Arrthythmias

[lebs405]

my dad has suffered with fast atrial fibrilation on and off and now has started with slow atrial fibrilation which he is very symptomatic with when he gets it. what are the tests he should have and what possible medication would prevent damage to his heart?

[Jayde25]

Hi lebs
I know exactly what you mean. I 'suffer'  the same thing. Initially my heart rate would sky rocket up to 200 bpm, and be very erratic. I suffered that for about six years, on and off usually 2-3 times a month, lasting between 2-8 hours. Just recently I also get extremely slow rates, down to 38bpm, which is very exhausting. I take Flecainide,and Asprin,can't take the rat poison Warfrin as it kills my stomach. I can understand how your father feels as it is very disconcerting and there really isn't much doctors can do about it as AFIB is still a big mystery to most of the medical profession, and the treatments are all a bit hit and miss. I used to freak out every time I got an attack and run off to emergency, but now I can't stand the thought of going to hospital again as it's the same old. I'd rather wait it out at home. A couple of times I've had to call the ambulance, but mostly lay down flat on my back, put on some good music with a good beat, and try and concentrate on deep breathing. I've also found if you lay your hand on your chest and gently tap a 'lub-dub' or heart rate rhythm it helps. Keep calm and be focused. Good luck to your dad.

[Jerry_NJ]

I don't know what "fast" and "slow" AFib are, were these diagnosed by a medical doctor?

Symptoms aside, the key goals of controlling, not curing, AFig are heart rate control and blood clot prevention.  Beta Blockers and Calcium Channel Blockers are used for rate control, and coumadin/warfarin and aspirin are used for the latter.  This may prevent AFib in some, but they do not for me.  My AFib symptoms are not debilitating and so that is all I am now doing after evaluations by both a cardiologist and an EP specialist.  

Some (and me in the past) get long term relief from AFib (a year or more) electrocardioversion and from stronger medications than BB/CCB.  Others undergo ablation surgery and are cured, but not 100% of the time.