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[ALLYB123]

MY FATHER IS CURRENTLY ON A MONITOR IN HOSPITAL FOR ATRIAL FIBRULATION,THEY SAY HIS HEART RATE IS LOW AND SOMETIMES STOPPING FOR A FEW SECONDS.HE HAS BEEN ON THIS MONITOR FOR A WEEK AND NO REAL EXPLANATIONS HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO US.WHY? I HAVE ASKED AS I HAVE AUTHORITY FROM HIM IN WRITING,HE HAS HEART DISEASE AND LUNG DISORDER AND RECENTLY HAD A STROKE.I FEEL THERE NOT HELPING US AS WE ARE WORRIED DUE TO NO ACTUAL POSITIVE DIAGNOSIS?ANY IDEAS WHAT THIS IS?

[Jerry_NJ]

The information you provide seems to my reading to conflicted.  That is Atrial Fibrillation normally causes a high (too high sometimes) heart rate that is also irregular.  I have never heard of a HR being too low due to AFib.  

That said, I assume your father is on a heart monitor and, perhaps, someone said he may have periods of AFib, which a monitor can detect.  The monitor also detects a HR that is low, and one that is normal.  It is a monitor.

While some doctors may be able to identify AFib by listening to the heart, I believe it is necessary to check the electrical signals, such as with an electrocardiogram to diagnose AFib.  There is a unique and specific waveform for AFib.  In most cases, I believe, AFib is not in itself dangerous but it can elevate the chances of a stroke. Perhaps that is the connection to the diagnosis of AFib.

[DeltaDawn23]

Tell the nurse you want to talk to the attending physician.  Find out what time they come by in the morning and be there before just in case.  You have a right to an explanation of his condition, possible treatments and probable outcomes. He should be seen by a cardiologist, pulmonologist and maybe a vascular doctor for the stroke.

The way things are today, you have to keep a close watch and make sure they are carrying out doctor's orders.  I had to question my Mom's medication more than once. Is it a small hospital?  Maybe he needs to be moved someplace where they have more resources.

Stay strong and demand answers!  Good luck.