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Post by groze5858 on Feb 16, 2017 19:43:34 GMT -5
Anyone here that had chronic afib that was converted on its own without medical procedures just medication? How can you find out if your afib converted on its own? What type of test(s) needs to done? Thank you.
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Post by gerald on Feb 16, 2017 23:58:26 GMT -5
Not sure what you mean by converted.
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Post by groze5858 on Feb 17, 2017 12:51:41 GMT -5
Not sure what you mean by converted. No longer having afib because the medication stopped it. I want to ask my Cardiologist to have me do that test to see if I still have afib. I don't think I have it anymore. I might be able to stop one of my medications if that is the case. |
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Post by gerald on Feb 17, 2017 14:10:18 GMT -5
Now I understand. I had Afib that showed up when I started Symbicort. It would should up randomly and reasonably often.
It has slowly disappeared over a 3-4 year period, getting longer and longer between incidents. It now once a month?
Last 24 hour holter monitor test I did (10 months ago), showed only one Afib incidence of 7 beats.
However, I was not taking anything for the Afib.
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Post by jarca on Feb 19, 2017 16:12:24 GMT -5
It has been a few years since i was having bad arrhythmia/afib attacks. I never took any medication for them, however, it was around that time that my BP started going extremely high (i had never had a BP problem in my life). I had to go on a high blood pressure medication & because of my copd & other conditions there was only 1 type of BP med that my dr wanted me to take. I ended up on maximum dose of it before my BP came down to "normal" levels. Since getting my BP has been under control I haven't experienced that level of afib attacks any more. (even when my BP rises due to pain or when i get a lung infection & my heart has to work harder). You state that you haven't had Afib since starting medication so it seems the medication is probably what is controlling it. My suggestion would be to talk to your Dr before stopping any medication. He may want to cut it down slowly to see how you are doing on it. As gerald mentioned you may need to wear a "Holter Monitor" for a few days so your dr can monitor your heart when you do cut down or end your medication. My pulm usually has me do a ECG every year or two & that can diagnose many problems associated with the heart. I found this easy to read link about "How Afib" can be diagnosed & it includes the tests above & others like a stress test & so on. You may want to read this and then talk to your Dr about what is the best route for you; www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/af/diagnosis |
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Post by groze5858 on Feb 27, 2017 15:55:07 GMT -5
It has been a few years since i was having bad arrhythmia/afib attacks. I never took any medication for them, however, it was around that time that my BP started going extremely high (i had never had a BP problem in my life). I had to go on a high blood pressure medication & because of my copd & other conditions there was only 1 type of BP med that my dr wanted me to take. I ended up on maximum dose of it before my BP came down to "normal" levels. Since getting my BP has been under control I haven't experienced that level of afib attacks any more. (even when my BP rises due to pain or when i get a lung infection & my heart has to work harder). May I ask what type of Blood Pressure Medications you are taking? I am taking pradaxa (Long story but its working). metoprolol tartrate. I have a couple of issues with my Cardiologist he is not listening to me or to the Primary care provider. First, I am the only driver in the family. Now, I am a caregiver for my mother (Not a full). I need to be around the house more and yes, I am doing a lot more stuff. When I take over 200 metoprolol my reaction is I get very cold and my pulse rate goes very low under 50. My primary care told me to reduce it, so I did. The Cardiologist raised it right back up. However, I am sticking with the primary care recommendation. My cardiologist thinks going over 99 is chronic afib, My primary care said don't worry unless it goes over 135 a lot.Which it never has. When I take 100 (50 twice a day) my pulse does get a little high on occasion but mostly stays in 60-99 range. |
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Post by gerald on Feb 27, 2017 16:47:43 GMT -5
I am glad to see I am not the only person struggling to get a Cardiologist to understand.
The beta-blockers really bother the COPD, plugs up my lungs.
My Pulse rate was around 110, taking some Bisoprolol (about 1/4 what the cardioloist wants)
and that brought the pulse down to min 80's.
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Post by jarca on Feb 28, 2017 14:49:59 GMT -5
I take Losartan (100mg). my pcp started with the lowest dose & worked up slowly until we found the amount that worked for me.
I was told that with COPD beta blockers interfere with our inhalers & can cause bronchiospasms.
Ace inhibitors & calcium channel blockers are okay to take. my mom took an ace inhibitor and had a horrible dry cough, so i wasn't thrilled to think of taking that. However, at the time I had to start, my PCP suggested the losartan & said it didn't have the cough so i tried it.
I must say i got a bit frustrated when i kept having to increase dose & was afraid it wasn't going to work for me, but it finally did.
I have been happy with the losartan & was was pleased when I read that it may help lungs not progress as fast.
BTW; i REALLY didn't want to start a BP med because I had never had a problem & didn't want to take yet another med, but it has worked wonderfully for me.
I tried taking a "diuretic" as it has the least side effects, but ended up in the ER severely dehydrated (i rarely have edema)
What works for me, may not be the best choice for you, so I suggest you talk to your dr about it.
I researched all the BP meds & how they would work with my other medications & medical conditions & then i talked to my PCP.
good luck to you
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