I went to a New Improved Cardiologist yesterday at the Harbin Clinic in Rome and I left there with a prescription for the medication considered to be the “4th Pillar of Heart Failure Management” I also learned that I dont have and never did have AFib! My biventricular Defibrillator is to treat my LBBB and synchronize the two ventricles of my heart since the Left Bundle Branch Blockage wouldn’t allow it to happen naturally! He has me scheduled w a nuclear Stress Test and Echocardiogram later this month! Said I should be getting these tests annually and that I need Repatha for my LDL that is still not at a good #! I would say that was worth the 75 minute drive!

“ For many years, atrial fibrillation (AF) was regarded as a trivial condition, but it is now increasingly recognised that the presence of AF in itself is an independent contributor to mortality, morbidity and impaired quality of life.1,2 We know that AF is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, which affects approximately 1.0–1.5% of the general population, and has a projected incidence that is markedly increasing.3 In the UK, AF presently accounts for 0.97% of the total National Health Service expenditure4—an expensive figure that will also presumably continue to spiral.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC19....

I had a full heart workup with nuclear stress, sonogram & scans along with a general physical in 2010 & 2016. No issues detected. After getting FitBit notices of Afib my new cardiologist did all the same tests plus wearing a 2 week Afib monitor. The only heart issue revealed was Afib. This doc showed little interest in my Afib but wanted me to do several more tests. He appeared to be looking for a blockage, his speciality. He never stopped pressing for these additional tests. No one mentioned Afib for the first 2 rounds of testing. I insisted on looking at cardio version and Ablation … FitBit and Dr. Google. I dismissed that doc and had a successful Ablation a year ago next week. Now healthy, active and drug free.

Did any of these well trained and payed medical pros do a proper diagnoses or patient explanation without the help of FitBit and Dr Google?

Atrial fibrillation—the growing epidemic

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1955544/

TEN YEARS? I feel the vast majority of people with A-Fib to one degree or another are asymptomatic and never realized they have it? I had no idea until my Medicare supplement nurse and my primary care noticed it and I finally had it checked. Test after test after test? Now 3 scripts, low dose and the side affects have me feeling horrible. Stressful day yesterday, furnace people back today, no charge and problem solved. Checked my sinus rhythm 4 times yesterday, all good. Winning! 😎

Cliff,
Good article. I agree with Caryn that those of us that have AFIB need to ensure we are taking care of all the things that drove us to get it. Diet, lack of exercise, medications, Type A driven people, athletes,etc. If you check to see what the causes are I am amazed that there is currently only 6 million in the USA. Soon to double to 12 Million in 6 more years. I do watch my diet, I finally quit smoking 5 years ago, I no longer have the 80 hour work weeks and managing 50 people with their issues, and I am taking the time to exercise more as my body will allow. I am 7 months post ablation and wore a two week holter that didn't show any AFIB episodes. I hope it stays that way. I guess if I can get 10 years I would be grateful and I am going to hope for a few more years tacked on above it for good behavior. Hope your ablation went well and you are on track for a long life.😎

@A MyHeartDiseaseTeam Member I agree, it sounds like it was worth the drive! Good luck with the tests and keep us posted! Hugs🤗

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