Atrial Fibrillation - Heart Disorders Message Board

FoolsGold · 03-22-2005, 05:38 PM

60 year old obese male with no health insurance has Atrial Fibrillation.

What are his options?

Fizzickle · 03-22-2005, 06:49 PM

Does the Afib sufferer have chronic or spasmodic episodes?

FoolsGold · 03-22-2005, 07:45 PM

Not sure. His one visit to a doctor was not particularly helpful or informative.
His pulse oximeter shows varying oxygen saturation during the day and his 'beats per minute' figure on that machine apparently is usually over 100 for most of the day but sometimes is down to 84 if he has been sitting quietly without any walking.

Fizzickle · 03-22-2005, 08:18 PM

The main danger associated with atrial fibrillation is the formation of blood clots in the fibrillating coronary atria. These clots can be the source of strokes.

To combat this tendency, either heparin (used in hospitals) or coumadin are given to thin the blood and prevent clot formation.

I have a tendency to go into afib, and have been on coumadin for about two years. The cardiologist says I can prepare to stay on it the rest of my life.

Atrial fib also causes the heart to be an inefficient pump. Consequently blood circulation throughout the body is slowed, including the coronary and pulmonary arteries. This can affect the O2 saturation as a function of time, and may cause angina (it does this to me)..

He needs to see a cardiologist to ascertain if afib is what's afflicting him. A Holter monitor worn for 24 hours would probably pick this up. Don't know what sort of costs would be associated with this type of monitoring, but if he needs coumadin, a generic is fairly inexpensive.

Regards,
Bill

FoolsGold · 03-23-2005, 06:26 AM

Atrial fibrillation was confirmed by an EKG.
No Holter monitor without insurance though.
Diuretics and potassium were Rx'd but he has not filled the Rx yet. I think for financial reasons primarily.