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Heart Rhythm Conditions – Welcome to the group
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: Nov 15, 2023 | Replies (874)Comment receiving replies
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.
Replies to "Hi @predictable. I take Losartan for hypertension, Chlorthalidone which I think is a diuretic, and Diltiazem..."
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Sorry you're suspended in the midst of recovery from A-fib, @kates1221. Perhaps my other experiences can be helpful in stabilizing things -- your concerns, for instance. I have used your three main hypertension drugs before, but was switched to my current mixture after discovery of a genetic defect that had my kidneys throwing away most, if not all, of my potassium. My diuretic, Amiloride, fixed that. When A-fib turned up four years ago, we focused on my heart rate for several months, but since my A-fib was mostly asymptomatic, we turned back to a broader regimen focused on my blood pressure, adding Coumadin as an anticoagulant to prevent blood clots. The anticoagulant therapy failed 20 months ago, and I got a small stroke that has a limited effect on my muscular stability, although not so serious that it keeps me from averaging 170 in our old-timers bowling league. I have three friends with A-fib who have moved through cardioversion and, ultimately, ablation; all three of them are glad they did it 3-4 years ago. I also have the "benefit" of helping my wife recover from Paroxismal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT), which struck her last Spring, initiating moderate palpitations without forewarning and putting her through several months of muscular instability and related fatigue. That interrupted her daily hour-long exercise and got her thinking she was becoming disabled. Not so! No palpitations for weeks. This week, she has been up early every morning, back on her exercise regimen as in "the old days." That makes my point about exercise -- it is essential for sustaining achievements in recovery and proves that recovery is and has been, in fact, happening. Good for the soul and her optimistic outlook! I hope you can soon arrange a second opinion with a medical team that takes the time, listens to your concerns, and answers all your questions. Martin