Sad tonight....Atrial Fib, again!

[sleepyDB]

I discovered I had SA after two scary episodes of Atrial Fibrillation. My cardiologist asked me to have a sleep study after he ruled out lots of other possible causes. Once we learned of my severe SA, we thought it was the reason for the A-fib attacks. Well, it happened in the night again last night. My blood pressure and heart rate were so high!

Luckily, I was able to regulate myself this time (other two epidodes were regulated with medication and cardioversion), but I'm just so sad tonight! I truly thought my CPAP would keep me from having these attacks! I have been doing a good job getting used to the machine. I've had it 2 months now, I've been 100% compliant, and I was really beginning to feel great. Now I'm afraid to go to bed!!

Anyone else with A-fib??? Will my CPAP help it??

[M.D.Hosehead]

There's certainly a correlation between A Fib and SA.

But CPAP didn't stop A Fib for me.

Hope your experience is better than mine.

[Julie]

Maybe now you'll be able to go onto one of the meds for a-fib and together with Cpap, get it stopped for good. It is quite common, OSA or not, and there are different meds you can try. Good luck - BTW, can you fill out your profile (User Control Panel - top left above posts) with your equipment - full names, etc. of it all and click "text" vs 'icons'? That way when you write back we'll know what you have and can relate better to help you.

[Physician]

Most cases of atrial fibrillation are NOT due to sleep apnea. What medicinal and non-medicinal things have you done to attempt controlling it ?

What studies have been done re: you AF ?

[Mimmie]

I don't know about you but mine is controlled just by having no caffeine at all. If I slip up and do have some then I pay for it that night. I don't know why it only does it at night. I hope you find out what's causing yours.

[elena88]

a fib is when you have super fast irregular heart beats?

what is it called when you have slow irregular heart beats?

[Mimmie]

Bradycardia

[elena88]

thanks!

I guess that can be osa related too..

[HoseCrusher]

SleepyDP, you may want to review the information on magnesium.

[Julie]

Tachycardia ("tackicardia") is the name for a-fib.

[lktnky]

Mine seems to be affected by drinking lots of liquid (water is the PREFERRED liquid).
If I'm having an episode and dehydrated, drinking lots of water usually converts the rhythm in a matter of minutes.

[packitin]

Don't be sad. The medical community has made some great strides in that regard.
I've done some reading on the Radiofrequency catheter ablation, for persons who have this malady and have been completely cured from it to the point where their lives have drastically improved. For example the Universtiy Hospital in Cincinatti has done some innovative work. Go to this site and scroll down to the procedure. I don't know if you are a candidate for this or not, but its worth looking into. Just one night in the hospital, and you're on your way.

http://www.uchealth.com/cardio/atrial-f ... treatment/

Jay

[Laurie1041]

Tachycardia ("tackicardia") is the name for a-fib.

Hi Julie,

Tachycardia or what is known as sinus tachycardia is the name for a rapid heartrate >100 beats per minute that is regular in rhythm and whose electrical impulses arise from the sino-atrial node of the heart. Examples would be when we run up the stairs, get frightened, etc. It is normal.

On the other hand, atrial fibrillation is a slow or rapid, irregular rhythm that is caused by ectopic foci (electrical discharges) that are located in many areas of the upper chambers of the heart (atrium). There is a lot of discussion amongst Electrophysiologists (cardiologists who specialize in abnormal heart rhythms) that the ectopic foci originate in the pulmonary veins. Treatment for atrial fibrillation includes cardioversion, medication to control rate, anti-arrhythmic medication, radio frequency ablation performed by an electrophysiologist, and long-term anti-coagulation therapy to prevent stroke in the event a patient remains in atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is most often seen in adulthood and the risk of atrial fibrillation arise in persons 65 or greater. Some people with atrial fibrillation can become very symptomatic, increase or decrease in blood pressure, dizziness, chest pain while others do not even know that they have an irregular pulse. Atrial fibrillation can be paroxsymal (starts and stops) or can become chronic. The best chance for restoring normal sinus rhythm is to undergo a cardioversion (patient is sedated and the heart is "shocked") within 48 hours or less upon the onset of atrial fibrillation. Long term atrial fibrillation actually causes a "remodeling" of the heart's electrical conduction system which can make it difficult, if not impossible, to restore the heart to normal sinus rhythm. The only options that remain are medications to control rate, anti-arrythmics which may or may not work such as Betapace (sotalol), and of course, anti-cogulation medication to prevent stroke. The mechanism behind stroke secondary to atrial fibrillation is that the atrium or upper chambers of the heart, are less efficient at completely emptying, and standing blood in the atrium can turn into a clot which may eventually be ejected and travel to brain where it causes a stroke.

As we age, it is suggested that we take our pulse for a full minute and note whether our pulse is regular or irregular. An irregular pulse or what feels like an irregular pulse can be caused by any number of arrythmias, but should be reported to one's physician as soon as possible in order to rule out atrial fibrillation. Laurie

[tonycog]

This site explains AFib and Pulmonary Vein Ablation as a possible cure for AFib:

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/atr ... ation.aspx

I had this procedure done at the University of Kansas Hospital on September 1. I am still technically in "recovery mode" but so far, after 9 weeks have continue to be in normal sinus rhythm.

A-Fib can be a real beast to deal with. Your best bet is to really educate yourself. Instead of a general cardiologist, find an experienced EP (electrophysiologist). An EP is a cardiologist that specializes in the electrical operation of the heart. A good EP will be much better equipped to deal with AFib than a regular cardiologist. If you are near Austin, TX or in northern California, Doctor Andrea Natale is considered one of the leading EP's for AFib treatment. (He sees patients in both of those areas.) Google his name to learn more about him.

Best wishes,
Tony

[Laurie1041]

If you live in Southern California, a leading Electrophysiologist (Past President of NASPE - North American Society for Pacing and Electrophysiology), who specializes in pulmonary vein ablation in the treatment of afib, is Dr. David S. Cannom of Los Angeles Cardiology Associates. I know Dr. Cannom personally having worked along side him for many years. He is one of the great minds in the field of electrophysiology.

I realize how not only frightening, but frustrating dealing with afib can be. I wish you all the best, and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to PM me. Laurie

http://www.lacard.com/handler.cfm?event ... &cpid=3715

2006 Article which appeared in the journal "Circulation" co-chaired by Dr. David S. Cannom:
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/114/7/e257