topic Re: Afib in Wellness

Afib

Patriot3 — Mon, 25 May 2020 14:56:30 GMT

I am in Afib right now. This is the first time I have gone into it at home. Don't know what triggered it.

Anyone out there who has it.......what do you do when you have it?

Re: Afib

I am still oxox — Mon, 25 May 2020 14:58:26 GMT

Stay calm have you had this before and are you sure itis Afib. I live with Afib I am not always aware when it happens, take a breath and if in 15 min you are still feeling this way call your cardiologist

Re: Afib

kug — Mon, 25 May 2020 15:07:33 GMT

I have afib too and it was not diagnosed until they inserted a monitor in my chest. I am now on Cardizem and it has helped alot as I have only had one episode since Febr. When I had my afib "attacks" I would just rest, try to relax and deep breathe. The worst part was how I felt afterward and sometimes it took nearly 4 hours until I finally felt better. I suggest you contact your primary Dr. and proceed from there.

Re: Afib

Still Raining — Mon, 25 May 2020 15:46:32 GMT

Upon diagnosis, your cardio should have done the medications and instructions. Are you following them? Can you call?

Re: Afib

Scooby Doo — Mon, 25 May 2020 15:47:48 GMT

Massage the cartoid veins in your neck which will release a hormone to help stop it. Bear down like you are having a bowel movement. Put some ice in a hand towel and hold it to your face. A couple of times I've had to go to the ER, but don't drive yourself.

Re: Afib

Patriot3 — Mon, 25 May 2020 15:49:44 GMT

@kug @I am still oxox Thanks for answering. This is the first I've had it outside of the hospital. It only has happened in times of trauma, so this is new to me at home.

Actually my heart rate has come down to 80, but it is irregular.

Re: Afib

SeaMaiden — Mon, 25 May 2020 16:32:29 GMT

I have heard of this but really do not understand why people get it... is it like heart disease or related to it? What causes it?

Re: Afib

MoJoV — Mon, 25 May 2020 17:15:26 GMT

@Patriot3 I have Afib,too. I take Cardizem (sp) and Flecanide daily for it. Also an aspirin a day,full strength. I haven't had an episode since Jan.

When I do get into it I walk around my house. I get so hyper I can't just sit or lie down with it. I asked the cardiologist if that was alright and he said it was. Some people go to bed and sleep and when they wake up it's gone. Not me.

This isn't just a condition for seniors. Dr. said he has young,athletic patients with it.

I really empathize with those who live with this. It's scary and you never know what triggers it.

Thinking of you,take care.

Re: Afib

MoJoV — Mon, 25 May 2020 17:24:08 GMT

@SeaMaiden I don't think they know the cause of the condition. I asked the cardiologist what I could do to avoid more episodes. He said he didn't have an answer. Of course normal blood pressure and healthy lifestyle goes without saying.

If Afib is a constant problem pacemakers are the next step. So far medication has worked for me. Fingers crossed.

Re: Afib

jlkz — Mon, 25 May 2020 17:49:45 GMT

DH had Afib for quite a while before it was diagnosed. He was and still is under treatment for weak pumping of blood from the heart to the rest of the body. His medications include Entresto and Eliquis.

A year ago last summer they did the first TEE test to determine if there was a blood clot in the atrium that would prevent doing an ablation procedure. The clot ultimately dissolved with medication and an 8-hour procedure was done which included 5 hours to clear away affected area which caused the Afib and 3 hours to insert a combination pacemaker / defibrillator device ( ICD ) device. By the bedside is a wireless transmitter which monitors his heart and sends reports to a central data center.

The Afib is gone. The left ventricle pumping issue will be re-evaluated.

Re: Afib

KrissyE — Mon, 25 May 2020 23:36:53 GMT

I was wondering how you can tell? What are the signs??

Re: Afib

I am still oxox — Mon, 25 May 2020 23:56:19 GMT

@KrissyE

You feel a flutter in your heart and at times it feels like it is beating really fast

Re: Afib

bmorechick — Tue, 26 May 2020 01:12:29 GMT

I have afib. Was diagnosed two years ago during a routine check up. I had no idea. Doc rolled in an ekg machine to confirm and then told me to go see a cardiologist. Whhaaattt??? Long story short, I wore a holter monitor for a day and it confirmed I am in constant afib. I take Metropolol for the rapid heart beat and Eliquis as blood thinner to reduce risk of stroke. It has not slowed me down at all. Cardiologist said you can continue to run and do your high impact gym workouts. Worse thing I could do is stop. He seriously doubts it will just go away. The only time I have ever noticed it is running up a flight of stairs. But it abates quickly. It’s apparently quite common. Who knew?

Re: Afib

Evie2004 — Tue, 26 May 2020 03:00:17 GMT

Hopefully, you are under the care of a cardiologist, have you ever had an echocardiogram? That could possibly answer lots of questions & concerns for you regarding the anatomy of your heart.
Next step could be a external holter monitor to determine your heart rhythm for several days. a good cardiologist who you trust is the first step. Good luck!

Re: Afib

esmerelda — Tue, 26 May 2020 20:31:53 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
I have heard of this but really do not understand why people get it... is it like heart disease or related to it? What causes it?

@SeaMaiden Short answer...age. Common in older adults...like maybe 70 or 80%.

In younger people it's usually associated with other heart conditions.