[Mike S]

Spent a few days in the hospital last week. Thought I was having a heart atack. Said I had atrial fibrillation. Scariest thing I went threw. Thought I was going to die when I got to the hospital. They kept me for 3 days. Lucky for my my heart straighted out on medication, If not they where going to put the padles to my chest to get my heart back in rythem. They have my on rythmol. Which is giving my bad side effects. Also on blood thinners. Heart problems at 49, what the hell.

Anybody else have this?

[Pontiac Slim]

happens to me a few times...they freak out, ER, inpatient stay for a day or two etc.. Best to stay on top of it as you never know. In my case it's not a major deal. Good luck

[65WJ]

my dad is an A fib patient. Takes cumiden and drinks like a siv.
He had the padels to shock him back to rythem. He will be 75 next month. Still going like the energizier bunny. He does have his blood tested every month.

patrick

[arbys]

Yes, at age 35 I had a rapid heartbeat, about 300+ beats per minute and I went to the Dr's office and got a carotid massage, walked out of the office 40 minutes later. I went to the heart specialist and he said that I had atrial fibrillation. 15 years later I had a heart attack at age 49. I'm 65 now and all is well after a stint last year. Change your diet, get exercise and take your meds. That's all you can do.

[Mike S]

I had it once before 14 years ago. nowhere near like this last one. My dad has it also they had to shock him earlier this year to get his heart back in rythem, he is 71. He is only on blood thiners.
Thinking about giving up racing and stick with 12 sec street cars.

[arbys]

Are there physical requirements to race? A friend told me he couldn't race anymore because of his heart so he built the cars and someone else race them.

[60man]

Yep.....Was diagnosed with A-fib about 15 years ago, while on operating table for shoulder .. It's under control now and no cumidin !! I won't take the stuff...They want me to but not for the A-fib..
I have a pacemaker and had a AV ablation procedure (piece of cake) ...Don't have any A-fib related problems now. They say I still have some "attacks" but I don't have any side effects...pacemaker takes care of it.
My pacemaker is also a "data logger" and they can download reports ..
I'm 71 & still racing and not about to quit or slow down...what you talking about..

I didn't survive Cancer to let A-fib slow me down ...

[arbys]

You're a fighter. Keep it up.

[60man]

Originally Posted by arbys

You're a fighter. Keep it up.

....and a little hard headed I'm told..
Thanks

[Jack Peters]

A fib as a result of a valve repair 5 yrs ago. Have both a defibrilator and pacemaker (that was a mistake with the pacemaker as I didn't need it) It has gone off twice. There is no doubt about it when it goes on. The pacemaker/defibrilator was put in a year after heart surgery. No heart attack or stroke or anything. Valve caused me to get really sick. Had the valve problem since a child. Called it a 'heart murmer' then.

Take meds for it also. Coreg or the generic brand. Heart was over 220 twice. Once just before the pacemaker/defibrilator implant and once since. Set to go off if sustained over 220. It is a hassle at the airport as I have to be patted down every time and I travel over 50K by air per year.

[60man]

Originally Posted by Jack Peters

A fib as a result of a valve repair 5 yrs ago. Have both a defibrilator and pacemaker (that was a mistake with the pacemaker as I didn't need it) It has gone off twice. There is no doubt about it when it goes on. The pacemaker/defibrilator was put in a year after heart surgery. No heart attack or stroke or anything. Valve caused me to get really sick. Had the valve problem since a child. Called it a 'heart murmer' then.

Take meds for it also. Coreg or the generic brand. Heart was over 220 twice. Once just before the pacemaker/defibrilator implant and once since. Set to go off if sustained over 220. It is a hassle at the airport as I have to be patted down every time and I travel over 50K by air per year.

Mine is pacemaker ONLY...no defib..told a defib wasn't necessary for just afib..I don't notice a thing when pacemaker regulates heart..it also keeps heart from beating to slow. I have had a slower than normal heart beat since birth I guess. Doc said it was my "normal"..? Doc is cool...he's a gear head.
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't a dfibulator used to jump start heart when it beats way to slow or stops? My pacemaker is like a rev limiter I'm told. Slows & regulates beats.

Hope your doing OK now Jack...

[grandville455]

My Gf's Mom just went thru this two yrs ago,Evidently it had been going on for a few yrs and didn't even know it.She ended up having some kind of a procedure done where they freeze some of the electrical paths so it stays on the right track. It took awhile after the surgery and the meds ,but she has only slipped back once now

[fasteddy]

Wife has it. I have taken her to the ER at least 15 times. I know the drill-undress, hook up the wires take blood, take chest x-ray, hang the IV and wait and wait and wait. 4-6 hours later, go home. Thank God there is a TV in every ER bay. The ablation is the next step.

[Jack Peters]

60man,
They made a mistake with the pacemaker. I do need the defibrilator as my heart races out of control sometimes. Only twice in 4+ years. It is the same as the paddles. Not pleasant at all. Mine is from the valve work. Or that is what they told me.

I am doing well and just went to cardiologist this week and he says it is strong and the valve is not leaking. Going in for a sonogram and have the machine looked at. It is interesting that I can call them with my cell phone and they can monitor it, print off the report and adjust it.

When I had the valve work done they discovered 2 blocked arteries so had to do the open heart thing rather than microscopic surgery. No heart attack, stroke or any other problems. Just the afib problem.

All is good.

[carcrazy]

My ex girlfriend was a world class athlete and got it a few years ago when she was in her late 50's. She was always very careful with her diet but appears to have been a genetic problem. She had the cardiac ablation and hasn't had an issue since. She does take Pradaxa.

[60man]

Originally Posted by Jack Peters

60man,
They made a mistake with the pacemaker. I do need the defibrilator as my heart races out of control sometimes. Only twice in 4+ years. It is the same as the paddles. Not pleasant at all. Mine is from the valve work. Or that is what they told me.

I am doing well and just went to cardiologist this week and he says it is strong and the valve is not leaking. Going in for a sonogram and have the machine looked at. It is interesting that I can call them with my cell phone and they can monitor it, print off the report and adjust it.

When I had the valve work done they discovered 2 blocked arteries so had to do the open heart thing rather than microscopic surgery. No heart attack, stroke or any other problems. Just the afib problem.

All is good.

Do you have Ventricular fib as well ??? I was told I would have needed a defibulator if I had V-fib...only need pacemaker for A-fib. I was also told A-fib is when heart races at a high rate and the pacemaker will slow it back down and regulate the at rest beats..
Could be your valve problems dictate the defibulator..??
Only thing that matters is your doing OK..