On Saturday, Heath's heart started racing around 1pm and when it persisted until after 6, we decided to go to the emergency room—thank you, Jeff.
After an EKG and quick chat with the ER doctor—Heath's heart still racing, mind you—we found out that he has atrial fibrilation (aka, atrial flutter). Basically, the upper chambers of his heart were beating all out of whack, causing the lower chambers to overcompensate. While not deadly, the condition can cause blood clots which in turn, cause a stroke. This is a condition most often found in the elderly and anorexics. Hmmm...
So, Heath was admitted to Swedish Covenant Hospital. They put him on a medication to help lower his heart rate and a blood thinner to help prevent clots. We had a lovely resident school us in A-Fib before Aaron and the Daigles stopped in for moral support and dinner for me. They save turkey sandwiches for the patients, not spouses. :-)
It took until roughly 3am for Heath's heart rate to finally come down to normal. In the morning, we met with Heath's primary care physician and a cardiologist to discuss treatment options, followed by an ECHO. John, Susan, Sarah and Micah kept us company throughout the day.
We were able to leave later Sunday afternoon, but this isn't quite over. Having passed on the more invasive treatments, Heath will have to be on the heart-rate reducing medication for a very long time. Luckily, if he takes it regularly he should be able to exercise, eat, drink and be merry and hopefully go back to life as usual. If there is any sort of persistent recurrence, we'll have to revisit our options.
Thank you all for your prayers and phone calls and a really big thank you to Dena for watching Miss Violet while we were in the hospital.
8 comments:
Oh Heath, I'm so glad that you are okay. This must have been a tough one to go through. :(
"I feel good about this."
Wow, that is scary! I will definitely be praying.
OMG!! Heath, Thias,... it will be just fine, medicine is truly a miracle today, just follow your docs orders and all will be well, slow down on the caffine... I will keep you both in my prayers! love, Melin
Glad to know you are feeling better. Cut back on the caffeine and Feel free to call if you have questions.
For more info, I usually direct my patients to the Mayo clinic writeup, check it out if you haven't yet.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/atrial-fibrillation/DS00291
By the way... atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter are not the same thing, though the differences are subtle and the two sometimes coexist.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-arrhythmias/DS00290/DSECTION=causes
Wow Thais! I'm glad things are back under control...with the medication and we'll be praying for Heath. I'm gonna give you a call tomorrow to see how you and Heath are. I wish I lived closer and could have been there to keep you guys company in the hospital as you went through all of this. We love you guys and hate it when you have to go through crazy stuff like this. XOXO
How's the hubbie doing now? Getting better? Updates please:)
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