QuoteAB Page Whether you take an anti-platelet, a NOAC like Eliquis, or opt for nothing post-Watchman, you still receive the benefit of the Watchman - to close off the LAA and thus prevent stagnant blood that can form a clot in the LAA from escaping and causing catastrophic damage. So many things in life are a trade-off. I accept the bleed risk associated with an aspirin over the risk of a clot oby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
If you're not on any medication at all, then yes, go to A&E. If you're having episodes lasting a couple of days then you need to be on an anticoagulant (blood thinner). I'm not entirely sure how it works in the UK but if A&E can't refer you to a specialist then see a GP who can.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
I'm short of time to reply at length right now but a couple of brief comments.... I have a Watchman. I received it the same day Andy (AB Page) did and I'm not taking aspirin. Aspirin is not an anticoagulant. It's an antiplatelet. The distinction is subtle but important. The recommendation to take aspirin for life with a Watchman is the FDA's textbook recommendation.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Why does your doc want a nuclear stress test? What are they looking for?by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quoteanneh ok so now I am in extreme panic. This is why reading test results and consulting Dr. Google is something you need to do very carefully. Allow me to quote the Mayo Clinic for you: QuoteMost people with bundle branch block are symptom-free and don't need treatment. The fact that your cardiologist said nothing should be a big tip that it is nothing. Really. That note in the rby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
I can recall several people over the years saying they tried acupuncture, but I don't recall hearing any success stories. Kind of the same as you mostly, some people saying maybe it helped some, but it's no miracle cure.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Trust me, everyone here knows how uncomfortable a high heart rate is. We've all been there, done that, some for many years. But believe me, I don't underestimate the seriousness of the fainting. Anyone who's spent more than a few days as an EMT would agree it's potentially a huge deal. But this isn't a normal feature of recovery from an ablation. Have you spoken with Nataby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Your ECG showed bigeminal PVCs that came and went. Yes, that would be considered an arrhythmia, but not a serious one. Don't mix up the PVCs and tachycardia. One doesn't cause the other. This is pretty normal post-ablation stuff and should gradually taper off and return to a normal rhythm. You might have ectopics now and then forever. Some people do, some don't. But it shouldnby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotesusan.d So according to the above “only a problem if more than 6.” No, it's not just having more than six. It's having runs of more than 6 in a row. The ECG you posted didn't show any in a row.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteJoyce222 My sister is 75 and in excellent health had an afib attack recently which she thinks was caused by amlodiprine (sp). which is listed as a side effect. Her doctor has prescribed 50 mgs of Toprol which has lowered her pulse at times to 30. She feels awful and has palpitations. She complained to the doctor and he has increased the Toprol to 75 mgs. She and I are worried that her heaby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotepgrove1 So just so I'm understanding you, it sounds like you are advocating for an ablation sooner rather than later (i.e. ASAP). I'm happy to go ask those questions and my current EP (performing ablations for 12 years) has not been asked those questions yet so I will start there. He seems busy (it took me 7 weeks to get on his schedule for an appointment) which seems like thatby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotepgrove1 I live in Charlotte, NC and even though I work in a hospital my insurance is garbage. I pretty much have to go to a physician in my hospital system or pay out of pocket up to a maximum of 16k. I’ve already had follow up with cardiology and EP here and the EP has said he would take me for EP study and possible ablation. To be honest I’m a little hesitant. It’s only been like 3 monthsby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
I didn't know you were only 34 and that changes my thinking significantly. You need to get ahead of this because you've potentially got 50-60 years of life ahead of you and spending 50 years battling afib with drugs and supplements isn't a reasonable option. Where do you live? What sort of medical insurance do you have?by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Count yourself very lucky. Episodes so short are rather unusual. At least for now I wouldn't even bother treating episodes that short and I wouldn't take an anticoagulant unless I had a high CHADS-Vasc score. Basically, i would do nothing. Unfortunately, afib tends to be a progressive disease. It's very likely that eventually those episodes will become longer and/or more frequeby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
No worries. For future reference, it's easiest to edit a question to fix mistakes. Just click/tap the "Edit" link beneath the post.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
So are you saying you are experiencing more than 20,000 PVCs per day?by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Great report, thanks! Quotekbog 1) Is there a length of time after which I should be concerned if my RHR remains this high? 2) Is this elevated RHR also elevating my HR by 20 beats or so when I am active, so that it's "inflated" by about 20 beats or so all the time? The elevated heart rate is perfectly normal and to be expected. It can last a surprisingly long time, upwardby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotewolfpack And if you do take Miralax don't take it with Gatorade or any other sports drink containing food coloring. Water only. Food colorings will stain your gut and give the endoscopist a lot of false indications. It's only red/purple liquids that need to be avoided. The green version of Gatorade would be okay. However, I'd recommend against Gatorade anyway because it'by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteLSulka Thanks for your response, Carey. About a month ago, I had an EKG done in the doctor's office and my cardiologist immediately referred me to an EP "for an ablation." Not sure I understand. He referred you for an ablation of what? PVCs are usually only ablated when they're extremely excessive, like 20,000 per day or more. Or was it for ablation of afib?by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
The short answer is PVCs are caused by a single cell or group of cells in the ventricles that fire on their own inappropriately. The result is that the signal propagates to neighboring cells and spreads, and the heart contracts. But it's not a normal contraction. Instead of beginning in the atria and spreading downward to the ventricles as it should, it begins in the ventricles and spreads uby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Nah, not too late. From what you've described your usage has been light and sporadic. You could probably just stop, but talking to your doc about how to taper off would be the safer course.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Yeah, totally understand that. The ACE inhibitors are usually pretty benign drugs so I think you're right it's not the ramipril.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
I've never taken ramipril but I've been taking lisinopril for a couple of years, which is a close cousin. No effects like that whatsoever. The ACE inhibitors don't normally have any effects on heart rhythm. Not sure what you experienced but I doubt it was actually a pause. A pause lasting more than just a few seconds would have caused you to pass out. If it happens again and yoby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Spam? Of course not.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteAB Page Can I get an confirmation or otherwise that what we laymen refer to as irregular heartbeats, whether they are PVCs or PACs, or "extra" or "missed" beats can all be lumped into the category we refer to as ectopics? As a way of describing a heartbeat pattern that isn't technically an arrhythmia and generally of short duration if not frequency? Yes, definitelyby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Yes, I know I said what you showed us was PVCs, and it was, but I've only seen one recording of a few seconds of your life. Things change, they come and go after an ablation. That's to be expected and nothing to worry about. PVCs and all sorts of unusual heartbeats are pretty normal in the first months following an ablation. And in any case, your rhythm has been seen by Natale's ofby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
PVCs and PACs are extremely common following ablation. In fact, I'd almost be surprised if you didn't experience them to at least some degree. I've experienced it myself (PACs) and heard the same thing from literally dozens of others. PACs are more common than PVCs. Are you sure what you're calling PVCs aren't PACs?by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotesusan.d I’m told to stop being a couch potato and start on my treadmill 5 minutes twice a day on the lowest level and work up and then go to cardio rehab after 3 months which I have a Rx anyway before the ablation to do. I feel good now. I walked today from dr office to pharmacy and from admissions (to confirm they have my insurance) to medical records for ablation report. This is great neby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotecolindo I know you and Carey are Natto knockers and what ever I have to say you are going to kick holes in it. I'm not a natto knocker. I just don't understand why people will risk such a devastating thing as stroke on an unproven supplement. Using it as an adjunct or using it when stroke protection isn't a priority might make sense, but using it as primary protection againsby Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotecolindo That was one test, I have seen a test where by Natto's effectiveness is not far behind warfarin, which I can't find at the moment. If I recall correctly the new anticoagulant were 70% effective, warfarin 60% and Natto 55%. Something in that order. I was unaware a study existed that compared the three. I'd like to see that if you can find it. And I'm curious.by Carey - AFIBBERS FORUM