I was in the hospital over Christmas with influenza A/pneumonia. It was rough. While there initially I went into afib but resolved rest of stay and no problems. Pulmonologist who saw me there said didn't think I had heart issues was a reaction to being dehydrated and fighting off the virus. Cardiologist there was more fear mongering saying I probably had existing prior and showed up in ER and was stressing stroke and blood clots. Had 2 ekgs and a heart ultrasound all not causing any alarm bells.
Recently I went to a separate Cardiologist who thinks it's the albuterol that has caused the afib and now says I will have the rest of my life.
No meds prescribed but suggested a monitor for 2 weeks. He was not terribly concerned or urgent as the cardio in hospital.
I was diagnosed with adult onset asthma 10 yrs ago.
Some different versions here and quite frankly has me astonished with no straight answers. I'm also appalled that no discussion was ever made about the potential to damage my heart with nebulizing albuterol and maybe even a suggestion to supplement to support my heart from get go?
Has anyone experienced similar? Any thoughts or comments welcome!
Thx!
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Hateasthma1
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I had a look back at your first post several years ago, and can see that Albuterol nebs are your main treatment for asthma because you couldn't tolerate combination inhalers. All meds have side effects and Albuterol is no exception. It's not a preventer treatment and only works in the short term, for a few hours, and so the underlying asthma isn't being controlled. I can't imagine how much you have to take and high amounts will take its toll on your body.
In the UK, the aim is to reduce the amount of rescue inhaler (Ventolin, Albuterol) patients use to around 2 or 3 inhalations per week. Obviously, some patients with severe asthma will require more, but the aim is to control asthma by preventing the symptoms in the first instance with inhaled steroids and long acting bronchodilators. If that doesn't have the desired affect, and depending on the asthma type, other treatments can be considered, e.g. Montelukast (Singulair), biologics, macrolide antibiotic. But the availability of these treatments differ depending on the formulary of each country.
In the UK, nebulised Albuterol or Ventolin is usually reserved for hospital emergency treatment, with a few exceptions. I remember my family doctor giving me lectures about the cardiac risks from my over use of Ventolin, and the risks are detailed in the patient leaflet that comes with the medication.
Your doctor may want to check your potassium levels, as Albuterol can lower potassium, and very low potassium levels can result in abnormal heart rhythms. This can be addressed by prescribed supplementation and continued monitoring. I stress that this has to be monitored and self supplementation is risky, as too much potassium can be equally bad. Potassium is vital for normal muscle activity and the heart is a muscle.
There may be other factors at play, but definitely address the potential potassium factor, in partnership with your doctor.
Maybe time for your respiratory specialist to consider ways to treat your asthma so you're not relying on nebulised Albuterol and suffering the unwelcome side effects.
To clarify. I only take a few puffs a day of nebulized albuterol. And have for yrs. My script is 3 vials a day. I'm probably 3 in a week to 2 weeks. So appreciate your input but probably should not apply to me.Potassium levels checked in hospital were fine.
Unfortunately in my opinion a Dr should go over risks and not rely on me finding it in attached info.
I'm also a little surprised that I'm not a life long user of albuterol and to get afib in 10 yrs is frightening to me. If in fact it is the cause of my afib!
Hi, I have Afib and asthma. I can't comment on your asthma meds but from my own experience some asthma drugs can trigger an Afib episode. What concerns me is that if your consultant has confirmed that you have Afib he would have put you on a blood thinning drug to reduce your risk of stroke or blood clots. I wonder if you should visit your doctor and talk through the outcomes.
Hi! He said given my age and health history that he didnt feel I needed to be on any meds.Have you been told once you have an afib episode you will always have the rest of your life? I seen to be getting mixed answers from the doctors on that?
If Afib is caused by your asthma medication you may not have repeat episodes. What seems to be missing is a diagnostic confirmation of the status of Afib. I would pursue the 2 week monitor. This will indicate the frequency of your Afib and give a clearer path for treatment. Some people will be in afib and not know it, it is not always obvious. Then there will be a better understanding as to whether it is a long term condition. Hope this helps
I have AFib and have COPD/Asthma and heart problems including IHD and Previous VT.
Inhalers I take Salmanol, Atrovent and Fostair - I don't blame my meds as I don't know what caused my AFIB - I had SVT as a teenage might have stemmed from that. I am having echo in March -Makes me wonder what that will show.
My first wife had very bad asthma, and was often hospitalised, so treatment was needed inhalers and Cortisone.
My point being - Even if inhalers are causing AF - Whats the answer? Asthma can be just as serious.
As I said I have AFIB but I have Amioderone tablets for that.
To be honest I can't remember anyone telling me why I have AFIB - I wonder if anyone knows even...
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