← Return to Living with Atrial Fibrillation: What are Your Experiences?

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@gdcm

I was diagnosed with A-Fib a year ago last March. My first known & documented episode was the day after I was released to home following surgery. I awoke in the middle of the night with pounding in my chest & a very fast heart rate. (There was no doubt I could feel it happening. In retrospect, something similar happened a few months prior to this, but did not last as long.). We called 911 and the paramedics confirmed I was still in A-Fib. The ED started Metoprolol and other meds to bring my heart rate down. I was released after a few hours on Elliquis and cardiac follow up. I am 69, and don’t have frequent episodes of AFib, but do have ongoing palpitations, which my Cardiologist says not to worry about. Being diagnosed with A-Fib was not shocking to me because there is heart disease in most the males (later age in females) on my paternal side, my father suffering a “sudden death” heart attack when he was 51 (I did CPR while waiting for paramedics) He did survive, and was a life-long heart patient (A-Fib, pacemaker, stents, meds) living to age 91. My grandfather died of heart disease at age 59; my male first cousin had a massive stroke in his late 50’s, his father/my uncle died of a stroke in his 80’s..after having various stroke episodes in his life. So, I am not surprised that I also have heart health issues (LPa, A-Fib) but happy that I have more options than they did…

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Replies to "I was diagnosed with A-Fib a year ago last March. My first known & documented episode..."

GDCM - Of your relatives that had heart problems, were they 1) overweight? 2( did they eat a lot of cheese, ice cream, beef, bread, sweets, margarine, processed foods such as chips etc?
3) Did they eat FRESH vegetables and fruits? 4) Did they stretch and walk outside daily?

I am 76, and take no meds. But I make sacrifices to have good health. I had to give up coffee and anything containing caffeine which eliminated fast and irregular heartbeat, , most dairy, eat very little processed, no canned fruits and veggies, few sweets. I stretch a bit and walk daily up and down steep hills.

My goal is to live in good health, and God willing a long life, but without pacemaker, stents, meds and not spending my life in and out of doctor's offices and hospitals. Reflect on your habits and those of your relatives to see if there are changes you can make and possibly not need those scary treatments that benefit the docs and drug companies, but may or may not help you. If you follow the habits of the average American, it is not an enjoyable path.