Diagnosis

[Dee1982]

I am so relieved l had my first cardiologist appointment yesterday and I finally got my diagnosis l have Atrial Flutter it’s definitely a weight off my shoulders I got prescribed diazepam and warfarin a blood thinner what is the difference between Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter and does the medication really works I’m new to this medication and condition l need you guys help and advice thank you

[etheral]

Hi Dee, Hope you're feeling well. Wondering what symptoms brought you to the doc originally? Neither drug you were prescribed addresses the flutter directly. Diazepam is a mild tranquilizer to help relax you. Warfarin is an anticoagulant to help protect you from having a stroke which the flutter makes more likely. There are newer drugs. for this purpose which don't require regular blood tests. Treatment for the arrhythmia itself would depend on your ge general condition and could include specific drugs and cardioversion. You should be able to discuss this with your cardiologist. Best wishes...

[Dee1982 in reply to etheral]

The irregular heart beats and the dizziness is what brought me to the doctor is there a natural way of controlling it with all these different medication I’m trying not to take to many medication

[etheral in reply to Dee1982]

It is not easy to treat this problem. I do not know of any natural remedies. Many drugs are available, but no one cure. Often different

approaches have to be tried. Ablation, which involves a degree of invasiness may be necessary. If you are getting dizzy these approaches sound necessary. Hopefully you can consult an Electrophysioligist (cardiologist who specializes in abnormal heart rythyms) and get this sorted properly. Best of luck..

[Poluneeru]

Hi Dee, I had atrial flutter and was on metoprolol, diltiazam. I had my ablation 10 days back as meds didn’t help resolve my atrial flutter. I am off metoprolol and diltiazam after my ablation but on eliquis - blood thinner to prevent any clots .

As far as I know diazepam is a tranquilizer and never heard to use for atrial flutter but again I am not an expert. Check with cardiologist. Best wishes.

[Dee1982 in reply to Poluneeru]

Thank You

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Dee

Atrial flutter is a fast even spaced heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation is an irregular one, mostly fast but can at times be fairly slow too.

If you have been prescribed the pill diazepam it will be to help you relax, when we get stressed by our crazy heart rate, anxiety can make the situation worse. Do you think stress is causing your atrial flutter?

Jean

[Dee1982 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Yeah I got prescribed the pill diazepam yeah definitely stress makes it worst what can I do to keep it under control thank you for replying

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Dee1982]

Try to have a more plant based diet, cut out anything that has artificial additives, avoid caffeine, alcohol and sugar.

Some people have found that taking magnesium taurate or citrate tablets has really helped. Or you can put magnesium salts in your bath or use a spray on type. If it's needed, losing some weight can reduce the frequency of attacks. Try to get a little more exercise if possible.

Jean

[Dee1982 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank You for the advice

[Dee1982 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I don’t think l need to lose weight being I’m just 125 pounds I’m 36 years old l definitely can stay away from caffeine and artificial additives where can l get magnesium tablets from thank you for the reply

[Dangerousdriver in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean, where did you read about plant based diets being beneficial to our condition? I watched a film recently released called Game Changers which shows the health benefits of plant based diet. This is now on Netflix for anyone interested, definitely an eye opener.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Dangerousdriver]

I heard about plant based diets being beneficial from lots of different directions. On this forum people were saying how it had helped them and I can say it has also reduced my AF attacks too. I think Sanjay Gupta also mentions it in one of his talks. Also from talks by an Asian yogi type guru. Will have a look and see if I can track down any of these.

I believe totally in the saying 'we are what we eat'. Just don't understand why I'm not super fit!!!!!!

Jean

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

A better one:

youtube.com/watch?v=GDJDP7X...(Not working as expected?)

[Polly159 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Great video. Have switched to mainly mediterranean/plant based diet but was wary of olive oil on salads and other dishes. Good to know I no longer need to be (within the guidelines set out!)

[Dee1982 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks for the advice

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Dangerousdriver]

Here's one I've found, not the one I wanted but it's interesting:

youtube.com/watch?v=zTqS1Uj...(Not working as expected?)

[Dee1982 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you

[Dee1982 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you for the advice l don’t think I need to lose weight being that I’m only 125 pounds I’m 36 years old l would definitely cut out artificial additives and avoid caffeine as much as possible where do l get magnesium tablets from

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Dee1982]

Any health food shop for the citrate tablets and spray and the taurate to order or online. Magnesium salts I usually buy in TKmax as cheaper than anywhere else.

[Dee1982 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you

[CDreamer]

Hi Dee - As Jean says AFl is a fast but even spaced heartbeat - in the right atria whereas AF is a not always fast, always chaotic that is very irregular and comes from the left atria.

If you consider ablation as a treatment, which is worth considering, then it is a much quicker and easier procedure to perform because it’s in the right atria.

Did you choose Wafarin as an anticoagulant and did you discuss the newer anticoagulants which don’t require INR testing or any consideration as to diet and work immediately?

You may find this fact sheet of help

heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

[Dee1982 in reply to CDreamer]

I haven’t considered ablation what exactly is an ablation I’m new to this l don’t know what it is I’m 36 l thought you get this at an old age l didn’t think you could get it young thank you for the advice CDreamer

[Marysrory2]

Join the club Dee ... I have been on warfarin an Diazepam for years.

[Dee1982 in reply to Marysrory2]

This is all new to me I’m trying to get advice from others with the same condition l just got my diagnosis on Friday I’m 36 l don’t know to much about atrial flutter thank you for the reply Marysrory2

[7164]

Ricky

My cardio told me that ablation was only 70 % successful and I feel he thinks the drugs are the better option.

How was yours ? Do you still take drugs

Rod

[Dee1982 in reply to 7164]

Just got diagnosed on Friday I’m new to this

[Dee1982]

Thank You

[20WildRose19]

I was diagnosed with Atrial Flutter in March this year which made me exhausted. I was put on medication to try and slow things down and then at end of June had cardio version which was successful. I have stopped medication apart fron Apixaban blood thinners. Get occasional palpitations but heart rate definitely lower than previously. Was told that if cardio version didn't work I would need an ablation. My brother had cardio version which then reverted back and had an ablation which has sorted things out for him. I hope you soon feel better.

[Dee1982 in reply to 20WildRose19]

You think I should get the ablation does it really work thank you for the advice

[20WildRose19]

The procedure I had was the electric shock to get heart back in rythmn . Get the advice of your cardiologist as best treatment for you.

[Dee1982 in reply to 20WildRose19]

Okay thank you

[CDreamer]

Hi Dee - you can read up on ablation therapy on the AFA site - link I gave you above.

It is most affective for younger people with early onset AF - it’s NOT a cure - many people have 2/3/4/6 ablations - it’s a treatment. I have had 2, 2nd lasted 3 years.

It is an invasive procedure and not everyone is a suitable candidate which is why you need to discuss with an Electrophysiologist rather than cardiologist.

Knowledge is potential power along with seeing the right person for you & knowing which questions you ask - list of questions you may want to ask on the AFA site.

Keep asking here but also do your own research - not everyone on this site gives you reliable information so know enough to be able to discriminate who can. The Volunteers are informed.

[Dee1982 in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you for the advice

[pablojack]

My flutter started about 5 years ago, the trigger being strenuous aerobic exercise. This may not have been the root cause. When the flutter became permanent I was told that cardio version was the first option. No one mentioned medication. The cardio version has seemingly cured the problem, at least for the last 2 and a half years. I consulted an electrophysiologist who told me that if the flutter returned i should go straight for an ablation, which for "typical" flutter is almost always successful. However the same gentleman also told me that AF "always" returns. The only caveat being that, as he only sees people with AF, then maybe there are people out there who remain cured so therefore he never sees them. In the meantime I have no recurrence, no triggers. Not exercise, alcohol or anything else. I have lost weight, marginally improved lifestyle, and take a bunch of heart related supplements.

[Dee1982 in reply to pablojack]

Mine always happens at night especially when I get ready for bed I don’t know why but it does my resting heart rate at night when I’m laying down is 95bpm but then it jumps to about 126 l don’t know what triggers it