Question???

[Creed3]

Hi Everyone!
I was just wondering about something. I remember for a few months after my surgery that I had extra beats (heart flutter). I had them before the surgery also. I don't know if they were related to my heart problem or not. While I had these flutters in the hospital, they told me they were nothing to worry about. They continued for a few months and then slowed down a lot. I have noticed lately that I am having flutters again. Nothing extremely bothersome, but I am noticing them. I am almost 7 months post op. Is it normal to have the flutters right after surgery, have them decrease in frequency and then have them start up again? I just had my 6 month follow up with my cardio and he said that everything seemed to be just fine. At that time, I wasn't having that many flutters, so I didn't think to ask him about them. What do you all think?

Take Care!
Gail

 

[Ross]

I would think that it's perfectly normal however, if it bothers you enough to think about it, ask him what he thinks. Mine does some strange stuff too. I don't worry about any of it unless I start having pain with it, then it's definately getting checked. My problem with pain is that I can't tell if it's a lung bleed flare up or heart related. The darn things are too close together to distinguish.

 

[Kim]

Hi Gail.

It will be 2 years next month that I had my valve replaced. I NEVER had flutters, extra beats, or palpitations before surgery. They began after surgery, and I still have them. They go in spurts as far as the severity. It bugs me to no end! I don't know if they will ever go away! Before surgery I was told by my doctor that the only thing different after valve surgery would be that I would need to take Coumadin and I would probably notice the clicking of the valve. No mention of any physical symptoms. I suspect that I have these "extras" because I ended up with a 45% EF instead of the 60% I had going into surgery. I cannot get a clear answer from my cardiologist as to why I have all of the heart irregularity.

Take care! Everything I have read about irregular beats, is that they are more than likely a benign symptom.

 

[Ross]

I cannot get a clear answer from my cardiologist as to why I have all of the heart irregularity.

That's most likely because they don't know either and most will say it's normal, even without knowing.

 

[Kim]

Ross,

I am sure you are so very, very right!

 

[John & Joann]

Many people have irregular heart beat, fib, or flutter after valve surgery. Some of the doctors have told us that this is a result of the nerves in the heart being damaged during the surgery.

This is why many valve patients need a pacemaker and medication to control these issue. Amieodorne (sp?) beta-pace, etc. are examples of the medication. Many patients are on the medication for a few months after surgery and eventually go off medication.

Since you can hear the clicking, you are more aware of the issues. Coumadin will usually prevent serious issues.

There is a lot of reseach on these issues, but all answers are guess. Each patient is different!

Happy Clicking

 

[Tom Harrison]

I have the fluttering, but not all the time and have not been able to establish or tie any routine to them. My doctor suggested that most people have them but are unaware of them. Then after valve replacement surgery we can hear them clearly (especially at night). I was on meds to regulate my heart beat while recovering in hospital post surgery but was taken off them very quickly.

 

[kasper]

Hi Gail!

I'm a new member and have never posted before but your flutter problem really hits home for me. I had my MVR 6 1/2 months ago, so about the same time as you. The "extra" beats started in the hospital although my drs said they saw nothing on the EKG (no a-fib or anything). They gradually stopped, although I'd always feel a few every day. Within the past few weeks, they've really kicked in. I always notice the extra beats in the afternoon and really notice them at night (about 5/min). I called my cardio (because like you, they started after my 6 month checkup) and he seems totally unconcerned. His nurse says that all the flutters are still coming from my anxiety over the surgery. I am a highly anxious person and this has been a big ordeal (I'm 25), so I guess they could be right (although I don't "feel" anxious anymore). Just thought I'd finally post after spending hours on this site since I'm about at the same point as you!

God bless,
kasper

P.S. I would have already lost it if it wasn't for all the info here! Thanks so much!!!

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Hello Gail,

Do you remember what you were doing or feeling just *before* you experienced the extra beats?

Sometimes stress or exertion can precipitate irregular heart beats. After a trip to the ER and another to the Cardiologist's office, I've come to the conclusion that the Heart Doc's consider PVC's, PAC's, and Atrial Fibrilation to be the heart equivalent of the common cold as long as they resolve in a reasonably short period of time (1-3 days).

I've experienced all 3 of the above and find that a LOW Dose of Toprol XL (25mg), a common Beta Blocker works for me. One cardio had me on 100mg which is considered to be the minimum 'theraputic dose' but I felt 'sluggish' most of the time.

Another Cardio suggested I cut it to 50 mg for 2 weeks, then, if I had no problems, cut it to 25mg for another 2 weeks, and finally to stop completely. I experienced PVC / PAC's 10 days after I stopped so went back to 25 mg with NO more events and NO perceptible side effects.

Other VR contributors reported good results from taking mineral supplements (Magnesium?) and possibly one other. Ask your Cardio what he thinks about taking a supplement or starting with a low dose Beta Blocker.

FWIW, one cardio also suggested going on Amiodarone which I STRONGLY resisted because of it's potentially damaging side effects and LONG half life. This is a POWERFUL drug and should only be taken as a Last Resort when all else has failed (IMHO).

Here's hoping you find a tolerable solution.

'AL'

 

[Creed3]

Hi Everyone!
Thanks so much for the responses. I remember having a lot of extra beats while in the hospital, right after surgery. Everyone there said that everything was just fine. They said the rhythm was very good and that it was nothing to worry about. I never seemed to have any trouble with afib. If I had any episodes of it, they never told me. They just kept telling me that they didn't come around to check on me much because I was doing so well and they had to spend most of their time with patients who were having post op problems. I only saw them for meds and vitals.

Al: I am on 50 mg of Toprol a day. I also take a multi-vitamin every day. Sometimes I think it is due to anxiety. It seems like I only really notice them if I am waiting for them. Who knows. I also started an exercise program, so I will see if that helps any. They really aren't bad at all. Sometimes I go days without one and then some days I'll have maybe three or four. I sometimes think it may have to do with my caffeine intake. I have been drinking some iced tea and pepsi one lately.

Kasper: Welcome to this wonderful site. You already know how amazing everyone here is. I don't know what I would have done without all of the great people here. The support here is amazing. I had my surgery September 23rd. Sounds like we are just at about the same point post op. It sounds like there are some things that we are all going to have to deal with for the rest of our lives. I'm hoping that getting back to an exercise program will help with some of the remaining soreness, twinges and pinches. My cardio did tell me that I will probably always have some strange feelings every now and again, but that they shouldn't be bothersome. Good Luck with everything!

Take Care!
Gail

 

[Nancy]

Hi Gail-

I think you should call the doc and let him decide what to do about it, if anything. You had a lot of repair work in there. It's really impossible to tell what kind of arrhythmias you're having. They're probably OK, but it's always better to be safe and find out the nature of the beast.

Joe has chronic a-fib and sometime a-flutter plus other kinds of weird heartbeats. But he's been hooked up to monitors for long periods of time while hospitalized, and the docs know what is going on. I hate taking his pulse, "do I count the weird beats, or pretend they didn't happen?"

He did have some slow heart beats that caused him to have to get a pacemaker.

After his right heart cath- he had some ectopic beats that had the staff come running, because he was on the monitor, but everything was OK.

I was looking at some heart rhythm charts in the hall of the hospital. It is unbelieveable how many different types of irregularities there are. I think it looked something like 20 or more different ones.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

AHA ! Those dirty little 'caffeine' fixes may be what is doing you in.

Seriously, I would cut back (gradually), starting with caffein free colas, and going to ZERO as a goal, to see if that resolves the problem.

Bet you a (caffeine free cola) that the extra beats drop out after you get your caffeine level down.

Good Luck,

'AL'

 

[ALCapshaw2]

One more suggestion, regarding Toprol.

I had a problem with regular Beta Blockers which resolved after going to Extended Release tablets.

'AL'

 

[Creed3]

Thanks Al,
My dose of toprol is extended release.
Thanks for all the suggestions!

Take Care!
Gail