Tachy-Brady Cardia

Posted By David Young on October 27, 1998 at 11:46:17:







My father, 66, has been recently diagnosed for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
and first degree AV block with pauses from 2.5 - 3.2 seconds.  However, he
has no symptoms at all.  He has been exercising regularly, jogging on the
treadmill at least 2-3 times a week, for the past thirty years.  He has
history for high blood pressure and prostate enlarge (recent PSA 2.05 ng/ml)
for the past five years and on medication {Cardura & Zestril
(switched to Cozaar one month ago)} ever since.  
Some doctors recommend him to put permanent pacemaker right away and treat
AF with Cordarone (with and without) Warfarin, others recommend him to stay
in intensive care unit to try different dosages of Cordarone and if the
heart beat become too slow they will finally put the permanent pacemaker
for him.
We are very confused and having hard time to decide the best treatment for
him.  The most important point is he feels perfectly fine at the moment and
incline to be administered with Cordarone with the hope to do away with the
pacemaker.
I would appreciate any advice and comment.