Atrial Fib = Post Pacemaker

afib symptoms

by Paced2017 - 2017-07-15 22:23:18

I'm not in your situation but understand your feelings, given that you will become pacemaker dependent. I have a pacemaker for a different reason, but also have some background in the area of afib through my work. For your own peace of mind I think it would be good to talk to your cardiologist and make sure that every other option for managing or reducing your afib symptoms has been tried or considered. This includes medications (rate controllers and rhythm controllers) and procedures such as afib ablation, although these are less likely to be effective the longer the afib persists. Research has shown that lifestyle changes can also help to reduce afib symptoms. For example, weight loss helps many people if they are overweight or obese (aim for 5-10% weight reduction), also avoiding alcohol. Once you know that all these options have been tried or considered at least you have that reassurance, and can go ahead with the A-V node ablation and pacemaker knowing that this is the best option for you. The symptoms of afib are due to a fast and irregular ventricular rate so you should notice a big improvement once the pacemaker is in even though the atria continue to fibrillate. Best of luck and let us know how you get on!

Afib help

by Theknotguy - 2017-07-16 12:58:23

I have had a lot of problems with afib.  Post pacemaker continue to have problems with afib.  However,  I was very lucky in that I got a Medtronic pacemaker that has the ability to run two programs just for  afib.  That is in addition to it just being a pacemaker.  My Medtronic pacemaker continually watches for afib.  

First program is APP - Atrial Preference Pacing.  It works about 10% of the time.  When the pacemaker sees I'm in afib it will raise my heart rate.  That will sometimes throw me out of afib.  I can tell when APP is running because I'll get a "hot flash".  APP runs for about four hours (I think) and times out if it isn't successful.  

Second program is Minerva.  Minerva works about 80% of the time.  When the pacemaker sees I'm in afib and the APP program has timed out, Minerva looks to see if there is a repeating pattern to my afib.  If  there is, Minerva will change my pacing and pace me out of afib.  I can tell when Minerva is running because I'll get a weird pattern to my heartbeat.  Kinda like a stutter step.  I'll feel like it is time for my heart to beat and I'll get an extra pause.  Minerva runs for about (I think) four hours and times out if it isn't successful.  

The other 10% of the time, I still go into full blown afib.  For that, my EP has suggested I go on a Magnesium food supplement which, over the past two years, has started to work.  

Sometimes I'll feel APP kick in, then feel it stop, then feel Minerva kick in, then feel it stop, then go into full blown afib.  Those are rough days because it sometimes takes up to twelve hours for my heart to go out of afib.  But it is better than before the pacemaker because I'd be in afib for up to two days straight.  All I could do was just sit in a recliner.  My EP was reluctant to use ablation on my afib because I supposedly have the kind that doesn't respond well to ablation.  

Within the last nine months the magnesium supplement has seemed to help and instead of going into afib once a day I'll now go into full blown afib about once every six weeks.  The rest of the time APP or Minerva take care of  my afib and the sessions are so short I don't even know I have them.  I find out about my afib sessions when I get my pacemaker reading.  The afib sessions will run for just minutes and will be taken care of before I even know I have them.  

For you, I'd ask your EP if he is aware of the Medtronic programs.  Also if he's heard of the magnesium supplement.  I'm not saying everything I've had will work as well for you but it's best to know about the options.  Please note that things  have changed considerably over the three years I've had my pacemaker.  So what I would have told you last year is  different from what I'm telling you now.  And I'm sure things will continue to change.  

The pacemaker, as a pacemaker doesn't do anything for afib.  I'm just lucky enough to have one that can run supplemental programs that can address the afib issue.  The programs are not a cure for afib, just a help.  But I do feel my quality of life has improved considerably over the past three years.  So, for me, it has been a positive outcome.  

I sincerely hope you can get some positive help.