A-fib
- Thread starter moosehead
- Start date
Haven't had A-fib myself, but as a paramedic I know a little bit about it. It is potentially dangerous but also very treatable with medicine, and/or in more severe cases with a pacemaker (former President Bush Sr. had it and successfully managed it). What happens with it is, the heart's atria are not pumping adequately so the danger with it lies in the possibility of blood inside the atria beginning to clot. Clots, as I'm sure you know, are a bad thing when they find their way into blood vessels or the lungs. But I'm sure your doctor told you all this. It's a fairly common rythm we see in a lot of patients (or saw, I should say, as I've since retired).
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First off, I am not a physician so I am not up on specific treatments to these conditions but hopefully I can explain things a little. In general terms the heart has four chambers. 2 atria and 2 ventricles. The atria sit on top of the ventricles. The right atria receives blood from the body (low in oxygen). The right atria then pumps the blood into the right ventricle. The right ventricle will then pump the blood to the lungs where the blood picks up more oxygen. Then the blood goes to the left atria which pumps the bood to the left venticle. From the left venticle the blood is then pumped to the whole body delivering the oxygen.
These chambers are controlled by electical impulses and when everything is working correctly everything works in a paticular sequence. These electrical impulses originate in a specific area called the SA node. this causes both atria to contract pumping the blood to the venticles. As this is happening the electrical charge travels to the AV node which tells the ventricles to contract. In an average person this can happen 60-100 per minute.
In A-fib the electrical signal does not start where it is suppose to (the SA node). These electrical signals then don't travel properly and cause the atria to contract abnormally and out of rhythm. The problem with this is the atria can no longer pump the blood properlly to the venticles and and the sequence of contactions between the atria and venticles causes for a very inefficient pump. Blood then can pool in the atria and cause blood clots that can eventually travel to other parts of the body causing blood clots.
PVC is Premature Ventricle contraction. Here the ventricle is contracting out of sequence (before the normal heartbeat).
In general A-fib is more serious but if PVC is severe or frequent enough needs treatment also.
I know I got long winded here but this is actually a generalization of what goes on but I hope this helps in understanding a little of what goes on.
These chambers are controlled by electical impulses and when everything is working correctly everything works in a paticular sequence. These electrical impulses originate in a specific area called the SA node. this causes both atria to contract pumping the blood to the venticles. As this is happening the electrical charge travels to the AV node which tells the ventricles to contract. In an average person this can happen 60-100 per minute.
In A-fib the electrical signal does not start where it is suppose to (the SA node). These electrical signals then don't travel properly and cause the atria to contract abnormally and out of rhythm. The problem with this is the atria can no longer pump the blood properlly to the venticles and and the sequence of contactions between the atria and venticles causes for a very inefficient pump. Blood then can pool in the atria and cause blood clots that can eventually travel to other parts of the body causing blood clots.
PVC is Premature Ventricle contraction. Here the ventricle is contracting out of sequence (before the normal heartbeat).
In general A-fib is more serious but if PVC is severe or frequent enough needs treatment also.
I know I got long winded here but this is actually a generalization of what goes on but I hope this helps in understanding a little of what goes on.
I had electrical signals that caused an abnormal rhythm. Docs went up my leg with wires mapped my heart electrical signals & microwaved the abnormal rhythm areas so no electrical signals could trigger an abnormal rhythm. Sucked when the abnormal rhythm kicked in like 240 beats a minute & had this since I was a kid. Only good thing this 4fed me from Nam for the armed services. I had the procedure 20 years ago & cured my abnormal rhythm & would highly recommend the procedure. I played sports my entire life & still do so go get this taken care of no meds necessary. Abnormal rhythms are very scary but don't let the condition rule your life....I didn't & still going strong at 65.
Chicago Boy
New member
That sucks brother but do what the ask and get better.we need you out there
Ibendwire is spot-on with his explanation. I would go just a bit further and say that while the occasional PVC is harmless (and can be triggered by caffeine, among other things, as somebody else stated), I would be very concerned if they become frequent (especially if they're multi-focal, meaning they have different points of origin). Something is causing the ol' ticker to become irritable, and that isn't good. Lots of PVC's could lead to V-fib, and that, essentially, means you're dead.
PVC's are very normal. Most people have them and just never feel them. When you do feel them, it feels like your heart skips a beat, when in reality, it gives an extra beat. Not very fun at all, but generally harmless. They can be serious, but so can crossing the street!!!
Follow the doctors orders, and I wish you the best!!!
Follow the doctors orders, and I wish you the best!!!