A FIB

Hello Everyone,

I just got back from the doctor on a follow up after having an abnormal ekg.  The doc told me I have a-fib.  I am trying to find out all I can about it.  He put me on some meds.  I HATE TAKING MEDICATION.  It is called toprol xl.  I have low blood pressure.  I just read, this pill lowers your blood pressure.  Am I gonna be okay.  I know the doctor said I would, but I also suffer from anxiety so that is kicking in really good right about now.  I just was wanting to hear from other people who have this and who are taking the medicine.  I am really scared.

Thank You and God Bless,

Angela

Sorry South 74 that you have A Fib. I have had 4 occurances in about 5 years (I can really tell when I have it). It is very unsettling and I know it's hard to deal with. The good news is that it is basically non life threatening. The biggest danger is the fact that blood can pool in the Atrium while you're in A Fib (the top chamber of the heart) and can then clot. Since this usually happens in the left Atrium (the side that pumps your oxygenated blood to the rest of your body, including the brain) you can get a stroke, which can be fatal! Most people that are having A Fib for more than 24-48 hours without naturally converting back to a normal rhythm are put on a blood thinner (usually coumadin/warfarin or at least an adult aspirin) to prevent clots.

There are two basic types of medication for trying to control/minimize the A Fib. One slows the rate down in hopes of allowing the heart to convert back to normal rhythm. The other is a rhythm control med, like Rythmol (that's what seems to work for me) which doesn't drop your blood pressure, as far as I know. I was on metoprolol initially (it lowers the rate), but it didn't work as well for preventing the A Fib or getting me out of it once I was in it. The big point here is that there are quite a few meds to try that shouldn't necessarily lower your blood pressure. A good cardiologist should be able to work with you to find the one that is best in your case! I assume the Dr you saw is a cardiologist. If not, I wouldn't mess with anything but a good cardiologist! Once you have one, you can discuss the various meds that might work. Also, I assume you were put on a blood thinner if you didn't convert back out of A Fib within a day or two. That is critical!

Finally, I've found that excessive alcohol consumption (never happened when I was younger), too much caffeine and getting dehydrated can make me go into A Fib. Good luck to you. There is always a procedure called ablation (which does not involve open heart surgery) which is quite effective in stopping A Fib on a permanent basis, but that is only if you are having it very often, you do get really low blood pressure and faint a lot, or other complications!

Good luck tonight on the meds. Is your Dr. a cardiologist? Do you have a good blood pressure monitoring machine? If not, you can get them at most drug stores......it would be a good investment! Are you still in A Fib, or is it hard to tell? I have no doubts when I'm experiencing it......it's very uncomfortable. Again, if you stay in A Fib for more than 24-48 hours, you should get on a blood thinner (Coumadin) or at least an adult aspirin per day (should consult with your Dr. for this!!!!!). Hope you get some relief soon! Some people stay in A Fib for most of their lives. I can't imagine this! Keep the faith!

It's sometimes hard to tell, once you've been diagnosed with A Fib, when you're actually in it again or not. When I have been in it, there was no question. But once you know you have it, every little flutter or bump makes you really nervous (if you're like me). Then your mind really starts working on you, and you probably keep yourself in it longer than you normally would be. But you should stay on the med. Discuss your feelings with the Dr. Has he put you on as aspirin/day? A Fib is, once again, not by itself that dangerous. It's just really uncomfortable, and if you are actually in it a lot, your chances for a stroke goes way up!
Good Luck Angela!

I have been on toprol xl for a number of years before A FIB developed. I take it a bedtime as it makes me sleepy, the larger dose, and the smaller dose in the morning. I don't get sleepy on the smaller dose any more. It has decreased my episodes which were numerous daily - maybe it's down to five or six a day.

My mother and both grandmothers had strokes from this. I don't want one! My blood pressure is low and he tries to keep my heart rate in the 50's to 60's. Sometimes I have a feeling I'm going to faint so I get down fast. It beats the flip-flops as I call them.

Try to relax and take your meds. Give it an attempt. I understand how you feel as I am allergic to many medicines. The allergies show up shortly so then I stop. The docs are getting smarter and are more open to alternatives where I am concerned.

"to accept your lot in life is a gift from God"

Hi

I had A-fib in 1994 and had the ablation to fix it.

I had A-fib again in 2008 and also ablation fixed it.

So far so good.....but just got 3 stents due to blockages.

Harry