Knock wood... AFib continues to be in check

[PrinzMongo]

I've been working at 6,800 ft/2,100 m as a Camp cook in the San Bernardino mountains for the past two summers and roaming the Santa Ana River Valley peaks at 10,000-11,500 ft/3,000-3,500 m.

A month ago, I went in for a routine visit with my lead cardiologist (I had a massive heart attack 11½ years ago) and was actually muttering 'why am I doing this? Nothing ever really changes besides my continued weight loss.

I was surprised when he pulled out my EP's review of my latest 2-wk ECG and ultrasound results. Turns out, they are both agreed that I've reversed my ejection fraction issues (30-35% pre-AFib including syncope to 50-55% and AFib free for 18 months.) The ultrasound also showed that I've lost some modest yet observable venticle scar tissue.... I can't claim causation, but I have been doing ProLon fasting mimicking fasts over the past 2-3 years which are supposed to reduce scar tissue through autophagy and generate undifferentiated stem-cells. My cardio told me he's never had a patient reverse that much heart failure and that he's in new territory with me.

We discussed meds. I've never really liked the side effects of metoprolol and generally like to take as few meds as possible. He's titrated me down from 50 mg qd down to 6¼ mg qd and he's got me on another 2-wk ECG test to judge my response. He's holding my valsartan (40 mg qd) and Eliquis (5 mg bid) constant.

Well... as long as I'm on a heart monitor test, I figured I'm feeling well and might as well test myself under the conditions that I put myself in mountain hiking. My camp was just inundated with huge snow falls thanks to the series of atmospheric rivers that nailed southern California last week so I volunteered to shovel snow after having been at sea level for four months.

Just finished my first day... put in 3½ hrs and cleared maybe 10-15 yd³/m³ of both wet and dry snow. Checked my pulse and took an AFib reading on my Samsung Galaxy watch... averaged 118 non over the three-plus hours and no signs of AFib. Talked with a coworker the whole time without getting winded. Not bad for a 65-year old geezer!

All I can say is... 'the good Lord looks after fools, drunkards and Democrats'. I'm so grateful for the medical advancements that are available and that I had good enough sense to seriously adopt a much healthier diet and lifestyle.

I know this is bragging a bit on my part, but I also want active folks who come down with AFib to know there's hope... I was there two years ago... I feared my life was never going to be what it had been, but it's as good, if not better now. Only gripe is the anticoägulant, but I don't trust that the AFib is truly banished, so I take it dutifully

[jeanjeannie50]

I enjoyed reading your post PrinzMongo it was very different to the ones we normally get. May your good health and heart rate continue for ever. Do you put your calm heart down to the altitude at which you're living or good food and lifestyle, or a bit of both. You had amazing results from all your tests!

What side effects didn't you like from Metoprolol.

Best wishes

Jean

[PrinzMongo in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Jeanjeanie50, thank you for your kind words.

When on the flatlands, I diligently walk 5-5½ miles/8-9 km per day. I have followed Dr Esselstyn's salt-oil-sugar free regimen for 10 years and have only recently started adding medicinal doses of walnuts to my morning gruel due to what I've read from Dr's Greger and Joel Kahn.

Last two years have been stressful due to an aggressive Trump lead cook and my 40 yr old stepdaughter 'temporarily' coming back home. On the positive side, I made a new friend who I am profoundly fond of. I am returning more seriously to my Vipassana/Zen practice. In general, I try to keep things in perspective and not try to control things beyond my control... i.e., pain is inevitable but suffering is optional.

As to metoprolol... I lucidly dream and metoprolol was giving me vivid dreams dealing with my time as a public school teacher. With the reduced dosage, I've noticed they are nearly gone and I have more neutral-positive dreams.

Best wishes to you as well!

[BobD Volunteer]

Good result! Long may it continue.

[Frances123]

Such a nice post to read and long may it continue. You are an inspiration with all you are able to do. Must check out the walnut thing, especially as they are my favourite nut. Many thanks. x

[secondtry]

Great post, excellent example on how important taking medical responsibility yourself is, ably assisted with Lifestyle changes. Envious of those mountains, I left part of my Youth in the Austrian Alps 😁.

[Sixtyslidogirl]

I really enjoyed reading your post. Thanks for sharing.

[MonarchsAB]

How did you reduce your Metropolol dose- did you cut the pills in half or did the Dr. give you a lowered prescription?

[PrinzMongo]

My current Rx uses scored 25 mg tablets. I break a pill in half, then use a pill splitter to split the two haves into four quarters. I then use all four parts from one pill on four successive days to make sure I'm taking 25 mg over that span... I don't split a bunch at a time out of concern that I could inadvertently take too much/little