Atrial Infibulation

[kat1]

Just been to see a Cardiac Specialist as i've been having terrible palputations. He thinks i have the above but i'm having more tests a montitor to wear for 24hrs. He told me it is quite common & not to worry as it can be treated with drugs or a small operation(Tony Blair had this). He said it's more dangerous in people in their 80s/90s, i'm nearly 53.

[Sqad]

and it is Atrial Fibrillation.

[kat1]

Ok Squad, what do you know about it?

[Sqad]

not a lot................what do you want to know?

[kat1]

Do you know why people get it? I don't smoke, drink decaf tea/coffee & drink very little alchol.

[Buenchico]

Infibulation? I think not!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infibulation
;-)

I assume that you meant 'fibrillation'. If so, clicking through the links here ('Symptoms', 'Causes', etc) should hep you learn more about the condition:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Atrial-fibrillation/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Then click on 'Real stories' to read the experiences of Frances and Rupert.

Chris

[kat1]

Ok thanks Buenchico

[Sqad]

I will hand over to Francis and Rupert and if they do not supply your answers then get back to me.

[kat1]

Ok thanks Squad for your quick response.

[Peter Pedant]

I like atrial infubulation better

The heart specialist has to satisfy himself (you, family etc)
that there is not a cause

and also that it is occurring and reasonably frequently

and THEN treat the cause if there is one
and then treat the palpitation and the choices are either surgical (Blair operation and dont worry folks the operation doesnt make you into an incurable liar) or medical [droogz]

wh in sqad and my time was digoxin and warfarin altho I recognise things have moved on.

Ask you GP or the specialist whether you should be taking aspirin 75mg a day in the mean time and for the rest of your life.

Clearly if it occurs in people in their 80s and 90s then it cant be an early killer - or else they would have died before that. One of my frenz mothers lasted until 91 with this. And all the time looked indestructible to be honest

[Sqad]

I agree with the post of Peter Pedant totally and can only add that beta blockers also will play a part.

[kat1]

Thanks Peter I feel better now. I am taking 75mg Asprin.

[Brinjal]

It is unpleasant tho. I know to avoid certain foods but there are times when it sets off all by itself and can go on for hours and leaves one feeling totally wiped out.

[kat1]

Didn't realize that certain foods can trigger it off bringal.

[shaneystar2]

My brother had this for quite some time .He's nearly 79 .
Dicky hearts run in my family anyway.
It was very worrying at first as he was rushed to hospital a couple of times with suspected heart failure as it was so severe before they got to the bottom of it .
He was having frequent attacks until they finally sent him to Papworth where they monitered him with resting and active heart stuff ,did various other tests and put him on beta blockers and he's been ok since ..touch wood .

[karenmac60]

If it is atrial fibrillation it can right itself. Some people go in and out of it. If it doesn't sort itself out they may want to put you on warfarin to reduce risk of clotting and stroke. They may also put you on digoxin to reduce the symptoms. In the case that they decide to intervene they may choose to do a cardioversion where they use a defibrillator (the paddles you see on things like ER) to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm. This is a simple procedure where you will be treated as a day patient. If it is successful you should feel the benefits almost immediately. There is however, a risk that you will go back into AF at a later date, but it can be treated the same way again. Mr mac has had it twice and the treatments were successful on both occasions.

[daisya]

Can I just say here that if you have anaemia or low serum ferritin (iron storage), that can also be a contributing factor to Atrial Fibrillation; some doctors don't consider that so maybe it would be worth asking for a blood test.

[kat1]

Had blood test and get results tomorrow daisy. Here I am at 2am having the palpitations now!

[karenmac60]

Good luck kat.

[kat1]

Blood tests clear, got to have 24he monitor fitted next. Thanks Karenmac

[kat1]

Type Your Answer Here...got another appointment for
An echo cartography.