Afib questions

[raindrops on roses]

Hello this question is about my husband.
He is in his early 40's and is on no medications. He has had two episodes of afib that converted on their own within 12 hours.  The first episode he went to his doctor and it was confirmed as afib.  

Both episodes happened after he ate a large breakfast and were accompanied with a feeling of needing to burp a lot.  Burping did seem to help but the afib did not go away until about 12 hours later. He has, of course, eaten large meals at times and not gotten this problem. But that is the only trigger we can think of.

The doctor did not feel any tests or medications were called for due to his age and health, and the fact that he converted to normal on his own.  

My husband is not concerned about this at all which is good I guess.  I just wanted to check in and see what you opinion was on this type situation.

[Forum-M.D.-MM]

Hello,

The usual recommendation for someone with no risk factors:

History of heart failure
History of hypertension (high blood pressure)
Age great than 75
Diabetes
History of stroke or TIA (stoke like symptoms less than 24 hours)

Is to treat with aspirin 81 to 325 mg by mouth once per day.

If the baseline EKG is normal and an echocardiogram shows a normal ejection fraction, this is a reasonable approach for now.  If the atrial fibrillation becomes more frequent or symptomatic, other treatment options are available.

Thanks for posting.

[raindrops on roses]

I meant to say the episodes were spread out over the course of ten years. So very infrequent.

[AV8ER]

I also suffer from paroxysmal atrial fib, approx 2-3 times per year, sometimes less.  They started in my late 20's, now 36, just had my last one two days ago...heart rate max 203.  Required ER visit and vast quantities of cardiac meds (cardizem, rhythmol, procainimide)converted in 15 hours.  I also notice palpitations when eating large meals, never triggered an episode, but I find eating slowly and if necessary smaller meals over the course of the day rather than large ones...There seems to always be some type of trigger with me, alcohol, coffee, stress, chocolate, etc.  I have also had an episode related to pseuodoephedrine in allergy medication.  The triggers must be avoided.  The more episodes I have, the harder it is to convert...Item of interest.  Be very careful if your doctor recommends amioderone, it has some wicked side effects, there are other, better drugs.  I take acebutolol regularly, 200 mg twice daily, seems to help slow heart rate and lower blood pressure.  I would recommend having your family doctor refer you to a cardiologist for ecocardiogram, stress test, etc. just to rule out underlying heart conditions. Also, blood work to test the thyroid.  Good Luck....

[B.Cole]

Hi, My name is Brian.I'm a 46yr. old Airline Pilot who has been out of work for over 1 i/2yr's. do to A-Fib  I have had 2 Ablations within the past yr.for Atrial Fib., I have had one of the best Dr's. in this field at JFK Heart Institute preform the Ablations. I had compications with both procedures, a chemically indused pneumonia from the anestiesia/Barrium used during the preocedure, where I was hospitalized for 9 days after diagnosis. And then after the second Ablation I had to have the artery and vein repaired in my groin because a Fistula and Pseudo anurism developed  do to the way the cathiters were inserted. ..I'm at a crossroad of sorts because I'm not in A-Fib anymore but I am in a constant A-Flutter. My Dr. seems to think a third Ablation is needed. I'm skeptical...My older Brother is 5yr's older and has the same problem he to has had 2 Ablations  but with no complications and seem's to be in Sinus rhythem afer the 2nd . I'm in the process of gathering as much info as possible before I have a third Ablation so if ther is anybody who can tell me that after the 3rd or 4th Ablation they were in Sinus, it would help with my decision . I want off all Med's and need my life BACK!  

[johnnieg]

A related discussion, Stopping a medication was started.