Re: atrial fibrillation

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on November 20, 1998 at 15:59:05:

In Reply to: atrial fibrillation posted by janet m on November 19, 1998 at 22:47:23:






Was diagnosed 20 yrs with MVP and recently went on Toprol for increased symptoms.  Symptoms different than before, used to be an occasional flip flop but now more like a flutter.  Question - could it be atrial fibrillation?  Cardiologist states unable to "capture" on 24 hr holter, 30 day event monitor.  Feels like quivering in chest, get light headed.  Episodes last only 3 to 10 seconds every couple weeks or so but disrupt the entire day because afterwards I feel shaky and apprehensive all day.  Does AF have to last for extended lengths of time and be constant?  Or can it be extremely brief and wait weeks before it reappears?






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Dear Janet, thank you for your question.  I doubt that you're having AF since it was never documented on the monitors that you wore.  Most likely, you're having premature atrial and ventricular beats that are intermittently occurring to cause you to perceive palpitations.  Premature beats are commonly associated with MVP.  AF can be constant or intermittent, but AF is usually caused by factors like high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, and mitral valve regurgitation (not mitral valve prolapse alone).  Premature beats are precipitated by alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and stress so try to avoid those precipitants.  Also, a beta blocker may decrease the frequency of the premature beats so that may be an option for you.  Finally, the premature beats won't hurt you, they will just be a nuisance so it would help if you could develop a coping strategy for the premature beats.  
I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies.  Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck!
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.   The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.