Heart Rhythm Conditions – Welcome to the group

The meds lose effectiveness over time, but usually many months. It could just be that your disorder is progressing more rapidly than most and you might need an EP's intervention. I hope you can be patient and keep some positivity. It's hard, I know, when there's so much uncertainty, but have faith and be optimistic. There's a way through this, including biting your knuckles and watching the clock.

Hello. I have PSVT. Ended in ER twice. They reverse it with adenosine. Was put on propafenone max dose and bisoprolol 5 mg daily. I get palpitations which are getting more frequent and annoying. Went to cardiologist and was referred to EP. However, my appointment is in 2 weeks. Anyone out there with same issues. I don’t know if it’s the meds.

Cardiac arrhythmias do seem to progress over time, even with an ablation that seems to 'cure' the arrhythmia. An ablation, if successful (the cardiology field calls an ablation a success if the patient remains free from the treated arrhythmia for one full year), merely surrounds the re-entrant for the extra voltage with scar tissue. The voltage cannot escape the 'stockade' of scarring, so it can't cause the atrium to beat. However, the heart is always remodeling itself to an extent and it will often, not always, but often, develop new foci for the voltage issued by the migrant nodal cells being deposited here and there in the substrate. When that happens, you'll get another arrythmia, but not necessarily a return of AF. Sometimes another ablation is the ticket, while for others no amount of ablating will stop the arrhythmia.

This is an electrical disorder. It might have something to do with electrolyte imbalance in the myocytes, in which case supplements could help. You'd need, and want, a formal diagnosis of a deficiency before you start swallowing pills, so see your cardiologist. Many of us supplement with magnesium anyway and don't come to harm. As long as you don't overdose on it, you'll be fine. I have taken magnesium citrate (this is one formulation you do not want to take too much of or you'll be a frequent visitor to the bathroon!). I have also taken the bis-glycinate formulation and am currently on the malate formulation for giggles. They're all varieties of magnesium salts.

If your heart stays in arrythmia for long, it will begin to change, and not for the better. It's called 'remodelling'. Remodeling comprises the deposition of collagen in the interstitial tissue of the myocardium and fibrosis. The chamber walls will thicken and they'll become less easily changeable in shape, which is how they pump blood. Eventually, you are highly likely to develop 'heart failure', or cardiac insufficiency. So, if you are asking me for some pointed advice, find someone who can get you on a drug that controls your arrhythmia that doesn't also make you feel that life isn't worth living that way. You may have to consider a pacemaker. Literally millions live with a pacemaker.

Hi all, I have ventricular fibrillation or arrhythmia. I have had 12 hours worth cardiac ablations. They work but don't seem to be permanant fixes. My doctor in Panama (fyi, private health care system in Panama is superior to USA), where I live, is adamant that I don't have any more ablations, he thinks they are dangerous procedures, not permanant, and the odds of a problem go up the more you have them (he is probably right in this regard). Currntly I am on Cordarone 200mg and Concor 5mg. I am suposed to take them everyday, but I refuse due to the side effects. I thake them as I need to. Anyone know of any herbs or alternate treatments, they could recomend. Thanks

Thanks for encouragement!

You are going to meet with an 'electrophysiologist'. A heart electrician. That's good. They tend to be very busy, and they don't hold ANYONE'S hand during their consultations. It's all business. However, it's worth putting up with their brusqueness and short talk if they are really good and highly regarded locally for their success at breaking arrhythmias. I hope your Holter is going to show at least 'something', and that he'll be more disposed to answering some questions.

Good luck.

1-13 appointment is 2nd visit…he better not rush me out again!

Thank you for that info I go to physiologist for divisor on 1-13 presently wearing a 3-day halter monitor really don’t feel anything until
Using the treadmill and/or walking the dog…slowly he is proposing sotalol I am already taking metoprolol

I think you mean PACs or 'premature atrial complexes', some call it premature atrial contractions. They are benign unless they adversely affect your mood and sense of well-being, and unless their 'burden' rises past about 100 events, or beats, in a 24 hour period. Atrial fibrillation's burden is excessive at 3%.

If what you meant is SVT, or supra-ventricular tachycardia, that's a whole nuther ball of wax, and it usually does take an ablation to get rid of it. Otherwise, it would involve rate control, meaning metoprolol, bisoprolol, diltiazem, or whatever your cardiologist prescribes. This does little to stop the SVT, but it should help to keep the rate down if your HR is high during SVT.

Provided the runs of either arrhythmia are short, and don't happen more than about once a day, they are, as I said, benign for the most part. They are unsettling, though, and they may indicate advanced cardiomyopathy or oncoming electrical disorder that will need more attention.

Please listen to your expert health care provider. They know more about you, and what else about you might mean another protocol entirely.

I had a heart attack with stent insertion on 9-23-24; I am attending cardiac rehab which I will complete on 1-20-25; I have developed premature atria tachycardia and just picked up an an event monitor today; will be see cardiac physiologist on 1-13-25 for the second visit; he is suggesting sotalol; I’m 85% decided to give it a try but don’t want to be chasing medication and wonder the harm in living with the irregularity. I am an otherwise active, healthy, 81 year old with no other frailities.