WELCOME

[Momto3]

WELCOME TO THE HEART RHYTHM FORUM!

Were you recently diagnosed with a heart rhythm disorder?  Would you like more information on the heart’s electrical system?  Are you feeling overwhelmed, frightened and/or confused?  Are you scheduled for EP tests, procedures, and or surgery?  Is your arrhythmia medication giving you trouble?  If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you are in the right place!
  
The Heart Rhythm forum is comprised of a group of people who share an interest in learning more about arrhythmias.  The forum covers an array of topics including:  Afib, Aflutter, PVCs, PACs, SVT, WPW, palpitations, pacemakers, ICDs, procedures, tests, medications, post procedural/surgical expectations, and much more.  If it is related to your heart’s rhythm, chances are we can help.
  
Some of us have been living with arrhythmias for years while others are new to the world of electrophysiology.  Regardless of why YOU are here, welcome!  Here are a few suggestions for making the most of the forum.

1)  Check out the "Health Pages."  The link can be found in the upper right hand corner of your screen.  The “Health Pages” address topics relevant to cardiology.  Among the pages is a great resource for common cardiology acronyms.

2)  Please join the community.  Once you have had a chance to look around, why not create a profile and tell us a little about yourself?  Your profile can be as simple or as complex as you like.  In any event, you will meet people from around the globe!  You will have the opportunity to learn and share experiences with members who share your concerns.

3)  Consider posting to a current discussion, or try staring one of your own.  Don’t worry - you’ll get the hang of it very quickly.  You’ll find that you will want to come back often to check up on your new friends.  If you’ve got something on your mind, please don’t be shy.  There are no dumb questions and we are all here to learn.**

4)  Get acquainted with other members.  There are several ways to “Add a friend” but one of the easiest is to scroll over the member’s name and click on “Add a friend”.

5)  Consider keeping a journal.  Your journal can be private, public, or available only to those people you have added as a friend.  Journals are a great way to share your story, frustrations, experiences, history, etc.  You will probably find there are others who can relate to your story.

6)  Want to speak privately to another member?  Send a private message (PM) by scrolling over the member’s name and clicking on “Send Message”.

7)  Only have a minute and want to welcome a member, or send good luck wishes?  Scroll over the member’s name and click on “send a note.”  Unlike PMs, everyone can view “Notes”.

8)  Once you’ve created a profile, click on “My MedHelp” (indicated by a little red heart at the top of your screen) and check out the many great features and setting options.

9) Lastly, we would like to point you to the TRACKERS!!  There are a number of trackers available to our members, but we would especially like to point out the ‘Cholesterol, Blood Pressure and Heart Rhythm trackers.  You can add them to your profile by clicking on "My MedHelp" (top) and then go to the Tracker Widget -- At the bottom of the Tracker Panel click on "Add Tracker" which will take you to the tracker page, where you can select the BP, Cholesterol and/or Heart Rhythm tracker.  You can begin using your trackers today!  Keeping track of your cholesterol and blood pressure are great ways to do your part to manage your heart health!!  The rhythm tracker is an excellent tool for you to document  symptoms, frequency, treatments and procedures relevant to your heart rhythm!

**Please read the Terms of Use at the bottom of your screen.  There are a few general posting guidelines that are for the benefit of all community members.  
  Please do not hijack another member’s thread.  If your comments are relevant with the current discussion, post away.  If you have a new topic of interest, please begin a new post.

We are so glad you found us!  Please don't forget to join our community!  We would love to have you!  Pull up a chair, get comfortable and get ready to meet a great bunch of people!  

If you are already a member, won't you please take a minute to welcome our new members as well as those who are lurking.  Would you mind sharing your story to let others know how the forums have helped you.

Your Community Leaders

[Hanna001]

Hiya, I'm 17 and was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome almost a year ago. Im due to have catheter ablation in a week. And to be honest im sh**ing myself. I can't speak to anybody because I don't want to worry them by telling them i'm really scared. If anybody's had it done, any information would be really appreciated :)
Hanna xx

[tarmo]

I posted a comment last night about an afib problem. Where would I check to see if anyone responded. I assumed in this forum, but I see none. Can someone enlighten me?

                                  thanks gail

[Jannie411]

So comforting to know I am not alone with this problem.  I am now 58, have had SVT since I was 13.  For many years I was misdiagnosed, called a hypochondriac, etc.  When I was in my early 30's, the episodes became more and more frequent and severe.  By the time I was 47, they were completely out of control, the short story is that I was finally diagnosed in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, given adenosine which is an unpleasant experience but its the only thing that would break the SVT.  (See my journal for more details if you are interested.)  I have been on atenolol for the past 10 years, worked well in preventing episodes, but bad side effects.  Now the atenolol is not working as well, had a very bad episode of SVT a few weeks ago, back in the ER, adenosine again.  ER doc, bless her, referred me to a cardiologist.  He will be doing an EP ablation on me in 2 weeks.  Finally, a chance for a normal life.

[halberg]

I have had atrial fibulation for years. Can a pacemaker help me?

[shaydzzz]

I was diagnosed with Sinus Tachycardia - had antiboitcs as my bloods came back with white being super high (fighting an unknown Infection) and my reds were really low (carrying the oxygen) which did not help at all. I can't have caffiene, booze, junkfood, really hot showers or sitting in the sun or standing up more than a minute or so-still can do but i know it will increase my heartrate. Told it was'nt serious by the doctor then the Cardiologist forgot to organise (2months ago mind you) my holter monitor for 24hrs to determine what rythym I have so they know which pills to prescribe me, at first both my ECK's came back normal rythym but they said after the first dose of anti-botics it should of gone away but 3 months later I still have it ( not as bad as it was but very annoying) My pulse is up 90% of the day even doing light housework or a small glass of wine, working fulltime is a nightmare as im in an office staring at a pc screen all day from 8am-5.30pm.Im a light sleeper as well which doesnt help-find it uncomfy to lay on the left side.

Im 25yrs old - female-no other medical conditions-was fine up until last december..how can you not know your body has an infection and causes all this???

Any ideas as to what else I can do to get healthy and fight this?

Ive been told the new liquid fish oil (flavoured and is equivalent to 25x fish oil caplets) so is the best so far-havent brought any yet but any other ideas-also been doing green smoothies and trying to eat healthy at least 80% of the day

[abgel]

Please help me o hav a cobstant leaking in my chest docs say om fine help