Remain diligent & I’m hoping for the best for you…

After today, I feel much better. I'm a guy. I'm also a math major. So, when there is a problem I want to solve it. High BP is an effect. I want to know the cause. Not knowing was the hardest thing for me.

I don't know yet, but we're getting closer.

Went to cardiologist this morning. Had an echocardiogram. Will know the results of it and stress test in a week or two.

Went to primary care physician this afternoon. BP was 150/90. High, but a lot lower than it has been. With my A-Fib in addition to a pacemaker and blood thinner I'm on two BP medicines. Dosage of 1 was doubled yesterday. Dosage of the other was doubled today.

Going back next week to give blood and urine samples. Both docs are optimistic that there is nothing major going on and it is controllable if not fixable.

Thanks for your concern and your prayers.

longtallsam®

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Bret, I was diagnozed with aFib 16 months ago...sounded like yours...

May 31, 2023, 1:01 AM [ in reply to I am blessed. ]

I was shocked when a routine EKG found it...I had no symptoms. Started going to a cardiologist...was constantly staying in aFib. Be sure to ask your cardiologist about getting a cardio-version...where they shock your heart back into sync.

I was put on Xarelto and a beta blocker, then he did the cardio-version on me 14 months ago, I haven't been back in aFib since...I know this because last July, he implanted a tiny device that records my heart and sends it to his office.

He took me off Xarelto last October...started just taking one regular asperin a day...he did keep me on the beta blocker, but two months ago, took me off it since my BP was normal and my resting heart rate was sometimes a little too low...dipping into the 30's a couple times.

I had gotten up to about 30 lbs overweight over the past three years, so in January, I decided it was time to do something, Started going to the gym five days a week, about 20 minutes of walking/jogging, then 20-25 minutes on the machines. After 2 months, I hadn't lost but 3 or 4 pounds, so I started watching what I eat...cutting down on the sugar and carbs. I've now lost 20 lbs and feel better than I have in 3 or 4 years.

Bret, I hope your experience goes as well as mine has so far. I'm almost 73...my mom was diagnosed with aFib at about the same age as me, but her's was the kind that went in & out all the time...she lived to be 92 and probably would've made it to 100 if she hadn't refused to get a bad aortic valve replaced! Point is...it wasn't the aFib that killed her!