Comments for Atrial Fibrillation Blog

Comment on The Role of Coffee in Atrial Fibrillation by Lorraine

Lorraine — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 04:03:45 +0000

Mellanie,

Thanks for the response. Sorry to hear about your father-in-law. When they put me on Warfarin 9 years ago, I was allergic to it. I just read the new FDA warnings regarding Pradaxa and I am very concerned. What is Xarelto? I never heard of it. I know based on the CHAD score I am a high risk, but I absolutely hate being on a blood thinner and am planning to ask my doctor about the new Bayer aspirin that enters the blood stream immediately. Since I have only had two A-fib episodes in 9 years, why couldn’t I carry this new aspirin with me and take it only when I feel an episode coming on? I’m trying to watch my potassium intake, because I think the low potassium triggered my last episode. I am so afraid of a fall or car accident. It just seems to me that there should be a better way to protect people who only have occasional A-fib. This whole thing so upsetting. Thanks for any other input you may have regarding my situation.

Lorraine

Comment on Can Avoiding Dehydration Prevent Atrial Fibrillation “Holiday Heart Syndrome”? by jaffray geddes

jaffray geddes — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:20:56 +0000

I am 79 with A/F. Tell me are their any Meds apart from Dioxegen.Betalog.
and Dialtizen -all spelt wrong sorry- that have some beneficial effect
as opposed to these Beta Blockers which merely control? I was put on
Prxada instead of Warferin but the effect of it on my digestion was intolerable
so I stopped taking it ! and would rather go on massive doses of Garlic
what do you think? iT IS A TERIBLE AFFLICTION , to have to rely on these drugs
I am also vastly overweight and breathless, can hardly walk up a hill!
I believe its is the drugs effecting my metabolic rate increasing my weight
belly fat, huge, yet I do not drink alcohol/caffeine what can I drink to
lose weight that is not in opposition to the drugs!

Jaffray

Comment on Heart Rhythm Society Creates “A-Fib Feels Like” Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Public Service Announcement by Mellanie

Mellanie — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:11:06 +0000

David,

So you would have them not make people aware of afib, and just let them have strokes and not know what hit them?

Mellanie

Comment on Can Avoiding Dehydration Prevent Atrial Fibrillation “Holiday Heart Syndrome”? by Valerie Brooke

Valerie Brooke — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:39:08 +0000

Susan Nicolini,
Can you please tell me what the deep breathing technique is that you use, or kindly point me in the direction of where I might get the information.

Kind regards
Valerie

Comment on Can Avoiding Dehydration Prevent Atrial Fibrillation “Holiday Heart Syndrome”? by John Macker

John Macker — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:15:54 +0000

Hello:
very informative blog! Had my 1st afib attack early 2009. ICU, converted next morning via drip. Many tests, no structural problems. No medication, then another attack 4 mos later, put on diltizem. Have been able to control w/diltiazem & beta blocker (once.) I believe the hydration issue is important. Also, anyone have any thoughts about the effectiveness of acupuncture? I
am 56.

Keep up the great work!
John

Comment on AV Node Ablation: Why You Shouldn’t Have It by charlie pillay

charlie pillay — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:51:38 +0000

I have tachycardia since 2007. I was put on concor 10mg. This medication helped for awhile. I had several bouts of tachy again. I then went to a Provincial Hospital and was given Tilazem 180 CR. I was then referred for cathether ablation after another tachy. I failed to keep this appointment because of all the reports I read about the side effects of this procedure. I wen t to the hospital again after another tachy and another doctor stopped the Tilazem 180 CR and put me on diltiazm tablets 90mg twice a day. During every visit to the hospital after a bout of tachy, I was given amediorone. I am very uncertain and reluctant to go for cathether ablation. What do I do?

Comment on AV Node Ablation: Why You Shouldn’t Have It by Colleen

Colleen — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:56:45 +0000

I’m a 59 yr old woman who had been having heart arrythmias constantly for the past 5 years, with my first experience happening in my early 40′s. They were frequent, many times a day lasting for 15-20 minutes. They seemed to have increased after I had lymes disease. I was told that everyone experiences pvc’s, usually 100-1,000 per day. I was shooting 20,000 a day. Due to my family history, 4 brothers died before the age of 55 (only one of heart attack), mother died at 73 of heart attack, I was a good candidate for cardiac ablation. It was done on 9/30/11 at the Mayo Clinic. Typically they keep you under sedation but still awake as they found that once sleeping, patients quit throwing pvc’s. Not with my case so was able to be put under completely. Yeah! They found one node causing the problem but because it was too close to a main nerve/artery (the one that controls breathing), they burned 7 spots all around it. It has worked beautifully and I am so thankful! Due to the pvc’s I found I couldn’t get enough oxygen to my muscles to allow me to exercise without fatigue. As a result I put on weight, didn’t feel like socializing, quality of life lessened. In 2.5 months after the procedure, I’d lost 30 lbs, I exercise daily, feel great and no pvc’s to date. Also noticed that I no longer have hot flashes like I was having previously (many a day). So, from my standpoint – a huge success.

Comment on Can Avoiding Dehydration Prevent Atrial Fibrillation “Holiday Heart Syndrome”? by Grand Rounds begins: health tips | Health

Grand Rounds begins: health tips | Health — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:37:26 +0000

[...] irregular heart rhythm). Mellanie True Hills suggests that those at risk for atrial fibrillation stay away from caffeine and alcohol to avoid triggering this [...]

Comment on Can Avoiding Dehydration Prevent Atrial Fibrillation “Holiday Heart Syndrome”? by Fay

Fay — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:18:22 +0000

Mellanie, Gary,

Thank you for the CPAP information. My ResMed Elite II has expiratory pressure relief, but I have never been able to get use to it. I use
nasal pillows, but would like to try something else.
The ablation went ok. I thought I would be off work for 1 week, that turned into 2 weeks. I am back at work now and feel so tired. I know it takes a long time to even know if the ablation stopped the afib. If it works I will have an atrial septal defect closure done sometime this year. The doctor did not want to wait a long time to do that.

I hope everyone is doing well.

Thanks for all the information.

Fay

Comment on Does Stress Cause Atrial Fibrillation? by beachlady7

beachlady7 — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:57:07 +0000

I have to say if stress doesn’t cause it in the first place, it certainly sends my heart rate off the charts, even with taking beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, Coumadin, etc. I literally “cannot stand” some people and situations. There are times when I want to run away. No one “gets it” that my heart is in “race” mode and I don’t need anyone pushing my buttons. As you know, we in some cases “can’t cure it” but we sure as heck could use a break from stress. I vote “yes” on stress being a major factor.