Living with Atrial Fibrillation: What are Your Experiences?

Posted by yeb @yeb, Sep 1, 2024

I’m 74 and have just been diagnosed with chronic atrial fibrillation. My pulse rate usually stays between 75-100 and I’m taking 5mg of Eliquis twice daily. My cardiologist says there are no good meds for this type of Afib. I’m wondering if I should consider cardioversion, ablation, or just live with it and stay on the blood thinner? Anyone have experience living with AFib long term?? Thanks!

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jackiet | @jackiet | May 5 3:40pm

I would be interested in hearing some more personal anecdotes that might tie into this theme. Seems to me I read somewhere about adolescent males having been documented with some kind of heart issues from the pandemic, though it could have been the COVID infection not the vaccine.

On February 13 of 2021 I got the first Pfizer COVID vaccine, followed on March 6 by the second. Then sometime early in August I had the first sign of bradycardia when I sedately fell over backwards onto my ottoman, was « out » for a few seconds, picked myself up and took off for my dentist appointment.

I’m not sure you need an M.D. or even a Ph.D to put together anecdotal evidence in the form of case studies. Not that it would prove anything.

But it could.

Jackie

P.S. I’m not an anti-vaxxer.

lindy9 | @lindy9 | May 5 1:29pm

In reply to @margaretfriel "Of Course "School's Still Out" on whether the Covid vaccine effected Cardio Health. It's Almost Impossible..." + (show)

The people in the medical profession are not ALLOWED to give truth of their experiences with covid. That is the truth. Better than before but not much. Most too afraid to say anything. In the past could lose their license if they told the truth.

margaretfriel | @margaretfriel | May 5 12:16pm

In reply to @margaretfriel "There's No absolute Science that'll confirm Covid Vaccines brought on A-Fib, & probably not for your..." + (show)

Jackiet,

May I add just One More Thing? Please be aware, My Medical Degree is from
"Cracker-Jacks University, School of Medicine"

Peggy

margaretfriel | @margaretfriel | May 5 12:11pm

In reply to @jackiet "I am one of those who developed bradycardia after the COVID vaccine. Have been wondering ever..." + (show)

There's No absolute Science that'll confirm Covid Vaccines brought on A-Fib, & probably not for your Bradycardia after having a Covid Vaccine. Covid Vaccines may be bringing on a number of other medical problems for Other People (& I seriously Doubt the Medical Community would advertise what they may be or what they are ...). As one of my Dr.'s & I say, we're each like a Snowflake, (& it's thought, no 2 are exactly alike).

Our Heart abnormalities could be inherited, or as a result of other things in our Medical History. I'll just share: In fall of 2014 I went to my Dr. for a Fall - Flu, Pneumococcal Pneumonia vaccine. It was given in my left arm (the arm nearest my heart) & I had one of the WORST Allergic Reactions to That Vaccination my Dr.'s-practice had ever seen. They recommended I STOP getting Fall "Flu Shots" Hence-forth & forever! Who Knows, A-Fib (2021) could have been a long-range result of THAT 'Recommended preventative vaccine'.

I Will Wish you the Very Best of Health in the future. Most Sincerely. Peggy

jackiet | @jackiet | May 5 10:49am

In reply to @margaretfriel "Of Course "School's Still Out" on whether the Covid vaccine effected Cardio Health. It's Almost Impossible..." + (show)

I am one of those who developed bradycardia after the COVID vaccine. Have been wondering ever since if that was a cause and effect relationship. Hearing your story, Peggy, doesn’t bring relief but at least some confirmation. Damn!!

margaretfriel | @margaretfriel | May 4 8:32pm

In reply to @lindy9 "Sorry you got the vax. Do not need to apologize for saying the truth." + (show)

Of Course "School's Still Out" on whether the Covid vaccine effected Cardio Health. It's Almost Impossible to find anyone in the Medical Profession who has an answer to that conundrum.

I talked to some administrative people asking if the number of NEW Cardio Patients walking thru their doors changed after Covid Vaccines started, & almost All of them said YES, a lot more new cases appeared.

If That doesn't tell you something ... then Please Give me another reason why Cardiologists have suddenly became "The Most Popular Girl At The Dance!"?

1gratefuldawg | @1gratefuldawg | May 3 8:12pm

In reply to @ruthbruns "Thank you, just went to the doctor and got all the 'bad news' feel just fine..." + (show)

Hopefully you can find support to make your decision heard. I’m 70 just had Afib returned after 14+ years. Had open maze surgery to correct being in Afib 100% of the time, worked for 14.5 years now I’m back to afib 100% of the time. I refuse to take medication and swap possible remedies for ensured side effects. I hope you find the help you need.

1gratefuldawg | @1gratefuldawg | May 3 8:04pm

In reply to @relax2 "I’ve always found most doctors especially those who are surgeons or specialists will say very little..." + (show)

Can you provide any sources? I’ve done research had open maze surgery in 2010 for afib, worked up until the night of April 10th, now I back in Afib 100% of the time. Confirmed with a 24hr heart monitor which was much better than the 30 day one I wore back in 2010.

1gratefuldawg | @1gratefuldawg | May 3 7:57pm

Hello
In October 2010, I wore a 30-day heart monitor that showed I was in atrial fibrillation 100% of the time. (Unfortunately, that’s starting to feel familiar again.) Dr. Lishan Aklog, then at St. Joseph’s Heart and Lung Institute, performed open maze surgery and replaced my mitral valve.

Shortly after my recovery, Dr. Aklog left St. Joseph’s, and I haven’t had a follow-up with a cardiologist since. He had encouraged me to get regular exercise, and true to my obsessive nature, I dove headfirst into road cycling. Over the next four years, I averaged 125–200 miles per week—commuting to work, riding weekends, and participating in charity events. I typically averaged 18 mph during 100-mile rides, and I estimate I logged around 17,000–18,000 total miles. Eventually, my work schedule changed, and without the commuting element, I lost momentum.
Fast forward to the night of April 10th before I woke up on April 11 a switch flipped and all my average heart rates jumped 20-30 bpm it varies day to day and has remained that way. I’m back in Afib 100% of the time have an appointment next Friday. I do not and have not taken any medications like blood thinners since the surgery. I will be sitting in a recliner and get a high heart rate alert from my Apple Watch. I purchased a KardiaMobile 6L and have 107 tracings since April 20th. Afib 61%/65 detections, Tachycardia 30%/32. My resting heart rate used to be 59-64. The last WEEK resting rate has been 79-96 with a daily range 48-179. I’m doing everything now that I was doing before the switch flip but only 25% of it.

margaretfriel | @margaretfriel | May 3 1:49pm

In reply to @lindy9 "Margaret - Your story and other similar ones are exactly why I do not run to..." + (show)

@lindy9

Margaret - Your story and other similar ones are exactly why I do not run to the doctors for checkups or treatments for what I may or may not have. The only difference in my story is, after one bad experience, I did not continue, but read the handwriting on the wall and read, read, and read all the info I could find.

For me and irregular heartbeat, I quit coffee, colas, and anything containing caffeine. And increased my drinking of water. I rarely feel any irregularity and lasts maybe 5 seconds. I do not need to have a test to tell me I am okay. I do get a blood test about one time a year from a lab and examine it as you don't need to be Einstein to figure it out. To me, getting tests when I feel well at age 76, is like taking your car to a mechanic because it hiccups once in a while. They do their dance with a calculator and dollar signs in their eyeballs. My late husband who was an honest mechanic told me that people have their engines often replaced when the solution is to tighten a gas cap and clear the blinking warnings. Being dumb is not a virtue. One customer insisted that the air be removed from her tires and filled up with fresh air once a year because her late husband did it his whole life. Let that sink in.

Your story reminded me of a co-worker when I was in my 20's. I listened to her complain of UTI's and horrible treatments she had every 2 or 3 months. After a few years, I asked her if she ever ate any fruit. She said No. And never any veggies either. I had watched or heard what she ate at lunch every day and was just junk food.

One Friday, I went and bought her some time released Vitamin C and some fruit. On Monday morning she ran to my desk and told me that I had helped her in 3 days more than doctors had helped for years.

Take my stories to heart or leave them. Life is made up of choices. Unlike doctors and drug makers, I do not earn a dime for relating my experiences.

Jump to this post

After 3 years of being shuffled from one Dr. or Physicians Assistant to another, numerous Prescrip's (causing countless side effects), I learned that in a Large City 100 miles away there was a Clinic treating heart problems that had recently been rated equal to Mayo & Cleveland Clinics. I picked up my phone, called them & asked for an appointment. The person with whom I spoke asked Numerous questions, then scheduled me with one of their Cardiologists whose Specialty seemed to be in line with our discussion.
Last week my daughter & I saw their Cardiologist (a few hr.'s prior I took files/info. from previous Dr.'s for him to look-over ). The appointment lasted an hr., he asked Good questions that 'got-to-the-heart-of-the-matter', gave his opinion, & summarized by saying he didn't understand why all the Dr.'s/Physician Assistants prescribed all those Med.s. His advice: Continue eating the healthy diet (I've eaten For Years), maintain the healthy weight (I've maintained for years), get plenty of sleep, continue to get moderate exercise, & If I'd like, come back in 6 months, he'd like to follow my 'case'. Then he outlined some of the symptoms I might experience if the A-Fib is no longer stable.
Whew! Finally a Dr. who gave me clarity & prospective.

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