Heart Rhythm Conditions – Welcome to the group

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

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.

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.

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.