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Related: About this forumOff Topic: AndyS texted me about his situation: He's in a Ft. Worth hospital.
Last edited Sun Sep 24, 2023, 04:09 PM - Edit history (1)
Yesterday, while he was home, his heart started beating very rapidly with a simultaneous drop in his blood pressure.
He realized he had to take care of this so he drove to the nearest hospital where he was seen in the ER.
The MD's there thought it would be best for him to be treated at a more advanced hospital, so he was transferred to one in Ft. Worth.
He was admitted there last night where he was examined.
His EKG was "perfect" according to an MD, but the blood work was concerning.
It was thought that he might have had a heart attack, but they weren't sure.
This morning, the Floor Doctor says all looks OK, but he has to get signed off by the cardiologist. Andy fully expects to be discharged home this afternoon.
He told me to go ahead and let all of you know what's going on.
I am more than relieved!
***Major Edit*** See my post #30 for the details
LoisB
(8,755 posts)concerning that he drove himself to the hospital. Please let him know I wish him the best health.
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)I don't know the details about what the problem really is.
And you can be sure he will read this thread, since he gave me permission to post it.
AncientOfDays
(200 posts)Ended up getting Double Bypass.
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)AncientOfDays
(200 posts)and I'm still here.
mike_c
(36,338 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)2naSalit
(92,909 posts)Relaying that, dear Peggy!
Sending all good energy in his direction!
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)Diamond_Dog
(34,884 posts)Pretty darn scary and I hope he will be OK from now on in. Hes a valued member of our DU community. Wishing Andy all the best.
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)AllaN01Bear
(23,102 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)I don't think the Dr's. know exactly what the rhythm was. It's normal now.
I hope they've figured it out.
Thanks for chiming in, my dear AllaNO1Bear!
AllaN01Bear
(23,102 posts)for five. meds that are ballanced out help too also
alfredo
(60,145 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)alfredo
(60,145 posts)For all you NPH sufferers
Old Crank
(4,715 posts)I've just had a battery of tests for an AFib alert from my fitbit. Found nothing. Will keep wearing the device.
Get well soon Andy
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)I'm glad you're doing well too.
George McGovern
(6,047 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)Mousetoescamper
(5,255 posts)Thanks for letting us Know, Peggy.
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)It is good news.
I am happy to let you know!
CrispyQ
(38,336 posts)I am too familiar with the ER & heart issues. I met a major exercise goal recently so all I can say is persevere!
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)I'm sure he plans to persevere! He's wired that way.
Good on you for meeting your major exercise goal!
wyn borkins
(1,109 posts)Wishing and hoping
Hoping and wishing
You return right
Here right soon
(Our) AndyS
Love, Wyn
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)Andy appreciates poetry and yours is perfect.
shenmue
(38,537 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)calimary
(84,397 posts)Thanks for keeping us posted!
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)Grumpy Old Guy
(3,569 posts)Wishing Andy a speedy recovery. Keep us posted.
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)Callalily
(15,013 posts)Glad that Andy is alright and heading home. Best place to be to recoup.
Sending warm wishes and healing vibes his way.
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)His diagnosis is SVT. SupraVentricularTachycardia.
Loosely translated it means an irregular heartbeat that starts above the ventricles at a rate greater than 100 beats per minute.
Apparently there is a nerve responsible for this. There is also a normal nerve that controls the normal heart beat.
Andy will have out-patient surgery in about 6 weeks to cut the nerve responsible. Then the SVT should stop.
He just called to tell me all this, and he's being discharged this afternoon.
Grumpy Old Guy
(3,569 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)You can imagine my relief when he told me that he hadn't had a heart attack!
Beartracks
(13,588 posts)I've got some family members with atrial fibrillation (a-fib), but I'm given to understand that v-tach is more serious, I think.
Some a-fib cases are also triggered from a nerve cluster, and it, too, can be fixed by a surgical procedure -- an ablation that destroys the offending nerve(s). It could also be managed with a drug that simply prevents the erratic impulses, but I don't know if that's a possibility with v-tach.
I wish AndyS the best with his surgery, and will keep him in my prayers.
============
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)However, allow me to clear up the difference between Vtach and SVT. They are very different.
And Andy doesn't have atrial fibrillation either.
SVT (supraventricular tachycardia) is an abnormal rhythm that originates in the upper chamber of the heart. It causes the heart to beat very rapidly at rates above 100 beats per minute.
This will be controlled surgically: the nerve causing it will be cut, leaving the good nerve to work as it should.
Hope this helps!
Grasswire2
(13,713 posts)Not only are there meds that lessen the chances, but there are techniques that can stop the tach.
Vagal techniques. Take a deep deep breath, hold it as long as you can, then exhale as long as you can. Repeat. That is called the Valsalva Maneuver.
There are variations: get a bowl of ice water, hold a deep breath while immersing your face into the ice water and hold it as long as you can. Pull face out of water and exhale deeply. Repeat as necessary.
Another variation involves taking a deep breath, then blowing into a drinking straw with the other end pinched off by your fingers. Hold it as long as you can, then exhale. Repeat as necessary.
Those are a few techniques.
Long history here of SVT. Long, long history.
A little gadget called a pulse oximeter is a good thing to have. It clips on your fingertip, and shows your pulse and also your oxygen level. About twenty bucks at any pharmacy or on amazon.
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)You obviously have been there and done that. I am glad you're still here.
I am sure Andy will appreciate all your wisdom.
Grasswire2
(13,713 posts)Carvedilol, atenolol, something similar.
ancianita
(38,660 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)The problem is definitely fixable and he will be fine.
Thank you for your good thoughts!
MLAA
(18,633 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)Tom Yossarian Joad
(19,263 posts)SYFROYH
(34,202 posts)You're my favorite gun controller I'll go easy on you when you get back
sinkingfeeling
(53,044 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)TexasDem69
(2,317 posts)We clash on gun control issues but hes very thoughtful about the issue. Get well soon!
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)niyad
(120,193 posts)Dear Miss Peggy, I just saw this. Thank you so much for keeping us posted. Hope you can relax a bit now. I know that you were worried.
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)I thought all his friends here would want to know about this.
And since he's much better now, with a cure in the works, you can bet I'm a lot more relaxed!
Thank you again.
George McGovern
(6,047 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)Ilsa
(62,251 posts)Wishing only the best for him, and an easy surgical outcome.
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)I so very relieved to hear his good news today.
I suspect it will be a lot easier from here on out.
Thank you for your very kind remarks!
Skittles
(159,540 posts)hope he will be OK
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)I am sure that he will be OK!
HAB911
(9,362 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)Goddessartist
(2,067 posts)I had a heart attack last year, Broken Heart Syndrome, and have POTS (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) and Dysautonomia. I'm so very glad he can get the surgery to repair!
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)Yikes! You've really been through it and then some. Best of luck to you as well.
I am likewise relieved that there will be surgery to fix his situation.
Goddessartist
(2,067 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)MontanaMama
(24,039 posts)I am traveling and havent been checking in on DU regularly and when I read the original OP, it worried me. Glad to read the update post #30. This is welcome good news. Thank you CaliforniaPeggy for being a friend to AndyS. 🙏
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)I was pretty worried too, until Andy told me they'd figured out what happened and how to fix it.
It's a huge relief!
SWBTATTReg
(24,164 posts)Next time, perhaps instead of driving himself, he should have a buddy on call, to take him. I was nervous thinking about what if a repeat episode occurred while he was driving there? As it turned out, all is well as he got there aok. As to the diagnosis, like I said, at least now they know what's going on, and can take the appropriate meds etc. to handle it. I had a Afib condition most of my life, and finally after being monitored a whole month (w/ a mobile heart monitor), they finally figured out what was going on, that I was having AFIB attacks literally everyday, and didn't know it.
Listen to your heart! It may save your life!
Thanks Calif Peggy for the news update...
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)MagickMuffin
(17,154 posts)I might be able to help provide transportation if there isnt a conflict in my schedule, and its needed.
Andy glad youre doing better and will be released soon!
CaliforniaPeggy
(152,204 posts)Actually, Andy went home yesterday afternoon.