slow heart rate

[edward dorris]

I am a 50 year old male, non smoker, occassional wine drinker only, 30 year running vegetarian who had a heart attack 4 weeks ago.  My small artery was destroyed and about one third of my heart was destroyed by the attack or was found to be destroyed earlier by unknown cardiomyopothy.  Doctors have now put forth their third theory about what happened and they have settled on a clot rather than any blockage-- as my other arteries seem to be "pristine".  My heart rate has ranged from 40-60 over the past twenty years of EKG',s, all done for life insurance tests, as I had no prior symtpoms or illness.  At the hospital and ever since I have been in A Fib, with a 40-60 average heart rate.  Doctors attempted to electroconvert my A Fib but failed after two attempts.  It seems that I cannot find information and journal articles that might suggest treatment, cause, prognosis etc, and my Doctor does not seem to have a treatment plan other than repeated attempts to convert my A Fib .  Three weeks after the attack I ran on the treadmill at 6.5mph and raised my heart rate to 180, with a very quick recovery time and no ill effects.  I feel fine.

     Can you suggest sources where I can find literature or other information on this type of situation as I'm stumped.  ED

[CCF CARDIO MD - CRC]

A general cardiology textbook such as The Textbook of cardiovascular diseases by Topol should have answers to all your questions.