Questions posted in the
Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
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Subject: Re: Atrial Fib I am a 39 year old male recently diagnosed with atrial fib (Holter Monitor) Episodes are most often when I am lying down flat or on my right side. Symptoms began around Thanksgiving 98 and continue to date. I have never previously noticed symptoms such as the flutter and palpitation that I am now experiencing. I have continued rigourous exercise (weights and running), which I have done for may years, with only occasional symptoms during same. No shortness of breath, pain, dizzyness, etc. just annoying. My Primary Care Physician has referred me to a cardiologist and suggests an echocardiogram. Symptoms seem to be occuring less frequently now. Do you think the echo test is necessary? I have been taking reduced doses of tegretol for trigeminal neuralgia (down to 200mg/day). Could there be a coorelation between the tegretol and these arrythmias?? The CCF Neurologist who diagnosed the TN says probably no relationship with the tegretol. __ Dear Steve, There are certain tests that are very important (indicated) when a young person presents with atrial fibrillation, and top on the list is an echocardiogram. As you may know, and echo is a non invasive (ultrasound) study of your heart. Your thyroid should be tested (blood test) also. I agree that it is highly unlikely that the tegretol is related to the a.fib although it is not an impossibility. Understand that your physicians will look for potential reversible causes of the a.fib and that they can not do that without an echo. It is also appropriate that the doctors look for the usual causes of a.fib first, and consider the unlikely causes second. I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for
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