afib

[goatrat]

my wife was diagnosed with afib, i guess persistent is the term. she is responding well to properly adjusted dose metoprolol. bp not an issue. she has a mechanical aortic valve. we think this may have caused a dilation of left  atrium and maybe set off afib. she is 70, but is one of u.s.a. top masters track and field athletes. no diabetes or weight problems, and very good diet. cardioversion (electric) is probably an option. i have read studies that indicate even with a somewhat dilated atrium it should still probably work. we are aware that properly used acupuncture has an equal success rate compared to amiodarone in preventing relapse . plus it is not toxic. the study is solid. i will gladly give refs. to anyone interested. there may, it would appear, be a chance that acupuncture alone (worsley 5 point) could help her heal. if anyone has any info on this or anything germaine to subject we would be very glad to hear from them. we are finding that western medicine sort of has a hammer and that she is, of course, the nail. drugs, electric shock may "work", but we would rather have real healing.  

[MaryLL]

I started acupuncture in October 2011 after finding it successful with several disorders: completely cured my asthma after 2 treatments 40 years ago, and helped my TMJ 20 years ago. I had 3 acupuncture sessions and each time, I had a-fib episodes within a few days after. Previous to this, I had only had a-fib episodes every few months. After the 2 acupuncture treatments, my a-fib became frequent and I have had 2 ablations this year (the 2nd seems to be working)!
I was talking to the acupuncturist and he said that sometimes the acupuncture and the electrical impulses get on a negative tract with each other.
I was surprised because acupuncture has been effective for my other issues but I'm not chancing it again!

[Jerry_NJ]

I suffer from permanent AFib since 2007, my symptoms are not very troubling given I gave up serious physical exercise (running).  I am 73 and tall.  These two factors put me in the high risk category for AFib, I also have an enlarged left atrium which has been stabilized with a mitral valve repair in 2007 (I had a mini-maze procedure done at the repair time, that didn't stop AFib).  My doctors have said: "live with it"  I take metoprolol to lower my HR, and warfarin to reduce clot formation. Or they may be saying the only thing that would stop my AFib is a heart transplant. Use of ablation or high power drugs are not supported by the doctors I have been examined by.  They believe my heart will likely stay in AFib.

I have read that extreme athletes are also at higher risk of developing AFib, maybe too much of a good thing problem.  

Acupuncture, hum, do you think that might help a hard core case like mine?  Does Medicare cover acupuncture (I ask assuming you are USA - the disclosed ages tell me you too are Medicare covered too).