Atrial Fibrulation/ Atrial Flutter and a 36 year old???

[bubbles1861]

I am 36 and recently diagnosed with atrial fibrulation/atrial flutter.  I want to get pregnant within the next year however, my cardiologist hasn't been able to control the arrithmia.  I have taken altenolol, metropolol and sotalol, the worst!!!!  What risks are involved with pregancy?  Everything I google regarding this condition the patients are 60 and over.

[bubbles1861]

I am taking low dose aspirin right now.  I have an appointment to see a high risk pregnancy OB on Monday.  My cardiologist doesn't seem to know what to do.  Ablation was suggested but she said the decision is ultimately mine which is not very convincing.  

[bubbles1861]

Thanks!!!  

Because I am 36 and still would like to become pregnant again the Dr's seem to be a bit indecisive about treatment.  After researching ablation my main concern is that they do not know what the possible side effects are in 10-20 years.  I am going to try acupuncture with my meds and see if that helps as well.  I have good and bad days so we will see how things go.  

[debola53]

I have afib-aflutter and just had a pacemaker/icd installed to pace the afib. It is working well. I am not sure about taking the meds when you are pregnant. I find that hormonal changes really affect me negatively, but you should talk to your doctor. Ablation may be the best bet, so you can get off meds.I would imagine pregnancy could make things worse until you are better controlled. I wish you lots of luck-Debi

[Lorne675]

I developed Afib when I was 48. I progressed to the point where I was having 3-5 episodes a day that lasted from a few minutes to a few hours. I always converted back naturally. Three weeks ago i had a radio frequency ablation for it. They found that mine were all originating from my pulmonary veins, particularly my inferior pulmonary vein. They burnt rings of tissue around  the spots where they entered my left atrium. This might be a good possibility for you too and is certainly one you should inquire about.

You will see lots of posts on ablation in this forum. The general consensus is they are not usually a big deal. There is some risk to the procedure of course, the biggest risk being the possibility of having a stroke. I believe that the risk was very low, about 1% but then some people die getting wisdom teeth removed too.

The procedure was quite an easy one to go through, In my case they went in through my left femoral vein. I was kept   in that region where you were sometimes awake and sometimes asleep for the whole five hour procedure.

Afterwards my chest hurt  whenever  I changed position for a day or so. I had a nasty bruise in my groin where the catheter was installed. A week afterwards  I had a few outbreaks of svt, including one afib episode. I was told this is normal and I could expect them for a week or two and perhaps a few months afterwards while my heart was healing. For the past week I've had no problems at all. I won't know for sure whether it has cured it for a few months but the signs look very promising.

I have to stay on coumodin for three months to lower the risk of stroke.

[sueinns]

While atrial fibrillation tends to be a condition that affects older folks, it can certainly occur in younger people as well.  My friend was in his 30's when he was diagnosed.   I don't know what the risks would be regarding pregnancy.  Are you on blood thinners?  I would think this could cause potential problems although you really need to talk with your doctor regarding the risks.