I don't feel this is right

[Kathysabbie]

Hi I am a 54 year old female don't take real good care of myself am 30lbs. over weight, smoke and drink about 3 pops a day. Ok about 6 years ago I was told I have A-Fib. I think I had it and didn't realy know for close to 20 years. Anyway The Docs. here have me on (Warfarin 2.5mg, Atenolol 50 mg.Lisinop/HCTZ 10-12.5 TAB Lovastatin 20mg and if my heart rate is over 60 when I wake up I am to take Diltiaz ER (CD) 180/24 cap.) Now the Quistion my A-Fib has been getting worst now my heart can be out for 4 or 5 days but for the last 2 years or so there are times I get so lite headed and it's like black comes in around my eyes and I will hit the ground. It feels so bad and my Doc says its ok it happens with A-Fib. I started to try and take my B/P when I feel this way and it drops way low when I feel this way. Can I go from very high B/P and high heart rate sometimes 190 to my B/P dropping to 60/40 and a heart rate down to 70 and then shoot back up to 150 all with in a min. Please tell me if his is normal. I'm starting to think I need to find another Doc.

[Kathysabbie]

Thank you for your reply. I'v been to a bunch of doctors, and of right now this one is (you know) scary. I'm scared to say anything, cause it might jenx this. But I have found a teaching hospital that (so far) thinks I'm a good canadent for some new way to fix A-fib. I'v talked to 3 people from there, and a Doctor (they say) will call me some time this Monday. I will let you know what they say.

[MichelleP_3811]

In general a fast beat and faintness isn't a life threatening issue however actually passing out can be a danger especially if you are driving.  Do you actually fully pass out?  I had avnrt and my heart beat would get up to 230.  I would feel faint and as though I would black out but I never actually blacked out so if you are I would definitely question the doctor about this or indeed find a new doctor who will take it seriously.  That said, it sounds like you may be bouncing in and out of afib daily now and/or your meds are not totally controlling a permanent afib situation (not sure what you have paroxysmal or permanent).  You can go back to your doctor and try and get your meds adjusted to see if that would help but I wonder if you have consulted with an EP cardiologist about an ablation?  Has anyone mentioned to you that you would or would not make a good candidate for the procedure?  It is a bit more complicated than fixing my avnrt was and there is a higher incidence of reoccurance and it is super expensive in the US to do but if it is an option it might help cure you of the episodes though not everyone is a candidate depending on where your afib is.  

This all said, it really would do you good to quit smoking.  From what I understand smoking does something to the blood vessels and could be what is helping to contribute to your afib episodes.  I don't know that quitting at this point would definitely stop them but it would definitely give any heart issues you have a better chance of clearing up.  But I do know how hard it can be to quit.  I smoked for 25 years and thought I would never be able to give it up.  The smoking was really making my heart troubles really bothersome to the point that I knew I had to do something or I was going to die.  I don't know that I would have died but it sure felt that way.  I tried all sorts of things to quit and finally found that Chantrix did the trick.  There is some caution when taking that med if you are depressed but if you do not have any depression I might suggest giving it a try.  I was a die hard smoker actually loved it and was super surprised the Chantrix worked.  I have been smoke free for 4 years now and just love being free from the control it had over me.  Well anyways I am hear if you want to talk about it more.  Take care and feel better soon.  Keep us posted on how you are doing.