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Afib with Rapid Ventricular Response

Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: May 21, 2019 | Replies (30)

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@hopeful33250

Hello @soliloquized
I would like to join Lisa, @lisalucier, in welcoming you to Mayo Connect. I appreciate your concerns regarding A-Fib. I can certainly understand how difficult this must be to have continued A-Fib and to be trying different treatments.

While I have had some rapid heart beat problems it is not as complicated as your situation. In addition to the others that Lisa invited to this discussion, I would also like to invite Martin, @predictable, as he has also had some heart difficulties and he might be able to add something to this conversation.

Please remember that it is always your right to seek a second opinion on a complicated situation like yours. Have you considered getting a second opinion on this matter before going forward with the suggested treatment?

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Replies to "Hello @soliloquized I would like to join Lisa, @lisalucier, in welcoming you to Mayo Connect. I..."

I haven't considered a 2nd opinion since I rely on my family doctor (an Internist) and a 2nd doctor, a Cardiologist that I've used before and that is in close contact with my family doctor. Apparently there's a study based on Rhythm vs Rate Control that's predicated on patients 65 or older. I heard the cardiologist point out to the family doctor that I still have a few years to go until I'm that age, that he considers my heart healthy, ejection fraction is 65% now and 65% a year ago, and both echo cardiograms were identical. But that's why I'm here, to learn more.

I saw two Electro Physiologists for a PVC issue in the past. The first said the source was likely X (can't remember the name) and easy to get to. The second had the nurse continue to take my EKG until she captured a PVC on every lead. Then the doctor took the EKG and went to his office. He came back and emphatically said the first doctor was wrong, rather sternly, saying it was in the Purkinje Fibres near the bottom of the heart, so it was complicated to get there for the ablation, but was possible. I decided to wait it out, he prescribed an anti-arrhythmic medication that I declined (it wasn't considered serious, I didn't want to tamper with stability) and he prescribed Acebutolol, which stopped the chronic PVCs in short order.

5 years ago, I'd never imagined living with the symptoms I have now, that the top of the heart can do it's own thing independent of the bottom. Sometimes it feels like a squirrel running around in there. But I'm asymptotic except that I can feel it.