Erich, Not unless you are having issues because of it. I take 4.5 g/day. Georgeby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Rick, Always possible is is the K, however 200 to 300 mg is a pretty insignificant amount. Without testing (like a Cardymeter), it is hard to know. Your descriptions sound like adrenergic triggers to me. You could check your blood pressure and see. If anything, more like the adrenergic response when blood pressure increases when sitting up or lifting. Georgeby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
On the mental stuff, I'd worry about mini-strokes, though the reduction in blood flow could be an answer for a 90 year old. The atria provide about 25% of the "push" or blood volume throughput from the the heart. So you lose that with afib. This could certainly be the reason for fatigue. For someone at 90, their system may not have a lot of reserve, hence might have more issueby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ralph, I recall Jackie addressing this at some point. It is not common, but it does happen. I had an afibber correspondent in Australia who reacted this way. Obviously listen to your body. Georgeby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
"How is treatment different for afib with low hr vs. afib with tachycardia?" Don't need rate control (like a beta blocker). "What type of information will he get from the echocardiogram? " His ejection fraction - see if he has cardiomyopathy. "Is cardioverting a 90 yo something you just do?" Question is how will you keep him in rhythm after that. Ifby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
A tough decision, I know, but in your shoes I'd look at significantly reducing your exercise volume and approach the weight issue with diet. < < Georgeby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
John, " I will lay odds that Dr. Mandrola does not have afib." In fact he has had it. Had to take flec to convert. He blogged about a few years ago. < Georgeby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ron, "research shows plant sterols may build up over time" It depends whether you are a hyper-absorber of sterols. Here is Dr. Dayspring's comment from the thread I posted above: < The whole thread & following links is quite informative. "My point is that high phytosterol concentrations can be potentially atherogenic. The real concern is that hyperabsorbersby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Assume you mean < Don't know any issues with afib. Some people are hyper absorbers of phytosterols (that cholestoff has).. You don't know unless you test. Probably more than you want to know, but you can study this link and all the comments. Dr. Dayspring, one of the top lipidologists in the US comments. For really detailed info follow links to his Lecturepad material. &lby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
John, One of the variables is rate in afib. In general, those with very high ventricular rates during afib are much more symptomatic. Georgeby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Peggy, I can visualize you gardening at your house in Maine as the season changes to spring. Enjoy! Georgeby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Good report! Glad you pursued the visit with Dr. Ernst. Georgeby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
According to the USDA < cranberries have 8 mg Ca/100 g. So Steve's 500 g/day of cranberries would net him 40 mg Ca. Not a significant source.by GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Anne, Even veggie juice can be fairly high glycemic. Eating whole, raw veggies will slow the glucose absorption. Georgeby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Anne, The Metropolol won't convert you, so your pulse will still feel fluttery. Sample your pulse for 20-30 seconds and if the average is < 100 BPM or close, I'd not take more of it. I empathize with all of your challenges. Georgeby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Steve, My experience is as follows. My total CO2 tends to be in the 20-21 mmol/L range on my diet which is mostly plant based, mostly raw, meat as a condiment and excludes grains, legumes nightshades & starchy veggies. It is low fruit and high in mono fats (unfiltered extra virgin olive oil). I consume 4-5g/day of Mg++ (500 mg from Mg bicarb) as well as 5-8g/day of K bicarb. From 8 yearby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
"Oh, I'm starting to get the impression that Dr. Natale really is one of the best EPs out there, especially for an abalation. Is that correct? " In many of our opinions, yes! He is THE best worldwide.by GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Que, Might as well supplement magnesium to bowel tolerance - ramp up slowly. You can see if it helps. Don't put off the Natale consult in the mean time. It'll take a while to play out. You can always postpone an ablation if you see a lot of benefit from mag. My best friend from childhood was in your situation. Got to afib via chronic fitness. Mag reduced his burden but didnby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
AliveCor UK:< I have an iPhone 5 but don't use the case to attach to the phone. The AliveCor just needs to be close to the phone. Georgeby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Que, 48% burden is way high. The longer this continues, the more electrical and physical remodeling will occur. Exercising with afib (in my opinion) puts unneeded extra stress on the system. You will be a "complex" case for ablation. In your situation, I'd make the soonest appointment with Dr. Natale in San Francisco for an ablation. You are young. Go NOW! Georgeby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
"Could I be OD'ing on mag or pot?? " Without testing, hard to say. You can also try doing something different and see if things get better or worse (this is what I usually do).by GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Les, The Warfarin is for anti-coagulation and the Propranolol is a beta-blocker ( BB ). The BB is used for controlling heart rate in afib. The two ways afib can be a quick exit from the planet are stroke and cardiomyopathy (from too high a ventricular rate for too long). These meds address those issues. From what you've written, you are still in afib and neither of these meds will chaby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ken, There is clearly a "U" shaped benefit curve to exercise & health (or inverted "U"). The biggest benefit is from getting off the couch. In some studies, heavy endurance exercisers had the same mortality as the couch potatoes. Where that "sweet spot" is can be a matter of debate. For those of us who came to afib because of chronic fitness, the questionby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ken, Here is a CR session on exercise: I'm not an ablatee, but I've kept my afib in remission for 10 years. I can't say my way is right but for what it is worth. I gave up doing endurance training or entering competitions. This does not mean I don't ever do endurance activity, but I minimize this. If I do plan on an endurance activity, I'll add lots of extraby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tim, Do you have a Dropbox or Google Account. If so, you can put the photo in the respective folder and share the link here. If you have one of these accounts and don't know how to create a link, let me know & I'll give detailed instructions. Georgeby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Liz, You might be interested in this: < Georgeby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Well the jokes on me. I got home and looked in the cupboard and I've been using Club Soda for my WW for years!!! It works fine.by GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hans had done some surveys in the '08 ish time frame as a part of the Afib Report, so'd be in those archives. Nothing more recent I'm aware of. Shannon and others may have an opinion.by GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
I'll take a stab at this. Don't think it is a problem. If you make the WW as described and afterward the bottle is "sucked in" (inside pressure reduced) and all or most all of the MoM is reacted (i.e. not sitting on the bottom) you are good to go. The bicarb is sitting in the CO2 water, so won't react with that & I don't think it will react with the magensiumby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM