Effects of aging Part 2

Had my first cardiologist appointment today. Just as I figured, the 24 hr monitor didn't capture much. The doc ran another EKG and blood work and nothing shown there. She set up a stress test for late November and a follow up appt with her 2 weeks later. The very next day I have a neurology appt. I also saw my GP doc today as i have a slight UTI and I recapped my symptoms with him. He was also the first dr I saw about my heart symptoms. He said it sounded like AFib to him but as Alan stated, not easy to get documented. He recommended running by his office for a quick EKG if another episode occurs.

So looking like I might have a similar run with all this as Alan. Plus the joy of writing a lot of checks due to my high deductible.

Yours Truly,

Born Loser......

I think it is good that the doc’s office can do an ekg at a moment’s notice. That is what I ended up doing here with my GP. When I felt an episode happening I jumped in the car and drove the half mile to the office, told the receptionist what the doctor had said and she said to come back in an hour when the machine and nurse were next available. I drove home, had an espresso or 2, ran up and down the stairs a few times to keep the heart rate up then jogged down to the office. I was still in AFib although the nurse had great difficulty getting the electrodes to stick on my sweaty torso, but it was good for them to capture the incident.

Fingers crossed, but not a single AFib incident since my Ablation on October 4th.

Best of luck Dawg, I hope this all works out for you, getting a confirmed diagnosis is a big step forward.
 
I think it is good that the doc’s office can do an ekg at a moment’s notice. That is what I ended up doing here with my GP. When I felt an episode happening I jumped in the car and drove the half mile to the office, told the receptionist what the doctor had said and she said to come back in an hour when the machine and nurse were next available. I drove home, had an espresso or 2, ran up and down the stairs a few times to keep the heart rate up then jogged down to the office. I was still in AFib although the nurse had great difficulty getting the electrodes to stick on my sweaty torso, but it was good for them to capture the incident.

Fingers crossed, but not a single AFib incident since my Ablation on October 4th.

Best of luck Dawg, I hope this all works out for you, getting a confirmed diagnosis is a big step forward.

Glad you are having good luck with your procedure.

Got a question or two. Did the nurse or dr tell you to exercise to keep your heart rate up for the ekg? When I have gone through an episode all I want to do is calm down and try to catch my breath. Seems like exercising would be dangerous while it was happening. Also, did you ever try an AFib drug? I'm assuming if you did you didn't have good luck with it or you wouldn't have had this procedure done.
 
Glad you are having good luck with your procedure.

Got a question or two. Did the nurse or dr tell you to exercise to keep your heart rate up for the ekg? When I have gone through an episode all I want to do is calm down and try to catch my breath. Seems like exercising would be dangerous while it was happening. Also, did you ever try an AFib drug? I'm assuming if you did you didn't have good luck with it or you wouldn't have had this procedure done.

All the docs including the cardio doc in Houston and in England told me to continue exercising as normal even when I get an episode. Sometimes it would happen in the middle of a walk on the moors or part way up a mountain in Norway earlier this year. Rather than abandon the hike I was assured that it is okay to continue. It does mean being out of breath and taking lots of rest while going up hills so it is a real PITA, but never any pains in the chest just slight dizziness and lack of breath when exercising hard. Even when on the elliptical trainer at the gym I would not stop when an episode started. BUT, you need to confirm that you do have AFib AND your doctor gives you instructions on what to do.

I was not a good candidate for the usual drugs now as my resting heart rate is in the high 40’s or low 50’s and even when in AFib my HR rarely exceeded 100 bpm. My BP is also normal. I was a good candidate for the surgery so early because of my age, 63, and otherwise good health. Echocardiogram showed no heart issues either. This is the NHS over here so in the long run I expect it is also more cost effective than being on drugs long term or other complications from AFib such as stroke. (AFib does not fix itself so as I aged I would need to be on blood thinners, plus other drugs, regular tests etc.)
 
Thanks for the AFib stories. I had 2 or 3 episodes in the past few years where it felt like my heart was fluttering.

Also a few times where I felt dizzy and faint. On one occasion, it felt like I couldn't speak the words that I wanted too. I never felt dizzy or faint during the heart fluttering episodes, and my heart wasn't fluttering during the dizzy spells. These symptoms occurred during separate episodes.

Symptoms only lasted a few seconds. No chest pain. I only have fatigue/shortness of breath during exercise or heavy yard work. The fluttering and dizzy spells never happened during exercise.

Given that these mild and short episodes happen so infrequently, and that I return to normal in a few seconds, I never thought about seeing a doctor. But given the above stories, I now have something that I can compare to and explain to a doctor.
 
The Skeptical Cardiologist has a recent blog post on how he uses the AliveCor KardiaMobile ECG device mentioned earlier in this thread to monitor his afib patients directly.



This capability has revolutionized my management of atrial fibrillation. In those patients who choose to use AliveCor there is really no need for long-term monitors (Holter monitors, Zio patches, cardiac event monitors) and no need for patients to come to the office to get an ECG when they feel they have gone into afib.


https://theskepticalcardiologist.com/
 
The Skeptical Cardiologist has a recent blog post on how he uses the AliveCor KardiaMobile ECG device mentioned earlier in this thread to monitor his afib patients directly.






https://theskepticalcardiologist.com/

I think this is another reason I was offered AF Ablation so early. I bought one in January this year and was able to confirm for sure episodes of AFib each time I felt myself having one. I emailed the traces to myself, then stored them on Google Drive and printed off 2 or 3 to take into the doctor. I also logged the episodes in a spreadsheet to show the frequency, what I was doing at the time and how long the episodes lasted. The cardiology docs here were well aware of the AliveCor device and accepted the results. On the day of my surgery last month the cardiophysiologist asked if I had it with me, which I didn't have, but when I handed over my phone with the traces on he looked at the most recent one and was suitably impressed at the quality of the trace and the suggested diagnosis printed at the top of "Possible Atrial Fibrillation"
 
I think this is another reason I was offered AF Ablation so early. I bought one in January this year and was able to confirm for sure episodes of AFib each time I felt myself having one. I emailed the traces to myself, then stored them on Google Drive and printed off 2 or 3 to take into the doctor. I also logged the episodes in a spreadsheet to show the frequency, what I was doing at the time and how long the episodes lasted. The cardiology docs here were well aware of the AliveCor device and accepted the results. On the day of my surgery last month the cardiophysiologist asked if I had it with me, which I didn't have, but when I handed over my phone with the traces on he looked at the most recent one and was suitably impressed at the quality of the trace and the suggested diagnosis printed at the top of "Possible Atrial Fibrillation"

You should get a discount, or at least reimbursed for the cost of your ECG device!
 
I got the results of my latest test: The Nuclear stress test (aka, PET Scan).

Doc called and said everything was "normal". :)

My next, and last test, will be the echocardiogram which os scheduled for the 14th. Then I meet with the "electro doc" on 12/4.

I have already been told I have SVT and have experienced several episodes (recorded) with heartbeat of ~ 200 BPM.
 
I got the results of my latest test: The Nuclear stress test (aka, PET Scan).

Doc called and said everything was "normal". :)

My next, and last test, will be the echocardiogram which os scheduled for the 14th. Then I meet with the "electro doc" on 12/4.

I have already been told I have SVT and have experienced several episodes (recorded) with heartbeat of ~ 200 BPM.

Best of luck with the next test. If it is just SVT and no underlying heart damage then it is not life threatening and can be controlled with drugs or possibly cured permanently with ablation. I did see a surprising way to stop an SVT attack

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/supraventricular-tachycardia-svt/

How to stop an episode
These techniques aim to help stop your SVT episode when it comes on:

the valsalva manoeuvre – take a deep breath, shut your mouth tight, hold your nose tightly and blow out as hard as you can

the cold water technique – fill a bowl with cold water and put some ice in it, hold your breath and put your face in the water for a few seconds
 
"What's in that big insulated bag you're carrying around, Alan?"

"Oh, that's just my thermos of ice water and a bowl. If necessary, you may get to see them in action."
 
"What's in that big insulated bag you're carrying around, Alan?"

"Oh, that's just my thermos of ice water and a bowl. If necessary, you may get to see them in action."

That same NHS website does not have similar suggestions for stopping an episode of AFib otherwise that thermos of ice water and a bowl would indeed have been added to my backpack along with the back brace, knee braces, ankle braces and selection of pills and potions when I go hiking :LOL:
 
Thanks Alan. I can stop the episodes, but one time it took about two hours for everything to settle down. The scary part is my BP drops to 85-90 over 40-50 when this is going on. I have recorded my heart rate at over 200 BPM also.

I had two episodes doing yard raking and bagging. Otherwise, I have not been able to verify an additional trigger with multiple events. I suppose the Doc can give me a "slip" excusing me from further yard work. :LOL: (maybe I can get one exempting me from inside the house duties also..);)
 
Thanks Alan. I can stop the episodes, but one time it took about two hours for everything to settle down. The scary part is my BP drops to 85-90 over 40-50 when this is going on. I have recorded my heart rate at over 200 BPM also.

I had two episodes doing yard raking and bagging. Otherwise, I have not been able to verify an additional trigger with multiple events. I suppose the Doc can give me a "slip" excusing me from further yard work. :LOL: (maybe I can get one exempting me from inside the house duties also..);)

I would ask your doc when you see him how accurate your home BP measurement is when you take it during an episode of SVT. It is possible you may be getting false readings but I also think that a symptom of being in SVT is low BP so I can understand why you are worried.

You can always ask for a note to give you a pass on doing yard work :)
 
I would ask your doc when you see him how accurate your home BP measurement is when you take it during an episode of SVT. It is possible you may be getting false readings but I also think that a symptom of being in SVT is low BP so I can understand why you are worried.

You can always ask for a note to give you a pass on doing yard work :)

We already compared my BP device to the one in his office and it is within a few percent of the same after several trials He said it's adequate for what I am checking.
 
I suppose the Doc can give me a "slip" excusing me from further yard work. :LOL: (maybe I can get one exempting me from inside the house duties also..);)

That's a great gig if you can get it. My doc still says "no".:(
 
We already compared my BP device to the one in his office and it is within a few percent of the same after several trials He said it's adequate for what I am checking.

In that case you really need to take it easy when in an SVT episode with BP as low as that. No standing up too quickly (I did that once when I had low BP, blacked out and had a nasty fall).
 
Dawg you really should have one of these. It's simple too use and exactly what you need to determine if you have Afib or not.

I asked my GP doc about it and although he knew they existed, he didn't know how well they work. When I have my follow up cardiologist visit after my stress test, I plan to discuss it with her. If she is open to the idea and will use the info, I will get one. I haven't had any other episodes since my last one on Nov 1st although I do feel light headed some everyday. Rarely ever light headed before my first episode.

Who knows.......maybe I will get lucky and it's a passing thing. After reading what Alan and aja8888 have gone through, my case doesn't sound so bad. But want to investigate to be sure.
 
Alan's post reminds me of our grandchild #3. I don't recall the exact name of his condition, but subject to racing heart over 200. First discovered when living in London, and the first thing they did was dunk his head into a bucket of ice water! This happened several times and the ice trick never did work for him. Was on some oral med for several years, discontinued. Think last time happened was when about 2-3. Then here this summer at age 5 had once more. Always said ablation was a remedy or could grow out of it. Knowing the symptoms and his awareness of it now we're hoping he can just grow out of it. Unfortunately this last episode scared the little guy but he seems to have moved past it.
 
Alan's post reminds me of our grandchild #3. I don't recall the exact name of his condition, but subject to racing heart over 200. First discovered when living in London, and the first thing they did was dunk his head into a bucket of ice water! This happened several times and the ice trick never did work for him. Was on some oral med for several years, discontinued. Think last time happened was when about 2-3. Then here this summer at age 5 had once more. Always said ablation was a remedy or could grow out of it. Knowing the symptoms and his awareness of it now we're hoping he can just grow out of it. Unfortunately this last episode scared the little guy but he seems to have moved past it.

Wow, that is really tough for someone so young. I certainly hope he does grow out of it.
 
Alan's post reminds me of our grandchild #3. I don't recall the exact name of his condition, but subject to racing heart over 200. First discovered when living in London, and the first thing they did was dunk his head into a bucket of ice water! This happened several times and the ice trick never did work for him. Was on some oral med for several years, discontinued. Think last time happened was when about 2-3. Then here this summer at age 5 had once more. Always said ablation was a remedy or could grow out of it. Knowing the symptoms and his awareness of it now we're hoping he can just grow out of it. Unfortunately this last episode scared the little guy but he seems to have moved past it.

A friend of mine had those episodes since childhood. Her parents brushed them off as excitability, just "all in your head". Turned out to be Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, which was diagnosed in her late 40s and treated successfully with an ablation.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases...n-white-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20354626

"In Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, an extra electrical pathway between your heart's upper and lower chambers causes a rapid heartbeat. The extra pathway is present at birth and fairly rare.

The episodes of fast heartbeats usually aren't life-threatening, but serious heart problems can occur. Treatment can stop or prevent episodes of fast heartbeats. A catheter-based procedure (ablation) can permanently correct the heart rhythm problems.

Most people with an extra electrical pathway experience no fast heartbeat. This condition, called Wolff-Parkinson-White pattern, is discovered only by chance during a heart exam. Although WPW pattern is often harmless, doctors might recommend further evaluation before children with WPW pattern participate in high-intensity sports."
 
In that case you really need to take it easy when in an SVT episode with BP as low as that. No standing up too quickly (I did that once when I had low BP, blacked out and had a nasty fall).

Yes, when it occurs, I start blacking out but have the sense (and time) enough to get horizontal and recover. But it sure is scary.
 
A friend in Baton Rouge has seen a cardiologist for irregular heart beat and he has her wearing this small mobile device for the next 4 weeks.

https://www.gobio.com/device/mcot-patch/

Mobile Cardiac Outpatient Telemetry Patch System

The MCOT monitor gathers data from the sensor via Bluetooth, then sends that ECG data via a wireless connection automatically. Although the monitor will transmit cardiac data automatically to BioTel Heart 24 hours a day, it is important for you to record symptoms as you feel them. By doing so throughout your monitoring period, this will provide your healthcare professional with the most complete information.
 
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