atrial fibulation

I am 50 years old, about 50 lbs. over weight and just told i have afib. i was told i have a slow rhythm which the doctor said was good. All the results of my test have been good. I am wondering what the slow rate means because all the case I've read about deal with a fast rhythm. My heart also stops at night when i sleep for 2.5 seconds at a time and my rhythm is 35 when i sleep. Does this sound to you like an afib. I will be on coumadin for another 3 to 44 weeks and then I will be shocked back into rhythm. I live in a very rural area and I am Thinking I need A second opinion . Thank you for any info.   Steve

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear Steve,
There are two rates in atrial fibrillation: the atrial rate and the ventricular rate.  The atrial rate in afib is very fast (usually >300 beats/min).  The ventricular rate will vary depending on the function of the AV node (the junction between the atrium and ventricles). Only a certain number of atrial signals will be conducted by the AV node to the ventricles.   In a normal AV node the ventricular rate will usually be between 150 to 200 beats per minute. However, if the AV node has some degeneration (normal in older individuals) then the rate can be much slower.  The pauses and slow rhythm you have at night are also typical and result from conversion to sinus rhythm for brief periods.   Another name for this syndrome is "tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome" refering to the slow and fast heart beats.  Usually this can be controlled with medications.  
If medications fail other options include a pacemaker and AV node ablation or atrial fibrillation ablation.  If you are in the Cleveland area and would like a second opinion we would be happy to see you here.  Simply call the number below and make an appointment with 'electrophysiology'.

[papaley]

Hi Steve,
I read your post after mine today.  What a coincidence....I have a very slow rate also as well as low BP and so tired I cannot do anything. My doctor thinks it is a-fib as well.  Do you have any heart disease that causes your a-fib. I have mitral stenosis and an enlarged heart that damages the electrical system and eventually leads to a-fib.  Did you realize yourself that you were in a-fib? Can you feel it? The only way they can tell for sure if you are in a-fib is with an EKG, so if you had one then they don't don't argue with those if they show a-fib.........
Hope you are feeling better soon.

[jan]

While I was in the hosp. a few mos. ago, I heard them call in that I was in afib and said my rate was 87. I thought that was strange. All I felt was PVC like palps. I won't know more until I see cardio, if I find out anything at all. I don't have heart disease just mvp w/mr and tr (all mild), inapprop. sinus tachy and neurocardigenic sync., they do think I may have another arrhythmia or mechanism for syncope???

[J. W.]

Steve,

Place your trust in your doctor. Atrial fibrillation is not to hard to diagnose. However their is also Atrial Flutter and Impure Flutter that are often just referred to as Atrial fib.. I am sure the cardioversion will work if iAF is new to you. If not well AF was meant for you. However not to many people want to stay on coumadin when they find out it is low dosage rat poisening. Always get your scheduled blod work done.

[Brian688]

A related discussion, New Atrial Fib Diagnosis was started.