1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

Heart Rhythm Conditions – Welcome to the group

Posted by Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator @kanaazpereira, Feb 14, 2018

Welcome to the Heart Rhythm Conditions group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
Did you know that the average heart beats 100,000 times a day? Millions of people live with heart rhythm problems (heart arrhythmias) which occur when the electrical impulses that coordinate heartbeats don't work properly. Let's connect with each other; we can share stories and learn about coping with the challenges, and living well with abnormal heart rhythms. I invite you to follow the group. Simply click the +FOLLOW icon on the group landing page.

I'm Kanaaz (@kanaazpereira), and I'm the moderator of this group. When you post to this group, chances are you'll also be greeted by volunteer patient Mentors and fellow members. Learn more about Moderators and Mentors on Connect.

Let's chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 13, 2020
In reply to @kates1221 "I was diagnosed with afib and high blood pressure. I was put on a blood thinner,..." + (show)
@kates1221

I was diagnosed with afib and high blood pressure. I was put on a blood thinner, medicine to keep my heart from racing and two blood pressure medicines. I was told that my afib is permanent and has no cure. Has anyone been told this and should I get a second opinion on whether or not an ablation will help me? I am a former dancer and life long exerciser. I also had surgery to repair a hole in my heart at age six. I am 66 years old and this is the first time I've had trouble with my heart. I was also told that years of physical exercise and prior heart surgery probably predisposed me to the problems with my heart. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

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Hi @kates1221, many members suggested getting a second opinion. Here's an article about the value of second opinions that may interest you:
- Mayo Clinic researchers demonstrate value of second opinions https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-researchers-demonstrate-value-of-second-opinions/

For all, you may be interested in watching this archived Expert Q&A. Mayo Cardiologists Christopher McLeod and K.L. Venkatachalam discuss Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) symptoms, causes, risk factors, and more.
- Video Q&A about Atrial Fibrillation https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/video-qa-about-atrial-fibrillation/

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 13, 2020

Hi all, I'm just catching up on all the messages posted the last couple of days and have some useful information to share regarding how to use Mayo Clinic Connect, related discussions, and starting new discussions.

First Tips on How to Use Connect
@backpacker2020 asks "Is there a way to search the discussions for a particular topic/condition?"
You can use the main search bar, which can be found at the top of any page. Learn more tips from members in this discussion
- How to Search on Connect - It can help you! https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/search-it-can-help-you/

Also, find a group relevant to your interests in the Group Directory: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/groups/

@lov asks "How do we tell where the new messages are?"
You can sort the discussion from Newest to Oldest to see the newest post first. This article explains further, with pictures
- [TIP] Customize the Order You View Posts - See New Posts First https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-customize-the-order-you-view-posts-see-new-posts-first/

You may also be interested in this article.
- Replies and @mentions: How do I know who is replying to whom? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed-post/replies-and-mentions-how-do-i-know-who-is-replying-to-whom/

Learn more about how to use Connect in the How to Get Started guide: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/
Follow the About Connect blog for tips and how-to instructions https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/

If you have any technical issues or questions, send me an email using this form: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/contact-a-community-moderator/

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karen420 | @karen420 | Feb 13, 2020

Hi, I am Karen from Vegas right now I go to Nevada Heart and Vascular. I am a school teacher with the severally emotionally disturbed kiddos in a special school. In the last 2 years I have had a stroke, 2 heart Caths, and now I have a Defibulator ( i did not spell that right). I am going to go on a disability retirement because I am not 65 and my husband and I are going to move to Jacksonville Florida so I can be close to the Mayo Clinic and get out of this hot hot heat. I am only working to save money and pay off some bills, I am so excited to come that I wish I could leave right now. I am the mother of 10 children and have 21 grandchildren and I want to live. Thank you for letting me express myself, no one at works understand my situation or how I feel.

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1 reply
oldkarl | @oldkarl | Feb 13, 2020

OldKarl here. I am already a member of several other Mayo groups. When you have multiple systemic diseases, all incurable and all eventually fatal, everything of body, mind and spirit is up for grabs. For my heart rhythm issues, I have frequent spells of tachy, early or extra beats, slow, diastolic disorders, dilated cardiomegaly, QRS bounces, etc. These have been dXed as many different disorders, from excess vitamin D to Polio to Amyloidosis. I have a list of about 100 different dX in my 80 years. The current certain dXes impacting the heart include RyR1, RyR2, FKTN, Gelsolin, CAA, RA, Radon, Chronic Bronchiectasis, Cancers: Prostate, Thyroid, Melanoma, Esophageal. Married 60 years, 4 children, 10 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren (including 2 Marine Great Grandsons)

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1 reply
bill54321 | @bill54321 | Feb 13, 2020
In reply to @mayofeb2020 "My thoughts exactly! When you go to doctors, they want to know all the meds you..." + (show)
@mayofeb2020

My thoughts exactly! When you go to doctors, they want to know all the meds you are taking, all the numbers like cholesterol, bp etc, but seldom do they ask what you eat or your lifestyle. If they ask a patient to describe what's in his/her pantry or refrigerator, they would probably have been able to diagnose the patient's health issue with better clarity. I'm getting a loop implant to test fir afib and my doctor also puts me on zeralto and statin even though my cholesterol level is ok. I'm taking CO Q10 as statin depletes me of coq10 in my body. I called zeralto and they don't know if it will interfere with the medication.

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May I make a suggestion. Our hospital blood thinning lab was staffed with a pharmacist. They knew the foods to avoid.

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eileena | @eileena | Feb 13, 2020
In reply to @mayofeb2020 "My thoughts exactly! When you go to doctors, they want to know all the meds you..." + (show)
@mayofeb2020

My thoughts exactly! When you go to doctors, they want to know all the meds you are taking, all the numbers like cholesterol, bp etc, but seldom do they ask what you eat or your lifestyle. If they ask a patient to describe what's in his/her pantry or refrigerator, they would probably have been able to diagnose the patient's health issue with better clarity. I'm getting a loop implant to test fir afib and my doctor also puts me on zeralto and statin even though my cholesterol level is ok. I'm taking CO Q10 as statin depletes me of coq10 in my body. I called zeralto and they don't know if it will interfere with the medication.

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mayofeb2020 @mayofeb2020,

The drug company does not know the side effects? Typical of those businesses. I can access this information through my Naturopath. He has more access to the literature than I do, so when in doubt I visit him at his office.

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bill54321 | @bill54321 | Feb 13, 2020
In reply to @eileena "Natural methods are really great. However, since MDs get so little training in nutrition and the..." + (show)
@eileena

Natural methods are really great. However, since MDs get so little training in nutrition and the pharmaceutical industry does really have heavy hands in getting MDs to embrace the drugs they manufacture there is little room for natural methods.

Try changing your MD for an Osteopath. They do have more nutrition education in their curriculum path to earn that Osteopath title. But some of them are reluctant to buck the pharmaceutical industry and the AMA.

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You are smart. Google. Then avoid the trap of buying products and go to the natural foods. What do you have to gain.. No Diets. Eat healthy.

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mayofeb2020 | @mayofeb2020 | Feb 13, 2020
In reply to @kates1221 "I take xarelto. It supposedly doesn't interact with any type of food, but I worry about..." + (show)
@kates1221

I take xarelto. It supposedly doesn't interact with any type of food, but I worry about the blood thinning effects of some foods like garlic, which I think would really help my blood pressure. One burning question in my mind is, if these foods thin the blood naturally, why are they not the first line of defense instead of blood thinning medication. My whole life I have used natural remedies for different things. But this time, I told myself that this is not a cold, or a pulled muscle. This is my heart. It terrified me and I am afraid to make a mistake by using non FDA approved methods to prevent blood clots cause by my afib. So I follow my doctor's orders and take my meds. Any ideas on this?

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My thoughts exactly! When you go to doctors, they want to know all the meds you are taking, all the numbers like cholesterol, bp etc, but seldom do they ask what you eat or your lifestyle. If they ask a patient to describe what's in his/her pantry or refrigerator, they would probably have been able to diagnose the patient's health issue with better clarity. I'm getting a loop implant to test fir afib and my doctor also puts me on zeralto and statin even though my cholesterol level is ok. I'm taking CO Q10 as statin depletes me of coq10 in my body. I called zeralto and they don't know if it will interfere with the medication.

REPLY
3 replies
bill54321 | @bill54321 | Feb 13, 2020
In reply to @sue225 "It's only happened to me twice in my life. And the opthalmologist specifically said retina irritation...." + (show)
@sue225

It's only happened to me twice in my life. And the opthalmologist specifically said retina irritation. I had no other symptoms. No aura. No blackness. Just at the edge of one eye like looking through a kaleidoscope.pieces breaking apart.

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I read your post. Some Psychologist have Biofeedback certification for medicare. I am not saying yours are mental. The Psychologist took over much of the biofeedback training earlier. But a referral to a certified Biofeedback practictioner would give you answer in several sessions, if this might work for you. Must be BFCIAC.Biofeedback Certification Institute of America Certified.

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bill54321 | @bill54321 | Feb 13, 2020
In reply to @lalton "I had no cardiovascular problems and exercised regularly running, climbing stairs, burpees, bicycling, etc for many..." + (show)
@lalton

I had no cardiovascular problems and exercised regularly running, climbing stairs, burpees, bicycling, etc for many years. A Dr found I had an irregular ECG around age 75 but I didn't think I had any heart problems so I didn't follow up with a cardiologist. Around age 80 I was diagnosed with afib and it has gotten steadily worse till now at age 85. Exercise is a trigger for me and I haven't been doing much strenuous activity at all lately. I do not purposely exercise; only gardening, and walking or biking short distances. My cardiologist and electrophysiologist recommend that I do not take an ablation risk because I do not have any symptoms like fainting, dizziness, etc. I believe that paying attention to your lifestyle and symptoms as the disease progresses and adapting accordingly will work. Everyone has different health conditions, symptoms and lifestyles, so the best solutions are varied accordingly.

I have afib frequently; the last two afib occurances were about 4-5 days/episode with a 3-4 day break with no afib between episodes. I am now thinking I can live with continuous afib if it happens; before I tried hard to avoid afib and rested a lot when in afib, but not so much now. Find good honest doctors which are interested in solving your problems, not making more money. I do take many supplements including magnesium and potassium and blood thinning supplements. I also take 2.5 mg eliquis, and 1/2 adult aspirin when in afib.
Some research on extreme exercise and afib:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5818379/
https://www.google.com/search?q=afib+caused+by+extreme+exercise&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS770US770&oq=afib+caused+by+extreme+exercise&aqs=chrome..69i57j33.16432j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

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I read your posts. What I did not hear was what make your pace maker is. Is it a demand unit that controls Like 60 level? With all those symptoms, you do have a simple pace maker don't you.? I thought I never needed one. After implant, WoW did I have more energy or what?I had Afib all my life. I use eliquist to regulate blood thinning.

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