How many here live with Afib

GlennWest · October 7

I been thinking I was just getting older and out of shape. But my lack of wind and fatigue kept getting worse. So went to a cardiologist Friday and diagnosed me with Afib. Put me on beta blocker and blood pressure drugs while I wait on further tests. More I research this it seems fairly common in seniors..

Edited October 7 by GlennWest

Chalkie · October 7

My wife was recently diagnosed with aFib and like you placed on medications for it. We got a device called a Kardia Mobile which is like a portable EKG and it tests for aFib. Her cardiologist said they recommended it and it is FDA approved unlike some others you might see advertised. When she checks herself the results can be captured and emailed to the cardiologist.

GlennWest · October 7

On one of my visits he fits me up with a heart monitor that I wear for a week. Also doing stress test. Also an imagining device with a dye in my veins. Also a pulmonary test. Miss type my drugs. Beta blocker and blood pressure medicine although I have never had high blood pressure. I was 120/80. Oh well just checked. That is high

Edited October 7 by GlennWest

NDBirdman · October 8

My wife has it, been on going for bout 4 years. She's on those meds and keeps an eye on blood pressure. It was discovered during a routine medical appt, they saw her heart rate over 180 and immediately admitted her to the hosp. She under went the defib. shock treatment trying to get her heart beating fully, didn't work. On those meds, she has to watch out for cuts/scrapes/bruises, etc. Anything that does not immediately show healing, she has to call the Dr. She can barely brush against anything and start bruising. Dr. said this is her new norm because of the meds.

Any time we travel or go camping, I make sure I have a good cell phone signal or immediately move down the road. Being within a medical care facility close reach is also planned for every stop. She gets tired easily, we go for .5 mile walks and it whoops her, spending much time out in the yard is fairly short now. Other than slowing down and taking meds, she leads a normal life. Sometimes she doesn't understand, or appreciate that now I'm always connected at the hip with her.

lenp · October 8

Diagnosed un June of 2023 after a strenuous three day motorcycle ride from San Antonio back to Central Oregon. Felt like crap, lethargic and BP was 75/35. Landed in ER and diagnosed with AFIB. Like you, beta blocker along with blood thinner and then a shock treatment a month later. All seems to be running as it should now although BP does spike occasionally. Cardiologist visit in December.

Many our age (79) suffer from AFIB. Tough getting old, eh?

Lenp

Dutch_12078 · October 8

My first stroke occurred at age 80 in April 2023 on the day we returned to our base from our Georgia/Florida winter trip. The cause was determined to be a lack of oxygen to my brain due to AFIB related cavitation when my heart rate was too high by my cardiologist and my neurologist. I was put on beta blockers, blood thinners, etc. My second stroke in November 2023 was caused by a blood clot that was thought to have originated in my heart during the previous AFIB episodes and finally migrated to my brain. It took a week in the hospital to sort that one out. A year later, I have some issues with walking, talking, and manual dexterity, that are likely permanent.

The bottom line is that AFIB is serious business, and I highly recommend that anyone in our age group at a minimum, purchase an easy to use heart rate/blood oxygen monitor so you can easily check yourself any time you feel your heart may be racing or you feel unusually tired. Any unusually high readings are cause to call your doctor, and if the symptoms last more than a few minutes, goto the ER. Good devices only cost about $20 and are well worth it for the peace of mind that all is well, or the early warning that it's not. Monitors are available at pharmacies, Amazon, etc., and you've probably used one at your doctor's office when they clipped it on a finger to read the digital display for a few seconds.

GlennWest · October 8

Sure did. That little clip was giving lots of info. First I ever seen one. I have never felt my heart racing. My complaint was tiring so quickly and gasping for air. I haven't heard my heart beat in a long time. May be do to the loud ringing in my ears. Lifetime of construction work

Dutch_12078 · October 8

I should have been clearer... The key information the monitor gives you is both your heart rate and your blood oxygen level. The resting heart rate should typically be under 100, and the oxygen saturation should be in the mid to high 90's range. If it drops below 90, you may be in need of supplemental oxygen. Your blood pressure can be another factor in your heart health as well of course. In all cases, consult your doctor if there's any question at all whether something is going on or not.

GlennWest · November 5

Well, update. Ran a lot of test, pulmonary, heart imagining, stress, wore a monitor for a week. Well heart is good, circulation is good, no blockage or any heart problem but Afib. Go in hospital next week, waiting for hospital to call for exact time. Going to shock me till proper rhythm comes back. Also found out my oldest sister and my brother has Afib so mine is inherited, Will keep you updated as this happens.

Edited November 5 by GlennWest

Dutch_12078 · November 5

Best wishes to you, Glenn, I hope it all goes well for you. My Afib is medically controlled, so I avoided the shock treatment.

Kirk W · November 5

Thanks for the update and we will be thinking of you as things progress! Before you started this thread, I had always just considered AFIB to be one of those things that "other people have." After following your experience I also took note of the commercials about AFIB by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and so have learned a lot about it. I suspect that there are others who have learned from your experience as well and that knowledge could well save someone's life.

Thank you so much for sharing!

GlennWest · November 5

One can have no systems with Afib also. Still throw blood clots though and cause a stroke.

DanZemke · November 5

Hope you and your wife have a big smiles on your face soon.

GlennWest · November 5

Thanks, God bless

GlennWest · November 11

Had my heart shocked back in normal today. Pray it lasts.

Dutch_12078 · November 12

48 minutes ago, GlennWest said:

Had my heart shocked back in normal today. Pray it lasts.

Great! I'm sure we all hope it lasts as well!

usbusin · November 12

Glenn, am praying for you right now.

GaryD

Edited November 12 by usbusin
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WILDEBILL308 · November 12

3 hours ago, GlennWest said:

Had my heart shocked back in normal today. Pray it lasts.

Glenn, Hope it stayes in rhythm.

My wife bought me a Kardia Mobile and all it tells me is I have Afib. It won't show any heart rhythm. I already know that. I had a pacemaker/defibrillator installed and it is monitored and reports sent to doc.

One symptom I didn't see anyone mention is retaining fluids. I loaded up to where I couldn't breath if I laid down. I felt a lot better when they gave me Lasik's and reduced the fluid leaves.

Bill

Edited November 12 by WILDEBILL308

Dutch_12078 · November 12

9 hours ago, WILDEBILL308 said:

Glenn, Hope it stayes in rhythm.

My wife bought me a Kardia Mobile and all it tells me is I have Afib. It won't show any heart rhythm. I already know that. I had a pacemaker/defibrillator installed and it is monitored and reports sent to doc.

One symptom I didn't see anyone mention is retaining fluids. I loaded up to where I couldn't breath if I laid down. I felt a lot better when they gave me Lasik's and reduced the fluid leaves.

Bill

I've been on Lasix (furosemide) since my first stroke. After twice a day got my water retention under control, I've been on once a day to maintain it.

GlennWest · November 12

I don't have any fluid retention. My heart is healthy except for the Afib. I have an appointment in 2 weeks for follow up. My wife went to hospital with me. I was so groggy she had to drive me home. She needs knee surgery, Walking down those halls at hospital she was in bad pain. Well she has finally decided to do something about it now. So this was a good day.

Kirk W · November 12

27 minutes ago, GlennWest said:

Well she has finally decided to do something about it now.

Knee surgery is not nearly as long a recovery now as it was years ago. My wife had knee surgery back in February and she was mostly recovered in about 6 weeks. She is very glad that she had it done, now. She was 82 so recovery probably takes a bit longer than it will for younger folks.

Edited November 12 by Kirk W

palmeris · November 17

I struggled with afib all though my 40,s . Tests, drugs, follow ups with cardiologist was a bi annual event.

When I turned 50 dr said no more messing around, time to cure it and i had an ablation procedure. This solved the electrical management issue that was causing the chamber to misfire out of rhythm.

No more drugs, no more issues

GlennWest · November 19

I have read that ablation isn't necessarily a lasting cure. Not saying you not but info conflicts. Now most with Afib have a heart disease also. That may be the difference

palmeris · November 21

I was reluctant to have the ablation procedure , going inside the heart and burning tissue to purposely scar just didnt sit well...and they said a 20% chance it would have to be repeated.

However, it had gotten to the point that the other remedies were no longer effective, different drugs, doses, etc. The blood thinners made any little nick or scratch bleed constantly. The risk of stroke increased the longer it went uncured.

I had the procedure done in December of 2011. It was an out patient procedure done in the hospital and I went home the same day. They do a checkerboard pattern inside the heart chamber, thread the instrument up through an artery in the groin , It has fully corrected the issue , didnt have to repeat it. I was release from the cardio dr a year after it was done.

Only pain was from the compression , they must of put weights on me while I was under to make sure the artery closes back up. I was black and blue for 3 weeks and pretty sore.

I dont have any heart disease, no other issues. They did all kinds of tests, cath, ulta, stress, etc when they diagnosed and again a battery of them prior to the procedure.

No more beta blockers, metroprolo, blood thinners, halter monitors, etc. once I was released from cardio

Your right, it's not for everyone, but it worked for me and I am grateful

I hope your's gets resolved with the shock treatment and perhaps with it being a mild case that you described, it will be enough to cure it.

All the best

Kirk W · November 21

On 11/19/2024 at 9:34 AM, GlennWest said:

I have read that ablation isn't necessarily a lasting cure.

We have a friend who has had ablation done twice, a year or two apart. It's been a little more than a year since the second one and thus far things are working well.

EDIT I just exchanged notes with the person mentioned above. His first ablation worked for just a year but the second one lasted for 7 years. He now has a pacemaker.

Edited November 21 by Kirk W
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