Guest guest Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 In a message dated 9/8/04 5:48:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time, boleyn_1@... writes: > I'm 48, go to the gym 4 times a week, > have never really been aware that I actually have afib, I've been > informed by the doc it's a controlled afib and he'll see me agian in > 6 months...Am I being niave? and will it eventually get to the point > where I become aware of afib attacks to the point were I will have to > contemplate going to ER every time a get a bad one? and it will > eventually impact my quality of life....? > Boleyn (name)? It seems you are very tolerent of AF at this point in your life. Good for you! Long term will it change my life? Probably. It would become more noticable and bothersome and you would get on the drug treadmill. Trying to find out what works and see how long it works before you have to change again. Your a young person at 48 and there may be cure by the time you have a change in your AF life. Mind you, your current tolerance to AF may last forever. It's a crap shoot! You won't die from AF. Current possible cures? The Maze Procedure and Pulmonary Vein Ablation. Both with high percentages of success, with the right EP (electrophysiologist). Have to run. Rich O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 > being fairly new to the board, I'm curious to understand my own > situation with respect to the threads I've been reading of people not > sure when and if to go to ER based on the severity of an attack..... > A brief history of my own case.. Since you aren't aware of afib episodes, and you work out, my guess is you have vagal afib, that is, exercise and similar effort actually makes you feel better. Most people have adrenergic afib, where any exertion makes them feel worse. There are a lot of people in afib who don't know it. The people in distress tend to come looking for answers and some of us wind up here. So we're a noisy :-) subset of the whole afib population. So, my guess is you are lucky. In your case, you only have to make sure you don't get into a potential clotting situation, which is what the warfarin is to avoid. Other than that, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the atria may stretch somewhat with constant afib, but I don't know if that is significant. It's something to ask your doc about. If the beta blocker is keeping your heart rate normal, I think you don't have to be concerned about the ventricles stretching? I am wondering why he has you on sotalol(sp?) if it isn't keeping you out of afib. I would think a plain beta blocker would be just as good and safer. Folks, if someone is asymptomatic, is it worth pursuing getting out of afib thru meds, etc.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 > being fairly new to the board, I'm curious to understand my own > situation with respect to the threads I've been reading of people not > sure when and if to go to ER based on the severity of an attack..... > A brief history of my own case.. Since you aren't aware of afib episodes, and you work out, my guess is you have vagal afib, that is, exercise and similar effort actually makes you feel better. Most people have adrenergic afib, where any exertion makes them feel worse. There are a lot of people in afib who don't know it. The people in distress tend to come looking for answers and some of us wind up here. So we're a noisy :-) subset of the whole afib population. So, my guess is you are lucky. In your case, you only have to make sure you don't get into a potential clotting situation, which is what the warfarin is to avoid. Other than that, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the atria may stretch somewhat with constant afib, but I don't know if that is significant. It's something to ask your doc about. If the beta blocker is keeping your heart rate normal, I think you don't have to be concerned about the ventricles stretching? I am wondering why he has you on sotalol(sp?) if it isn't keeping you out of afib. I would think a plain beta blocker would be just as good and safer. Folks, if someone is asymptomatic, is it worth pursuing getting out of afib thru meds, etc.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 > being fairly new to the board, I'm curious to understand my own > situation with respect to the threads I've been reading of people not > sure when and if to go to ER based on the severity of an attack..... > A brief history of my own case.. Since you aren't aware of afib episodes, and you work out, my guess is you have vagal afib, that is, exercise and similar effort actually makes you feel better. Most people have adrenergic afib, where any exertion makes them feel worse. There are a lot of people in afib who don't know it. The people in distress tend to come looking for answers and some of us wind up here. So we're a noisy :-) subset of the whole afib population. So, my guess is you are lucky. In your case, you only have to make sure you don't get into a potential clotting situation, which is what the warfarin is to avoid. Other than that, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the atria may stretch somewhat with constant afib, but I don't know if that is significant. It's something to ask your doc about. If the beta blocker is keeping your heart rate normal, I think you don't have to be concerned about the ventricles stretching? I am wondering why he has you on sotalol(sp?) if it isn't keeping you out of afib. I would think a plain beta blocker would be just as good and safer. Folks, if someone is asymptomatic, is it worth pursuing getting out of afib thru meds, etc.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 > Current possible cures? The Maze Procedure and Pulmonary Vein Ablation. Both > with high percentages of success, with the right EP (electrophysiologist). Also, there are other meds besides Sotalol(sp?) - dofetilide for one, which has worked well for some people in here. However those meds are not as safe as a beta blocker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 > Current possible cures? The Maze Procedure and Pulmonary Vein Ablation. Both > with high percentages of success, with the right EP (electrophysiologist). Also, there are other meds besides Sotalol(sp?) - dofetilide for one, which has worked well for some people in here. However those meds are not as safe as a beta blocker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 > Current possible cures? The Maze Procedure and Pulmonary Vein Ablation. Both > with high percentages of success, with the right EP (electrophysiologist). Also, there are other meds besides Sotalol(sp?) - dofetilide for one, which has worked well for some people in here. However those meds are not as safe as a beta blocker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 In a message dated 9/8/2004 2:48:52 PM Pacific Daylight Time, boleyn_1@... writes: > , I've been > informed by the doc it's a controlled afib and he'll see me agian in > 6 months...Am I being niave? and will it eventually get to the point > where I become aware of afib attacks to the point were I will have to > contemplate going to ER every time a get a bad one? and it will > eventually impact my quality of life....? > > > > Boleyn, Presumably the Sotalol is controlling your rate if not the rhythm and thereby keeping you from experiencing disturbing symptoms. The objective of Sotalol is to keep you out of afib, but controlling the rate would be the next best effect of the drug because it is the fast heart rate that causes the distressing symptoms which can occur with afib. If Sotalol continues to control that rate, I don't see why your afib should become more troublesome. The problem is that for many people drugs like Sotalol can lose their effectiveness after a long period of usage. I wouldn't worry about that, though, because there are many other drugs available that could also control your rate and keep symptoms at bay. If you are in afib all the time, probably a simple drug like Digoxin and/or Atenolol could keep your rate regulated. My brother in permanent afib takes those two drugs and has had no troublesome afib symptoms since those two drugs slowed his resting heart rate from 180 to a typical 80-90. Your afib will not necessarily worsen over time. My afib has decreased drastically during my 20+ afib career, and my brother has improved greatly with the right medication. Each of us sees our cardiologist only every six months because we are not having problems. I am in sinus 98 percent of the time, he is in permanent afib, but neither of us feels that afib has a handicapping effect on our lives. We both live very active, normal lives. If your symptoms do worsen, I would advise you to question your doctor about replacing or augmenting the Sotalol with another drug and/or examining the possibility of an ablation. in sinus in Seattle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 In a message dated 9/8/2004 2:48:52 PM Pacific Daylight Time, boleyn_1@... writes: > , I've been > informed by the doc it's a controlled afib and he'll see me agian in > 6 months...Am I being niave? and will it eventually get to the point > where I become aware of afib attacks to the point were I will have to > contemplate going to ER every time a get a bad one? and it will > eventually impact my quality of life....? > > > > Boleyn, Presumably the Sotalol is controlling your rate if not the rhythm and thereby keeping you from experiencing disturbing symptoms. The objective of Sotalol is to keep you out of afib, but controlling the rate would be the next best effect of the drug because it is the fast heart rate that causes the distressing symptoms which can occur with afib. If Sotalol continues to control that rate, I don't see why your afib should become more troublesome. The problem is that for many people drugs like Sotalol can lose their effectiveness after a long period of usage. I wouldn't worry about that, though, because there are many other drugs available that could also control your rate and keep symptoms at bay. If you are in afib all the time, probably a simple drug like Digoxin and/or Atenolol could keep your rate regulated. My brother in permanent afib takes those two drugs and has had no troublesome afib symptoms since those two drugs slowed his resting heart rate from 180 to a typical 80-90. Your afib will not necessarily worsen over time. My afib has decreased drastically during my 20+ afib career, and my brother has improved greatly with the right medication. Each of us sees our cardiologist only every six months because we are not having problems. I am in sinus 98 percent of the time, he is in permanent afib, but neither of us feels that afib has a handicapping effect on our lives. We both live very active, normal lives. If your symptoms do worsen, I would advise you to question your doctor about replacing or augmenting the Sotalol with another drug and/or examining the possibility of an ablation. in sinus in Seattle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 In a message dated 9/8/2004 2:48:52 PM Pacific Daylight Time, boleyn_1@... writes: > , I've been > informed by the doc it's a controlled afib and he'll see me agian in > 6 months...Am I being niave? and will it eventually get to the point > where I become aware of afib attacks to the point were I will have to > contemplate going to ER every time a get a bad one? and it will > eventually impact my quality of life....? > > > > Boleyn, Presumably the Sotalol is controlling your rate if not the rhythm and thereby keeping you from experiencing disturbing symptoms. The objective of Sotalol is to keep you out of afib, but controlling the rate would be the next best effect of the drug because it is the fast heart rate that causes the distressing symptoms which can occur with afib. If Sotalol continues to control that rate, I don't see why your afib should become more troublesome. The problem is that for many people drugs like Sotalol can lose their effectiveness after a long period of usage. I wouldn't worry about that, though, because there are many other drugs available that could also control your rate and keep symptoms at bay. If you are in afib all the time, probably a simple drug like Digoxin and/or Atenolol could keep your rate regulated. My brother in permanent afib takes those two drugs and has had no troublesome afib symptoms since those two drugs slowed his resting heart rate from 180 to a typical 80-90. Your afib will not necessarily worsen over time. My afib has decreased drastically during my 20+ afib career, and my brother has improved greatly with the right medication. Each of us sees our cardiologist only every six months because we are not having problems. I am in sinus 98 percent of the time, he is in permanent afib, but neither of us feels that afib has a handicapping effect on our lives. We both live very active, normal lives. If your symptoms do worsen, I would advise you to question your doctor about replacing or augmenting the Sotalol with another drug and/or examining the possibility of an ablation. in sinus in Seattle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 In a message dated 9/8/2004 11:08:33 PM Pacific Daylight Time, billy171@... writes: > As for the risk that AF will impact you I think you do need to expect > some concerns . I can not say you will not be one of the lucky ones. > I went into early signs of CHF (congestive heart failure) within 6 > Hi, , I'm so sorry to hear that you went into congestive heart failure so soon after developing permanent afib. My mother had congestive heart failure over a span of about two decades, so I am familiar with its effects which actually didn't interfere with her life that much until she developed other health problems. Since everyone experiences afib differently and different experiences color individual perception of afib, I can see why you would have some negative concerns to voice. However, I would like to respectfully and agreeably disagree with your statement about needing to expect some concerns. My experience with afib and that of my brother in permanent afib has led us to believe that optimism and hope play an important role in dealing successfully with afib although certainly it is true that optimism and hope alone would not necessarily reverse a pattern of increasing afib. I think that being optimistic and not necessarily expecting that one's afib will grow worse at least can't hurt, that is, unless it would lead one to be careless about food, drink, exercise, or other afib triggers. And positive expectations just might help. My brother in permanent afib has hope that he will live a long life and that his current freedom from afib symptoms will continue. His expectations may or may not come true, but I have seen that his positive outlook has been the key to his normal, happy life in afib. Of course, he has been lucky in that he has not developed enlargement, congestive heart failure, myopathy, or any other heart disease or structural problems in possibly thirty years of permanent afib. He might not be quite so positive if he had developed disease or structural effects from afib as you have done. So I can understand your concerns, but I think there is always room for emphasis on the positive since research has shown that an optimistic attitude will prolong life in general. My belief, based on that research, is that one will live a longer life whether one is in afib or in sinus, if one is optimistic and never abandons hope. Thank you for sharing your insight with us because different viewpoints help us to better understand our common problem of afib. I wish you the best in your dealings with afib. in sinus in Seattle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 In a message dated 9/8/2004 11:08:33 PM Pacific Daylight Time, billy171@... writes: > As for the risk that AF will impact you I think you do need to expect > some concerns . I can not say you will not be one of the lucky ones. > I went into early signs of CHF (congestive heart failure) within 6 > Hi, , I'm so sorry to hear that you went into congestive heart failure so soon after developing permanent afib. My mother had congestive heart failure over a span of about two decades, so I am familiar with its effects which actually didn't interfere with her life that much until she developed other health problems. Since everyone experiences afib differently and different experiences color individual perception of afib, I can see why you would have some negative concerns to voice. However, I would like to respectfully and agreeably disagree with your statement about needing to expect some concerns. My experience with afib and that of my brother in permanent afib has led us to believe that optimism and hope play an important role in dealing successfully with afib although certainly it is true that optimism and hope alone would not necessarily reverse a pattern of increasing afib. I think that being optimistic and not necessarily expecting that one's afib will grow worse at least can't hurt, that is, unless it would lead one to be careless about food, drink, exercise, or other afib triggers. And positive expectations just might help. My brother in permanent afib has hope that he will live a long life and that his current freedom from afib symptoms will continue. His expectations may or may not come true, but I have seen that his positive outlook has been the key to his normal, happy life in afib. Of course, he has been lucky in that he has not developed enlargement, congestive heart failure, myopathy, or any other heart disease or structural problems in possibly thirty years of permanent afib. He might not be quite so positive if he had developed disease or structural effects from afib as you have done. So I can understand your concerns, but I think there is always room for emphasis on the positive since research has shown that an optimistic attitude will prolong life in general. My belief, based on that research, is that one will live a longer life whether one is in afib or in sinus, if one is optimistic and never abandons hope. Thank you for sharing your insight with us because different viewpoints help us to better understand our common problem of afib. I wish you the best in your dealings with afib. in sinus in Seattle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 In a message dated 9/8/2004 11:08:33 PM Pacific Daylight Time, billy171@... writes: > As for the risk that AF will impact you I think you do need to expect > some concerns . I can not say you will not be one of the lucky ones. > I went into early signs of CHF (congestive heart failure) within 6 > Hi, , I'm so sorry to hear that you went into congestive heart failure so soon after developing permanent afib. My mother had congestive heart failure over a span of about two decades, so I am familiar with its effects which actually didn't interfere with her life that much until she developed other health problems. Since everyone experiences afib differently and different experiences color individual perception of afib, I can see why you would have some negative concerns to voice. However, I would like to respectfully and agreeably disagree with your statement about needing to expect some concerns. My experience with afib and that of my brother in permanent afib has led us to believe that optimism and hope play an important role in dealing successfully with afib although certainly it is true that optimism and hope alone would not necessarily reverse a pattern of increasing afib. I think that being optimistic and not necessarily expecting that one's afib will grow worse at least can't hurt, that is, unless it would lead one to be careless about food, drink, exercise, or other afib triggers. And positive expectations just might help. My brother in permanent afib has hope that he will live a long life and that his current freedom from afib symptoms will continue. His expectations may or may not come true, but I have seen that his positive outlook has been the key to his normal, happy life in afib. Of course, he has been lucky in that he has not developed enlargement, congestive heart failure, myopathy, or any other heart disease or structural problems in possibly thirty years of permanent afib. He might not be quite so positive if he had developed disease or structural effects from afib as you have done. So I can understand your concerns, but I think there is always room for emphasis on the positive since research has shown that an optimistic attitude will prolong life in general. My belief, based on that research, is that one will live a longer life whether one is in afib or in sinus, if one is optimistic and never abandons hope. Thank you for sharing your insight with us because different viewpoints help us to better understand our common problem of afib. I wish you the best in your dealings with afib. in sinus in Seattle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 > being fairly new to the board, I'm curious to understand my own > situation ...put on sotocol. > I'm still in afib, however, I'm 48, go to the gym 4 times a week, > have never really been aware that I actually have afib, I've been > informed by the doc it's a controlled afib and he'll see me agian in > 6 months...Am I being niave? and will it eventually get to the point > where I become aware of afib attacks to the point were I will have to > contemplate going to ER every time a get a bad one? and it will > eventually impact my quality of life....? I am amazed that doctors perscribe antiarrythmics when the verdict is already in; that the AF has gone persistent (and by definition permanent unless they covert it to NSR ).If they opt for " rate control " why treat with an antiarrythmic unless there is a clear concern for other rhythm disturbance ? See this website for info on Sotalol : http://www.fpnotebook.com/CV195.htm As for the risk that AF will impact you I think you do need to expect some concerns . I can not say you will not be one of the lucky ones. I went into early signs of CHF (congestive heart failure) within 6 months of going persistent. Because of the loss of pumping efficiency various risks of myopathy are present .This is usually an enlarged left venticle (not a good thing ). I would be especially carefull if you think you can exercise your way into the fitness level you may have once had. Sorry to be the negative voice here, but not everyone with AF has a wonderful long life . As for the more immediate superficial (how you feel ) experiance of AF, I never had the kind of extreme disturbance some people report. in NSR (17 months) no Antiarrythmics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 > being fairly new to the board, I'm curious to understand my own > situation ...put on sotocol. > I'm still in afib, however, I'm 48, go to the gym 4 times a week, > have never really been aware that I actually have afib, I've been > informed by the doc it's a controlled afib and he'll see me agian in > 6 months...Am I being niave? and will it eventually get to the point > where I become aware of afib attacks to the point were I will have to > contemplate going to ER every time a get a bad one? and it will > eventually impact my quality of life....? I am amazed that doctors perscribe antiarrythmics when the verdict is already in; that the AF has gone persistent (and by definition permanent unless they covert it to NSR ).If they opt for " rate control " why treat with an antiarrythmic unless there is a clear concern for other rhythm disturbance ? See this website for info on Sotalol : http://www.fpnotebook.com/CV195.htm As for the risk that AF will impact you I think you do need to expect some concerns . I can not say you will not be one of the lucky ones. I went into early signs of CHF (congestive heart failure) within 6 months of going persistent. Because of the loss of pumping efficiency various risks of myopathy are present .This is usually an enlarged left venticle (not a good thing ). I would be especially carefull if you think you can exercise your way into the fitness level you may have once had. Sorry to be the negative voice here, but not everyone with AF has a wonderful long life . As for the more immediate superficial (how you feel ) experiance of AF, I never had the kind of extreme disturbance some people report. in NSR (17 months) no Antiarrythmics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 > being fairly new to the board, I'm curious to understand my own > situation ...put on sotocol. > I'm still in afib, however, I'm 48, go to the gym 4 times a week, > have never really been aware that I actually have afib, I've been > informed by the doc it's a controlled afib and he'll see me agian in > 6 months...Am I being niave? and will it eventually get to the point > where I become aware of afib attacks to the point were I will have to > contemplate going to ER every time a get a bad one? and it will > eventually impact my quality of life....? I am amazed that doctors perscribe antiarrythmics when the verdict is already in; that the AF has gone persistent (and by definition permanent unless they covert it to NSR ).If they opt for " rate control " why treat with an antiarrythmic unless there is a clear concern for other rhythm disturbance ? See this website for info on Sotalol : http://www.fpnotebook.com/CV195.htm As for the risk that AF will impact you I think you do need to expect some concerns . I can not say you will not be one of the lucky ones. I went into early signs of CHF (congestive heart failure) within 6 months of going persistent. Because of the loss of pumping efficiency various risks of myopathy are present .This is usually an enlarged left venticle (not a good thing ). I would be especially carefull if you think you can exercise your way into the fitness level you may have once had. Sorry to be the negative voice here, but not everyone with AF has a wonderful long life . As for the more immediate superficial (how you feel ) experiance of AF, I never had the kind of extreme disturbance some people report. in NSR (17 months) no Antiarrythmics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 > Since you aren't aware of afib episodes, and you work out, my guess > is you have vagal afib, that is, exercise and similar effort actually > makes you feel better. Most people have adrenergic afib, where any > exertion makes them feel worse. Hi Trudy, I think you are confusing how one gets into AFib and what happens once they are there. A slow heart rate before AFib does not necessarily mean a slow rate once AF arrives. Although I can be well below 50bpm when I go into AF it takes very little effort to get above 200 bpm when I'm in AF (walking up stairs will do the trick). Exercise for vagal AFers WHEN they are in AF is not necessarily a good thing (it's not necessarily a good thing when they're not in AF either but that's another debate). I'm also not sure of your 'Most people have adrenergic afib' comment but would be happy to read any articles that suggest this if you can point me to them. My guess is all we can say about asymptomatic AFers is they are managing to push enough blood around their body and palpitations are not felt. Keeping an eye on the stroke risk and heart size would still be high on my list if I was asymptomatic. (I'd be particularly wary if I was asymptomatic whilst tolerating high rates). Just my 2p -- D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 > Since you aren't aware of afib episodes, and you work out, my guess > is you have vagal afib, that is, exercise and similar effort actually > makes you feel better. Most people have adrenergic afib, where any > exertion makes them feel worse. Hi Trudy, I think you are confusing how one gets into AFib and what happens once they are there. A slow heart rate before AFib does not necessarily mean a slow rate once AF arrives. Although I can be well below 50bpm when I go into AF it takes very little effort to get above 200 bpm when I'm in AF (walking up stairs will do the trick). Exercise for vagal AFers WHEN they are in AF is not necessarily a good thing (it's not necessarily a good thing when they're not in AF either but that's another debate). I'm also not sure of your 'Most people have adrenergic afib' comment but would be happy to read any articles that suggest this if you can point me to them. My guess is all we can say about asymptomatic AFers is they are managing to push enough blood around their body and palpitations are not felt. Keeping an eye on the stroke risk and heart size would still be high on my list if I was asymptomatic. (I'd be particularly wary if I was asymptomatic whilst tolerating high rates). Just my 2p -- D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 > Since you aren't aware of afib episodes, and you work out, my guess > is you have vagal afib, that is, exercise and similar effort actually > makes you feel better. Most people have adrenergic afib, where any > exertion makes them feel worse. Hi Trudy, I think you are confusing how one gets into AFib and what happens once they are there. A slow heart rate before AFib does not necessarily mean a slow rate once AF arrives. Although I can be well below 50bpm when I go into AF it takes very little effort to get above 200 bpm when I'm in AF (walking up stairs will do the trick). Exercise for vagal AFers WHEN they are in AF is not necessarily a good thing (it's not necessarily a good thing when they're not in AF either but that's another debate). I'm also not sure of your 'Most people have adrenergic afib' comment but would be happy to read any articles that suggest this if you can point me to them. My guess is all we can say about asymptomatic AFers is they are managing to push enough blood around their body and palpitations are not felt. Keeping an eye on the stroke risk and heart size would still be high on my list if I was asymptomatic. (I'd be particularly wary if I was asymptomatic whilst tolerating high rates). Just my 2p -- D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 > I went into early signs of CHF (congestive heart failure) within 6 > months of going persistent. > Because of the loss of pumping efficiency various risks of myopathy > are present .This is usually an enlarged left venticle (not a good > thing ). , when you were in persistent afib, were you rate controlled by medication? I am speculating that if not, the ventricles would stretch, perhaps leading to heart failure, if controlled, they wouldn't. I don't know how much of an effect on the heart the atria stretching has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 In a message dated 9/9/2004 9:18:56 AM Pacific Daylight Time, KageyD@... writes: > Your story is very worrisome because I'm a pretty much asymtomatic 24/7 > AFer, have been for 16 months now, and none of the docs who see me have > expressed the least worry about ventricular problems, as my stress/thallium > ECG, echocardiograms, and other overall ventricular/circulation function > measures are just fine. > > Kathleen, Your reaction of worry is exactly the reason I wanted to write and stress the importance of a positive attitude. Worry is one of an afibber's worst enemies. My brother, who almost never is aware of his permanent afib, said that he was unusually aware of his irregular beats on the night when he took me to the emergency room after I had a bad fall and bashed my head on concrete. As he was waiting for me to be examined, a long procedure, he was aware of every irregular beat as he almost never is. He thinks the increase in intensity of his afib was caused by his worry about me. After I was released to go home, he no longer was aware of his afib. I would advise you not to worry. If your doctors see no cause for concern, you should believe their opinion over the opinion of any well-meaning Internet writer, including me. Your doctors know your case and are the only ones qualified to make diagnoses and predictions about your future. As you brought out in your post, many predisposing factors other than afib can cause congestive heart failure, and many people are totally unaware that they have any of these factors. The development of congestive heart failure in the presence of afib does not necessarily mean that the afib caused the congestive heart failure. The existence of two simultaneous events does not logically mean that one caused the other. So relax and try not to worry. I am convinced that the worry will do your heart more damage than most of the other problems discussed here. Believe your doctors when they say there is no cause for concern. Your 16 months of permanent afib is nothing compared with my brother's 30+ years in permanent afib, and his heart is absolutely normal in all respects except the afib. There is no congestive heart failure or any other kind of disease or structural problem in his heart after 30+ years of afib. Everyone is unique, and I think that our individuality allows us to expect the best because that expectation will help us to achieve the best for ourselves. Similarly, expectation of the worst outcome will work to achieve that bad outcome. in sinus in Seattle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 I'd like to thank everyone for their comments, it has been educational for me. I do indeed feel better when I exercise, and I'm assuming I was put on Sotolol as a pre requisite to the cardio version I had which was unsuccesful, I do intend discussing with my doc why I'm still on it. i have to say that I firmly believe a positive outlook on life is as strong a medication as you can get under certain circumstances... thanks again for thr feedback...I'll keep lurking.... Boleyn () Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 > Reply to 's Reply about AF leading to CHF: , people don't usually just > quietly slip into CHF without warning... here I had lone AF, as the only precursor of my early CHF. CHF commenced after going persistent and disappeared completely after cardioversion . The incidence of AF and CHF is more common than anyone wants to believe. Put, " AF " and " CHF " , in your search bar, and you should get a bunch of hits. I did not say that anyone else was at risk of CHF. Neither did I say that the individual who raised the question of; what is to worry about, was going to suffer any consequence. I did recommend caution in pushing too hard at the Gym thinking everything would be allright. I have my own sunshine to spread, but unfortunately it is of most value of the early onset patients .I firmly believe we can make a difference in our own outcome . To make a difference you have to know the real answers. , NSR ,no antiarrythmics, whole food lifestyle (no dairy either) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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