quarterly remote transmission and yearly cardiologist appointment

Atrial Arrhythmia burden

by Rch - 2023-03-24 20:32:00

Hi, with over 11% burden of atrial arrhythmias ,although of shorter durations, you are at risk for unwanted events at your age, and so please discuss options with your Cardiologist. I have a remote h/o A Fib lasted documented about 8 years ago, nonetheless I'm still on anticoagulants. 

As to LDL, discuss with your Cardiologist about medications to lower it rather than try supplements with questionable authenticity that you purchase online. I take Crestor with LDL now in the 50s. Simvastatin and Atorvastatin both elevated my liver enzymes more than 3 fold. So, you and your GP have to work together to pick and choose the right Statin to attain your LDL goals.

levels

by new to pace.... - 2023-03-24 20:55:15

Thanks Rch for your thoughtful comments.  As to the cardiologist does not want to see me again for a year from now.

Although she is having me do a Carotid  scan in April.  Did tell her was not due for another until 2024.  Had one in 2022 the vascualar surgeron said 45% was so good.  Really did not need to come back for 5 years.

new to pace

Atrial arrhythmias

by AgentX86 - 2023-03-24 22:04:55

My cardiologist isn't all that happy with my LDL (70s) but gives me a get-out-of-jail-free card for having an HDL higher than the LDL (and very low triglycerides).  I am taking atorvastatin with no side-effects.

My device tech didn't go over my last programming/interrogation report much but I saw it laying there so took some time to look through it.  There was at least one NSVT in there with a 200+ rate. I have another appointment with her and my cardiologist in July.  I'll have to pay more attention. Been slacking, I guess.

Don't believe anything you hear about arrhythmia "triggers".  There is no such thing that can be generalized to the population.  Some people have events that seem to preceed episodes and undoubtably some do.  However, ignore what you read on the Internet. There is nothing universal about Afib/flutter.

With an 11% burden, an anticoagulant is an imperitive. A Watchman could be an option but might not replace the anticoagulant.  I have an atri-clip (same function as a Watchman but placed on the outside of the heart) but still will be on an anticoagulant for the rest of my life.

I have an ultrasound on my carotids every year.  My cardiologist prescribed them after my CABG in '14.  Origally they thought they were blocked 70-90%.  The vascular surgeon gave me a choice of stents or the full surgery (scooping out the goop from the arteries).  I chose the stents but when they got in there, they were only blocked 20% so there was nothing to do.  The explanation was that the plaque was calcium rather than fat.  They do the ultrasound to make sure nothing changes. They're pretty simple so it's not a big deal.  Well, I don't much like getting the goop out of my beard but...

It has been a useful study

by Gemita - 2023-03-25 05:23:44

Dear New to Pace,

I think I am detecting from your comments that you are happy to be continuing as you are, experimenting to see what works and what doesn’t work for you.  I think this is perfectly acceptable at your age.  It is your body and you know yourself best, particularly what you can and what you cannot tolerate. Having seen some of the detrimental effects of multiple medicines prescribed for my husband over the years, optimum therapy is certainly not always the answer either.   There has to be a balance.  My husband at 84 chooses quality of life over quantity and I support him all the way.

Back to your results, it would appear that there has been an increase in your arrhythmias over the last quarter which of course is concerning.  It is hard to tell whether or not your lifestyle changes or new supplements may have contributed to this increase?  Knowing arrhythmias as I do, one arrhythmia can certainly set off another as you have discovered with Atrial Fibrillation and now Atrial Flutter.  

The two lessons I learnt with my arrhythmias are:  (1) that the heart rate should be controlled to prevent worsening symptoms and a deterioration in heart function and (2) that measures to protect against an AF related stroke, if we have risk factors, is found.  I know you are working with a number of supplements to try to achieve both these objectives in a natural way and I hope you succeed.  I was fortunately able to find a suitable anticoagulant that worked for me (low dose Edoxaban 30 mg) but I know you have a lactose intolerance.  The only anticoagulant I see that is free from lactose is Dabigatran, although it carries a higher risk of major bleeding than say Apixaban that does contain lactose.

As for the Watchman, post-procedural anticoagulation and dual anti platelet therapy would still be needed for some months to avoid device-related thrombosis.  Aspirin is sometimes recommended for life after a Watchman, so I don’t think that would work for you either with your lactose intolerance.  

So new to pace, continue to watch for triggers and avoid them wherever possible.  I have clear triggers for my AF but I accept that arrhythmias can start for no apparent reason too.  The more you learn about yourself and your arrhythmias, the better for you. Age in itself however is probably the biggest trigger for arrhythmia development, and we cannot stop that process, can we.  What strikes me though is that so far you seem to be able to tolerate your arrhythmias very well indeed without medication, so clearly something is working for you and your heart is still strong.  Your lifestyle and supplements do not appear to have caused any real harm.  However, I would like to keep it this way New to Pace and I know you would too.  In this respect, we still have a little way to go before we can relax.  

I send my best wishes and hope that you will continue to find ways to help yourself but please watch for any troublesome new symptoms and get help promptly if you need to, that is all I ask

thanks to you both AgentX86 and Gemita

by new to pace.... - 2023-03-25 06:01:34

Both of the comments make sense.  As to the Carodit's  will ask that question of the tech can they tell if calicum or fat?

Yes if need be will get help immedatily , i have not felt the faster heart beats yet.  Did recognize the slow or pauses before the pacemaker.

 Have cut out eating rice entirely now as those pesky carbs were catching up to me.   that should make a difference in both the A1c and Triglycerides.

new to pace

How to lower LDL

by zawodniak2 - 2023-03-25 10:40:12

Zetia which is the generic for Ezetimibe and is very inexpensive  and drastically reduces LDL-- like at least 10 points.  It is the dual drug in Vytorin (simvastatin and ezetimibe).

I have a stent in the LADA (the widow maker) and Zetia 10 mg along with Atorvastatin 80 mg keeps my LDL in the 30's

I will be getting my third pace maker within a year and I am very thankful for my first two!!👍👍

                  Rodger