Broad complex tachycardia. I’m imagining the worst. Is this a death sentence?

[Ewloe]

I’m 9 months post heart attack, (at 59yrs), due to blood clot, 6 months post successful cardio version for AFib. None smoker, was physically fit pre HA ( still exercising), healthy weight , no risk factors. Ejection fraction has improved from 40% to 46%

Cardiologist phoned me earlier. I’d had arrhythmia symptoms so had 5 day ECG which showed episodes of broad complex tachycardia. The cardiologist said that phrase can involve a number of things and admitted it wasn’t his speciality. He’s referred me to specialist hopefully to be seen in the next 2 months. In the meantime I’m not to put heart under strain and only exercise to comfort. I’m on bisoprolol 7.5. Plus HA meds and blood thinners. Any advice and information please as I’m now writing myself off. How is this treated?

Thanks

[Khartoum7]

Hey...I'm not going to be much good because all your symptoms and problems are way over my head BUT don't write yourself off! It's hard to do but try to stay positive.As my eighty year old neighbour says when I comment on it being a nice day....'they are all nice days when you wake up breathing!' Keep hanging on in there!!

[Chappychap]

You absolutely should not be writing yourself off, with a following wind you can have many years of healthy, active life in front of you.

I'd challenge your conclusion that you have "no risk factors". People who are reasonably slim, active and non smokers often make this assumption, but it's not always true. In fact given that there are communities of people with very similar genetic profiles to you and I, but who hardly ever experience heart attacks, then you might conclude that for the great majority of us heart attacks are something we can guard against.

You're correct that smoking, obesity, and lack of exercise are three of the biggest risk factors. But there are other risk factors that are less well known. For example gum disease or poor sleep patterns can be equally damaging for some individuals. And then there's the huge but contentious subject of diet. There are about 17% of the population who are very susceptible to high fat diets and alcohol, the majority of us can handle fat or alcohol in moderation, and some of us can handle extremely high alcohol intake and fatty diets with no ill effects. But perhaps you're not in that happy group? Or it might be that you've managed to stay slim despite a diet high in processed meats or trans-fats (for example often found in fried take-away meals). Then again, perhaps you're one of the millions of Brits on a long road that eventually leads to type 2 diabetes? If your HbA1c levels (which you'll find in your blood test results) are on an upward trend over time, then that's a big red warning light even if they're still technically in the safe zone.

There's really only three things (besides a bit of luck) that will keep us well. Medical interventions such as your cardio version, but these are infrequent and usually more about giving us a second chance. Then there's medication and finally lifestyle changes. That's it, it's all down to these three factors. We should never assume that we've optimised our lifestyle choices or that they won't make any difference. For a tiny percentage of people it may be true that their overwhelming challenges are genetic, but the vast majority of us can still materially improve our odds with better lifestyle choices.

Good luck!