Managing Side Effects in Newly Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation

What is Atrial Fibrilation?

Atrial fibrillation (AF or A-fib) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart beat). It may cause no symptoms, but it is often associated with palpitations, fainting, chest pain, or congestive heart failure. However, in some people atrial fibrillation is caused by otherwise idiopathic or benign conditions.

How does this relate to my issues?  PVC's?

Simply put, the heart is made up of 4 chambers, the 2 on the top, the atria, and the 2 on the bottom , the ventricles. PVcs originate from the bottom. PVC's are single beats, wide complex on ecg. Atrial fib is a narrow(on ecg), usually fast , irregular rythym originating from the top chambers.

For a great look at Atrial Fibrilation check out - Managing Side Effects in Newly Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation

Medicines Taking 20 months after Open Heart Surgery

Here is my list of meds that I am taking 20 months after Open Heart Surgery:

Aspirin - 81 mg
Atorvastatin - 40 mg (generic lipitor) - (was on 10 mg before surgery)
Montelukast - 10 mg (generic Singulair) (for my allergies & asthma)
Aciphex - 20 mg (for my stomach)
Amlodipine - 5 mg (after heart surgery)
Clopidogrel - 75 mg - (generic plavix) - (after heart surgery)
Metoprolol - 25 mg -(after heart surgery)
Omega 3 - Fish Oil - 1000 mg

Before my open heart surgery I was taking:


Aspirin - 81 mg
Atorvastatin - 40 mg (generic lipitor) - (was on 10 mg before surgery)
Singulair - 10 mg (generic Singulair) (for my allergies & asthma)
Aciphex - 20 mg (for my stomach)

The generic lipitor dosage was only 10 mg before surgery.  This month will be my first month on Montelukast.  This means I am using only one medicine that is NOT generic - Aciphex.  I am a BIG believer in my asthma & stomach meds!  They have been life changing for me!  The Montelukast (generic Singulair) has been great for my allergies & asthma!  My asthma was always bad this time of year.  I would have trouble breathing, walking or running, sleeping, etc.  I have always had a "bad stomach"!  The Aciphex allows me to eat anything without acid reflux! 

After surgery medicines:

Amlodipine - 5 mg (after heart surgery)
Clopidogrel - 75 mg - (generic plavix) - (after heart surgery)
Metoprolol - 25 mg -(after heart surgery)
Omega 3 - Fish Oil - 1000 mg


So far, so good!  I seem to suffer no side effects from any of my medicines.  My PVC's after heart surgery seem to be under control.

Next cardiologist appointment is January 2013!!!

Laughter is the Best Medicine

As I mentioned in my earlier blogs, laughter is great medicine!  So, try this............

Heart Surgeon vs. Mechanic

Submitted By: | Current Rating: 

In a car garage, where a famous heart surgeon was waiting for the service manager to take a look at his Mercedes, there was a loud mouthed mechanic who was removing the cylinder heads from the motor of a car. He saw the surgeon waiting and lured him into an argument. 

He asked the doc after straightening up and wiping his hands on a rag, "Look at this car i'm working on. I also open hearts, take valves out, grind them, put in new parts, and when I finish this baby will purr like a kitten. So how come you get the big bucks, when you and I are doing basically the same work?" 

The surgeon very calmly leaned over and whispered to the loudmouth mechanic, "Try doing it with the engine running."

Check out more laughs at: Medical Humor - Cardiology