Heart Rhythm Conditions – Welcome to the group

Posted by Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator @kanaazpereira, Feb 14, 2018

Welcome to the Heart Rhythm Conditions group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
Did you know that the average heart beats 100,000 times a day? Millions of people live with heart rhythm problems (heart arrhythmias) which occur when the electrical impulses that coordinate heartbeats don't work properly. Let's connect with each other; we can share stories and learn about coping with the challenges, and living well with abnormal heart rhythms. I invite you to follow the group. Simply click the +FOLLOW icon on the group landing page.

I'm Kanaaz (@kanaazpereira), and I'm the moderator of this group. When you post to this group, chances are you'll also be greeted by volunteer patient Mentors and fellow members. Learn more about Moderators and Mentors on Connect.

Let's chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 11, 2018

In reply to @sanibelsandy "I am a 70 year old female with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/flutter.I do not have any significant..." + (show)

@sanibelsandy

I am a 70 year old female with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/flutter.I do not have any significant coronary artery disease (I was told by one cardiologist that the echo showed my arteries were "squeaky clean" 🙂 ) I am in regular sinus rhythm most of the time but have episodes of arrhythmia. I may go days, weeks or months without an episode, but when I do have an episode I am very symptomatic with severe chest pain, some shortness of breath, and a very irregular heartrate. I have been told that I have a rapid ventricular response with the episodes, meaning the ventricles also beat rapidly. My understanding is that as a result the ventricles don't have time to fill completely between beats and that can lead to sudden heart failure. I have had two cardiac ablations. The first ablation was unsuccessful. I did well after the second ablation for about 5 years, but the episodes have reappeared and I was recently told by my electrophysiologist that I need to have a third ablation. My arrhythmia has never responded well to medications i.e. none of the antiarrhythmics have really prevented the episodes. With the episodes the chest pain becomes so severe I have to go to the emergency room. Usually I am given a bolus dose of diltiazem followed by a diltiazem drip and that necessitates a 1-2 day hospital stay. I know there are many people who have a-fib and aren't even aware they have it because they have no symptoms or they only have occasional palpitations. My a-fib seems to be a "horse of a different color," and the experience has been very frustrating and disheartening. But at 70, I am grateful for the care I have received that has helped me cope with my condition. (I understand there is a genetic component to a-fib. I am pretty sure my father had it; I know he had episodes of chest pain and a rapid heart rate. He died at age 61, and I often wonder how much longer he might have had if he had the care I have received.) At any rate, I was just curious if there are others on the site that have symptomatic a-fib/flutter and what their experience has been. (Haven't read all the posts, so maybe I will find others who have had similar "journeys.")

Jump to this post

Hello @sport and welcome to Mayo Connect.

I am glad to hear that you needed only one ablation and are doing better now. You mention that they symptoms were a good thing in that they alerted you to the problem. If you care to share more, what symptoms were you experiencing?

Since you have had the ablation, do you still take meds to control the symptoms?

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Teresa

raybornh | @raybornh | Jul 11, 2018

Hi I am an 84 year old male, recently diagnosed with A FIB, tried Cardio version, worked on first try but back to A Fib by follow up visit, currently on XARALTO

Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Jul 11, 2018

In reply to @allens "Hi there .My name is Allen. Iv recently been diagnosed with left branch bundle blockage. I..." + (show)

Hi @allens,

I'd like to introduce you to a few members who have talked about left branch bundle blockage; please meet @eolex @kian8 @markjones @robot1 and @hopeful33250.

Here's some information on bundle branch blocks, which you may find helpful:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bundle-branch-block/basics/definition/con-20027273
To rule out any underlying heart issues (with a diagnosis of left bundle branch blockage), and avoid complications during surgery, non-cardiac related procedures may be recommended after you undergo a full cardiac evaluation.

@allens, has your doctor offered an explanation for postponement of surgery? Have they recommended a cardiac evaluation?

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 12, 2018

In reply to @allens "Hi there .My name is Allen. Iv recently been diagnosed with left branch bundle blockage. I..." + (show)

Hello @allens

I would like to join Kanaaz (@kanaazpereira) in welcoming you to Connect. I am glad that you found Connect and posted regarding your concerns regarding the left bundle branch block (LBBB). I too, have had a LBBB diagnosed many years ago. I urge you to read the links that Kanaaz provided. I believe that being well educated about your health condition is an important part of taking good care of yourself.

I agree with Kanaaz that you need to ask more questions about the postponement of your hip surgery. Perhaps they are waiting to do a more complete cardiac work-up. Has this been suggested to you? Generally, a stress test is used to determine heart function prior to surgery. Since you have a LBBB, they might not put you on a treadmill, but instead give you an injection that would increase your heart rate so that they can safely see what happens to your heart upon exertion.

You mentioned being on drug therapy. Would you be comfortable sharing what type of meds you are taking?

Before the LBBB was discovered had you had any other symptoms of lightheadedness, fainting, etc.?

I can imagine that you are looking forward to getting your hip surgery done so that you can get on with your work and life without so much pain.

I look forward to hearing from you again and knowing how you are doing.

Teresa

ybrik | @ybrik | Oct 15, 2018

Im Frank. Had CABG in 2015; bovine aortic valve and 3 bypasses. A month ago, diagnosed with typical atrial flutter/arrhythmia. Cardio doc pushes electric cardioversion, but wont discuss how long that lasts. I found chart that suggests its 1 to 3 years.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 15, 2018

In reply to @allens "Hi there .My name is Allen. Iv recently been diagnosed with left branch bundle blockage. I..." + (show)

Hello @allens

It has been a while since I have heard from you regarding your need for a hip replacement and dealing with the left bundle branch block. How are you doing? Have any decisions been made about your surgery? Please feel free to share as you are comfortable doing so.

1943 | @1943 | Oct 15, 2018

Had cardioversion and lasted onemonth. Others have had better luck.

ybrik | @ybrik | Oct 15, 2018

In reply to @1943 "Had cardioversion and lasted onemonth. Others have had better luck." + (show)

Have you had more shocks, or ablation?

Tresjur | @tresjur | Oct 15, 2018

In reply to @ybrik "Im Frank. Had CABG in 2015; bovine aortic valve and 3 bypasses. A month ago, diagnosed..." + (show)

Hello Frank,

It is my understanding that cardioversion works best when it is applied when A-Fib first occurs. I had A-Fib for years before I had the cardioversion and it lasted for a month. A friend went to ER after experiencing erratic heartbeats and had the cardioversion at that time. I believe he stayed in normal sinus rhythm for close to two years.

Mary

Martin Jensen, Volunteer Mentor | @predictable | Oct 15, 2018

In reply to @1943 "Had cardioversion and lasted onemonth. Others have had better luck." + (show)

Hi @1943. Hope your A-fib is tolerable. Wondering whether your cardioversion was medicinal (chemical) or electrical? For others interested in your situation, they might find some important clues in this article. It's a two-page article at https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/facts-about-cardioversion#2.

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