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@predictable

Hi @kates1221. Glad to see you again on Mayo Connect. You and I share the problems of A-fib and high blood pressure. I have several years "enjoying" the challenges involved and dealing with them with the help of a very capable medical team -- Internist, Nephrologist, Cardiologist, and Anticoagulation Specialist. None of them has told me "there is no cure" for A-fib OR hypertension, but they have said I should expect to be on medication, at least, until we find a therapy to stabilize my symptoms and carry on my life. I have three medications for hypertension (Carvedilol, Lisinopril, and Amiloride diuretic). I also take Coumadin, a "blood thinner" (or more properly an anticoagulant drug) to prevent formation of blood clots within my heart when its rhythm is disturbed and fails to move blood through promptly. My arrhythmic medication to modulate my heart rate is Carvedilol, a beta blocker. In my case, my medical team and I have asked each other about cardioversion and ablation and have decided each time that my symptoms and the risks don't make either treatment necessary right now. Send along any questions that occur to you and might prompt me for more information of use to you.

Finally, though, this one recommendation: Get a second opinion from a well-known, recognized authority on arrhythmia and how to treat it -- your state university medical clinic is one possibility. Have you discussed with your heart doctor the possibility of referral for a second opinion? Martin

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Replies to "Hi @kates1221. Glad to see you again on Mayo Connect. You and I share the problems..."

Hi @predictable. I take Losartan for hypertension, Chlorthalidone which I think is a diuretic, and Diltiazem to help my rapid heart rate and Xarelto. I was hospitalized for three days, during which time my cardiologist tested for heart blockages and found none. While I was in the hospital, every few minutes a nurse was in my room to check to to see If I was still breathing because of my extremely low heart rate. I know that because of my athletic background and low resting heart rate is not unusual. However, my doctor was concerned because of how quickly the rate accelerated once I started to move around so he prescribed the Diltiazem. It just may be all in my head, but I could swear that I didn't start experiencing the hard thumping in my chest or the racing heart rate until I started all these meds. I had no idea I was in afib or had hypertension until I went to see a doctor about pain in my shoulder. I was told during the initial exam that my blood pressure was high and that I was in afib and was immediately referred to a cardiologist. It wasn't until after I started treatment that I started to feel the symptoms. Fatigue, chest thumping, chest pain. I've not felt normal since. I am definitely going to seek a second opinion because I just want to feel better. I can't believe that this is what I have to deal with for the rest of my life. It's been almost a year and I don't think I'll ever get used to feeling like this. I envy you having a medical team that communicate with each other.