A good question?

[Guest guest]

During the course of my AF episodes, and during the many many

hours I've spent researching the issue, learning the most, by the way,

from forums like this one, I've noticed the absence of reference to

one particular question which one would think would have occurred to

many a cardio.

We break our heads and agonize over the issue: What really brings

on an AF episode? Everyone's efforts seem to be directed to that.

Well, to me, isn't it equally relevant to try to begin to understand:

WHAT MAKES IT QUIT?

Let's consider. There is a generally accepted theory out there

that such a thing as " electrical remodeling " is responsible for the

increased frequency, duration, and severity of AF episodes, something

that seems to be borne out of the anecdotal evidence. Well, answer me

this - if we've developed a kind of electrical pathway, a new " path of

least resistance " if you will, and AF is well-established in that

pathway, and has gone on, let's say, for 36 hours or so .....why in

heaven's name would it suddenly call it quits? Has anyone asked their

cardiologist that? I am in the middle of switching doctors, but I

certainly WILL try to get an answer to that. Take my expample - I'm

pretty close to being in an episode some 30% of the time now, but my

events have grown shorter since I avoid the real overloads of stuff

like caffeine, which I know leads to longer episodes. But the point is

still valid - if the heart learns to like this new pathway so much,

why does it suddenly determine to go back to the old, boring Sinus

Beat? Is it not because whatever series of factors built up in the

body to drive the aberrant beat have somehow now lessened, become less

in control? If we knew the answer to that, would AF not be less of a

mystery? So do me a favor, those of you with cardios who listen to

their patients - ask them that. WHY WOULD IT QUIT?