Doctors & patients are saying about 'A-Fib.com'...
"A-Fib.com is a great web site for patients, that is unequaled by anything else out there."
Dr. Douglas L. Packer, MD, FHRS, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
"Jill and I put you and your work in our prayers every night. What you do to help people through this [A-Fib] process is really incredible."
Jill and Steve Douglas, East Troy, WI
“I really appreciate all the information on your website as it allows me to be a better informed patient and to know what questions to ask my EP.
Faye Spencer, Boise, ID, April 2017
“I think your site has helped a lot of patients.”Dr. Hugh G. Calkins, MD Johns Hopkins,
Baltimore, MD
Illustration: The Vagal Nerve
Illustration: The Vagal Nerve; Source: Wikimedia.org
Happy Birthday, Steve!
It’s your birthday, and it’s amazing
how easy and enjoyable it is to be with you each day.
It’s your birthday, and no matter what fate has in store for us,
I know it will be a pleasure to spend life with you.
It’s your birthday, but I got the gift—
You in my life for another year.
With love forever, Patti
Donate: Help A-Fib.com Become a Self-Supporting Site, but Still Ad-Free
Donate to Help A-Fib.com Become a Self-Supporting Site, but Still Ad-Free
A-Fib.com (A-Fib, Inc) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to patient education of those with Atrial Fibrillation and their families, and to empowering patients to find their A-Fib cure or best outcome. Won’t you join us? Donate Today. Support our Mission!
Donate Today through PayPal
(you don’t need a PayPal account to pay by credit card)
Or Mail Us a Check, send to:
Steve S. Ryan
A-Fib.com
30765 Pacific Coast Hwy., Ste. 259
Malibu, CA 90265
Your Support is Needed and Appreciated.
“I’m happy to donate [to A-Fib.com]. Steve has always been very helpful answering my questions. You guys do a great job for a good cause! God bless,”
Mary Jo Hamlin, Liverpool, NY
December 2016
Updated Article on Sleep Apnea Home Testing
Philips’ Alice NightOne
We’ve updated our article: Sleep Apnea: Home Testing with WatchPAT Device and the Philips Respironics.
There are several FDA-approved sleep study devices you can use in the comfort of your own bedroom to determine if you have sleep apnea. And it’s convenient (especially if being away from home overnight is problematic).
Everyone with A-Fib should be tested for sleep apnea. It’s now available at a fraction of the cost of an in-lab sleep study ($250-$300 vs. $1100-$2,000).
We’ve added the Philips Alice™ NightOne home test. Continue to the updated article…
Keep A-Fib.com Independent and Ad-Free: Shop Amazon.com
Bookmark the A-Fib.com portal link to Amazon.com; use every time.
Help us maintain our independence along with ‘no third-party advertising’. We are commited to having no distracting Google or Yahoo ads that clutter the page and interrupt your reading.
My goal: make A-Fib.com a self-sustaining site. You can help.
When shopping online, use our Amazon portal link to shop at Amazon.com. Each of your purchases generates a small commission that’s applied to the monthly costs of publishing A-Fib.com. And it costs you nothing extra.
Bookmark this Link. Use it every time. Your support is needed and much appreciated. (http://tinyurl.com/Shop-Amazon-for-A-Fib)
Or Donate to A-Fib.com Using PayPal
Infographic: A-Fib & Sleep Apnea—The Life-Threatening Risks
Sleep Apnea is common amount Atrial Fibrillation
At least 43% of patients with Atrial Fibrillation suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as well.
Sleep Apnea is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes. They may occur 30 times or more an hour. Typically, normal breathing then starts again, sometimes with a loud snort or choking sound.
It is now established that there’s a correlation between Sleep Apnea and A-Fib.
Update: ICE Numbers in Cell Phones are No Longer a Useful Solution
ICE entry on phone
Last December, we posted: Got A-Fib? Add ICE to Your Cell Phone. (ICE stands for “In case of emergency” entries in your cell phone address book.)
Started by a paramedic in Britain, ICE entries allow first responders (e.g. paramedics, firefighters) to contact the cell phone owner’s next of kin to obtain important medical information.
What’s the Problem with ICE Entries?
Many modern ‘smart’ cell phones require a passcode to unlock and access the owner’s address book. This prevents medical staff from getting to your emergency contact info.
Solution: Carry a written copy, too. Write down your medical contact information and include in your wallet, medical ID bracelet or necklace. A good place to start is a wallet card as most of us usually have our wallets handy.
Print a Custom ICE Card
GetICE.com template
To help you make your ICE or medical ID, we have Free online sources for printing your own wallet cards. (Updated 1-14-18).
• GetICECard.com by ICE Gear
• Printable Emergency Medical ID Card (in PDF format) from AllFreePrintable.com
• Print Your Own Emergency Medical I.D. Card from AllenLawrence.com
• Emergency Contact Card (in PDF format) from American Red Cross
They offer an online form (with nothing to install or download) to customize with your information. Then, print, trim, fold and add to your wallet or purse. (Note: none of your personal information is stored on their websites.)
ICE Gear laminated tag
Other Options: Key Ring or Gym Bag Tag
If you want a key ring tag, ICE Gear offers a personalized laminated tag at a very reasonable price.
ICE Gear laminated cards.
Similar in size to your gym or grocery loyalty tags, they can be attached to car keys, shoe laces (for runners), zippers, gym bags and more.
Made with durable, high-visibility materials. For $9.99 you get 4 tags. Shipping is free.
ICE Gear also offers a more detailed custom, laminated credit card-type wallet card for $11.99.
Related reading: ‘What Emergency Medical Info Should You Carry With You?‘
Taking Supplements? How to Time Your Daily Doses
Updated November, 10, 2016
If you take several supplements (like I do), you may wonder:
“Should I take them at the same time each day? Or should I spread doses throughout the day? Should I take with meals? Or on an empty stomach?”
The best answer may depend on whether you are taking medication, on the specific supplement and/or on your personal life style.
Medication Inventory form
Start with the ‘Suggested Use’
Read the supplement label. Some are fairly specific, i.e., “with or without food”, or “with food” or “on an empty stomach”; or specific time (morning or bedtime) or in divided dosages. Make notes for each supplement. Download and use this FREE form to help you keep track of everything.
Do you Have Other Medical Conditions?
If you have diabetes, hypertension or heart disease, first talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Combining supplements with prescription medications, can produce unexpected or life-threatening results.
They may offer advice specific to the combinations of your meds and supplements.
Do Some Reading, Take Some Notes
The best time to take a specific vitamin or supplement may depend on the specific supplement. Do some reading on each at the library or at a reputable website or two. Make notes of the information you find. A few examples:
• Taking a single dose multi-vitamin? It’s best to take it in the morning when nutrients are depleted and with or near breakfast so it’s broken down, then digested with the food.
• Vitamin D is best absorbed after your biggest meal, usually dinner, averaging 56 percent greater boost than those who take it without food.
• Calcium supplement, don’t take along with a multivitamin containing iron. The calcium may interfere with the iron’s absorption.
• Magnesium may be best taken in the evening, since Magnesium may support sound sleep.
Healthy Directions, Dr. David Williams
On the website Healthy Directions, Dr. David Williams offers advice about the best times to take vitamins. He lists specific vitamins and supplements and organized them into three groups, those that should be taken before meals, with meals, or in-between meals. See his article for specifics, The Best Times to Take Your Vitamins.
[Healthy Directions offers advanced nutritional supplements and guidance from highly respected integrative and alternative health doctors including Julian Whitaker, MD, Dr. David Williams, Dr. Stephen Sinatra, MD and others.]
My favorite independent research sites
For reliable, unbiased research and information on specific vitamins and supplements, we recommend these three sites (in order or preference). None of the three sell supplements (or anything else). They just offer information on vitamins, herbs, natural products and supplements.
1. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute/Integrative Medicine: “About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products”
2. Drugs.com: ‘MedFacts Natural Products Professional database’
3. The ‘Dietary Supplement Label Database’ at the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
Adjust for Your Life Style
You may need to adjust your supplement taking to accommodate work or school demands, family schedules, etc. For example, if you work the swing shift, your “morning” dose may need to be 1 pm, and your ‘evening’ doze may need to be at 2 am.
Or, if you often skip meals during your work day, taking equally divided doses may become erratic. So, it may be better taking your doses before you go to work.
EZY Dose-4-times a day organizer
Bottom Line: Try to be Consistent
For optimum benefit, it may take some effort to work up your supplement schedule. But you don’t have to obsess about it. Since these are ‘natural’ substances (vs. prescription drugs), you usually don’t have to be overly careful about when you take them. What’s important is do try to be consistent from day to day.
After you work out your schedule, consider using a vitamin/supplement organizer. Check out My Search for the Best 7-Day Medicine/Vitamin Organizer.
For more answers to your questions about mineral deficiencies, see our: FAQ Minerals & Supplements
For more on where to research specific vitamins and supplements see, FAQ Minerals Deficiencies: Reliable Research.
Will You Help Us? Our 5-Question Reader Survey
This survey has ended. Look for our next reader survey.
Thanks to all who participated.
We value your feedback on how we are doing at A-Fib.com. Will you help us by answering just 5 simple questions? It’s easy and should only take 1–2 minutes.
Go to our Reader Survey. We’ll be collecting responses through October 26th.
We’ll use the information to help us set future goals while continuing what’s already useful to you. Help us make A-Fib.com the ‘go to’ site for Atrial Fibrillation patients and their families.
We Need Your Opinion!
How Are We Doing? 5-Question Reader Survey
Oops! Lost connection, working on it.[mlw_quizmaster quiz=1]
Why You Need an A-Fib Notebook and 3-Ring Binder
As you search for your Atrial Fibrillation cure, you will want to organize the information you are collecting. Start with a notebook and a three-ring binder or a file folder.
What to Include in Your A-Fib Binder
Your A-Fib binder is where you should file and organize all your A-Fib-related treatment information, such as:
• contact list of all health care providers and facilities
• lab test results, EKG strips and other medical records
• office visit notes and phone calls
• list of all medications
• health insurance claims and records
• records of any major medical event from the past two years
• completed worksheets and blanks ready for use
• research from the internet or medical center library
Available free worksheets: 10 Questions to Ask Before Taking Any Drug; 10 Questions to Ask When Interviewing any Doctor; Pre-visit First Appointment Worksheet; Keep an Inventory List of Your Medications
Make Medical Record-Keeping a Habit
Make Medical Record-Keeping a Habit
We strongly encourage you to get in the habit of keeping a copy of every test result you get in your three-ring binder. Don’t leave your doctor’s office, medical center or hospital without a copy of every test or procedure they perform. If the test result isn’t immediately available, have them mail it to you.
If you are missing some records, read our article, How to Request Copies of your Medical Records. We give you three ways to request your medical records from your doctors and medical providers.
Add Your Personal A-Fib Summary
Doctors appreciate knowledgeable, informed, and prepared patients. Each doctor will probably ask you much the same questions.
For efficiency, prepare your ‘Personal A-Fib Medical Summary’ and include a copy with each packet of medical records you send to doctors. Store the original and copies in your binder.
See our article on how to create Your Personal A-Fib Medical Summary.
Click to enlarge this Infographic
Packets for Each New Doctor
Your A-Fib Binder holds all the information you need when seeing a new doctor (or interviewing a prospective doctor). You will want to send ahead of time a packet with your medical records, test results, and any applicable images or X-rays.
Monitor Progress of your A-Fib
Because A-Fib is a progressive disease, you should track if your heart’s measurements are getting worse, and by how much.
Ask your doctor for details of your heart dimensions and functions, including the diameter and volume of the left atrium, your Ejection Fraction (EF) and any other test results.
For future reference, store this benchmark data in your A-Fib binder.
Your A-Fib Binder is a Valuable Resource.
It will help you find your A-Fib cure!
That Demon on Your Shoulder Called ‘A-Fib-Zebub’
For Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month, we are introducing a little character called “That Demon A-Fib-Zebub“. He’s that little voice that’s whispers in your ear “You don’t look sick! A-Fib’s not that bad. You can live with it”.
That little voice has a name: A-Fib Zebub.
When That Demon A-Fib-Zebub pops up, it time to remember that A-Fib is not benign, but a progressive disease. It’s not a “nuisance arrhythmia” as some doctors consider it.
And you should not just “take your meds and get used to it” (as one doctor told his patient). Who wants this demon on their shoulder?
From time to time, That Demon A-Fib-Zebub will float into our infographics and posts.
Don’t Settle for a Lifetime on Meds: Aim for A Cure
A-Fib is definitely curable. (I was cured of my A-Fib in 1998). If you have A-Fib, no matter how long you’ve had it, you should aim for a complete and permanent cure.
Don’t listen to A-Fib-Zebub. Instead, seek encouragement from other patients. Select from our list of over 80 Personal A-Fib stories of Hope to learn how others are dealing with this demon we call Atrial Fibrillation.
Do not learn to live with Atrial Fibrillation.
Seek Your Cure!
Announcing: The A-Fib.com Advisory Board
I’m proud to announce the launch of The A-Fib.com Advisory Board.
Since the start of A-Fib.com in 2002, many cardiac electrophysiologists (EP) and surgeons have given me invaluable advice and support. They have helped make our website the ‘go-to’ destination for over 350,000 visitors a year. In fact, for three years running, we’ve been recognized by Healthline.com as a top A-Fib blog.
It’s a great blessing to be able to tap into the knowledge and experience of these talented professionals when writing on a difficult A-Fib subject or to get help for an A-Fib.com reader with a difficult case.
From all regions of the U.S., and from France, The Netherlands, Switzerland and Australia, these doctors may not always agree with all my positions, but they try to point me in the right direction.
The A-Fib.com Advisory Board is my way to publicly thank them and acknowledge their continued support. We invite readers to browse the names of members and their affiliations.
Visit our “About Us” to find the link to The A-Fib.com Advisory Board page (or use the ‘Search” box).
September is A-Fib Awareness Month: Share our Infographic
Click image to see full Infographic.
This is the month we focus on reaching those who may have Atrial Fibrillation and don’t know it.
An estimated 30%−50% of those affected with Atrial Fibrillation are unaware they have it—often only learning about their A-Fib during a routine medical exam.
Of untreated patients, 35% will suffer a stroke. Half of all A-Fib-related strokes are major and disabling.
To spread the word about Atrial Fibrillation, A-Fib.com offers a new infographic to educate and inform the public about this healthcare issue.
See the full infographic here. (Then Share it, Pin it, Download it.)
My Top Articles About Exercise and Atrial Fibrillation
by Steve S. Ryan, PhD
When you develop A-Fib, you have to think seriously about changing your exercising routine. In general, you want to do whatever you can to stay active and exercise normally. Review these articles to help you determine the right choices for you.
1. Exercising During an Episode: “When I’m having A-Fib symptoms, should I go ahead and exercise as I would normally?
2. Returning to “Normal” Exercise Level: “I love to exercise and I’m having a catheter ablation. Can I return to what’s ‘normal’ exercise for me?“
3. Exercise to Improve Circulation: “Is there any way I can improve my circulation, without having to undergo a Catheter Ablation or Surgery?”
Do Whatever You Can to Stay Active
Having Atrial Fibrillation doesn’t mean you have to stop exercising, but you have to be smart about it. (In some people, light exercise helps get them out of an A-Fib attack. In others, like me when I had A-Fib, exercise makes it worse.) Do whatever you can to stay active even though you have A-Fib.
Additional Resources
Guide to DIY Heart Rate Monitors: A-Fib patients sometimes want to monitor their heart rate and pulse when exercising. A consumer ‘DIY” monitor can be useful. Continue reading…
Lessons You Can Learn About Intense Exercise: Why Elite Athletes Develop A-Fib. Continue reading…
My Search for the Best 7-Day Medicine/Vitamin Organizer
By Patti J. Ryan
Do you struggle with the daily mix of supplements and prescriptions you take? Some are small, but some are horse-pill size! Some you take in the AM, others you take in the PM.
Trying to find the right pill organizer has been a trial for me. Most often the compartments are too small and hard to open.
EZ Dose 7-Day AM/PM organizer with push-button lids
I Found the Best Organizer
After years of trial and effort, I’ve FINALLY found a great pill organizer―the EZY Dose AM/PM 7-Day Push Button organizer.
This 7-day organizer has two rows for AM/PM dosages with large letters for the days of the week.
Compartments are extra large―about 1 1/8″ wide by 1 3/8″ deep. That’s large enough for those ‘horse pill’ size tablets. The compartments have rounded bottoms― making it effortless to get the pills out. And the cherry on top? Push button lids―easy open and easy close.
EZY Dose – 4-times a day organizer
Do you carry your meds with you? The EZY Dose is also compact and portable for carrying in your purse or jacket pocket.
Note: If you take pills four times a day, there’s an EZY Dose for you too: 7-Day XL Medtime Planner
Use our Link to Amazon.com and Support A-Fib.com
For my needs, I bought two 7-Day EZY Dose organizers from Amazon.com, so I’m set for two weeks at fill up time.
Use our Amazon.com portal link: Here’s a link to get two EZY Dose AM/PM 7-Day Push Button organizers and Free Amazon Prime shipping. (Purchases through our portal link helps support A-Fib.com―at no extra cost to you!)
The EZY Dose AM/PM 7-Day organizer is also available from other retail and online sources.
Pinterest: My Best A-Fib.com Posts
A-Fib.com
I’m traveling for a few days, so this post has to be short, but not necessarily brief! Did you know I’ve listed my Best A-Fib News posts from 2015 on Pinterest? Each year Patti and I write about 150 posts, so we selected the best ‘evergreen’ posts for you.
To browse through our hand-picked selections, just click the Pinterest logo and click on a few picks. You may find something you have missed or want to reread.
Ellen D.
Just For Fun
What do Mother Theresa, Ellen Degeneres and Vice President Dick Cheney have in common? If you guessed Atrial Fibrillation, you’re right! For fun, look at our board with 50 Celebs with A-Fib!
My Top 5 Picks: DIY Heart Rate & Handheld ECG Monitors
By Steve S. Ryan, PhD, Updated Dec 10, 2016
Many A-Fib patients want to monitor their heart rate when exercising or when performing physically demanding activities, i.e., mowing the lawn, loading equipment, etc. (I wore one when I had A-Fib.) A consumer ‘DIY” monitor or Handheld ECG monitor may meet this need.
My Top 5 Picks for DIY Heart Rate & Handheld ECG Monitors
To get you started, here are my Top 5 Picks. These products are available from many online sources, but to make it easy for you and to read my other recommendations, see my ‘Wish List’ on Amazon.com. (Note: Use our Amazon portal link, and your purchases help support A-Fib.com.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BONUS
|
: Facelake Fl400 Pulse Oximeter
Guides to DIY HRMs
Learn More About DIY Heart Rate Monitors
For more information about these monitors, see my Guide to DIY Heart Rate Monitors & Handheld ECG Monitors (Part I).
To learn how they work, see DIY Heart Rate Monitors: How They Work For A-Fib Patients (Part II).
Reduce Your Family’s Risk of Arrhythmia: Don’t Store Food in Plastic
The harmful chemical compound, BPA, may have been removed from many plastic bottles and food packaging, but “BPA-free” products may not be much safer.
The BPA chemical replacements, BPS and BPF, can also leach into food and beverages and may have the same impact on the human body (heart problems, as well as cancer, infertility and other health issues).
BPA Replacement Linked to Arrhythmias in Female Rats
Avoid BPS leaching: Use glass or ceramic containers to store or microwave food
A study published in the Journal Environmental Health Perspectives (Seltenrich) shows that the chemical compound BPS has nearly identical impacts on the cardiovascular system of rats as those previously reported for BPA. Researchers reported a link between BPS and irregular heartbeat. More research is needed.
What to Do: It Doesn’t Hurt To Be Cautious
Aluminum water bottle at Spreadshirt.com
To reduce your risk of arrhythmia from BPS/BPF, decrease or eliminate your use of plastic storage containers for food or drink.
Drink from steel or glass containers, not plastic ones.
Don’t microwave your food in plastic containers. The heat from the microwave can separate BPA-like compounds from plastic containers, making them easier to ingest. If you must use plastic containers, avoid the microwave.
Ideally, just store food in ceramic, glass or stainless steel containers in the first place.
To read more, see the April 2015 TIME magazine article by Justin Worland, Why ‘BPA-Free’ May Be Meaningless.
My Top 7 Picks: Books for A-Fib Patients and Their Families
By Steve S. Ryan, PhD
Knowledge is power. Educate yourself about Atrial Fibrillation. Empower yourself as a patient. Learn to see through the hype of healthcare websites!
My Top 7 Recommendations for A-Fib Patients and Their Families
For patients and their families, these are our favorite books about A-Fib as well as patient empowerment, unmasking the facts behind health statistics, the importance of Magnesium supplements and insights into the pharmaceutical industry. And a Bonus: the best medical dictionary for A-Fib patients.
These books and guides are available from many online sources, but to make it easy for you (and to read my other recommendations), see my ‘Wish List’ on Amazon.com. (Note: Use our Amazon portal link, and your purchases help support A-Fib.com.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Read More, Learn More
Knowledge is power. Educate yourself and become your own best patient advocate!
To see my complete list of all items I recommend for A-Fib patients and their families, see my list on Amazon.com: By a Former A-Fib Patient: My Recommended Products.
Email us what’s working for you.
Share Your Tip
Do you have a favorite book that has helped you with your Atrial Fibrillation? Email me about it.
Is a specific treatment working for you? Have lifestyle changes helped? Or, perhaps, an alternative or homeopathic remedy?
We Need You
Encourage others
with A-Fib
click to order.
A-Fib.com top rated by Healthline.com since 2014
