Question 1

please explain how a pacemaker does/does not control atrial fib. also, other than heart cath, how can plaque be detected? thanks these questions are in regards to my father's health.  he has a pacemaker to control low heart rate, but pacemaker output has

Accepted Answer

Yes, : Yes, there are other options for treating atrial fibrillation as well as other diagnostic tests that can be performed to detect clots int the heart.
Atrial fibrillation is an arrythmia where the person is a high risk for developing clots within the heart because the heart is unable to effectively pump blood to the body, leading to pooling of blood in the heart.  Atrial fibrillation can be treated with medication or ablation, which work to get the heart's primary pacemaker to resume function. Another procedure that can be done is cardioversion. In a cardioversion, an electric shock is delivered to the heart to 'shock' the heart back to the person's normal rhythm. This procedure can be done for a person with a pacemaker, however the doctor must take measures to ensure no damage to the device.

There are imaging tests, such as an echocardiogram, that can help a physician to determine the presence of clots in your heart. Echocardiography uses sound waves to create pictures of your heart. This test can detect areas of the heart where blood is not flowing properly, indicating a possible clot or blockage. Also, this test is useful for identifying parts of the heart that are not contracting well.

Question 2

could i be having congestive heart failure i had a pacemaker put in last year because of atrial fib   i take diltiazem which was just increased to 360 mg from 240 mg  for the last few days and nights i am short of breath  i wake up short of breath seems t

Accepted Answer

If : If you are experiencing shortness of breath and difficulty breathing when laying down, these are signs of congestive heart failure, and more specifically left heart failure. In left heart failure, fluid builds up in the lungs causing shortness of breath and difficulty breathing when laying down. Fatigue is also a sign that your heart may be working too hard. See a doctor sooner than your appointment. Go to the emergency room to be assessed if you can not get in right away to see your cardiologist.

Question 3

beside taking arrhythmia medicines, what are other option for atrial fibrillation?  does a pace maker or defibrillator cure a fib?

Accepted Answer

Ablation.: After assessing the underlying cause of the fibrillation and measuring the size of the two atrial heart chambers, using echocardiography, one can predict the likelihood that the fibrillation will respond to electrical ablation using an intracardiac catheter.  Defibrillation of atrial fibrillation might not prevent a recurrence if the underlying cause still exists.

Question 4

my husband has perm a-fib. has had maze, conversions, hcm, mitral repair, pacemaker/defib, tikosyn (dofetilide) (stopped). left atrium 6.4 cm. will the afib lead to heart failure?

Accepted Answer

A Fib: With a left atrial size of >5 cm, he is in a high risk category. There is an nih trial that compares a number of procedures and summarizes the latest thinking on surgical and electrophysiological approaches to the problem: http://clinicaltrials.Gov/show/nct01298986. Ask your husband's cardiologist to check into this trial. It might be the best bet for him!

Question 5

what should i do if my atrial fib intermittent?

Accepted Answer

See your cardilogist: An intermittent atrial fib can be dangerous because of its unpredictability.

Question 6

is an irregular heart beat always atrial fib?

Accepted Answer

No: The term irregular isn't really a specific medical term. It's used to help us describe certain rhythms. There are benign irregular rhythms like "sinus arrhythmia." the term atrial fibrillation tells us a lot more than a rhythm being described as irregular.

Question 7

how can my husband (in permanent atrial fib) reduce excessive sweating?

Accepted Answer

Sweating: Do not delay but take him his cardiologist as soon as you can. If that does not control his sweating he will need some extra labs and possibly a referral to another specialist well versed in sweating.

Question 8

how many times can cardioversion be performed on an individual to revert atrial fib to normal sinus rhythm?

Accepted Answer

There is : No specific number or limit, however, if multiple cardioversions are needed it might be time to consider ablation or a change in medical therapy.

Question 9

is it common for teenagers to have atrial fib?

Accepted Answer

No: If a teenager has atrial fibrillation,  damage to the heart needs to be excluded.

Question 10

should i be concerned about a little chest pressure if i have atrial fib?

Accepted Answer

CP: Chest pressure with a fib. If your heart rate is below 100, if do not have any other symptoms, you probably need not be concerned. If you continue to have chest pressure, you may have to get checked for coronary artery diseases.

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Doctor answers about:

What willa pacemaker and defibrillator do for atrial fib

A member asked:

Please explain how a pacemaker does/does not control atrial fib. also, other than heart cath, how can plaque be detected? thanks these questions are in regards to my father's health. he has a pacemaker to control low heart rate, but pacemaker output has

A member asked:

Could i be having congestive heart failure i had a pacemaker put in last year because of atrial fib i take diltiazem which was just increased to 360 mg from 240 mg for the last few days and nights i am short of breath i wake up short of breath seems t

A member asked:

Beside taking arrhythmia medicines, what are other option for atrial fibrillation? does a pace maker or defibrillator cure a fib?

A member asked:

My husband has perm a-fib. has had maze, conversions, hcm, mitral repair, pacemaker/defib, tikosyn (dofetilide) (stopped). left atrium 6.4 cm. will the afib lead to heart failure?

A member asked:

What should i do if my atrial fib intermittent?

A member asked:

Is an irregular heart beat always atrial fib?

A member asked:

How can my husband (in permanent atrial fib) reduce excessive sweating?

A member asked:

How many times can cardioversion be performed on an individual to revert atrial fib to normal sinus rhythm?

A member asked:

Is it common for teenagers to have atrial fib?

A member asked:

Should i be concerned about a little chest pressure if i have atrial fib?

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