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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.

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rozy288 | @rozy288 | May 20, 2023

Wishing you the best , I know you’ll be ok but of course anyone would be nervous .
I take Heart Calm triple magnesium to calm my pvcs .
http://www.vitalbiologics.com
Look into it .
I have Gastro Cardiac Syndrome, many gastric disorders.

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windyshores | @windyshores | May 18, 2023
In reply to @ed32js "I have SVT and blood clots. Can I take Wonder Labs Healthy Heart supplement to lower..." + (show)
Profile picture for ed32js @ed32js

I have SVT and blood clots. Can I take Wonder Labs Healthy Heart supplement to lower my heart rate along with xarelto for my blood clots?

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Ask your doc! With something like this I hope you have good medical advice. We can sympathize though !

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ed32js | @ed32js | May 18, 2023

I have SVT and blood clots. Can I take Wonder Labs Healthy Heart supplement to lower my heart rate along with xarelto for my blood clots?

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1 reply
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vickylj | @vickylj | May 12, 2023

Hi, I’ve had afib for over 10 years.
Had a stroke 10 yrs ago. The afib of course got worse. I’ve taken every heart medication known to man. They worked for a while, My doctor in Mn. then did 3 ablation. They each also worked for a while.
We moved to Mo. found a heat doctor that had a lot to do with Mayo Clinic, that’s why I chose him. He did one ablation, worked for a while, along with new meds. I’ve been in afib so strong, I think my hearts going to beat itself to death. Now my doctor want to put a EP Leadless pacemaker
in and do a ablation on the AV Node.
Which will cut off the electricity all together. I will still have afib, but won’t feel it. So consequently the pacemaker will be running my heart.
If the pacemaker goes out I won’t have a heart beat and die. He said this procedure is 95% effective.
It’s coming up soon and I’m getting a bit nervous. Thought I’d ask some questions from outsiders about this procedure.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Vicky

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deborah67 | @deborah67 | May 11, 2023

Hi thanks for thinking about me. No appointment yet. It takes such a long time to see a specialist in Canada.

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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | May 11, 2023
In reply to @deborah67 "Hi I went to my nurse practitioner, and she forgot to sent a request to see..." + (show)
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Hi I went to my nurse practitioner, and she forgot to sent a request to see the cardio dr. So hopefully she will do that.

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Hi @deborah67 I just wanted to check in with you to see how you’re feeling. Were you able to meet with a cardiologist?

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phyllisden | @phyllisden | May 9, 2023
In reply to @otiswinston "Thank you for your reply. I don't really have an opportunity to try higher elevations before..." + (show)
Profile picture for otiswinston @otiswinston

Thank you for your reply. I don't really have an opportunity to try higher elevations before going to Nepal. With my new hip working well I am now starting to test my heart's reaction to more vigorous exercise (at lower elevations where I live). From the readings I've done it would seem I would need longer time than my previous "normal" to acclimatize as I go higher, and monitor my self even more closely for signs of problems. I've always been careful about following the recommended methods for acclimatizing - staying well hydrated, taking Diamox above certain elevations, taking acclimatization days (with hikes where we walk high and sleep low), etc. I would really like to contact a cardiologist who has experience with high altitudes as unfortunately I don't have much faith in my current one.

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@otiswinston, I would have to agree with those in this group that are encouraging you not to go to Nepal. Of course, in the end, only you can decide.
Would there be an alternative in the States? No, we have nothing that high or probably as beautiful as Nepal, but there are plenty of hikers in this country and plenty of mountains to climb. Telluride Co is over 12,000', is a beautiful area with lots of hikers, climbers, mountain bikers, etc. I would guess there are doctors there that deal with those types of people and are very familiar with the effects of the altitude.
Maybe there's something else you could really enjoy where you wouldn't be taking as much of a risk to you health.
Again, only you can decide.

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gloaming | @gloaming | May 8, 2023

If it were me, I would not go. If you require meds to keep your rate controlled, and if you need anti-arrhythmic medication to control fibrillation, PACs, PVCs, etc, you are inviting a lot of potential advancement of your disease by incurring more stress. Your heart will be stressed. Your organs will be stressed.

Remember that it is a progressive disease. Piling inordinate demands on your system while you harbor a progressive disorder is not something I would feel comfortable doing. I would worry about kicking the disorder up another riser and have the AF needing even more medication, or a different one if that one works better. The problem with AF is that it progresses, including eventually being immune to whatever meds you're currently prescribed. You want to slow the progression....or I would, at least.

I agree with the advice to do as your conscience can handle. Just be aware that you might rue your hubris, and have fewer options except a catheter ablation, resorting to amiodarone, or worse, eventually needing a pacemaker and have the AV node ablated.

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otiswinston | @otiswinston | May 8, 2023
In reply to @phyllisden "Hello @otiswinston and welcome to the group. Good idea for reaching out to this site, you'll..." + (show)
Profile picture for phyllisden @phyllisden

Hello @otiswinston and welcome to the group. Good idea for reaching out to this site, you'll get a lot of good feedback.
I, too, have afib, having been diagnosed quite a few years ago. And have had hypertension for over 30 years. I've been on Verapamil for years and various BP meds, then just started Xarelto a few months ago. I've lived in a city for over 30 years that's at 5000' (Denver is not the only "Mile High City"). We're close to CO so have gone up there frequently. I've never had breathing problems or increased problems with afib until last summer. (I was at 7000'). I was short of breath and my feet and legs swelled significantly. I was 73 and worked out pretty consistently. It was disconcerting.
So, will you be trying a long hike at a higher elevation in the US prior to committing to Nepal?
I totally understand the frustration that comes with having to make changes in your life as you get older and have more health problems, but regardless of other's opinions, only you can decide how you're going to handle those changes. Best of luck in making this decision.

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Thank you for your reply. I don't really have an opportunity to try higher elevations before going to Nepal. With my new hip working well I am now starting to test my heart's reaction to more vigorous exercise (at lower elevations where I live). From the readings I've done it would seem I would need longer time than my previous "normal" to acclimatize as I go higher, and monitor my self even more closely for signs of problems. I've always been careful about following the recommended methods for acclimatizing - staying well hydrated, taking Diamox above certain elevations, taking acclimatization days (with hikes where we walk high and sleep low), etc. I would really like to contact a cardiologist who has experience with high altitudes as unfortunately I don't have much faith in my current one.

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1 reply
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sa1l0r | @sa1l0r | May 8, 2023
In reply to @otiswinston "Hi. My name is Doug. I'm 70 years of age and was diagnosed with AFib a..." + (show)
Profile picture for otiswinston @otiswinston

Hi. My name is Doug. I'm 70 years of age and was diagnosed with AFib a year ago. I'm on Eliquis, Bisoprolol and Flecainide and these seem to control my condition very well. I am usually very active although not much in the past year to to hip problems, but after a hip replacement 4 months ago I am just getting back on my feet. I'm hoping to do another multi week trekking trip in Nepal which would include altitudes up to 5,000 metres (16,000 feet). My last Nepal trip was in 2019 and I handled the heavy exertion and altitude quite well after training hard, but that was pre-Afib. However the new meds have slowed my heart rate considerably and I'm not sure how realistic this is. I'm thinking with my "pump" running at a lower speed it could be pretty difficult doing this sort of trip again. Would welcome any thoughts from others.

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God love you! You rock, Sir; bless your heart.

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