Re: Preventing an episode?

May 27, 2004

Hi Kathy,

When I used to feel AF coming on. I would get up and walk around quickly for

five or ten min.and breath deeply. The increased heart rate from walking and

deep breathing, would cancel out the AF. Not all the time, but many times!

Who told you to go to the ER when you would go into AF? Do you convert on

your own? Are there other health issues that would have you go to the ER?

Rich O

May 27, 2004

Rich,

Thank you for your response, no I have no other medical reason for the Er

other than the afib.I am a 40 yo healthy woman, I have only had three episodes

(2

twelve yrs ago and one a three months ago) I feel very lucky thus far as this

is all I have. I went for a follow up app.(with the physicians assistant who

looks about 12) and asked him what to do when an episode started, he just said

go to the Er. I asked him if I could take an extra dose of atenelol, maybe

that would lower my rate? he gave me no suggestions. All that I could think of

is my heartrate stayed very high (220) in my last episode. No unfortunately I

never converted on my own, I medically converted after about 17 hr. I have

always tended to run a high resting hr 90-100 with a low bp.

Thanks, Kathy in CT.

May 27, 2004

Kathy,

If I may. I would suggest you establish a relationship with an EP or at least

a cardiologist to create a baseline to work from. So if and when you have an

AF event, they are in the loop and you will have a plan that makes sense and

works for you.

They may tell you not to go to the ER, as in many cases. I believe most on

this board convert on there own. The cardio or EP may prescribe a drug to take

when you have an AF event that will help you self convert at home. Some people

self convert in an hour or so and others it may take 24 to 48 hours. But they

convert. There's an excellent heart hospital in Springfield, Ma. Baystate

Medical Center and if you ever need it, the hospitals in Boston. I'm up in the

Boston area.

The bottom line is to be prepared so your not at the mercy of a PA or GP.

Rich O

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