Atrial Fibulation

Posted By John Emmott on February 22, 1998 at 22:24:03:









Hi,
I am a 60 year old male with and have not had a heart attack. Yet.
For 2 years I have suffered with atrial fibulation and have gone through
the medication treatments and now am on 200 mg cordarone for the AF. Also,
2mg Cardura, 100 mg atenolol and 5/2.5 mg coumadin. Am allergic to asprin.
Prior to this I had normal cholestrol (well very low 200's). Cordarone has been adjusted up to a 400 mg dose for a month and then back to 200 mg. Result was lowering heart rate to a low value and tired, very tired.
Since 2 years ago my cholestrol has risen to 280 and the HDL is about 30 with a weight gain of about 50 pounds. A effort has been made to reduce fat intake, which I believe has been substaintial. I walk on a treadmill about 16 miles per week, 4 sessions, at some strenuous level. I was previously a desk jockey.
My stress tests show mark improvement and now "pass" the normal levels(?). My resting heart rate is 50 and I have difficulty raising the excersice rate to above 95. If I do get to say 130 then complete exhustion for a few days and sleep maybe 16 hours per day.
I have symptoms of calf pain, exhusted, loss of sleep and on on. Each medication adjustment seems to make things worse.
Is it possible that the afib is caused not by a heart defect but for example the thyroid?
Thanks
john