AFib/Atrial Flutter Burden

[cherylttt]

Hello All,

I just received my results from a 7 day Zio Monitor test. It says my AFib/Atrial Flutter burden is 18%, which is up from 3% last year. This seems significant to me and a little panic producing. My average heart rate while in these episodes is in the 80s. Even when not on a beta blocker my normal heart rate is low. Around 50. Longest episode length was 2 hours though often shorter. On metoprolol. What do people make of this? Should I be worried? Any insights are most appreciated. Thank you!

[CDreamer]

What exactly are you worried about? AF tends to be progressive unless you are treated.

Have you tried Lifestyle changes?

What treatments have you explored and talked about with your doctors? Where the numbers you have had from the Zio patch results over 7 day period of a typical week? I certainly had AF/AFl in patches - 3-5 in a week and then nothing for months.

How symptomatic are you when in AF or AFl or both? The more symptomatic you are then the more likely you are to seek and access treatment.

Have you any contributing factors which left untreated such as high BP or diabetes or other cardiac disease or being overweight would increase your risk factors? Have you talked to your doctors about your stroke risk? Which is the factor most of us worry about.

I pose more questions than answers but you need specifics to be able to discuss with your doctors.

[cherylttt in reply to CDreamer]

CDreamer Thanks for the reply and the questions. Helps me process my worry and as you say help me have a better conversation with my cardiologist. I'm worried because an 18% burden seems like a lot. Last year it was 3%. I am treated with medication. A beta blocker to regulate my heart rate and an anticoagulant for the stroke risk.

Yes I have tried lifestyle changes. I eat a heart healthy diet and walk daily. Minimum use of alcohol and coffee. Not sure what else is there. Generally not a lot of stress in my kife.

No treatments other than the meds have been discussed. Originally I was on verapamil, but I did not tolerate that well.

My monitor was on during a fairly typical week.

My main symptom with in AFib is that I am tired. In most cases I can deal with that my modifying my activity. Sometimes one cannot slow down due to the situation, but usually I do OK.

No high BP, no diabetes, slighted overweight, but my cardiologist is not concerned. I do have an underlying heart condition. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy which is being closely monitored and is not presenting problems.

I have talked with my cardiologist about stroke risk. She thinks I am fine as long as I take the anticoagulant, which I do,

Thanks again for all the great questions. Very much appreciated.

[BobD Volunteer]

Everything CDreamer said. She got up earlier than me!

[cherylttt]

Thank you!

[seafin]

I think if I was worried, and after all worry is stressful and not a good thing for AFib or anything else, I would want to discuss my worry with the cardiologist. Since AFib is progressive and you are concerned about the increased burden, then I would think asking whether other options for treatment, such as ablation, might be worth considering - though I see you have a form of cardiomyopathy so it might not be appropriate.

As CDreamer says, it's a good idea to research options so you can have a better conversation with your cardiologist. Stay calm.

[cherylttt in reply to seafin]

Thank you. Good advice.

[Ppiman]

My thoughts are that if it is symptomatic, the degree of the symptoms are what should guide you; then, your doctor will need to know if your ventricles might become affected, and the valves (both don't like a speeding heart, for example, but are generally happy with AF).

An elderly friend who is nearly 90 has lived with permanent AF for many years, although at a normal heart rate, and has had very few symptoms or long term problems from it. My son's colleague has had four or more ablations and has now started again with AF and AFl in his mid 70s. He continues to teach part time and enjoy life.

Steve

[cherylttt in reply to Ppiman]

Thank you. I appreciate the perspective. Good to hear positive stories.

[Cookie24]

I wore a 30 day monitor last year that showed 14% burden and had ablation last August. Recent 30 day monitor shows 7% burden. I am most likely looking at another ablation. (#4)

[cherylttt in reply to Cookie24]

Thank you for sharing your story. Sorry to hear the ablations are not working as well as they should. Are you very symptomatic?