katiekateny- I appreciate all your good information.
Our personal story- Nov. 2021- My 32 year old son-perfectly healthy, no health risk factors, no risky lifestyle or unhealthy habits, active, independent, and teaching 5th grade Math. Developed shortness of breath and extreme fatigue. After he finished what will most likely be his last lesson plan, ever. We went to our local ER. Diagnosed with A. Fib and Flutter.
Transferred to large hospital. Managed with meds and a few days in ICU. Had successful Flutter Ablation. We thought we would be home by Thanksgiving. 4 days later- a clot moved and caused an Ischemic stroke. Within an hour he was in Interventional Radiology and was given TPA. Back in ICU and almost all the Stroke symptoms were gone. Until a few hours later, he developed symptoms again. He had a Hemorrhagic stroke from the TPA. Lonnnnnng hospital and In-Patient Rehab.

His Cardiac care was then transferred to the Mid America Heart Institute in KC due to the critical Heart Failure he had developed due to the A Fib/Flutter. There was talk of him needing to be put on the Transplant list. But, by the Grace of God, good meds. and good drs.- His heart function has returned to normal. If I had known then what I know now about the Mid America Heart Institute- I would have originally had him transferred there instead of the big hospital that we did. We had amazing care there. But, In my mother's heart- I think they would have been more aggressive to protect him from a clot moving. He was sent home with an External Defibrillator- Oh my goodness that was a nightmare thing to wear. Thankfully, his heart function improved enough that he didn't have to wear it more than a couple months.

Another important piece to the puzzle- After 2 at home sleep studies. He was started on a CPAP and a it was an absolute living nightmare for 6 months. He tried and tried but he couldn't tolerate the constant pressure. Had an in lab Sleep Study, followed by a Titration overnight in the sleep lab. He was started on one of the most advanced BiPaps. Thankfully, after a couple of nights- he has been successful to wear it...certainly, a game changer. We were told that a CPap won't work to treat Central Sleep Apnea. This is why a BiPap was necessary.
Treating the Arrhythmias and Critical Heart Failure - even though it has been a multi-step with multiple procedures and visits- has been a piece of cake to manage- compared to the life changing effects of the Strokes.
He had a Loop Recorder Implanted for monitoring.
To treat the Failure and Arrhythimias- He was started on Digoxin, Amiodarone, Eliquis, Entresto, and Metoprolol. After 2 Ablations- He is successfully off Digoxin and Amiodarone.

Due to his young age, his unstable gait due to the Strokes, and he also had a Seizure because of the Stroke (thankfully at this point, just 1 with treatment with med). He is at high risk for falls and hitting his head. (He walks with his cane, but still not real strong and steady.) I am terrified of this happening. I did a lot of my own research about the Watchman, and asked his Cardiologist about it. I want him off Eliquis if at all [possible. He has had the visit to determine that he is a good candidate for a Watchman. He has another appointment in a couple of weeks with a Cardiologist that is not associated with the one that will actually do the procedure to talk about the risks/benefits of the procedure. (This is a requirement before a Watchman can be implanted). Hopefully, the procedure will be scheduled in the next few months after that.
So, that is our story- actually, it's the shortened version...there have been many more related details - but, seriously- no wonder we are all exhausted. But, we are ok and grateful for another day to get up and try again.
Happy Thursday Friends.