A very well written (I think) articl... - Atrial Fibrillati...
A very well written (I think) article on treatment choices for AF by a rather controversial US cardiologist.
A good, sensible approach and the thinking behind the strategies is well explained.
Thanks CD....very interesting....a reminder to many of us how we should be helping ourselves . Particularly useful reading for newly diagnosed.
I had my ferretin results - over 100 so Arrythmias not caused by that - but a good thought.
Wow that's a good reading.....my last one was 10 but expecting /hoping to be in 30s when we retest in a month. Although my Gastro consultant told me that 100 was the aim , when I mentioned this to my GP he said that he rarely sees that.
Yes but my folate levels are borderline, B12 levels are good. Weird.
that's very comprehensive CD- agree it's good for those wondering what to do next on diagnosis.
CDreamer
Thank you. A lucid and concise summary, and easier to digest than the 320pp from NICE on AF.
One of a diminishing number of respected cardiologists who went on to set up centres of excellence in EP, like our own Prof Camm. Not sure why he took a hatchet to Obamacare in his wonderfully named "Open wide, say moo.."
The article touches on a trend that I don't understand, where doctor's talk of handing decision making over to patients, seeing it as their job to inform. And then making it clear that they will wrest back control at the appropriate time.
Medicine is so highly specialised now , with few certainties other than death and rocketing costs that I would ideally prefer to concentrate more on finding the right doctor, making sure they listened to the specialist on my situation, who is me, and then taking a Valium and let them get on with it. I've tried to "control" my medics, had some bad outcomes and am more laid back, even fatalistic about things now. Maybe I've just come to accept how insignificant I am in the scheme of things.
You touch on some relevant issues - how much control do any of us really have? So many variables but I do think it is important to have information as to possibilities and if we can, to know what is or is not possible.
My experience of medics has been varied also but I have always taken the attitude that I am the expert on me but my doctor may be the expert on the condition, the possible treatments and then present choices I may have. One of which may very well be - do nothing.
My EP frequently reminds us that medics don’t save lives - but the interventions they make can sometimes prolong life and can improve QOL and that seems a very pragmatic and balanced view to me.
Have you read Atul Gwande? In his book Being Mortal he asks a very relevant question - instead of in search of curing people and offering expensive, often painful procedures - he asks the patient - What would a good day be like for you? For one person it was to be able to eat ice cream - other medics wanted to put in PEG.
