Aa
AFIB Medication
Hello, Thank you for asnwering my question. I'm a 38 year old male, and I had an episode of AFIB almost 2 years ago. I converted back via Tambacor and Cardizem about 12 hours into it. My cardiologist took me off the Tambacor after about three months but I still am on the Cardizem (60mg SR 2X a day). Lately (past 6 months) I feel hardly any irregualar beats, just occassional flutters and PAC's, best in years. A couple of questions: In your opinion, Do I really need to stay on Cardizem since it's been so long since my AFIB, or is it really the medicine that has kept the AFIB and PAC's away? Is it possible that this was an isolated incident, or is it definetly going to come back? Before this episode I had about 10years worth of PAC, PVC, which I had learned to live with over the years. I've read that PAC's can trigger AFIB, is this true? Lastly, when I went into AFIB my heart was beating about 200bpm, is this normal when you have an AFIB attack?
Thank you again for your time and answering my questions. This is a great forum for people, It's greatly appreciated.
Thank you again for your time and answering my questions. This is a great forum for people, It's greatly appreciated.
A related discussion, Medication was started.
Thanks, I think I will have a trial without anything and if I am still getting SVT will have the ablation done. I might even try magnesium supplements but am not sure of the dosage.
I too have not been able to take bb's due to asthma. I really don't know what to tell you, since bb's are really drugs of choice against these annoying problems. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful :(
Thanks for your input. I have suspected that my tablets have increased my pacs. I don't really want to take anything but my cardio thinks that I need to. He told me that ablation will fix the
svt but not the pacs so I am not sure what to do next. I have tried verapamil and digoxin and thought they were increasing them as well. I can't take beta blockers due to asthma. Any ideas?
svt but not the pacs so I am not sure what to do next. I have tried verapamil and digoxin and thought they were increasing them as well. I can't take beta blockers due to asthma. Any ideas?
Are you saying that calcium channel blockers can increase Pacs?
I cannot say for certain that you will or will not have these pac's forever. Believe me...I know how miserable it is to have them. If I didn't now have an enlarged left atrium, I too would not undergo one more ablation! I hope that things resolve for you and that with time, you notice fewer and fewer.
I have had 2 failed ablations for Afib since Oct. I have been taking 360mg Diltiazam. I told my EP that I had experienced pac's and pvc's previously but not to the magnitude I am currently. He said that CA-Channel Blockers can cause an increase in them. So he cut my dose to 240mgs q day. I have since had 2 bad runs of Afib and Aflutter that have put me in the hospital. For me, unfortunately, it is a double edged sword.
Hello-
To answer your question about an increase of pac's post ablation...This is to be expected, as the tissue that had been ablated heals. You may also have an increase if you're taking CA-channel blockers.
To answer your question about an increase of pac's post ablation...This is to be expected, as the tissue that had been ablated heals. You may also have an increase if you're taking CA-channel blockers.
Hi, my pacs have been worse this year ie thousands a day, with an increase in SVT.I have been having them for years and have never really worried about them until this year. My SVT is very symptomatic. I have also had episodes where my heart rate has been extremely irregular. I thought I might be in afib but I had already returned my event monitor so it wasn;t caught on tape. I am on a calcium channel blocker now and was under the impression that it reduces the number of Pacs which in turn would help with the SVT. It certainly reduces the sensation of them which is a nice bonus. Sometimes I think that the diltiazem aggravates them.
Hi I had the second ablation done six months ago to fix the SVT. Since then, I have suffered from PACs everyday and I can feel every one of them. It is very annoying. Could anyone tell me if the PACS the side effect of ablation? I don't think I have that many PACs before the ablation. I may have some PACs before the ablation. Any advise will be helpful.
If you are in v-fib, blood thinners is the last thing you need to worry about.
I have been in a-fib for eight years, some doctors thought I coud get by with asperin, but the GP decided cumadin was the best bet for someone my age (42). I am on a calcium channel blocker and it doesn't stop the a-fib one bit, it just slows down the heart response.
I have been in a-fib for eight years, some doctors thought I coud get by with asperin, but the GP decided cumadin was the best bet for someone my age (42). I am on a calcium channel blocker and it doesn't stop the a-fib one bit, it just slows down the heart response.
Hi Thank you for your advise. My EP doctor never told me that I would have more PACs after the ablation. If I have known it, I would not have the ablation done. I am so regret as I find the PACs sensation is even worse than SVT. Besides, I only had few epsoides of SVT before the ablation. Do you know if the PACs going to be less/ go away or it will stay with my whole life?
It is my understanding the purpose of blood thinners is to avoid a stroke. Blood churning in the upper chamber can cause clots which can cause strokes.
My a fib was well controlled with medication and my only thinner was a daily full strengh asprin. I know of others who also are well controlled either from ablation or medication who are on blood thinners. I assume age and risk factors are a consideration in making the decision. In your case, it certainly is worth a consulation with your doctor to help you make the decision.
My a fib was well controlled with medication and my only thinner was a daily full strengh asprin. I know of others who also are well controlled either from ablation or medication who are on blood thinners. I assume age and risk factors are a consideration in making the decision. In your case, it certainly is worth a consulation with your doctor to help you make the decision.
People said all A-Fib needs blood thinner. Now I find out not all, some wasn't need to. And many didn't take too.
Can I ask, V-Fib need to take blood thinner or not? V-Fib won't last long like A-Fib.
Can I ask, V-Fib need to take blood thinner or not? V-Fib won't last long like A-Fib.
I'm not a doctor but am an RN who has Afib/Flutter and been on both Tambocor and Cardizem. I am currently on 360mg Cardizem and 40mg Nadolol until I go for my 3rd ablation. Last Wed I had the worst run of Aflutter...Heart rate was about 300+
1.when I went into AFIB my heart was beating about 200bpm, is this normal when you have an AFIB attack?
This sounds about right, if your heart rhythm was ireggularly irregular it is true Afib.
2.I've read that PAC's can trigger AFIB, is this true?
This is true...PAC's can trigger Afib
3.Do I really need to stay on Cardizem since it's been so long since my AFIB, or is it really the medicine that has kept the AFIB and PAC's away?
Is it possible that this was an isolated incident, or is it definetly going to come back?
If you've not had another episode, this would be called LAF (Lone Afib) without an EP study it cannot be determined if this will come back. Have you had an EP study? I would not stop any meds without guidance from your cardiologist.
1.when I went into AFIB my heart was beating about 200bpm, is this normal when you have an AFIB attack?
This sounds about right, if your heart rhythm was ireggularly irregular it is true Afib.
2.I've read that PAC's can trigger AFIB, is this true?
This is true...PAC's can trigger Afib
3.Do I really need to stay on Cardizem since it's been so long since my AFIB, or is it really the medicine that has kept the AFIB and PAC's away?
Is it possible that this was an isolated incident, or is it definetly going to come back?
If you've not had another episode, this would be called LAF (Lone Afib) without an EP study it cannot be determined if this will come back. Have you had an EP study? I would not stop any meds without guidance from your cardiologist.
Hello,
Glad to hear you haven't had any recent episodes of atrial fibrillation. These are very logical and common clinic questions.
1. In your opinion, Do I really need to stay on Cardizem since it's been so long since my AFIB, or is it really the medicine that has kept the AFIB and PAC's away?
There is no data to suggest that Cardizem (calcium channel blockers) decrease the risk fo atrial fibrillation or the frequency of PVCs/PACs. They may decrease the sensation of the PAC/PVCs by decrease the strength of your hearts contraction.
If you want to come off the cardizem and do not have another reason to be on it, it should be ok to stop it (after discussing this with your doctor).
2. Is it possible that this was an isolated incident, or is it definetly going to come back?
It is possible that it was isolated, especially if it ocurred in the setting of alcohol or thyroid problems. It does mean that you are increased risk for having it in the future.
3. Before this episode I had about 10years worth of PAC, PVC, which I had learned to live with over the years. I've read that PAC's can trigger AFIB, is this true?
This is true -- atrial fibrillation can be caused by PACs, but also can initiate with PACs.
4. Lastly, when I went into AFIB my heart was beating about 200bpm, is this normal when you have an AFIB attack?
The rate of atrial fibrillation depends on your baseline heart conduction system and the degree to which it is greased up with adrenaline or stress. 200 beats per minute is pretty fast, but we do see rates like that occassionally.
I hope this answers your questions. Thanks for posting and happy holidays.
Glad to hear you haven't had any recent episodes of atrial fibrillation. These are very logical and common clinic questions.
1. In your opinion, Do I really need to stay on Cardizem since it's been so long since my AFIB, or is it really the medicine that has kept the AFIB and PAC's away?
There is no data to suggest that Cardizem (calcium channel blockers) decrease the risk fo atrial fibrillation or the frequency of PVCs/PACs. They may decrease the sensation of the PAC/PVCs by decrease the strength of your hearts contraction.
If you want to come off the cardizem and do not have another reason to be on it, it should be ok to stop it (after discussing this with your doctor).
2. Is it possible that this was an isolated incident, or is it definetly going to come back?
It is possible that it was isolated, especially if it ocurred in the setting of alcohol or thyroid problems. It does mean that you are increased risk for having it in the future.
3. Before this episode I had about 10years worth of PAC, PVC, which I had learned to live with over the years. I've read that PAC's can trigger AFIB, is this true?
This is true -- atrial fibrillation can be caused by PACs, but also can initiate with PACs.
4. Lastly, when I went into AFIB my heart was beating about 200bpm, is this normal when you have an AFIB attack?
The rate of atrial fibrillation depends on your baseline heart conduction system and the degree to which it is greased up with adrenaline or stress. 200 beats per minute is pretty fast, but we do see rates like that occassionally.
I hope this answers your questions. Thanks for posting and happy holidays.
You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Forum
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.
