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Hi I'm new on here. I've been diagnosed with Afib about 7 months ago. I get tacycardia which is fast heart beat at times or flutter. I'm exhausted most of the time. Can you tell me what people do about this? It is a bit scary. I am on Eliquis 2.5 mg. 2 x a day also. But because of my fear of hemharage. I take mine 1 every other day. I'm not recommending it. Of course do as you cardiologist says to do. That's just me.
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Dear predictable; What is ablation or cardioversion ? This is carnes . Hope your doing well. Thank you for responding. Shar
Sorry I've been missing a couple of days @carnes. Hope you're doing OK. In answer to your questions:
Cardioversion is performed when your heart is beating ineffectively. Cardioversion is usually done with electric shocks, administered through electrodes attached to your chest, while you're sedated. Electric cardioversion takes less time than cardioversion done solely with medications, and your doctor can instantly see if the procedure has restored a normal heartbeat. If your doctor recommends cardioversion with medications to restore your heart's rhythm, you won't receive electric shocks to your heart. Here's a link:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cardioversion/details/why-its-done/icc-20336889
Ablation is a procedure used to treat an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that starts in the heart's upper chambers (atria). It works by scarring or destroying tissue in your heart to disrupt faulty electrical signals causing the arrhythmia. Here's a link:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/atrial-fibrillation-ablation/home/ovc-20302606
Can you discuss these with your cardiologist?
Martin
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Hi @carnes. Really glad you're checking in every few days with developments in your a-fib challenge.
For more information, go to mayoclinic.org and search for "cardioversion for atrial fibrillation". Lots of articles will come up. "Ablation" is another type of treatment that is common. That will come up in search results if you search for "ablation for atrial fibrillation".
As to Eliquis, doctors ordinarily want you to follow their instructions on taking medication. The potential for your heart to generate blood clots while your atrium is fluttering is the reason for taking an anticoagulant. My choice is Warfarin (Coumadin), because there is an antidote available to restore coagulation if its ever needed to stop you from bleeding from an injury. I have been taking Warfarin (7.5mg per day) for over two years and ensuring its proper coagulation with a lab test once every eight weeks.
I'm also taking Carvedilol to help reduce erratic heart beats, as you probably know from one of those discussions. I haven't undergone cardioversion or ablation, but I have a friend who has received both treatments, and when I saw him last week, he was in fine fettle with plenty of energy.
I think your doctor will explain whether a recoagulant (antidote) is advisable in your case, given the fact that Eliquis is your medication, and how to deal with bleeding if it occurs. Martin