Impatient patient

[Guest guest]

Hi and Happy New Year--

On December 23rd went to my internist with what I thought were flu symptoms. He

sent me immediately to emergency at Beaumont Hospital where I was diagnosed with

Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. Cardiologist gave me 3 medicines to take:

Isosorbide mononitrate 30 mg, metoprolol 50mg, and nitoquick 0.4 sublingual.

Now my attitude about this was complete skepticism. I am 68, in good health,

and never had a heart condition before except for full bundle branch block which

I was told is not serious. Anyway, while in the hospital all I did was agitate

to get out thinking this was some sort of mis-diagnosis. I figured that the

cause was too much nicotine and coffee. Since this episode I gave up my

ridiculous nicotine habit of a combination of nicotine gum and smoking. By the

way I have not taken any of the medicine doctor prescribed until I am sure I

actually have this ailment (A-Fib); that is , until further test were done. To

keep track of my heart rate I purchased one of heart rate monitors they sell in

sports stores. I'm not sure this is good idea. My heart rate was around 70

most of the time. Yesterday (Sunday) I did a 2 mile walk at the shopping mall.

Heart rate got up to 115-120 However, there was a very brief time when it shot

up to 135, but settled back quickly to the 155-120 area. This was kind of

scary. Then, last night (Sunday) after eating too pieces of pizza my heart rate

went up to 150 and stayed in the range of 125-150 while I tried to sleep. This

episode lasted about 4 hours when I got up to write this note. Now the heart

rate is around 85. Conclusion: It's beginning to look like I might have afib.

Question: Can certain foods, like pizza, bring on an afib attack? Thanks for

listening. Mike in Royal Oak.