Premature atrial contractions: Anyone have any helpful info on this?

After my aortic valve replacement with a mechanical one when I was 49 years old. (I'm now 77), I developed permanent A.P.C. (Atrial Fib) 24/7. In addition I get palpitation occasionally. Sometimes my heart beat gets loud or speeds up for no reason. Every two years I'm on a holter monitor for 3 days. Yes, at times the atrial fib feels uncomfortable. However, I plan to add another 15 years to my life for sure. I would suggest, try to get used to the atrial fib. Trust your cardiologist.

truus1106, are you on blood thinner?

@damari Hi I personally was told when I had them they were bothersome but not a concern unless I would get long periods of them.in a row. Mine would usually be around 5 in a row then take a break and another set maybe a few minutes later. I don't remember how long they would last or what the Doctor felt was too many. Sorry I can't help more but they never turned into something needing treatment. I can relate tho they can be bothersome. I found with anything of concern to try and relax and a few times for my regular arrythmias I would lie down and try to take my mind off of them. I truly began to think I was causing them thru stress of thinking I was having them.
Have a Blessed Day
Dana

Yorlik, sorry for my late reply to you. Yes, I am taking Warfarin (Coumadin). Because I'm a high risk for a stroke (Atrial fib 24/7 & mechanical valve & slightly damaged mitral vale) my INR has to be between 2.5 and 3.5. I try to keep my INR around the 3.5 at all times. I never restricted my diet (no meat, no gluten, but LOTS of veggies and fish a few times a week). I'm now taking warfarin 4.5 mg daily. I assume you are on a blood thinner as well. I'm interested to hear how you are handling this.
Take care, be well!

Thanks for reply truus. What is "INR?" No, I am not on blood thinners anymore - gave them up due to too much problems with bruising due to my lifestyle. Although with my afib coming back 24/7, I suspect I won't be able to talk my Dr. into leaving me off them on next visit in 4 months. I personally believe being on thinners right now is more dangerous to my health than the increased stroke risk as I bet my local ERs do not have the antidote on hand and I am many times more likely to need that than get a stroke! Catch-22.

Hi @yorlik. Good to see you again. Your report touched on some experiences I have had with A-fib and "blood thinners." First, INR is "international normalized ratio" which is calculated by a test laboratory, showing the ratio between the PT (prothrombin time, how long it takes for blood to clot for a specified laboratory reagent used to conduct the test) and an ideal clotting time for the particular case. The INR typically ranges between 2.0 and 3.0. Mine jumps closely around 2.5. Second, a couple of years ago, my INR jumped up to 5.6 (taking "forever" to clot) so my medical team had me skip Coumadin a couple of days to bring it back down to 2.5. By the time it settled around that number, I developed clots in my heart, one of which lodged in my brain causing a "small stroke." So I'm really careful about taking the right amount of Coumadin every day and checking my INR on schedule. Third, my regimen is underpinned by the tragic death of a neighbor and friend who fell in his garage and suffered a head injury. He was on Coumadin, so I knew he needed immediate medical diagnosis in the new hospital just a mile away. EMT took him there, but within an hour he was loaded on a helicopter that carried him to the large regional hospital 20 miles away. He died of a cranial hemorrhage within the hour. Turned out that the new hospital didn't have a common Vitamin K antidote on hand to neutralize the Coumadin and help his blood to clot. Now, my first question to a medical care service is whether they have a Coumadin antidote on hand for immediate use. No Vitamin K, no treatment affecting my circulatory system. Martin

Wow, thanks for the info. 'Sorry to hear about your neighbor friend! Tragic!

So you infer YOU can test your own INR on demand? What device or method is used? I would be very interested to test mine!

No @yorlik, I have no wish or tendency to test my own INR. I go to the lab on a schedule recommended by my HMO's Coumadin advisor -- usually once a month, but more often when my INR deviates markedly from 2.5. I think an acquaintance tests his own though. I'll see whether he does and how he does it and let you know. Martin

Cool, thanks! If easy, I will look back at my blood test results online and see if they include INR. I just like to have control and know my own stuff! Like using my smart phone to keep track of my afib.

Acelis Health has a little machine that checks your INR just like what someone uses to check blood sugar. Medicare does pay for loaning of the meter and strips. +1-877-354-0395