Common Causes of Irregular Heart Rhythms
Several foods and supplements can alter the heart’s electrical system and trigger heart rhythm disorders. Keep your heart in sync with this quick guide.
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Tag Archives: Atrial fibrillation
Putting the Brakes on Atrial Fibrillation
Advances in technology offer new hope for millions with America’s #1 heart rhythm disorder, atrial fibrillation.
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Atrial Fibrillation
What to tell your doctor when you or your loved one feels a fish flopping, thunder rumbling, or drums pounding in your chest.
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Surgery Corrects Heart Rhythm
Q: How does the Maze treatment for atrial fibrillation work, and what does it involve? A: The Maze procedure is open heart surgery to eliminate rapid heartbeats. It involves making a series of incisions in the top portion of the heart, the atria. In experienced hands, the procedure is successful in more than 90 percent ... More
Atrial Fibrillation
A “cool” new therapy puts the brakes on fast heartbeats. Read more about it from leading heart expert and Mayo Clinic professor Dr. Douglas Packer.
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Balancing the Benefits: Drug therapies for Atrial Fibrillation and Depression
Coumadin is an important drug in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In some people, however, combining it with an antidepressant may increase the risk of bleeding. Doctors may prescribe both types of drugs when the risk of bleeding is outweighed by the benefit of managing depression and anxiety and maintaining a high quality of life. ... More
Ablation Helps Flutter, Too
I had ablation of the atrioventricular (AV) node in 2001 that apparently took care of my atrial fibrillation but left me with heart flutter. When I relax in my recliner for a short period of time, I get short of breath and feel very much as I did with atrial fibrillation. When I sit on ... More
Second Ablations Often Succeed
In 2001, I suddenly had a short in the electrical system of my heart, and this threw me into A-fib. I have had an ablation with a 67 percent cure, and am taking digoxin, Sotalol, and Cartia XT. Why do they say a second ablation usually has an 80 percent or better cure? I am ... More
Leg Swelling
I was born with a heart murmur, and it has never really bothered me. At age 76, my family doctor heard the heart skip and referred me to a cardiologist who suggested a cardioversion to give me more pep. It went well. Five hours later, however, my legs began to swell, and it turned into ... More
Thinning Blood and Coumadin
I was recently hospitalized because my blood was dangerously thin. I was taking Coumadin as prescribed by my doctor. I would appreciate any information and also want to know if Bufferin or aspirin do thin the blood. Coumadin (trade name warfarin) “thins” the blood by interfering with its normal clotting processes. This action is important ... More
Question (and Answer) About Extra Heartbeats
Q: I am an 83-year-old great-grandmother and was diagnosed with benign premature ventricular contractions 40 years ago. I’ve been asymptomatic all these years. My question is this: Have you encountered this particular arrhythmia in your study of electrophysiology? A: Leading cardiologist Dr. Douglas Zipes replies: Premature ventricular contractions are extra heartbeats coming from the bottom ... More
