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Is there a time constraint for PFA procedure after diagnosis of Afib?
After the diagnosis of Afib is there a time constraint when the use of PFA procedure may not be able to successfully remedy the source of Afib electrical signals? I was diagnosed with Afib on 27 Dec 2024 (now 02/07/2025) and the only actions have been a prescription for Eliquis (the price of a car payment) and Diltiazem. To me that is just dealing with the effect of Afib and not the cause. Kind of like putting buckets on the floor to catch dips when it rains because there is a hole in the roof.
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But you said yourself and I quote "AF begets AF. That's Rule 1. So.....try not to be in AF.
Easily said, not so easily done"
I’v had Af for many years and have been on blood thinners to prevent blood clots, and taking medication to prevent heartfailur
I live in the county yet I am within 15 miles and 10 miles of 2 major medical centers attached to Universities. It doesn't go that fast here.
Smart move to call Colorado Medical Center and get hooked up so they know you are flying in from afar.
If you have the resources, please consider either Dr. Andrea Natale at the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute in Austin, or Dr. Pasquale Santangeli at the Cleveland Clinic. Those two are very busy, highly sought, and highly regarded EPs. Natale has privileges in eight or ten hospitals across the country and travels to them.
Agreed, but '...try not to...' was a carefully chosen syntax to indicate that the patient should be active in staving off AF to the extent he/she can. The success is guaranteed to be more random, and less frequent, when not trying than when trying. So trying is important....n'est-ce pas?
I can't offer advice on the timeline. I was diagnosed in 2016. Like most cases, it just gradually got worse and worse with the episodes getting longer and longer (2 times a year to 59, 10 minutes to 24 hours). I was still paroxysmal. I had a PFA done on Feb 20, 2025. I'd read about bleeding, pain in leg and chest, headaches, lumps in the leg, bruising from knees to chest, etc. I had none of that. No pain at all. When it was over I had no idea that anything had been done. Just a tiny bit of bruising on my left groin. In your case I'm not sure that I would rush it, until you find that you can't manage it just by drinking lots of water, regular exercise, etc. In my case, I had to start to limit my exercise more and more since it often put me into AFib. 72M.
Suerte - I have read every post responding to you, and read only one mentioning drinking water and someone mentioning knowing your triggers but not listing possibilities.
For me, my triggers are ANYTHING with caffeine. If you have not done so, ELIMINATE all coffee, tea, colas, Mountain Dew, chocolate, energy drinks, decrease processed foods, high sugar foods containing wheat or dairy. And drink water if you have not been.
I have a problem with 1/4 cup coffee ice cream and a bite of chocolate. I gave up many foods and drinks I love, but I love being healthy more, and fitting in my clothes, and not having my heart jump around like a ping pong ball. Our quality of life is made up of decisions. I personally know a lady who watched her husband lose his legs one by one from diabetes and took care of him for years before he died. But she also has diabetes that she says she MANAGES well with insulin. And also says she is not going to DEPRIVE herself of whatever she wants to eat, which I know for a fact is sugary garbage and processed junk. That kind of thinking makes the doctors, big pharma, and undertakers rich. I am 76, and personally know 35 people almost all younger than me, that dies prematurely because of horrible health habits. One just last week. Take heed.