New Member

Hi,

I thought I'd introduce myself as a new member here.

My husband had a minor heart attack two years ago and was also diagnosed with hypertension, atrial fibrillation and sleep apnoea. He had two stents inserted and along with Clopidogrel and Atenolol, he began Acenocoumarol. He was told that a carioversion would be the best treatment and over a period of six months he had two attempts but after both occasions his heart went back into fibrillation after a few days.

Whilst all this was happening, he had bloods tests that showed he had high liver enzymes and was initially diagnosed with non-alcoholic liver disease. To cut a long story short, this was eventually changed to a diagnose of hereditary haemochromatosis (elevated iron levels in the blood). We learnt that this can be behind, amongst other problems, heart disease and abnormal heart rhythms. We were led to believe that this could have been reason the ECVs failed, as the heart was still influenced by the high iron levels.

My husband's cardiologist suggested that he had a catheter ablation but as he was being treated in a small hospital, he was sent to a regional hospital. There the specialist, with my husband's agreement, decided that as he didn't suffer from any side effects from the fibrillation, an ablation might create more problems than it cured.

So, with the haemochromatosis under control now and my husband on Acenocoumarol, things are now looking a lot better than a couple of years ago.

We wanted to join somewhere so that we could connect with others in a similar situation and also to keep up to date on such things as the latest anti clotting drugs. We're currently looking to discuss with the cardiologist about the newer anti clotting drugs, such as Rivaroxaban so save my husband so many trips to the phlebotomist!

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Twiceasnice and welcome

Well you are exactly in the right place to discuss all things A Fib, I am in a sort of similar situation, in that I get no real symptons from my permament AF so the doc (and I) have decided that any treatment other than anti-coags is not really necessary, so like your hubbie I'm playing the waiting game.

You'll find a few here on Rivaroxaban, and you are right no blood tests and no dietary restrictions, what you give up for that is a fast antidote in case of a bleed, but that is unlikely. Most people seem to state that it's money which stops these being prescribed rather than warfarin, as they are a lot more expensive.

Anyway, ask away anything you'd like discuss anything, we are hear to share, inform, support and cajole.

Welcome again

Ian

[Offcut]

Welcome to the gang.

I have to date have had 9 cardio versions 3 ablations ( All Different) and an angiogram and sorry to say still have episodes but I also have other problems that do not help the AF. Feel free to ask any question there is usually some one on here that has it or having it

Be Well

Phill

[skary]

Hi & welcome

I'm still nowhere near an ablation ....but maybe one day ! I am now on Rivaroxaban as warfarin upset my I.B.S. So far I've had no problems at all, after a month I had a liver function /kidney function test ...that was ok and need another in 3 months . It makes it so much easier with no blood tests or being careful over food.

Hope your husband is making progress and feeling more relaxed.... you too ....it gets to us all at times !

Ask away on here.....great crowd that will happily share any info they have.

take care

Nikki