echo.and stress test for arrythmia

[mido55]

Please excuse my ignorance.Can someone with Icd (had only one episode in 2004) and afib problems ,normal results for echo.and nuclear stress test be considered as not having heart failure? I thought once you have those problems it is automatically considered a heart failure.

[MichelleP_3811]

Heart failure essentially means your heart is worn out and struggles to pump strong enough.  This generally leads to water retention so difficulties breathing and swelling in the feet are classic signs.  Afib and I believe you have VTach also can be caused by some sort of heart disease.  A heart attack is essentially when a part of the heart muscle dies.  This can create a conduction block or issue where the heart's electrical signal doesn't travel properly and one gets the rapid beats in response.  These conditions however can occur in a healthy heart I think especially afib.  The dizziness fatigue and shortness of breath you are experiencing likely arise from simply being in afib.  When our hearts beat too fast the blood doesn't get pumped efficiently hence the lungs and brain are not getting enough oxygen (low bp).  These symptoms are more disconcerting than dangerous persay unless you really do pass out.  Most don't but the fact that you have an ICD should protect you from this.  That said, Afib overtime, especially if you have frequent episodes or if you are in permanent afib can lead to congestive heart failure.  I don't think having afib means you are doomed to CHF but the odds are higher that you will develop it so having the ablation for the afib may help you avoid getting CHF.  It is a big decision though, ablations for afib are a bit trickier than ones for a run of the mill svt because they involve a vein as opposed to just the muscle in the wall of the heart.  I believe the odds of short term cure are around 80%.  I am not sure what the odds are for long term cure but I do know the odds of reoccurrance are higher than with the type of svt I had avnrt but it may be worth a try.  For some it is a godsend and they get their lives back for others it just comes back.  Well best of luck with whatever you decided to do.

[mido55]

You did answer my question perfectly.thanks.to control my afib,I was put on tikosyn.after every dose ,I suffer from dizziness,fatigueand short of breath for 3 hrs.my pharmacist told me it is one of the most powerful medication.I hat it.Ablation is looking appealing.  Thanks again.

[Jerry_NJ]

I don't know the answer, maybe don't even understand your question, but I'll offer the following.

I suffer from permanent AFib, I have undergone heart surgery to repair a mitral valve.  I believer I'd pass a (nuclear) stress test (no blockage to heart muscles) and have a normal echocardiogram, albeit it the valve repair and enlarged left atrium would be noted (I get one of these every 3 years).  I am considered to have heart disease but I have never been told I have ever had a "heart failure".