Paroxysmal Atrial Fib....Can you tell me more about it?

Specialties Cardiac

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

I was recently diagnosed with the above condition. I had a similar episode about 6 years ago, was placed on Inderal at that time, and I cardioverted back without further incident....until about 1.5 weeks ago. Had a repeat episode, was placed on Atenolol 25mg po daily for about 6 days, which did not help. I've recently been put on Toprol XL 25mg po daily which seems to work better...knock on wood. Anyway, can anyone tell me what this condition is, what does it signify, what are the risks, outcomes, treatment, etc? Any info would help. Oh, I'm 44 years old and a smoker (most of my life...I know, bad dog, bad). Thanks bunches.

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I'll send a PM.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Do you have any underlying heart probs? If not, with an episode every six years, there's no way I'd stay on the meds.

Suggest asking your doc about taking a med only when, and if, you have an episode.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
Do you have any underlying heart probs? If not, with an episode every six years, there's no way I'd stay on the meds.

Suggest asking your doc about taking a med only when, and if, you have an episode.

Please talk to your doc before you quit any of your meds, ok? :stone

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
Please talk to your doc before you quit any of your meds, ok? :stone

Absolutely!

And read up on the adverse effects of the drugs usually prescribed. (Amiodarone -- one of the meds typically prescribed -- is scary.)

Lots of reasons for AFIB. Some are controllable strictly with lifestyle changes. Especially if we're talking about LAF.

Good luck to ya, Thunder!

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Atrial fibrillation is a disturbance in the electrical conductivity of your heart.

Some of the causes of atrial fibrillation are:

history of rheumatic heart disease

Thyroid disease

valvular heart disease as well as coronary artery disease

high blood pressure

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (asthma and emphysema)

heart failure

Some symptoms of atrial fibrillation include palpitations, uneasiness, shortness of breath, angina, and swelling in your extremities in worser case scenarios

Treatment typically varies for atrial fibrillation. Since your atrial fib is labile, You should ask your doctor whether he thinks an anticoagulant is in order because people in atrial fibrillation have a higher chance of having a stroke. Don't be afraid to take the medicine proscribed. Amiodarone is one of the better drugs out there for treatment of atrial fibrillation, and so is Toprol, which is what you are taking. Toprol is another name for Metoprolol, which is a good drug for atrial fib.

Also, quit smoking, because that causes coronary artery disease and COPD, and this may be causing your atrial fibrillation.

Just my two cents. not a diagnosis.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

Thanks everyone for your input. Toprol seems to be doing the trick for me. It may seem like a silly question, but....does stress play a role for the onset of A fib? Had to ask. Anyway, again, thank you all for responding. I am beginning to feel much better.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Stress is a big-time trigger for some folks. Lots of others too: alcohol, caffeine, glutamates, nutrasweet, GERD, positional changes, certain exercises... basically tons of stuff.

Good luck to ya!

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