Re: Dr. Camm: Attention/Memory

[Guest guest]

....

> What would the reason be for the above statement, other than a

stroke? I seem to be getting worse in the attention and memory

departments and I have attributed this to one of the following or a

combination of the following:

>

> 1) Getting older

> 2) Medication

> 3) Chronic stress

>

Hi, Loretta, I think the answer is " all of the above " :-)

Afib is certainly a big source of stress, even when one isn't in afib.

[Guest guest]

Dr. Camm: Attention/Memory

He states, " Patients with afib report a substantial deterioration in attention

and memory. "

What would the reason be for the above statement, other than a stroke? I seem

to be getting worse in the attention and memory departments and I have

attributed this to one of the following or a combination of the following:

1) Getting older

2) Medication

3) Chronic stress

****************************************

I can agree with the observation. When I go into afib for any extended period

of time (say two days or so), my standard line is that I lose 20 IQ points.

Memory, attention, reasoning power all fall off. Neither the age nor the

medication change. The stress may be a variable, but I don't think so. My

unsupported guess is that it's the change in cardiac efficiency that's the

culprit. Just as tiredness is an effect of afib (and another potential cause of

the mental effects) because not enough oxygen is getting to the muscles, I think

there's a degree of oxygen deprivation in the cognitive centers of the brain.

That results in diminished mental capacity/activity.

As I say, this is my own theory, wholly unsupported by any research. But it

feels right to me -- at least when afib hasn't turned my brain to chicken soup.

:-)

Bill Manson

" When [] put on a uniform, something happened to him. He turned

into Manson's cousin, Manson. " -- Ken Kaiser

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 23/04/2004 00:30:25 GMT Standard Time,

cleaner@... writes:

> He states, " Patients with afib report a substantial deterioration in

> attention and memory. "

>

> What would the reason be for the above statement, other than a stroke? I

> seem to be getting worse in the attention and memory departments

Hi Loretta,

An off the top of my head suggestion..maybe its connected with lower oxygen

levels in the blood , and therefore to the brain, making it less efficient? My

cardio says my heart is working at 70% of its previous efficiency due to the

AFib.

Also beta blockers can cause drowsiness so if you are on rate control meds,

maybe that could contribute as you suggest...... not a medical opinion of

course just my thoughts.. (plus all of the reasons you suggested also , of

stress

and getting older, arent we all? lol)

Haze

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 23/04/2004 00:30:25 GMT Standard Time,

cleaner@... writes:

> He states, " Patients with afib report a substantial deterioration in

> attention and memory. "

>

> What would the reason be for the above statement, other than a stroke? I

> seem to be getting worse in the attention and memory departments

Hi Loretta,

An off the top of my head suggestion..maybe its connected with lower oxygen

levels in the blood , and therefore to the brain, making it less efficient? My

cardio says my heart is working at 70% of its previous efficiency due to the

AFib.

Also beta blockers can cause drowsiness so if you are on rate control meds,

maybe that could contribute as you suggest...... not a medical opinion of

course just my thoughts.. (plus all of the reasons you suggested also , of

stress

and getting older, arent we all? lol)

Haze

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 23/04/2004 00:30:25 GMT Standard Time,

cleaner@... writes:

> He states, " Patients with afib report a substantial deterioration in

> attention and memory. "

>

> What would the reason be for the above statement, other than a stroke? I

> seem to be getting worse in the attention and memory departments

Hi Loretta,

An off the top of my head suggestion..maybe its connected with lower oxygen

levels in the blood , and therefore to the brain, making it less efficient? My

cardio says my heart is working at 70% of its previous efficiency due to the

AFib.

Also beta blockers can cause drowsiness so if you are on rate control meds,

maybe that could contribute as you suggest...... not a medical opinion of

course just my thoughts.. (plus all of the reasons you suggested also , of

stress

and getting older, arent we all? lol)

Haze