Atrial Fibrillation:A Big Problem Getting Bigger

Atrial Fibrillation,or AFib,is a heart rhythm disorder which is sweeping through the growing ranks of the elderly.That's understandable,since age is one of the main predispositions for the disease.From a current patient population of about 5 million,the number of AFib patients is expected to triple by 2050.Many of them are already dealing with other chronic diseases-especially cardiovascular ones.
In AFib,the two upper chambers of the heart,or atria,beat erratically and out of sync with the two lower chambers,or ventricles.This can result in a number of symptoms such as heart palpitations;lightheadedness;fatigue;shortness of breath;disorientation;and even chest pain.During AFib,an electrical overload in the heart results in an irregular,rapid heartbeat.These erratic signals may be caused by factors such as damage to the heart's structure from hypertension;heart valve disease;heart attacks;congenital heart defects;metabolic disorders;lung disease;stimulants;heart surgery;viral infection;and sleep apnea.Age,alcoholism and heredity may predispose a patient for AFib.
AFib can lead to stroke and heart failure.Left untreated,it tends to become more severe and less amenable to treatment as time goes on.Recent studies point to a link between AFib and dementia.That stands to reason,since AFib can easily hinder blood flow to the brain.
AFib is typically diagnosed by means of various monitors attached to the body with electrodes.Treatment ranges from medication to electric shock therapy,as well as various catheter procedures.Blood thinners such as Warfarin and its branded form Coumadin,plus the newer Pradaxa are frequently prescribed to lesson the considerable risk of blood clot formation and stroke from AFib.
If your heart seems to be acting up,it's best to consult with your doctor about it.It could be AFib or another dangerous cardiac arrhythmia.
German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim,which is privately held,makes Pradaxa,while Coumadin is a product of Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Bristol-Myers Squibb(BMY)

After Open Heart Surgery:Six Months On The Path

At the six month way point on my surgical path,many judicious thoughts occur to me.The giddy waves of promotion are sternly resisted in these quarters.
The medical secretary wants to know how the conventional heart valve surgery patient is doing.The patient says he is almost better.In fact,this may be as well as it will be possible to be,given all that has happened to me.I have been hit by a surgical truck,after all.
The after affects are still with me.Optical migraines are not as frequent,but these visual disturbances continue to flash from time to time.The large incision itself does still sting a bit on most days.It has fully healed at the top,but the bottom of the scar remains prominent,along with the chest drain scars.
You may think that minimally invasive surgery,including the robotic approach,will soon be available to all.Though widely available now,it may not be suitable for all.The most seriously ill patients could require the traditional big incision.Perhaps it still provides the most comprehensive access to the heart.
A tiny leak from the repaired valve might seem inconsequential.Given the laws of physics,though,even a small post-surgical leak must be monitored closely for the rest of a patient's life.Any leakage from anything tends to worsen over time.
The new anticoagulant drug Pradaxa is being heavily promoted on television,but hasn't been approved for patients with significant heart valve disease.At least four deaths in New Zealand are being attributed to the medication.As well,it is many times more expensive than the old standby Warfarin.In addition,no antidote for the new blood-thinner is currently available,while there are several for Warfarin.Plainly,Pradaxa has not had the benefit of an extensive history.
With such considerations,I have been dealing with some of the issues of these medical times.