What to do.

[farewelltoarms]

Have been in persistant afib after unsuccessful cardioversion 6 mths ago. On Loperessor 100/50 and eliquis. Doing only ok but almost past out after walking up two flights of stairs over weekend. Short of breath and nausea. Have been told not a good canidate for ablation.

[jeanjeannie50]

Do you know why you're not a good candidate for an ablation? Don't give up trying to find something that will make you feel better. Perhaps the drugs you're taking are making you feel worse. Do you have something that you can record your pulse rate with?

Jean

[farewelltoarms in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you for your interest. Maybe my age. I am 83 and the electrophysiologist said I had a low percentage for ablation working (less than 70%) and if it did would not last 6-7 months. I have a kardia pulse runs 90-100 but when I was in NSR and on Multaq under 60

[farewelltoarms in reply to farewelltoarms]

and having said this also felt better in NSR. Feel like I am in a dream when I am in afib and vision blurry and not as sharp.

[2023AFibber in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Lopresssor causes shortness of breath. Guessing that is the cause, check all the side effects

[mav7]

almost past out after walking up two flights of stairs

Also have persistent afib. May I say try to refrain from strenuous activity. Two flights of stairs is quite a burden. Even for some who do not have afib. 😊

And as mentioned, monitor your heart rate and blood pressure. Consult with your doctor if not controlled.

May I ask when you say "Lopressor 100/50" meaning you take a 100mg and 50mg tablet daily ? Seems to be a max dose which can also make you feel tired and less energy.

[farewelltoarms in reply to mav7]

50 mgm at night and 100 in am. I was told to take 100/100 but really made be lose steam. So now this does keeps pulse around 100

[mav7 in reply to farewelltoarms]

Certainly not a doctor, just a fellow persistent afibber. Would be good to get the HR in the 80’s.

[farewelltoarms in reply to mav7]

Agree and I think I would feel better as well. Thank you for your comments. Appreciate it.

[Blearyeyed]

You do need to pace your physical activity and stairs can sometimes be too strenuous and cause symptoms depending on how we are managing our condition and health in general when we try to climb them.What you had been doing in the hours before climbing the stairs can also be a cause of the problem.

It would be worth making an appointment to speak to your Specialist , EP , local cardio nurse or GP , especially if you are getting other symptoms of Fatigue , Breathlessness or Exercise Intolerance.

Let them know what's happening and ask whether you might need to amend the dose of any of your medications to prevent this.

How is your daily activity in general ?

If you are overactive or you are having a busy day without balancing rest and physical activity and your heart rate is being kept high , the extra strain of climbing stairs would push you over the edge.

So looking at your activities and planning your day can be very helpful.

Drinking the recommended amount of water each day and drinking before a strenuous action like climbing stairs can also help reduce the risk of symptoms.

And the opposite can be true.

If you haven't been very active and you aren't able to do much activity through the day for some time it can affect your general fitness level and your cardio function when you do something strenuous.

If this is the case , it's good to take some physical activity throughout the day , little and often to begin with , even a five minute stroll or some gentle stretching once an hour can improve your abilities.

It can also be helpful to be referred or self refer to your local physiotherapist to get some help improving your exercise abilities and cardio health.

Not everyone can get on to Cardio Rehab , but all patients can be referred and do sessions with an NHS physio to help their muscle strength , fitness and exercise tolerance with a chronic or cardiac condition.

Ask your GP to point out your cardiac issue in the referral and request for you to be seen by a member of the physio department with experience in cardio rehab.

Take care , Bee

[farewelltoarms in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thank you. Very helpful

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Lopressor as I understand it is of the family from Metoprolol.

It is a ACE BLOCKER. If you cough from another ACE like INHIBRACE stop don't take it or any of those.

When I was started on Lopressor I noticed PROTEIN in my urine.

Check your banned list.

On BB Bisoprolol the breathless stopped immediately.

Metoprolol was also showing pauses at night on 47avg at night. Proved again to ban it for me.

A heart with structural damage on an ECHO stops ablation, cardioversion, anti-arrthymnic drugs. You should kow that JeanJeannie.

Those Surgeons/ Heart Specialists should be reminded not to risk the patient.

cher JOY. 75. (NZ)

[Ppiman]

I feel for you. If you have a good doctor and still cannot get sorted, then have you been given a reason for the physical effects? I am seeing a cardiologist in a week's time to try to find why my issues have worsened recently, but it does seem to be a condition where questions are many but answers are few and soldiering on is all we can do.

Steve

[farewelltoarms in reply to Ppiman]

thank you.

[cuore]

Could you not consult another EP? Could you not investigate whether Pulsed Field Ablation or Wolf mini maze would work for you. Most literature that I have read is not a factor in having an ablation. But, the duration of your time in persistent is a definite factor which is now being addressed with the previous two techniques mentioned. The longer you stay persistent, the more difficult it will be to remain in NRS after an ablation.

[farewelltoarms in reply to cuore]

Thank you

[cuore in reply to farewelltoarms]

I missed the word 'age." Age is not a factor for ablation, but you may have assumed I had written it in. Do consult the other techniques, though.