(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . KosAbility Open Thread: Problems with the Heart – Atrial fibrillation (AFib) [1] ['Steven Park', 'Dan K', 'Sabrina Haake', 'News Corpse'] Date: 2026-09-27 Welcome to the KosAbility Open Thread this evening! Hope you are well. The weather in North Texas has been hot and dry. We haven’t had rain since mid-July. I sparingly use water on my small front yard just enough to keep the lawn from dying. I need to keep my bill for water below that of my electric bill. Any-who, I have had a personal problem that’s cropped up with AFib. I went through two episodes of AFib in July and then again in August. My Pacemaker recorded the events and got the attention of the cardiologist through a transmitter sent nightly when I sleep. For each one of the events, I have an added copay. Seems to be right that way for jacking up my healthcare costs. Copay, electric, water…. What the fuck is AFib? According to the Mayo Clinic website: Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains the most common significant cardiac arrhythmia in the United States, with a prevalence estimated to be approximately 7 million patients and predicted to increase to 16 million by 2050. This arrhythmia may occur in patients with no associated cardiovascular disease (sometimes termed lone AF), or more commonly with a variety of underlying cardiac conditions. The prevalence increases with age so that 25 percent of patients older than 45 years of age have experienced one or another of the types of AF. I trust the cardiologist; I have been with her over 10 years since the installation of my Pacemaker. Then the cardiologist gives me homework. I have to get my neurologist feedback on whether I can go on blood thinners of various types permanently in light of my previous Arterial Venous Malformation (AVM). The procedure to remove the AVM was the cause of my hemorrhagic stroke in 1991. The cardiologist said I would likely be a candidate for a Watchman Device. Dr Toledo told me to look on the internet to find more information. Sigh…. I go to the Mayo Clinic website for Watchman Device: For all of these reasons, local site-specific therapy with mechanical closure of the left atrial appendage has received increasing attention. Multiple devices are available globally either in clinical trials or in development; however, only one device is currently approved in the United States (Watchman). The device was approved based on the results of two randomized clinical trials and two accompanying registries. Subsequently, it has been evaluated in a large international registry and a post-approval U.S. trial. The Watchman’s Device is basically a screen that is placed into the heart to catch any blood clots that forms from AFib before they can cause damage in preventing a heart blockage or a stroke. The steps involved in evaluating a Watchman candidate: Documentation of nonvalvular AF. Assessment of underlying comorbidities and risk assessment for stroke using the CHA2DS2-VASc score. Imaging of the left atrial appendage to evaluate other potential causes of stroke and exclude residual thrombus as well as documenting suitable anatomy for implantation. This can be performed with TEE either alone or in combination with CT. Careful evaluation and shared decision-making about risks and benefits of the procedure. This evaluation may be carried out by a variety of individuals in general cardiology, electrophysiology and neurology. Hopefully, the placement of the Watchman’s Device will allow me to discontinue with blood thinners. I have my appointment with the neurologist in October. If the decision is to go ahead, I will undergo three imaging sessions, including a CAT Scan. In the meantime, I plan on upgrading my Medicare and get a supplement coverage to help keep medical expenses somewhat affordable. I am on track to have my Pacemaker replaced this year due to its battery life is 10 years and I have 11 years on it. More on the diagnosis of AFib: Test to diagnose atrial fibrillation may include blood tests, electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), Holter monitor, event recorder, implantable loop recorder, echocardiogram, stress tests, and chest X-ray. The treatment of AFib may include medicine, therapy to reset the heart rhythm (cardioversion) and heart procedures or surgery. ________________________________________________________________ Maybe I’m pushing too hard at the gym? Above all, I want to find a purpose in life; I know that I’m running out of time…. Thanks for reading this post. What’s happening in your life? KosAbility Is By And For People living with disabilities; Who love someone with a disability; or Who want to know more about the issues. 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