Hi my husband was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and a- fib in April 2020. The afib is still there , but controlled with Metoperol—- heart only functioning at 50%. He is terrified to have an ablation, and has read they don’t have a great success rate. So his Cardiologist has put him on Amiodarone for 3 weeks(terrible side effects) and then is going to shock his heart with paddles. Says success rate much higher using the combination of drug and paddles!
Does anyone know anything about this !
Doreen🌴
Written by
Cruiserdo
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hello Doreen, I understand that feeling only too well! My husband was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in March 2017 with an EF of 10-15%. He’s up to 41% now, so happy days.
But first things first, when you say his heart’s functioning at 50% do you mean his Ejection Fraction (EF) is 50%? If so, an EF of 50% is good. In fact it’s really good. A normal heart has an EF of 55% - 65% unless you’re an elite athlete when it can be as high as 70%. There’s a good explanation on Cardiomyopathy UK
My husband also had a bicuspid Aortic Valve (that means it developed in the womb with 2 leaves instead of 3) that was damaged by the DCM and needed replacing. After surgery to replace the valve with a mechanical one he went into AF and was treated with 3 x injection & 24 hour intravenous courses of Amiodarone which only put him back into normal rhythm for an hour of two each time. So he had a DC cardioversion, ie the paddles with an electric shock and that worked a treat. He was so worried beforehand even though everyone said it sounds much worse that it actually is and he found that advice was true - it really was much worse thinking about it beforehand than thinking back on it afterwards. He had a sedative when it was actually done and didn’t know anything about it. And it was so quick. He then stayed on a reducing dose of Amiodarone for, I think, 6 weeks afterwards. It stays in your system for 6 months so it continues to help even when you’re not taking it any more. I don’t think he particularly had side effects from it but he was on so many other meds and had anaesthetics so it’s difficult to be sure.
There is lots more information on the Cardiomyopathy UK and BHF websites and both charities have their own nurse run helpline. We used both services and they’re absolutely fantastic. The contact numbers are
BHF 0300 330 3311 weekdays 9-5 and Saturdays 10-4.
It really easy for me to say and really hard to do, but please don’t worry too much. And take time to look after yourself too. It’s a big thing for both of you but in time things will settle and you’ll both adapt.
All the best to you and your husband. Feel free to shout out on here anytime. X
Aww thanks for taking the time to write such a extensive and helpful report—- so appreciated! My husband said the Doc told him his left upper chamber wasn’t working well, and that he is in continuous controlled afib, thanks to medication. That said he wants to get rid of the afib, hence the new med (Amiodarone) which he is on for 3 weeks, followed by paddles! He was relieved to know it is not as bad as you think it is going to be. Also supposedly not side effects from the drug that you are aware of! Your encouraging words helped us so much! Thankyou!❤️
Yea, I too have Cardiomyopathy, the Hypertrophic one. There are three types and the one I mention is the better. Do yourself a favour, read about Cardiomyopathy and understand what it all means. Don't strain your brain reading the technical stuff that's for the specialists, but do understand that nowadays there's a terrific amount specialists can do that was impossible even a few years ago. I'm 75 years old with Cardiomyopathy which I've had all my life and I'm not an invalid but a very healthy fella. Good Luck.
Hi. I'm 47 and was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy a few years ago after a bout of breathlessness. My main problem was getting the Afib under control, a symtom of the underlying cardiomyopathy. I initially had two goes at cardioversion which both worked for a while but the afib returned both times. I then moved to having two separate ablations. The first again worked for a while but the afib returned and then I had a second follow up ablation and everything, touch wood, has been great for over 18 months now. The abalations in my experience and after reading a lot about it, really do work, and definitely did for me as I'm now back to how I did before this all started. The procedure itself was straightforward, one stay overnight but all good. Good luck!!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Intro
CAD and OMT/STATINS
Pain under arm pit area following by pass surgery.
Wrong medication sorted
