Monday
May172010
civilized ku # 501 ~ MIA?, pt. 2
Monday, May 17, 2010 at 09:55AM 
A view from a hospital bed • click to embiggenSincere thanks for all the well wishes. I really appreciate it very much.
FYI, I have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation - irregular, rapid contractions of the atrium. My left atrium is beating out of sync/rhythm with the rest of my heart. I am on meds to reduce the af rate, reduce my blood pressure, and thin my blood. A heart cath procedure has determined that my heart/arteries have no blockages or other signs of any heart disease. So, it's on with a bunch of tests to determine exactly how to proceed.
Reader Comments (8)
Well it is good to see you here Mark.
In 1999 at the age of 50 I had a heart attack and they had to use the paddles on me twice, I was shipped to Albany Med and they found I was blocked but did not need a stint because I had collaterels in which small arteries, that are normally closed, open up and connect two larger arteries, I call it "natures by-pass".
I don't have what you do but I do have PVCs, premature ventricullar contractions.
So hang in there and get better, easy on the ranting don't need that BP to blow up.
Hang in there, Mark. If they haven't already, I'm sure they're going to tell you all about things like catheter ablation and pulmonary ablation. Both work about 80% of the time. I had the first one, but was one of the unlucky 20%. I haven't been brave enough to try the second one yet. But my "episodes" aren't all that frequent.
Your doctor may be one of those who believes that alcohol is a potential trigger. It doesn't cause the condition, but it may aggravate it. I've involuntarily become a tetotaler (not sure I spelled that right)! The "cause", of course, is a faulty electrical system. How it happens nobody seems to know. I do know that older, tall men seem to be affected more than other groups. Especially if they've been physically active most of their lives.
Get well soon! Know a few people who've been struggeling with atrial fibrillation lately and they'll all recovered back to normal. If needed, surgery should be pretty routine, so nothing to worry about.
Hi Mark,
Sorry to read of your health problems. I don't normally make comments, just lurk, but I thought that you should know that I ALWAYS enjoy your images which I would add I have found a source of inspiration in my own endeavours. I hope that you "get sorted out", and that normal service on this blog is resumed ASAP!
Best Regards, Colin.
I see a number of posters have been to a cardiologist at some point. Were any of you given the restriction that gravitas was given? He claims his cardiologist gave him an important restriction that could only be said once: He can not do any housework for 2 years. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt at this point...
Mark, take care and get well soon! Lol on the housework advise.
Yeah I think I remember something about housework, I think it was at least 2 years, maybe more.
My wife had a cardiac ablation procedure done following heart valve replacement and repair in 2006. Her afib has been under control since then. Available medication and treatment options for the most part are minimally invasive and they do work. Take care and be well.