Hi there,
My husband has been in hospital for nearly a week now with a condition called Atrial Fibrillation, he had the first signs of this a couple of months ago and whilst he was in hospital the heart beat returned to normal quite quickly with beta blockers and was soon back home without any further probs. Last week though he had another episode of this condition and now back in hospital, but this time he isnt responding so quickly with the beta blockers. Ive been very worried and concerned about him, just when I was beginning to think he's getting better he has another bad episode. Does anyone know anything about A/F? and if so what can be done to help him if the beta blockers dont work? Is the condition dangerous?
Hi Jill,
Thinking of you and your hubby at this stressful time, and sending love and hugs to you both. I just did a quick search on wikipedia and found some info here is the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atrial_fibrilation
HTH
Love & Light
Laura x
jdholistic,
I am 45, had a bad heart attack last year, another this year. Beta blockers tend to slow everything down, my other meds. help also. Perhaps, albeit I'm sure your husband has, discussed other medications with his doctor. The most difficult thing I found was the mental damage that such an illness brings. People tell you of diet and excerise, fine and grand. Living and knowing that you are vunerable is most difficult to come to terms with, and whilst previously most aches and pains are dismissed...now everything is noticed, and to be honest feared. Doctors can deal with the medication, you can deal with the emotion, and trust me, this is a huge mis-understood part. Patience and time is what he shall need also...forgive my rambling, but I know what he goes through. I will send you my very best thoughts. Be strong. He needs you. Blessed Be
Hi celticsoul,
Sorry to hear of your heart condition, its such a worry isnt it? I understand what you mean about all the medication thats dished out for the condition,they seem to fail to recordnise the emotional and worry side of it. The support is needed as much as the medication.
My husband is constantly backwards and forwards to the hospital at the moment as they are trying to achieve the right level in his blood by taking Warfarin so that he can have the Cardio Version, he is still way below the level so it could be ages yet before he can have the treatment.
My husband doesnt show that he is worried, but I know he is, and he just wants to get it all sorted out.
Has one thing to be thankfull for at least.. in that he has my attention and is recieving plenty of hugs :hug:Awww!
Thankyou all for your kind words.
Wishing you all the best too celticsoul, Im sure all will be well :dft012:Take care x
Hi jdholistic,
You probably already know that electrical impulses are generated from Sinus Node in the right atrium. The electrical impulses causes the atria to contract filling the lower heart chambers. With A/F, electrical impulse come from other parts of the atria. When there is A/F the rate of heart contractions also increase and thaat does not provide enough time for the ventricles to fill and cardiac output is reduced.
What is new in atrial fibrillation? Pulmonary vein isolation:
The four pulmonary veins are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the left atrium. There is a narrow band of muscle cells that surrounds the openings of the pulmonary veins where they enter the left atrium. This band of muscle cells may begin to actively discharge electrically, and this discharge may initiate AF. During pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), the band of muscle cells is destroyed by energy applied through a catheter. This effectively blocks the electrical discharges from crossing over from the band to the left atrium and hence prevents AF.