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Avatar universal

Afib or not?

Sorry. Posted in heart disease and then relized it should probably be here instead.
A year and a half ago I went to see my family doctor for chest pains, flutter feeling in chest, dizzyness and shortness of breath. Doctor did EKG and it stated bradycardia (46 bpm) he recommended I see cardiologist. When I went to the cardio appointment I was not having any symptoms and I felt abit blown off by the doctor. He told me if there was anything it wasn't serious.
Over the last year and half symptoms have only gotten worse. Episodes last longer and are more fequent. A couple of weeks ago I was having symptoms that were on and off (but more on than off) over a 3 day period. On day 3 I had all symptoms that were constant with added arm pain. I thought that I was having a heart attack. I called doctor and he said get here right away. Within a minute of walking in I was hooked up to EKG again. The EKG computer diagnosed me with Afib.
Doc says that since this has been going on for over a year he feels I will be fine to go home and wait the two days to see cardiologist as long as I take it easy.
When I get to cardiologist things and calmed down and I'm not having the same symptoms as at the doctor he states that he saw a few abnormalities but nothing significant and when he raised my heart rate on treadmill it straightened out so I "shouldn't worry".
I said well that makes me feel better but what about the pain and other symptoms. He said he didn't know. Does anyone have anything that you can tell me about this, should I try to just ignore this or get a second opinion? What do I do? I'm so scared that one of these times I will really be in need of a doctor and I won't go due to being told it's nothing.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for the replies.
Cardiologist just called and is ordering a 30 day monitor. my echo was normal.
I will do this and see what comes of it.
I'm not sure if it is related or not but last night on top of my usual flutter, chest pain, shortness of breath and such. I felt as if I had just gotten off of a carnival ride. I had the sensation that I had been spinning, sick to my stomach, headache, and a pounding in my head not like a headache pound but more like I had just run a marathon and stopped to rest.
Helpful - 0
1569985 tn?1328247482
Afib comes and goes (paroxamal), comes often (persistent), doesn't go away (permanent).  This is usually a progression.  My Afib presents with a rapid ventricular response, so there is no doubt when it happens.  Afib symptoms can be shortness of breath, dizziness, rapid heart rate, need to urinate, and sometimes panic.  

I suggest you get another opinion.  The symptoms you describe are serious and life altering and you deserve to be treated for them.  One way to catch the symptoms is to wear a 30 day event monitor.  You call in your symptoms each night and if they are serious, they are relayed to your doctor.  Seems like they'd want a stress test, an echocardiagram, cardiac CT scan -- there are many tests that can rule out heart disease.  Trust your intuition.  My doctor once told me, "If I do not hear back from you, I will assume everything is okay.  It is your job to let me know if it isn't."  That said, if this doctor does not take you seriously or investigate more fully, I think a 2nd opinion is in order sooner rather than later.
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612551 tn?1450022175
COMMUNITY LEADER
I think it would be a good precaution for you to start taking an aspirin each day, take it with a meal to avoid stomach upset.  If you have problems with aspirin then I guess you can't take it.  Don't take a Tylonel as a substitute, aspirin is what is needed when it comes to adding protection to the heart.  Aspirin is commonly used in patients suffering from AFig who have no other clot risk factors, e.g., age, over 60.  Aspirin will lower the risk of clot formation.
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1807132 tn?1318743597
I have discovered that cardiologists are not as concerned about a lot of heart issues that we have to live with.  The bottom line, if your life is not in jeopardy there isn't much they can do to fix us.  If, however, your symptoms are getting worse then you should go back to your cardilogist and let them know.  Sometimes it takes a few times to get the doctor to take action.  I don't think it's that they don't care but that they need something to work with.  Ask why you are having pain and what you can do to alleviate it. If you have no luck with your current Cardilogist then definitely go for a second opinion. Good luck and let us know how it is going.
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Avatar universal
I'm 32 and scared as well but mostly just frustrated. I know in my heart (no pun intended) that something is not right. I'm having chest pains right now and my doctor has 2 abnormal EKG's yet the cardiologist doesn't seem to think that it is a problem. No one wants to live in pain.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Id try and get a second opinion as this is always good to put ur mind at rest.  

I have only had Afib the last 3 months. im 34 and I feel scared. I am still waiting for my tests in hospital in the next month.  

I will try and get as many opinions as possible.
Helpful - 0
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