Atrial Contractions

May S asked:

I am a 29 year-old female with a structurally-normal heart who has had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation since I was 17. I have been on digoxin and disopyramide for years, but the side effects are terrible and they have become less effective in preventing episodes. So, I am going to have an ablation on January 29th. Has anyone else had this done? I am terrified, so hearing others’ experiences might put me at ease. I am mostly worried about complications during the surgery, mainly pulmonary vein stenosis. My doc says the risk of that is lower these days because they ablate the outside of the pulmonary veins, not the inside. Did anyone out there experience any horrific after-effects? How long did it take you to get back to your routine? Does your heart feel normal now? Did you notive a significant improvement? Thanks for any help/advice/stories!

Question posted courtesy of: Clinton

JV asked:

I think it is contraction and filling……but not sure please help

Question posted courtesy of: Agnes

sisters 4 asked:

I had an EKG done this morning and was diagnosed with Ectopic Atrial Rhythm i’m totally lost and confused after hearing i needed an ablation procedure for this. Please help me by explaining this condition in plain english.

Question posted courtesy of: Marjorie

M M asked:

My mother is in a-fib and normal heart rate monitors
or blood rate monitors do not give an accurate heart
rate. The EKG machine that her doctor uses is able
to but it costs $12,000. Is there anything out there
under $3000 that would give accurate heart rate readings
for an atrial-fibrilation patient?

Question posted courtesy of: Angela

shandi.chris asked:

Hello,

Was just wondering if you have to worry about my husband having Atrial premature contractions?

Thanks
He has been to the doctors and they said it was this - it was because he was having shortness of breath and slighty dizziness. He drinks coffee (around 3-4 cups a day) and is a non smoker!

Question posted courtesy of: Justin

•Away From Keyboard• •Bambina• asked:

Three questions: What are some ways to minimize the frequency of premature atrial contractions? Is it harmful or beneficial to do aerobics with PACs? Could there possibly be any correlation between PACs and an occasional pain in my left arm/wrist (has been going on for years)?

I know they are usually harmless, although I have heard that over time they can wear out the heart more quickly. I’ve had them since I was 19 (I am 34 now). I have them every day. Some days just a few times. Other days they are very frequent and very noticeable. I find that I have them more when I have skipped a meal or have not had enough water.

I also notice when I exercise, the PACs stop, and then as my heart rate slows, they come back with a vengeance.

As a military dependent, the doctors won’t see me until I’ve pretty much had a heart attack, so I’m asking here for advice Thanks!

Question posted courtesy of: Kurt

Nikki asked:

Sorry for the long story, but last Feb 06′ I had a Ablation done because I had what is called Atrial Tachycardia, heart beat of 150 plus. Everything went fine..except for the doctor said that I have an arrimitha on the left side. He didn’t recommend surgery for this. Lately I have been having dizzy spells, shortness of breath, and extreme fatique, chest pain (not real bad). Could this be my heart again? I am terrified to die at 35 and leave my son! I can’t get in to the doc until next week.
Oh yeah, and also a pulse rate of 100+ even at rest.
I have gone to the ER..come on, I’m not that stupid, they did EKG’s and said that all was fine.

Question posted courtesy of: Adrian

AMBER M asked:

My son is 15 months old and he has BAV (bicuspid atrial valve) & aortic insuffieciency. From what I know so far from DR visits is that he has a leaky aortic valve which can cause narrowing, at this point he is in the trivial to mild numbers of leak. However when someone tells you that your son has a heart condition its not trivial to you. He sees a cardiologist every 6 months for an echo and ekg and I have been told that he will prob. have valve replacement in a few years, but I dont understand when I read on here people who have grown out of this? Is that possible that a valve can repair itself? And why would a dr only want to see him 2 times a year? Its like they tell you its serious, but we’ll see him in 6 months, it cant be that serious right? Wouldnt they want to see him every month or something. He has no blueing around lips, great pulses, great oxygen, Am I just overreacting by panicking all the time, I guess I am just a paranoid parent, but this over whelmes me every day.
To look at him you would never think that he had anything wrong, he is 25 lbs, higher end of growth chart, no blueing, no failure to eat or drink, no fatigue, nothing that you hear of other heart complications

Question posted courtesy of: Lance