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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Atril Fibrillation
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Atril Fibrillation
by luisa, Oct 30, 1999 12:00AM
My 74 yr. old Dad is presently diagnosed w/Atril Fibrillation. He is on Blood Pressure meds.---Norvasc(5mg), Metoprolol(50mg),& Cozaar(50mg).
His BP is under control. These past 2 months he has been sedentary because he had fallen 4 times due to an unstable gait & not able to hold his weight. He says that his legs wobble/shake & then he sits.
In 1996 he had mennigitis. Since then he has had an unsteady gait and occasional headaches when he feels cold air or drafts.
In 1997 he was again hospitalized because his potassium was depleted. They gave him the needed potassium thru his veins ( I remember my dad commenting how it burned & that he felt his heart couldn't take it anymore). The doctor then gave the remaining needed potassium by liquid drink.
In 1998 he had a minor stroke (one centimeter brain hemmorage). He was on coumadin (blood thinner) at the time of the stroke. His Doctor was preparing him for electrocardioversion. He was immediately taken off the coumadin. Now we are in a "Catch 22".
My dad is gradually getting worse in being mobile or moving. He has no pain, eats & sleeps well, however, is afraid to walk more than necessary. He is using his walker & hopes that soon he may leave it without fearing that he will lose his balance and fail again.
I would like to know what other specific things the doctor may need to investigate or "rule-out" next?
Thank you for your knowledge & time.
His daughter,
Ms. D
His BP is under control. These past 2 months he has been sedentary because he had fallen 4 times due to an unstable gait & not able to hold his weight. He says that his legs wobble/shake & then he sits.
In 1996 he had mennigitis. Since then he has had an unsteady gait and occasional headaches when he feels cold air or drafts.
In 1997 he was again hospitalized because his potassium was depleted. They gave him the needed potassium thru his veins ( I remember my dad commenting how it burned & that he felt his heart couldn't take it anymore). The doctor then gave the remaining needed potassium by liquid drink.
In 1998 he had a minor stroke (one centimeter brain hemmorage). He was on coumadin (blood thinner) at the time of the stroke. His Doctor was preparing him for electrocardioversion. He was immediately taken off the coumadin. Now we are in a "Catch 22".
My dad is gradually getting worse in being mobile or moving. He has no pain, eats & sleeps well, however, is afraid to walk more than necessary. He is using his walker & hopes that soon he may leave it without fearing that he will lose his balance and fail again.
I would like to know what other specific things the doctor may need to investigate or "rule-out" next?
Thank you for your knowledge & time.
His daughter,
Ms. D
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC, Nov 01, 1999 12:00AM
The stroke was probably due to the coumadin and not the afib so his doctor was right to stop the coumadin. He could remain in afib but the doctor could also try a TEE and cardioversion to try to get him back in sinus rhythm. Preventing additional falls is vital so make sure his house is "fall-proof" and he has a bedside commode for night-time toilet needs.
Thanks again!
Thanks, enjoy your site.
Thanks.
He has always been a strong man (muscular type--some of it is hereditary & the rest is from a lifetime of physical labor). If I may make an analogy---it's like he has an "electrical short" somewhere.
What should we have tested or look for next?
Thank you...
Thank you