Re: atrial fibrillation

Posted By CCF Cardio MD-SGM on May 27, 1998 at 09:07:44:

In Reply to: atrial fibrillation posted by henry on May 20, 1998 at 17:41:21:






I am a healthy 73 yr old male.  I feel completely well.  Today I went to the cardiologist for a routine cheeckup and was told that I am in atrial fibrillation with rate of 120.  The M.D. put me on Coumadin and Lanoxin immediately and I am scheduled for a cardiac ultrasound tomorrow.  In the mean time, I am scared that I will have a stroke any minute.  What should I be looking for and should I remain calm with no exercise or activity.  Pleassse respond ASAP, I am a wreck!  Also the doctor mentioned cardioversion if these medications fail._



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Dear Henry,
Atrial fibrillation is a disorder of the heart's rhythm that increases in prevalence as individuals age.  It is a serious condition which increase the risk of stroke to approximately five percent of patients  per year.  I want to reassure you that although treatment is quite important,  your risk of actually suffering a stroke in the ensuing days or weeks is very low (less than 1 in five hundred).  
Therapy with blood thinners and cardioversion to a normal rhythm (using either medicines or electrical shock under anaesthesia) will reduce this risk significantly.  
I think you're doing the right things.  Try not to worry too much.  Information provided in the Heart Forum is for general purposes.  Specific diagnoses and therapies can only be provided by your physician.