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Q: best-AFib rate ?
asked by: pcbrawner on June 16th, 2008
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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.
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Dr. Nikola
replied on June 23rd, 2008
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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.
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pcbrawner
replied on June 30th, 2008
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AFib heart rate.
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?
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Dr. Nikola
replied on June 30th, 2008
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Which medicine for heart rate you take and what dose?
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pcbrawner
replied on June 30th, 2008
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best-AFib rate ?
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.
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Dr. Nikola
replied on July 2nd, 2008
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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?
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pcbrawner
replied on July 2nd, 2008
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Best AFib rate
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.
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Dr. Nikola
replied on July 3rd, 2008
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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.
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