atrial fibrillation

[Carlene32]

Recently, I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.  I thought my problem was from stress, but the Dr. said it wasn't.  She prescribed Bystolic 5 mg. (to slow heart down) and coumadin 5 mg.  I take these 2 pills at night, because that was when I usually got these episodes of a "racing heart", which would last 3 hrs. or more.

She said my condition was more like "an aging heart".....which, I am 77 yrs. old and never had a problem before.
I don't want to be on coumadin, but she said aspirin wouldn't do the job.  I somehow am wondering if this diagnosis is the right one.....She is a Dr. of internal medicine and not a cardiologist.  Do you think I should be seeing a cardiologist and do you think that atrial fibrillation can be caused from stress?

[marie50]

In my opinion, you should definitely see a cardiologist. Yes, stress can trigger afib in a person who is prone to afib. My afib episodes are triggered by adrenaline rushes which are primarily caused by anger or frustration but can also be caused by being startled or overly excited about something. There are specific guidelines doctors are supposed to use in determining who should be on coumadin vs aspirin.

[twinbee]

How was your a-fib diagnoised? Did it show up on an EKG?  I think you should at least see a cardiologist. The older we get, the more common a-fib is. Stress can make a-fib worse.