with my Dr and all my checking proves out. He is most receptive to getting back with a text if I have concerns and especially with EKG that I send with my cardia. i.e. when I can work the damn thing having not been born into this tech age. Being 85, I admit that I struggle all the time. He has taken me off two of my meds that I felt were causing some of my dizzy at times which can't be all bad. That was a mental boost to me. We'll see......

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