Wellness

[NanaS]

DOES ANYONE HERE HAVE ATRIAL FIB OR KNOW OF ANYONE THAT DOES? HOW ABOUT PACEMAKERS?

[JeanLouiseFinch]

We have a family member who has it. He's very much a Type A personality. Prior to his event that landed him in the hospital, he had no other heart issues. I'm pretty sure he's got medication for it now.

[Seashell girl]

My Father had this and it was corrected. He was sent to a doctor/specialist that dealt with heart arrhythmia problems There are many reasons for atrial fibrillation, but with specialist he was able to have a heart ablation done which corrected the problem. He needed a few procedures to locate and cauterize the area of the heart that was not getting the correct signal, but it was successful. These doctors are truly amazing and everything is done within. No open heart. I hope you have a successful outcome. Sometimes it can be corrected with medication, but his had to be done internally.

[Sandy18]

I work in a cardiology office in the arrhythmia dept as a cardiac device specialist. I work with patients that have pacemakers and defibrillators and many, many have a-fib. I'm not a nurse or dr, but would be happy to try and answer any questions.

[hckynut]

I know and have been around probably at least a hundred people that have A-fib. Many I met in my 72 Cardiac Rehab Classes after my 2 heart attacks. I have 2 close friends that have A-fib and one of them, who is 78 years old, is still playing hockey in my adult league.

Both of these friends had to find the right meds work with their individual problems as the same meds do not work the same with all A-fib patients. They both had to be in the hospital for about 3 days when they changed medications so the doctor could keep a close eye on them. They also had Cardio Version Procedure before certain med changes.

Some of the ones I met in Rehab did have pacemakers but that all depended on their specific heart problems along with A-fib and overall heart and cardiovascular health. Neither of my friends have a Pace Maker.

[clista]

I was recently in hospital with a-fib and congestive heart failure. I was put on meds to help with the a-fib and congestive failure. If that didn't work, I was going have a mini defibrilater put in. I had a test to see if the medication had helped. The cardiologist decided right now I don't need the defibrilater. I am doing well but have good days and bad days. I need to learn I can't rush around and try to do everything. Good luck, take your meds.

[Vivian]

My 92 year old mother was just diagnosed with atrial fibrilation. I had to rush down to NJ because she thought she was having a heart attack. By the time the ambulance arrived at the hospital she was feeling better. Tests showed she did not have a heart attack. The episode was digestive but it was a blessing in disguise because they discovered AT. The cardiologist put her on blood thinner to avoid risk of stroke since AT can lead to pooling of blood, causing clots. At her age, my mother can't tolerate any more aggressive treatment. At this point they're adjusting Mom's dosage and she's doing well.

[Gooday]

My dad has had it for years. The problem with A-fib is that when you are in it, you don't know it thus it can cause stroke or fatal cardiac arrest. If not controlled with medication (he is on Xeralto which does not require monthly blood tests). Blood thinners are required.

I was with my former next door neighbor who was just diagnosed with this last year. It could not be corrected with medication so she had a cardiac ablation and she says she feels terrific. She now takes medication.

My cousin-in-law has a pacemaker which just two weeks ago saved his life. He was sitting on the couch when his wife saw him slump to the side. Within 5 seconds he was upright and his wife calling his name when he said, "WHAT"? She told him he passed out. They called the paramedic who checked his settings and told him that the pacemaker did it's job beautifully, thus saving his life. He also has cardiomyopathy which complicates his condition.

[Black Cat Back]

My Mom suffered with it and had a pacemaker for years. She never had a problem with her heart after the pacemaker was inserted. She had to go for periodic checks of it and one time had to have the battery upgraded... but she never really complained about it. She had a slight bump underneath her skin, but it was not noticeable.

She had an excellent surgeon and it saved her life back then. She didn't pass away from heart issues, she had cancer.

She had to stay away from microwave ovens when they were on (we all should do that) and couldn't go through a metal detector if I remember right. Other than that, she had a normal life.

It's an amazing device and it helps in so many ways.