Thanks for your message @irishblueileen. I moved your message to the discussion thread where @dannydamon asked his questions. Here is the direct link to this discussion thread https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/good-morning-im-almost-66-years-old-with-infrequent-afib-and-on/

Welcome to Connect.

Hello, new to group. I am 80. Four years ago had afib to point that I need catheter ablation. OK for two years, another ablation procedure. No current afib. However I have been diagnosed with enlarged heart. I have been active all my life. High school and college sports, infantry officer for seven years and marathon runner. My problem now is fluid developing in my one leg and ankle. I have water pills which my cardiologist told me to take only as needed. My latest LVEF is 50%. I am concerned about this fluid issue. Comments please. PS I guess I have CHF, which is hard for me to realize.

Forgot to mention I did have defib device implanted about two years ago.

Welcome @jhoffmanj.
I moved your message to this discussion thread so you can meet @twptrustrek @irishblueileen @billmichalski @martishka @peggyd who have also been talking about afib and ablations. I’m sure they’ll join me in welcoming you and hopefully have some thoughts about the fluid buildup and accepting CHF.

I have had afib for little over a year now on medication doesn’t seem to help much not sure about ablation surgery.It brothers me so much I cant sleep sometimes I am scare to go to sleep some days I have skip beats all day long I quit working I just cant seem to deal with it.

Welcome to Connect @prescott. I moved your message to this discussion thread about called Questions about AFib where you’ll meet @twptrustrek @irishblueileen @billmichalski @martishka @peggyd @nadine66 who have also been talking about afib and ablations. I’d also like to introduce you to @predictable and @cynaburst who will join me in welcoming you.

Many here in the Heart & Blood group have similar questions and concerns as you have expressed here. You may also be interested in reading and posting to these threads:
– How does a person develop skipped heart beats? http://mayocl.in/28U8QNs
– Should I consider ablation? http://mayocl.in/28ReaNr

Prescott, what medication are you taking at the moment? What lifestyle changes have you had to make?

Many people have had good success with ablations to treat afib. If you are not tolerating well, that might be a thing to try. Where are you located? Do you have any structural abnormalities as well?

My experience with the ablation procedure has been good. I also have sleep apnea. I use a CPAC device on advice of my electrophysiologist. Two times that I went out of sync was in wee hours of the morning. Since reluctantly using CPAC. I sleep through night. I think the ablation techniques are getting even better.

I am on flecainide 100 mg a day also a blood pressure medication.I have stopped working I don’t fill comfortable going far from home I think I have a lot anixity issues try to walk as much as I can don’t realy fill tired I think I have yet to except the fact I have this problem.

I guess I am a little scare of surgery I am in phoenix az only other thing I have is blood pressure but its under control I do take flecainide for my afib .

I guess I am a little scare of surgery never had to have anything done before plus I hear its a long surgery.I think its more of a metal thing for me.

Hi, @prescott. Welcome to this A-fib discussion. My A-fib appeared on an EKG two years ago this month. It surprised me, because I have had irregular heart beats for years without encountering an A-fib diagnosis. My primary physician referred me to a cardiologist who prescribed Coumadin therapy as a defense against wandering blood clots, and that’s my current status. I have no recognizable A-fib symptoms except irregular heart beats on my BP monitor, which I use daily to track my blood pressure (I’m taking two meds for that). I haven’t had to consider ablation, although a close friend has and was doing well when I saw him a couple of months ago. He said the procedure was not unusually troubling.

I notice you are taking Flecainide in a relatively large dosage, along with a blood pressure medication. I’d recommend a detailed talk with your doctor about this. Get a full explanation about the reason for both medications and, especially, about the possibility that the BP med could aggravate the symptoms from Flecainide, as often happens.

Are you under the care of a specialist in cardiology? What are chances of your having a consultation with Mayo at Phoenix or Scottsdale?

I been on blood pressure meds for 10 yrs only 5mg lisinpol and 25 mg of atenenol I do see a specialist in cardiology at cvc here in phoenix.I will ask him about the meds though .

@prescott, I wish you well in your discussion with your cardiology consultant. I notice that your BP meds are very modest, suggesting that your BP is not a major threat to you. Also, your Lisinopril is related to kidney functions. I also take Lisinopril, and my BP is treated by my kidney specialist. Both American and international medical societies have raised BP targets twice in the last 7 years for senior citizens. Perhaps you’d consider asking your cardiologist (or your primary physician) about a referral to a nephrologist for a review of your BP targets. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Hello this is success101

I had my first a fib attack
8 years ago.
Diet has much to do with that.
I can’t eat late evening.
Starts things up.
No rich foods. I too am on
15mg flecanaide and 15 mg
Sorrento blood thinner.
These two drugs seem to be holding.
My twin sister just had severe
Tachardia. Put on rest.
She had an ablation this week
But restricted. Will have chip in her chest for couple of weeks.
I thank God,we are still here
and leading a normal life.
You can also.
Don’t give up.
Duccess101