Question 1

i am having frequent squeezing sensations in left side of chest, dizziness (to the point of nearly passing out), rapid heart rate, and minor cough. a cardiac catheterization revealed no abnormalities last year. is it possible i have a-fib or any other abn

Accepted Answer

Yes: Need follow-up with primary md or cardiology for 24 hour holter test.

Question 2

could an episode of a fib have a strong heart beat.?

Accepted Answer

YES, IN SOME CASES: ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IS A DISORDER OF THE TOP CHAMBERS OF THE HEART AND RESULTS IN LESS BLOOD FILLING INTO THE VENTRICLES (LOWER CHAMBERS), ESPECIALLY WHEN THE HEART RATE IS FAST.  SO THE ACTUAL HEART OUTPUT IS LESS. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE IN THE STRENGTH OF THE LOWER CHAMBERS' CONTRACTIONS IN AFIB.  SOME PEOPLE DEFINITELY FEEL (PERCEIVE) A STRONG OR WEAK HEART BEAT WHEN IN AFIB

Question 3

please tell me, could an episode of a fib have a strong heart beat.?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Many, but not all, people with new onset AF have exquisite awareness due to the strong heartbeat.

Question 4

when you have a-fib, what is a good or safe heart rate when you exercise?

Accepted Answer

Atrial fibrillation : We like to control resting rate with a fib to 80 -ish. Exercise rate we try and tailor to the patient if they have a heart structural problem causing the afib. Generally tho not over140, but that again depends on the specifics for the patient.

Question 5

a fib or something more serious? how can i be sure i have a fib or afl and not a more serious heart rhythm problem?

Accepted Answer

Heart : Heart rhythm disorders require specific tests, and cannot be diagnosed by symptoms alone. I am assuming you have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation or flutter based on a physician's evaluation. A trained physician can easily distinguish between atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and other more serious arrhythmias. It is possible to have more than one type of arrhythmia, and depending on your symptoms and your risk factors, your doctor may want to search for other arrhythmias in addition to atrial fibrillation or flutter. Heart rhythm disorders can be diagnosed on the electrocardiogram (ecg), and if they are intermittent they can be recorded on ambulatory heart monitors that are capable of recording a patient's heart rhythm for several hours or days while they continue living their normal life.

Question 6

my husband has a fib. he was told that to only seek medical help for heart rates over 90. is this always the case?

Accepted Answer

Often so if....: Many people live healthy lives for decades in af which is a stable rhythm that is often permanent.  If he has been evaluated for causes and associated conditions at least once, determined not to need anticoagulation, or if needed, is receiving anticoagulation, and if he feels well, no further medical treatment is indicated.

Question 7

my dad is in his 80s & has a fib. meds are not working & he will have procedure to have his heart "shocked". how do they do this? is it dangerous?

Accepted Answer

A fib: Cardiac defibrillation done routinely. There are 2 ways . Shock with paddles through his chest to stop his heart and then restart. Also it can be done by putting an echo probe in his food pipe and then shocking his heart through that probe. It requires very low voltage as heart is next to the probe end. They will give him mid sedation. It is very safe procedure.

Question 8

i drank a little too much. next morning my heart rhythm was out of whack if i had a fib would er dr tell me i had it. they sent me home w/ dehy instr?

Accepted Answer

Palpitations: Alcohol is cardiac toxic. If a physician evaluated and performed electrocardiograph and you had atrial fibrillation doubt not reporting to many serious sequelae. Dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities low potassium and magnesium can produce extra beats as well. Rehydrate and if persistent see your physician.

Question 9

non obstructive coronaries-largest 50%. issue with these results? only non related heart issue is a-fib, currently in rhythm after 2nd cardioversion.

Accepted Answer

Need to see report.: It's not possible to understand the context of the test results in this forum. I would suggest using HealthTap Prime to upload the report / images showing the "non-obstructive coronaries", or asking the doctor who ordered the test. To what does the "largest 50%" refer? Was there a papaverine infusion? arterial spasm? I can't understand the finding, but I'm glad the cardioversion worked for you.

Question 10

my grandmother has a-fib. she's on tikosyn (dofetilide).. it keeps her heart normal. she took it today but she is in a-fib & has been for 5 hours. longest yet. er?

Accepted Answer

If she is otherwise : Feeling ok have her notify her cardiologist tomorrow if she's still in it.

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Doctor answers about:

Is heart cath done for a fib

A member asked:

I am having frequent squeezing sensations in left side of chest, dizziness (to the point of nearly passing out), rapid heart rate, and minor cough. a cardiac catheterization revealed no abnormalities last year. is it possible i have a-fib or any other abn

A member asked:

Could an episode of a fib have a strong heart beat.?

A member asked:

Please tell me, could an episode of a fib have a strong heart beat.?

A member asked:

When you have a-fib, what is a good or safe heart rate when you exercise?

A member asked:

A fib or something more serious? how can i be sure i have a fib or afl and not a more serious heart rhythm problem?

A member asked:

My husband has a fib. he was told that to only seek medical help for heart rates over 90. is this always the case?

A member asked:

My dad is in his 80s & has a fib. meds are not working & he will have procedure to have his heart "shocked". how do they do this? is it dangerous?

A member asked:

I drank a little too much. next morning my heart rhythm was out of whack if i had a fib would er dr tell me i had it. they sent me home w/ dehy instr?

A member asked:

Non obstructive coronaries-largest 50%. issue with these results? only non related heart issue is a-fib, currently in rhythm after 2nd cardioversion.

A member asked:

My grandmother has a-fib. she's on tikosyn (dofetilide).. it keeps her heart normal. she took it today but she is in a-fib & has been for 5 hours. longest yet. er?

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