1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

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.

healthytoday | @healthytoday | Dec 29, 2018
In reply to @chris24 "Hi, my name is Chris. I was diagnosed with Afib & mild congestive heart failure" + (show)
@chris24

Hi, my name is Chris. I was diagnosed with Afib & mild congestive heart failure

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The good news is drs know alot about the heart. And lot's of us have afib etc. It's a change of life course.

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1 reply
healthytoday | @healthytoday | Dec 29, 2018
In reply to @healthytoday "The good news is drs know alot about the heart. And lot's of us have afib..." + (show)
@healthytoday

The good news is drs know alot about the heart. And lot's of us have afib etc. It's a change of life course.

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Southwest Christmas cat.
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Martin Jensen, Volunteer Mentor | @predictable | Dec 29, 2018
In reply to @healthytoday "Southwest Christmas tree." + (show)
@healthytoday

Southwest Christmas tree.

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Wondering @healthytoday whether this Southwest Xmas tree is growing on the lawn of the Scottsdale Mayo Clinic. If so, you're most fortunate. Martin

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1 reply
healthytoday | @healthytoday | Dec 29, 2018
In reply to @predictable "Wondering @healthytoday whether this Southwest Xmas tree is growing on the lawn of the Scottsdale Mayo..." + (show)
@predictable

Wondering @healthytoday whether this Southwest Xmas tree is growing on the lawn of the Scottsdale Mayo Clinic. If so, you're most fortunate. Martin

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No, this is a window display plastic model of a Saguaro I picked up at a yard sale one day while visiting Phoenix. I turned it into my plastic Christmas Tree, and since I love the southwest art style. wallahh!
And it's not likely you'll find any "lawn". You must be a northern person. Rocks and cacti is the decor and a bed of rose bushes.

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AFRobin | @afrobin | Dec 29, 2018
In reply to @healthytoday "I wanted to avoid Eliquis (blood thinner), but there is such a risk of stroke with..." + (show)
@healthytoday

I wanted to avoid Eliquis (blood thinner), but there is such a risk of stroke with afib it isn't worth the gamble, in my opinion. When I was hospitalized in advanced heart failure at the Mayo Clinic, when they looked at my heart internally with that little camera machine, I had two blood clots lodged in the heart which were stuck. It was the grace of God they weren't released causing a stoke etc. Its' a mystery, just wasn't my time to leave, not done yet. I'm one of those who will do just about everything to avoid meds. But at 71, I've had to surrender and be grateful that there are so many amazing meds for us. I kept the choc and gave up the wine and coffee. Your tastes change and you can explore the more subtle taste of herb teas. And it's okay to sniff coffee. Salt is a biggie, cut way back. Make your own food.

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You are right. If you don't have your Afib under control you need blood thinners. For me the beta blocker did stop the wild irregular heartbeat so I didn't need the blood thinners. And I could tell VERY easily if my heart was out of sync. Read my post above. I start with "Hello! I am a 69 year old woman...". I CURED my Afib.

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AFRobin | @afrobin | Dec 29, 2018
In reply to @dsisko "You are me one year ago. I gave up all alcohol except for one glass of..." + (show)
@dsisko

You are me one year ago. I gave up all alcohol except for one glass of wine with dinner about once a month. I found that dehydration, too much salt, soda, high altitude, and stimulating social situations such as a dinner with a lot of people can cause Afib in me. I almost always get it in the evening when I’m tired. Had Afib once every 2 weeks or so throughout the year. Didn’t last long, maybe 5-30 minutes each time, but was very concerning to me. After a year of trying to reduce and manage this, last week I gave in and have started Losartan (for blood pressure) and Eliquis (blood thinner). When the doctor said “we can replace blood but we can’t replace brain cells”, when my friend told me not to end up like her father who lived 10 awful years after and stroke, and when I learned of another friend who was thin and very physically fit who takes the same med, I decided to give it a go. I actually am feeling some relief now that I’ve started. Will reassess in a few months and take it from there. Lose weight, exercise, eat healthy, reduce stress, hydrate.

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...AND avoid stimulants such as caffeine containing drinks like coffee, tea, sweets, coke, chocolate, standard dental freezing, cold remedies that contain stimulants, cigarette smoke, alcohol and as you say...stress. Key for me was pushing my heart; exercise! Not strolling but walking to build up a sweat....or running gently if one can. Not me anymore. So walking on my treadmill it is.

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2 replies
AFRobin | @afrobin | Dec 29, 2018
In reply to @healthytoday "I wanted to avoid Eliquis (blood thinner), but there is such a risk of stroke with..." + (show)
@healthytoday

I wanted to avoid Eliquis (blood thinner), but there is such a risk of stroke with afib it isn't worth the gamble, in my opinion. When I was hospitalized in advanced heart failure at the Mayo Clinic, when they looked at my heart internally with that little camera machine, I had two blood clots lodged in the heart which were stuck. It was the grace of God they weren't released causing a stoke etc. Its' a mystery, just wasn't my time to leave, not done yet. I'm one of those who will do just about everything to avoid meds. But at 71, I've had to surrender and be grateful that there are so many amazing meds for us. I kept the choc and gave up the wine and coffee. Your tastes change and you can explore the more subtle taste of herb teas. And it's okay to sniff coffee. Salt is a biggie, cut way back. Make your own food.

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Wow! You really took a chance going unmedicated... Good thing you are on meds now.

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scardycat | @scardycat | Dec 29, 2018
In reply to @afrobin "...AND avoid stimulants such as caffeine containing drinks like coffee, tea, sweets, coke, chocolate, standard dental..." + (show)
@afrobin

...AND avoid stimulants such as caffeine containing drinks like coffee, tea, sweets, coke, chocolate, standard dental freezing, cold remedies that contain stimulants, cigarette smoke, alcohol and as you say...stress. Key for me was pushing my heart; exercise! Not strolling but walking to build up a sweat....or running gently if one can. Not me anymore. So walking on my treadmill it is.

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That’s interesting about the exercise they say sometimes that is a trigger to, I guess everybody’s all different.

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success101 | @success101 | Dec 29, 2018
In reply to @afrobin "...AND avoid stimulants such as caffeine containing drinks like coffee, tea, sweets, coke, chocolate, standard dental..." + (show)
@afrobin

...AND avoid stimulants such as caffeine containing drinks like coffee, tea, sweets, coke, chocolate, standard dental freezing, cold remedies that contain stimulants, cigarette smoke, alcohol and as you say...stress. Key for me was pushing my heart; exercise! Not strolling but walking to build up a sweat....or running gently if one can. Not me anymore. So walking on my treadmill it is.

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Yes, not pushing so Hard
Anymore. The Treadmil
Works. Younger
Years yes.
I eat smaller meals now
And, Mabe 5 times a day
Try to eliminate stress.
Not easy. Hudband has
Too many maladies.
But, life in moderation.
At. 75, I want to be around a few more years.

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1 reply
healthytoday | @healthytoday | Dec 30, 2018
In reply to @success101 "Yes, not pushing so Hard Anymore. The Treadmil Works. Younger Years yes. I eat smaller meals..." + (show)
@success101

Yes, not pushing so Hard
Anymore. The Treadmil
Works. Younger
Years yes.
I eat smaller meals now
And, Mabe 5 times a day
Try to eliminate stress.
Not easy. Hudband has
Too many maladies.
But, life in moderation.
At. 75, I want to be around a few more years.

Jump to this post

I wonder if Christmas with all it's promise and excess makes the heart race or be confused?

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