Actions to take when A-Fib is triggered
Back in 2018, I had an ablation for my active a-fib and it completely relieved the problem until now. It seems to be coming back. It seems that ablation is only good for some 5 years. My doctor says there are two options. Tough it out or have another ablation. Thoughts on this would be helpful. It seems that to tough it out is worth a try.
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What about medicines for AFIB?
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1 ReactionDid doctor mention that A-fib predisposes to higher incidents of stroke? Have you considered a second opinion from a different cardiology practice? Colleagues in the same office usually will not challenge one another’s opinions.
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4 ReactionsIt you heart rate is high > 100 but esp. greater than 125 you risk wearing your heart out IF you are in continuous A-fib.
If it is intermittent then you are at less risk. But stroke or PE(pulmonary embolism) are greater risk. That is the purpose of using anti-coagulants like eliquis.
I am at that point now 5 1/2 years out of my 1st ablation that I am having increasing intermittent A-fib. Within the last year I have been averaging A-fib events lasting 12-48 hours about on average every month or so. Cardiac mapping has improved significantly in the last 5 years as well as surgical procedures have improved. So I am scheduled for another ablation on Sept 25. I just had a 36 hour event this weekend and self converted on Sunday afternoon. So far I have not needed to be electro-cardioverted since my ablation 5 1/2 years ago. I have been fortunate enough to self-convert. Also my HR almost always stays below 90. But it still sucks and wears me down. I am 76 with a mild myopathy that weakens me. I have to continuously try to work out which includes gardening, walking and cutting firewood (love to heat my house with a wood stove). But every A-fib event knocks me back and I have to slowly rehab myself which slows me down. So I am hoping to get some better relief from an ablation.
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4 ReactionsI took two meds in 2017 before my ablation in 2018 hoping to get back in rhythm and neither worked. Flecainide for a few weeks and then Amiodarone for a few weeks. Then the ablation in 2018.
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2 ReactionsI have been lucky with my heart rate which stays around 60 unless I have an episode and then it gets up to the 90's. The duration of a episode is not long at all and nothing like you are having. So, I feel that the ablation back in 2018 has been very helpful. I'm 85 now and like you I try to stay busy each day with outside activities for very short periods with this heat. My Doctor says to do whatever I feel like doing that my heart is very strong. I'm not a happy camper staying in the house all day. The episodes do set me back some but I really feel that we must stay strong mentally through it all. Keep cutting that firewood.
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2 ReactionsDr. did mention increased stroke risk but we have to stay vigilant with the blood thinner and mental attitude and pray a lot. I am happy with my Dr and all my checking proves out. He is most receptive to getting back with a text if I have concerns and especially with EKG that I send with my cardia. i.e. when I can work the damn thing having not been born into this tech age. Being 85, I admit that I struggle all the time. He has taken me off two of my meds that I felt were causing some of my dizzy at times which can't be all bad. That was a mental boost to me. We'll see......
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