Anyone with Atrial Fibrillation?

Hi most everyone ha s some form of Afib and heart related issues. Lots of helpful information on this site. Just a short synopsis of your issue and people are helpful as to what’s happening. I went for Ablation on June 18 for SVT and the study showed AFib also. EP had only approval for SVT but feels the AFib may have been gotten also. I’ve had only 2% showing AFib per my “Whoop” since procedure. Feeling good. Just stressed because I’m now taking Eliquis and that scared me about bleeding and effecting organs. Oh.. I’m 79 1/2. See Dr July 10th for my first checkup. Hope all this info gets you going.

AF is increasing common among the aged and lifelong aerobic sports athletes. It's not a lethal disorder, but it does progress usually, sometimes slowly, sometimes over months to making the host truly miserable.

Essentially, if you're still in the early stage, paroxysmal, it's the best time to seek treatment. The gold standard is 'catheter ablation', and it's day surgery.

The longer you let it go untreated or unmanaged, and the more 'burden' you experience as the months and years go by, the more your heart 'remodels' itself. Generally this is not desirable. It can lead to cardiomyopathy, enlarged left atrium and ventricle, sometimes degraded mitral valve. It just gets tougher to manage the longer you put of managing it. So, do something earlier rather than later.

You want to meet an electrophysiologist. These heart electricians specialize in treating arrhythmias. They are the ones who run the 'cath lab' at hospitals where arrhythmia patients receive the ablation procedures.

Don't be put off by all the demands of the EP. He/she will want their own diagnostics, from chest x-ray all the way up to MRI and an angiogram.....depending on your health and the EP being consulted. It's generally not a fast process and can take weeks.

Bottom line, AF won't kill you. It makes some of us truly miserable, and we wish we could die. Others don't seem to notice or to mind, and life goes on. So, your symptoms and your fastidiousness about personal care are what run the clock. If you feel awful, can't rest, worry a lot, and want this mole whacked ASAP, then you'll get in line to see an EP.

If A-fib is new to you and it is paroxysmal, it is in the "small wastebasket" category of a "fire" as represented by the cardiologists who give lectures about A-fib on YouTube. Go there and listen to learn more. While ablation is not a cure, the sooner you isolate the erratic cells that trigger the A-fib, the better off you are and the less likely it is to become a "room" fire or a chronic condition (forest fire). Ask your cardiologist for an expert EP (electrophysiologist)--not just anyone but an experienced, highly respected EP--and get yourself an appointment to discuss your options. I had to wait almost a year to get smart and I had an ablation (pulse field) in November of last year. Not one episode since then! Made all the lifestyle changes suggested before the ablation--no alcohol, no heavy meals, limited caffeine, lost weight, exercise every day, get good sleep if possible. You don't have to live in fear; watch some of the informational videos and make a decision for yourself. Some people say they can "live with" an occasional episode, but I hated it. I am off all the meds I was taking before to "control" it! Only take a small dose of Amlodipine now for blood pressure management. Get a second opinion and take charge of your condition and your treatment! Good luck.

@gloaming being in Canada. I’ve never heard of an electrophysiologist. I will ask my Dr when I follow up with him. Thanks for the info and encouragement. Much appreciated.

@sjm46 hi. I’ll be sure to look on utube. Haven’t done that yet. Just found out yesterday but Dr in ER said it was permanent and not going away. Looks like I have some learning to do.

Ive had afib for 3 years.
Im doing very well on eliquis. Im 84 yrs and exercise a lot...at the gym, walks, stretches on my bed.

@richtru
They are the expert cardiology specialists in electrical functions of the heart. I am surprised Canada does not routinely have them as they have been part of cardiology for decades.

I have been seeing one since 2006.

@richtru I knew nothing about A-fib when I was told that I had it; my doctor said not to be too worried "it won't kill you." However, its side effects can kill you (like stroke) and it is "permanent and not going away" in that it tends to be chronic and has no cure technically. But in the early stages it is very treatable and people go for years without episodes. Also my EP says they are making advances every day with treatment and it isn't necessary to suffer with the emotional and physical side effects of this condition. So please go to YouTube; listen to many of the informational videos from reputable doctors--especially the newest ones-- and then ask lots of questions from your cardiologist. Get a good doctor who listens and gives you options so you can make the right decisions for you. Also A-fib is the latest "old persons" disorder, so some will think you should just "live with it" but I am 80 and in good physical condition and I chose not to just accept episodes of feeling lousy or taking some highly powerful drug with a whole slew of side effects. My EP reassured me that age would not keep me from having an ablation that I wanted. You have to decide what is right for you and I hope you find the answers you are looking for but don't just let a doctor tell you "too bad, you're stuck with this" because that isn't necessarily true. I am a retired nurse and I can tell you that there are doctors out there that are A+ guys and there are doctors out there that are C- treaters. If a doctor blows you off, won't talk to you and explain things clearly and answer your questions, then "horse him." Find the doctor who listens, is concerned and treats you like HE would expect to be treated. Good luck and hang in there! 🙂

Appreciate that very much. I will do as you say and get a second opinion or help if necessary. I agree with your assessment of doctors. There are good ones out there who care and are willing to explain things to you.

@richtru I have had an excellent cardiologist for 30+ years, treating for minor flutter and occasional, manageable SVT episodes. I too never heard about electrophysiologists (EP) until last fall when my SVT spiraled out of control and my cardiologist jumped right on it and got me to an excellent EP. One ablation later and all has been great so far. EPs are so specialized, most people will never even need to know there is such a thing! Good luck to you.