heart problem stuff

[arethinn]

Here's the fancy big word: atrial tachycardia: rapid heartbeat arising from areas of muscle in the atria of the heart. My eyes glaze over trying to read this reference article, but what my dad said the doctor told him was that if beta-blockers or other drugs didn't work, what they do is not implant a defibrillator, but actually kill the "hot spot" of heart muscle that is the source of the bad signals. From the sound of this article I think that's radio frequency catheter ablation. That sounds really spooky to me but apparently it's fairly regular stuff, not some kind of wacky experimental or highly risky thing (except, I suppose, for the normal risks associated with surgery when you're almost 71).

Comments

[adnarel]

Sounds like there's just a misfire somewhere and they're gonna go it and jolt the muscle. They'll either A) just 'kill' the part that's causing all the problems, or B) might just give it a quick shock to see if that sets it back in rhythm-if not, see A. But you're right. It's a pretty standard operation and as long as he's strong and otherwise fairly healthy, he should be OK.

I'll say a prayer, and best of luck. :)

[arethinn]

I wouldn't say he's in great health (high blood pressure, overweight tending to obese, various pains and arthritis...), but he's certainly not frail or often very ill, that kind of thing.

I saw a mention that this condition can be linked to hypoxemia and I wonder if perhaps it could be connected to his obstructive sleep apnea (partly due to deviated septum), which has long gone untreated (like anyone else, you can't force him to do something he doesn't want to do).