New to group, wanted to share my arrhythmia story.

@sjm46 “ It’s very common, and won’t kill you!”, is a phrase I heard from 2 Doctor’s, a Nurse Practitioner, and a Medical Technician, who all work in the Cardiology, Electrophysiology Dept. of the Regional Hospital, where I live! This was after my first 2 episodes of A-fib, where I was literally scared, at how my heart flip flopped in my chest, and I couldn’t sense a heart beat after that, feeling faint, with pain radiating to my left shoulder! My anxiety was over the top, and my smart watch, after I took an ECG reading, stated that I was in A-fib, and it’s message was to get 911 help for me right away, and, also, for me to call my Dr. A.S.A.P. So, the next week an appointment was set up with a nurse practitioner, who explsined the risk of blood clots, forming in the atria area, and, potentially csusing strokes. We discussed possible solutions, down the road, to help, such as blood thinners, and / or devices etc. A time was set up for me to wear a heart monitor, for several weeks! I did have several A-fib episodes, as recorded by the monitor, some lasting 30 minutes, or so. After discussing the results, with a Nurse, and being told, that I had 5 times chances of having a stroke, as compared to other people, not afflicted with A-fib. I told the Cardiac Nurse, that I was anxious, because my family history was that my Dad died of a stroke, my Mom died of a severe stroke, and just a couple years ago, my sister died of s stroke! Then, they made an appointment for me, to come back in six months, saying that, should I have any episodes of A-fib, between now and then, thst I should call their office and someone would talk me through the episode, that it was not necessary to call 9-1-1, or go to ER. I have not been given any kind of preventative treatment. So, my anxiety has not been relieved, and I’m studying what the Mayo Clinic, and Cleveland Clinic Electrophysiologists recommend, to help alleviate triggers, that could start an A-fib episode. I live in a popular touristy area, where many ‘baby boomers’ have retired, which has overloaded the medical community’s only hospital, so, sometimes, I get the impression that I may not be receiving the medical care, I feel I need, at times! I am nearly 80 years old, over the hill, and just another complaining white hair, I sense, from some of the staff. So, anything I can do to inform myself, about diet, exercise, and preventing triggering an episode, of A-fib is to my benefit!

I am 79 and I worried, like you, that they would write me off as too old for an ablation. I did have good luck and I told my cardiologist that I wanted an electrophysiologist referral. The EP he sent me to was also excellent, gave me a choice of ablation or trying an anti-arrhythmic medication. After a brief trial, with some vague side effects and looking up the med to read all the Black Box warnings, I said clearly: I want an ablation and I am scheduled for one in 3 weeks. If I were you and you have tried all the life-style changes to try to figure out if you have any triggers (alcohol and dehydration and sleep disturbances are some of the biggies) then I would actively seek out a clinic outside of your area, if you can afford to do so, where they will LISTEN to you. The more episodes of A-fib you have, the more ectopic foci can spread. If you are a healthy, active 80 year old, you deserve better treatment than this IMHO (in my humble opinion.) And you should definitely be on a blood thinner. Strokes are no joke! Even a mild one can ruin your quality of life. And that Halter monitor trial is, to me, BS; you obviously can tell when you are in A-fib as I can--I can tell when I have an extra beat, not alone A-fib. Get a second opinion if you can afford to do so; if a doctor doesn't listen to you, then "horse 'em"--that's my motto! Spend your money on getting treated, not on rehab if you have a stroke waiting for these people to take you seriously. (Sorry, but I have seen this kind of treatment as a nurse, and it really makes me furious. Good luck!

@sjm46 Thank you for your wise advice, and your supportive approach is most encouraging! My primary caregivers nurse, was very concerned, when I explained to her, what I was going through, with the Cardiology Dept. She was appalled, and said that if I had another A-fib episode, where there was pain, whether it be chest pain, or transferred pain, shortness of breath, feeling dizziness, or light headed, or like you are about to lose consciousness, then I should callb9-1-1. In my opinion, it is a serious. matter, to me, even if not serious in other people’s viewpoints. I will explore other options, like going to The Cleveland Clinic, where they have created a special A-fib Department! Thanks again, for your support and help! It matters a lot to me, that someone cares!

@foundryrat743 If you feel distinctly unwell and know for a fact that you have an arrythmia of any description, you should indeed call 911. The reason is that you may also be having a stroke (remember that five-times higher risk of a stroke due to dislodged clots from the left atrial appendage (LAA) when fibrillating. You DO NOT want a stroke....ever. They can leave you alive and in a wheelchair or abed until you die. Also left uncommunicative, unable to speak or even to write out what you need others to respond to on your behalf.

The rule of thumb is that if you have been fibrillating for more than 24 hours you should be taking an anti-coagulant. Also, if your measured heart rate (HR) is above 100 BPM for more than 24 hours, you should go to an ER. The reason is that such a high rate signifies what is called 'rapid ventricular response' (RVR), meaning your ventricles are beating just as fast and they should not be kept at that rate indefinitely, especially above 150 BPM. It's not so bad if only your left atrium is fibrillating, and yes, it WILL NOT kill you. People live with permanent AF all the time...if not terribly calmly or comfortably. But your ventricles cannot stand the same high rate indefinitely, so you need to get help if your measured rate stays above 100 BPM for more than 24 hours.

@gloaming Thank you so much for this information! I did not know some of this, and I’m glad you told me, because none of my local ‘medical professionals’ informed me! One of the first indications I had. that I could maybe have a problem, was a couple years ago, unexpectedly, I had a fast resting heart beat, between 110 & 130 at times, for about 25 hours, that was recorded by my smart watch! Over the years, there had been short episodes of fast heart rate, but nothing that lasted long. None of my current medical providers, have ever explained to me about possible ventricular damage! When an Electrophysiologist did my first EKG, after that first episode of fast heart rate, he said he didn’t see anything wrong! Everything looked normal, so he couldn’t treat me for anything!

Just know you are not alone.

If you begin to have more frequent and sustained episodes of a measured fast HR (higher than 100 PBM), you should be given a Holter Monitor or similar device to be worn for a period. It will have leads affixed to your chest, maybe also your back, and those leads will be sensors to record electrical impulses. The timing of the signal that each receives tells the reading physician where the signal(s) originate, and from there they can tell what the likely arrhythmia is. Sometimes medicine suffices, sometimes surgery is necessary, even if it's just to implant a pacemaker in your chest to help to regulate your heart's rate (for example, if you have tachycardia, then you need a helping device to regulate the speed of your ventricles, and that's what a pacemaker does). If it is supra-ventricular tachycardia, or atrial fibrillation, or atrial flutter, those can often be regulated somewhat with medicines for a while, but they tend to be progressive disorders. This means that, for most, not for all, but for most arrhythmia patients, they'll need a mechanical intervention with either a catheter ablation or the implantation of a pacemaker.

If you're quite uneasy, and fearful or anxious enough that it's seriously impacting your quality of life, you should probably see an electrophysiologist (EP), literally a heart electrician. They can do any surgery you need that is related to electrical heart function. In case this is news to you, and you're worried or mystified, I have had two catheter ablations seven months apart. The first didn't work, but the second did. They are day surgery...you're home that evening, or back in the hotel that night if you are asked to stay one extra night for safety. Once I read up on catheter ablations, I knew that was what I wanted and what I would beg for if I had to...on my knees. I found an EP who listened, asked for some tests like an angiogram and an MRI, and then agreed to ablate my left atrium. Looking back, I'd do it all three more times if I had to to have a good night's rest and to be able to go for moderate level neighborhood walks without feeling my heart thumping and bumping and getting a reading of 140 BPM as I had been.

You're in the driver's seat here. Where are you taking the bus?

@foundryrat743
It’s concerning that professionals at your regional hospital have largely dismissed your symptoms and strong family history of strokes.
Are you anywhere near Mayo in Florida, by chance?
You definitely need another opinion from a very highly rated electrophysiologist at a large well regarded hospital for cardiology. Get copies of all your existing records from your current cardiologist and travel if necessary and if possible.
I have several friends with Afib and my husband had it for decades. I am not aware of anyone permitted to go without blood thinner (Eliquis or Xarelto) for even a day when experiencing Afib because of the very real risk of clots forming in the heart which in turn create a stroke.
Please seek a second opinion ASAP.

@wcuro Thank you for your concern for my welfare! I am in contact with an A-fib Electrophysiologist at The Cleveland Clinic! The relaxed, I don’t care attitude, that I have seen with some providers, who have treated me poorly, where I live, locally, hurts emotionally, because starting 23 years ago, for a number of years, I used to work at the regional hospital, where I live, as a Supervisor, in Security, with the rank of Sergeant! I protected many Doctors, medical staff, and patients, at that hospital, sometimes putting myself in harms way! I took good care of the ER Docs, especially, and they helped me out, and were good to me! I received several civic awards and was recognized, for my bravery, in protecting medical providers, at that hospital. So, now, many years later, in my old age, when I need good care, instead, I get apathy, and ‘I don’t care’ attitudes, from professionals! It’s hard to deal with that, emotionally, because my philosophy in life, has always been, ‘it’s more of a blessing to give, than to receive’. So, my wife had quintuple bypass surgery, for her heart, years ago, at The Cleveland Clinic! They cared, she survived, and is still hanging in there, so to speak, after many years! I trust the professional medical providers at The Cleveland Clinic! Bless you for caring! I will follow your wise advice! 😃