Heart Rhythm Conditions – Welcome to the group

I'm not sure if I'm registered with this group or not. I did post some information about me, but it may not have been recorded. I am a 71 yr. old male that is suffering from apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and non sustained ventricular tachycardia. I think I have had every test possible including echo's,ecg's, nuclear stress test, heart catheterization, and cardiac mri., and wore a holter monitor twice; one for 24 hrs. and the other for 48 hrs. Due to the complexity of my problems, I have been referred to a specialist. Unfortunately, my appointment isn't until Jan. 28. The appointment was made the middle of Nov. I'm wondering what the next step(s) in this adventure will be? I have been several different medications including metoprolol and verapamil for some time, and my symptoms haven't changed. I have read that there are a couple of surgeries that can be done if medications are not working. If anyone could enlighten me as to what to expect, it would be appreciated. This whole issue started last June. I'm getting more and more anxious. Seven months of waiting for some kind of treatment is wearing pretty heavy on my mind. I use to be a very active person. Being told not to do any strenuous exercise or labor, and the fact that I have gained around 7 lbs. is very frustrating. Is it normal to go through a waiting period before any kind of treatment is suggested? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Dennis

I'm not sure if I'm registered with this group or not. I did post some information about me, but it may not have been recorded. I am a 71 yr. old male that is suffering from apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and non sustained ventricular tachycardia. I think I have had every test possible including echo's,ecg's, nuclear stress test, heart catheterization, and cardiac mri., and wore a holter monitor twice; one for 24 hrs. and the other for 48 hrs. Due to the complexity of my problems, I have been referred to a specialist. Unfortunately, my appointment isn't until Jan. 28. The appointment was made the middle of Nov. I'm wondering what the next step(s) in this adventure will be? I have been several different medications including metoprolol and verapamil for some time, and my symptoms haven't changed. I have read that there are a couple of surgeries that can be done if medications are not working. If anyone could enlighten me as to what to expect, it would be appreciated. This whole issue started last June. I'm getting more and more anxious. Seven months of waiting for some kind of treatment is wearing pretty heavy on my mind. I use to be a very active person. Being told not to do any strenuous exercise or labor, and the fact that I have gained around 7 lbs. is very frustrating. Is it normal to go through a waiting period before any kind of treatment is suggested? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Dennis

I'd like to raise some doubts about proposals by @afrobin for getting off common medicines for treatment of A-fib and its symptoms -- first the recommendation for rigorous exercise to make it possible to cut off use of beta blockers within a month; second the idea that anticoagulants are not needed if A-fib is ended ("cured"?) due to exercise, and third that if you have A-fib you can get clear indications from your heart on whether medications are even needed. I don't feel that these proposals are wrong, just that they may be unique to the condition of one or a few patients and unfortunately fatal to a few on the other end of possibility -- myself, for example.

First, I get no signals from my heart about my A-fib, which I'm told is clearly obvious on an EKG; otherwise I'm conscious of it only by watching my heart rate's irregularity on my blood pressure meter at home. Second, my A-fib medication is a relatively strong dose of a beta blocker twice a day and a medium dose of Coumadin anticoagulant once a day; these meds have applied for nearly two years. Third, my exercise regimen is challenging, but not comparable to running a mile. I was preparing last Spring to begin a gradual reduction in my beta blocker medication over a period of two-three months.

However, out for a brisk walk in June, I was struck by symptoms of a stroke, my return home on foot was belabored by loss of balance and repeated stumbles. At urgent care several hours later, the MRI showed I had suffered a "small stroke," probably from an A-fib clot ejected into a cranial artery. Movement of my left arm and leg and my jaw was affected. I spent six weeks in physical therapy and regained my balance as a result.

Lessons learned? First, if I ever again experience symptoms of a stroke, I'll call 9-1-1 and get emergency medical transportation and care right away. Second, I'll be less determined to back down on the medications that have carried me thus far. Third, coordination with my medical team is required before I take ANY steps to modify the therapy my doctors recommend. I hope other A-fib victims find something helpful in my experience with it, especially to avoid cutting back therapy unilaterally. @afrobin's decision to follow this practice and work with a doctor is a good example for us all. Martin

Hi All - probably should have joined this group a long time ago. My name is Rodney and I'm a 64 year old happily married man who just retired after a long career in the clinical software industry. I've always been very active over the years biking, running, and hiking so I was in pretty good shape leading up to my first heart arrhythmia episode 8 years ago. I came home from a run and suddenly felt this incredibly intense bout of palpitations. I had to lay down on the floor before it finally subsided a few minutes later. After getting hit with these episodes a few more times over the coming weeks I went to see a cardiologist. EKG was normal but it wasn't until a subsequent visit for a stress test that the EKG revealed I was in afib. I was admitted to the hospital, put on warfarin and was given an IV drug that put me back in normal sinus rhythm by morning. From there I was put on metoprolol (25mgx1) and eventually flecanaide (100mgx2) along with aspirin 325mg daily, which worked very well over the next 7 years. I had some fatigue and shortness of breath but overall the afib was kept at bay.

A couple of months ago I suddenly began having serious breathing issues, which eventually was tied to a return of my afib. My cardiologist suggested getting a cardioversion to snap it back into rhythm and either a new drug or an ablation. I also stopped the aspirin and now take Eliquis for blood thinning I'm still getting hit with afib on a daily basis and should be getting a cardioversion this week. An ablation is scheduled 3 weeks from now. I'm hoping it's not too late since I hear of some people at this age needing multiple ablations to reverse the issue. It has been a very uncomfortable several weeks for me so I'm anxious to get this afib back under control.

Hi All - probably should have joined this group a long time ago. My name is Rodney and I'm a 64 year old happily married man who just retired after a long career in the clinical software industry. I've always been very active over the years biking, running, and hiking so I was in pretty good shape leading up to my first heart arrhythmia episode 8 years ago. I came home from a run and suddenly felt this incredibly intense bout of palpitations. I had to lay down on the floor before it finally subsided a few minutes later. After getting hit with these episodes a few more times over the coming weeks I went to see a cardiologist. EKG was normal but it wasn't until a subsequent visit for a stress test that the EKG revealed I was in afib. I was admitted to the hospital, put on warfarin and was given an IV drug that put me back in normal sinus rhythm by morning. From there I was put on metoprolol (25mgx1) and eventually flecanaide (100mgx2) along with aspirin 325mg daily, which worked very well over the next 7 years. I had some fatigue and shortness of breath but overall the afib was kept at bay.

A couple of months ago I suddenly began having serious breathing issues, which eventually was tied to a return of my afib. My cardiologist suggested getting a cardioversion to snap it back into rhythm and either a new drug or an ablation. I also stopped the aspirin and now take Eliquis for blood thinning I'm still getting hit with afib on a daily basis and should be getting a cardioversion this week. An ablation is scheduled 3 weeks from now. I'm hoping it's not too late since I hear of some people at this age needing multiple ablations to reverse the issue. It has been a very uncomfortable several weeks for me so I'm anxious to get this afib back under control.

I'd like to raise some doubts about proposals by @afrobin for getting off common medicines for treatment of A-fib and its symptoms -- first the recommendation for rigorous exercise to make it possible to cut off use of beta blockers within a month; second the idea that anticoagulants are not needed if A-fib is ended ("cured"?) due to exercise, and third that if you have A-fib you can get clear indications from your heart on whether medications are even needed. I don't feel that these proposals are wrong, just that they may be unique to the condition of one or a few patients and unfortunately fatal to a few on the other end of possibility -- myself, for example.

First, I get no signals from my heart about my A-fib, which I'm told is clearly obvious on an EKG; otherwise I'm conscious of it only by watching my heart rate's irregularity on my blood pressure meter at home. Second, my A-fib medication is a relatively strong dose of a beta blocker twice a day and a medium dose of Coumadin anticoagulant once a day; these meds have applied for nearly two years. Third, my exercise regimen is challenging, but not comparable to running a mile. I was preparing last Spring to begin a gradual reduction in my beta blocker medication over a period of two-three months.

However, out for a brisk walk in June, I was struck by symptoms of a stroke, my return home on foot was belabored by loss of balance and repeated stumbles. At urgent care several hours later, the MRI showed I had suffered a "small stroke," probably from an A-fib clot ejected into a cranial artery. Movement of my left arm and leg and my jaw was affected. I spent six weeks in physical therapy and regained my balance as a result.

Lessons learned? First, if I ever again experience symptoms of a stroke, I'll call 9-1-1 and get emergency medical transportation and care right away. Second, I'll be less determined to back down on the medications that have carried me thus far. Third, coordination with my medical team is required before I take ANY steps to modify the therapy my doctors recommend. I hope other A-fib victims find something helpful in my experience with it, especially to avoid cutting back therapy unilaterally. @afrobin's decision to follow this practice and work with a doctor is a good example for us all. Martin

I was able to get off meds...veeeerrry slowly and carefully with the cardiologist's encouragement, through going to the gym every day. I don't really agree with eileen's in the case of Afib. The heart needs to be pushed into rhythm. Exercise is key. It stabilizes the heart. But if you are ON beta blockers, you will probably feel too tired to do much. So, if you can UP the exercise and DOWN the meds with the doctor's ok, do it! I had the worst case of Afib my cardiologist had ever seen with not even 3 stable beats in a row and I got off the meds over a one month period of daily gym exercise AND avoidance of all stimulants. (chocolate, alcohol, meds with ephedrine for colds or for dental treatments, etc...) Be informed.