AFib questions

Hello @gloria242,

Welcome to Connect. You will see that I moved your message to this discussion so that you can meet other members like you who are worried about what is to come. I encourage you to read through the past messages here, and I'm certain that @peggyd @HeartPatches @martishka @twptrustrek @success101 @frank4848 @prescott @nadine66 @donnelson @predictable @audree @grandmajan @patinhou, and others will return with their insights.

@gloria242, how do you manage the hypertension and afib currently?

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Hello @terryfrye,

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@terryfrye, what was it that brought you to the Afib discussion, in the Heart & Blood Health group?

Hello, I control my blood pressure with zestfil. However recently it has been difficult to control with the frequent afib attacks. I don't know if its the afib triggering the spike I blood presume rises or is it the blood pressure that is triggering the afib. I am currently taking aspirin to help with thinking of the blood. I discontinued the blood thinners because of the side effects, such as bleeding and low iron content. Also since taking the blood thinners, I have had issues with urinating and going to the toilet.

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.

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

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

I fell a year ago and fractured my hip. I found out then that i have afib.i am 81and had always been active and healthy. Now i am on a walker and dont ger arround to well. I take eliquis.So far no problems with it. My left ankle started swelling and found i had dvt. That's why I was given eliquis. I tire very easy so not much exercise. I have also been very depressed and dont like to be alone. Any advice?

You r not alone. I have Afib just learned and the same symptoms you have. I have many other illnesses too. I'm 71 today 8/26/17. I'm in a program that keeps me busy. It helps me eat healthy. I'm not really able to exercise much. I'm also learning about life and death in a good happy way. Mostly right at home on the phone. If your interested let me know. A wonderful way to meet good hearted people, in this day and age are few and far between. Sharon C. From Jersey