After many tests and drug tries my two
doctors have concluded that my AFib is
best left alone until and unless it gets
worse. I agree. This takes us back to
the original treatment of a calcium
channel blocker and a beta blocker to
control the pulse rate, however, neither
have made it clear what the most desirable
rate is. Simple question...what is the
most desireable rate. If I take too much
medicine I get so draggy I can barely stay
awake or do anything else. If I take too
little I guess that is bad but I never
seem to go over 90. Whats the best....or
is that a matter of how I feel. Doctors
are in such a hurry anymore its hard to
get them to slow down long enough to ask
anymore than the most cursory of
questions. Please comment.
Normal heart rate (in peace) is considered
60-80 per minute. If your heart rate never
goers above 90 (thanks to the therapy) you
don't need to worry about it. You should
also take anti-aggregation therapy
(aspirin) to prevent blood cloth forming.
|
pcbrawner
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 22 Location: Missouri
AFib heart rate. Posted: 06-30-08 06:08am
Thank you Dr. Nikola. I do have the rate
under control and also I am using asprin
and warfarin. The medicine I am taking
slows me down considerable and my hope was
that I could take less so long as my rate
did not exceed whatever the "acceptable"
rate is. That would seem to be up to 90.
Does that seem reasonable to you?
Which medicine for heart rate you take and
what dose?
|
pcbrawner
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 22 Location: Missouri
best-AFib rate ? Posted: 06-30-08 13:00pm
Dr. Nikola: I take Lisinopril 20mg,
Metoprolol ER 20MG, and Diltiazen CD 240MG
which as you know are an ace inhibitor, a
beta blocker and a calcium channel blocker
all once a day. In addition I take
simvastatin 20mg, Warfarin 4mg, Asprin
83MG and finally Omeprazole 20mg. Thats a
lot of medicine for a pretty healthy man.
I would like to take less or a lower
doseage. I am 66 years old and my AFib is
always present. Thanks for your interest
in my questions.
According to the therapy you may also have
some other health problems beside atrial
fibrillation like high blood pressure.
Metoprolol and diltiasem can be used for
AF and high blood pressure but Lisinopril
can be used only for hypertension.
Do you have hypertension?
Omeprasole is used for stomach disorders
like gastritis, ulcer or acid reflux. Do
you have any of these disorders?
|
pcbrawner
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 22 Location: Missouri
Best AFib rate Posted: 07-02-08 07:57am
Dr. Nikola: Yes I do take Lisinopril for
ever so slightly elevated blood pressure
and Omeprazole for reflux. Do you think
the elevated blood pressure or medicine
for it could be causing slight swelling in
my ankles and feet? Is this related to my
pulse rate? Is there too much medicine or
too little? Thanks again for your
interest in my case.
Slight swelling in your ankles and feet
could be due to chronic heart failure.
Doctors probably gave you such big dose of
Lisinopril and Diltiazen, not only for the
slightly elevated blood pressure or AF but
also for the chronic heart failure. You
can request ECHO-cardiography to evaluate
the heart function and its anatomy. If you
really have some degree of heart failure
that causes swelling in the feet you may
need even more medicines like some
diuretic.
You should consult some cardiologist about
this.