Aa
A-fib meds
What are the pros and cons of various a-fib meds and what determines which is preferable for individual patients?
With A-Fib you run the risk of getting blood clots and should be on blood thinners.
In my experience a cardiologist will try one or more anti arrhythmic drugs to see if the AFib can be stopped. Trial and error as far as I can tell.
In my case, and I never took the real strong stuff that may require hospitalization for implementation, none of the drugs worked to stop the AFib.
For several years electrocardioversion (shock while under a sedative) would "reset" my heart to normal sinus rhythm - and I took drugs to help keep it there.
If one can "live" with AFib a regement of beta blocker and other drugs may be used to manage the heart rate, so called "Rate Control". This is not a cure and I believe is a path taken most often in older patients... such as me.
In my case, and I never took the real strong stuff that may require hospitalization for implementation, none of the drugs worked to stop the AFib.
For several years electrocardioversion (shock while under a sedative) would "reset" my heart to normal sinus rhythm - and I took drugs to help keep it there.
If one can "live" with AFib a regement of beta blocker and other drugs may be used to manage the heart rate, so called "Rate Control". This is not a cure and I believe is a path taken most often in older patients... such as me.
Hi there,
I was 30 when I had my A-fib and PSVT's treated with Cardiac Ablation. I used to get 3-4 attacks per week and it made my heart failure worse.
Prior to the Ablation, I had a lot of 24hr ECG's and tried 3 different Beta blockers (Cardicor, Concor, Sotacor and Florinef) but in my case it made my blood pressure to low.
In my opinion: it is worth it to get an opinion from an Electro physiologist - NOT a normal Cardiologist.
Hope it helps.
I was 30 when I had my A-fib and PSVT's treated with Cardiac Ablation. I used to get 3-4 attacks per week and it made my heart failure worse.
Prior to the Ablation, I had a lot of 24hr ECG's and tried 3 different Beta blockers (Cardicor, Concor, Sotacor and Florinef) but in my case it made my blood pressure to low.
In my opinion: it is worth it to get an opinion from an Electro physiologist - NOT a normal Cardiologist.
Hope it helps.
This is a question you should ask your doctor, most of us can tell you only our experience and we all have different circumstances. I get in trouble when I play doctor or lawyer! I will say this, meds for a-fib can be pretty invasive. Today I had a visit with my primary care doc, and he detected a-fib. We talked about it, and my pacemaker shows I have a-fib periodically, and have for years. I had quite severe a-fib after my bypass surgery, which is common and was given amiodarone. If I have to have it treated in the future, I'll elect for an ablation. Keep us informed what you and your doctor decide upon.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Community
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.
