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

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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

Heart Medicine - Grand Daughter Visits!

Great medicine for the heart!  And it's free!  Well, not really!

5 Heart Healthy Foods

It is always good to reinforce diet!  Here is an article of some foods I've been eating:

5 Heart Healthy Foods

OK - some of my favorites!!!!

Blueberries
Salmon
Soy Protein
Oatmeal
Spinach

The only one I do not eat a lot of is the Soy Protein - here are some ways to get it!

1. Pack a soy protein bar or a bag of soy nuts for a quick snack during the day.
2. Edamame (the Japanese name for green soybeans) are snacks even kids will love! Find these nutritious nuggets in the freezer section at your supermarket. Boil them, then serve warm in the pod. Pop them out of the pod to eat plain or with a low-fat dip.
3. Tofu, made of soy beans, takes on the flavor of spices and foods you cook with it. Saute cubed tofu with green and red peppers, sliced garlic, and a dash or two of curry powder. Or add tofu to soups for a healthy dose of fat-free protein.


Web MD is one of my favorite web sites.  What do you think? I need to look for some Edamame & Soy Protein Bars!!!

Chocolate and Blood Pressure

OK chocolate fans, take a look at this article:

Chocolate nudges down BP in new meta-analysis

This is great new for chocolate lovers!  Some of the research involve Kuna Indians in Latin America!

Kuna Indians in Central America consistently have a healthy blood pressure and drink about four cups of cocoa a day, leading researchers to hypothesize that the flavanols in cocoa are probably what cause its blood-pressure-lowering effect. Flavanols increase the formation of nitric oxide, which promotes vasodilation and thus blood-pressure reduction.

This talks about Flavanols!  They are -

fla·vo·noid  (flv-noid)

n.

Any of a large group of water-soluble plant pigments, including the anthocyanins, that are beneficial to health. Also called bioflavonoid.

So, in moderation, eat chocolate!

Statins linked with development of cataracts

One thing about taking medications for any healthy issues is what are the issues both short & long term!    If you read the short term issues, it can be scary!

Here are some for Lipitor!

What side effects can this medication cause?

Atorvastatin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• diarrhea
• constipation
• gas
• headache
• joint pain
• forgetfulness or memory loss
• confusion

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor or get emergency medical help immediately:

• muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
• lack of energy
• fever
• chest pain
• nausea
• extreme tiredness
• weakness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• loss of appetite
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• flu-like symptoms
• dark colored urine
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• rash
• hives
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• hoarseness

Wow!  And I have been taking it for about 10 years!!!

And now Statins may cause cataracts.  Take a look at the article:

Statins linked with development of cataracts