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Wow! Fifteen years, and the "rat poison" didn't kill him?
I'm willing to bet that after fifteen years, your Father's pro-times couldn't be stabilized by increasing/decreasing dosages and that's why he was changed to "baby aspirin". In actuality, "baby aspirin" is generally the first resort. Millions of people, myself included, take 81mg. aspirins every day to keep the blood flowing normally.
I hope the OP realizes that there is some information that may sound alarming when you've had no practical experience in the matter, but further investigation can explain. It's a bit early to decide that anything will be "rejected", considering you don't know exactly what the cardiologist is going to advise as to your Mother's condition.
"baby aspirin" was recommended by one of my mother's doctors 5 yrs ago. Now I know why. Eventually, I'll know a lot about how to care for the next aging person: me God willing
We see the chief cardiologist of a major hospital in late October. He specializes in electrophysiology. Mom was and is symptom free. Just going to get her checked since the abnormal ECG wrote sinus rhythm with 2nd degree A-V block, Mobitz I (Wenckebach). Has anyone had that kind of reading? I researched it was the benign type of heart condition.
The cardiologist says he will have a heart ultrasound when she arrives. We ordered Dr. Chauncy Crandall's heart kit. Anybody know Dr. Crandall?
So the docs want to fix something that's not broken?
Did you see the story today in the Dallas Morning News about a cardiac surgeon doc in north Dallas who performed multiple procedures, i.e. inserted stents, on patients without providing any documentation the procedures were warranted?
So the docs want to fix something that's not broken?
Did you see the story today in the Dallas Morning News about a cardiac surgeon doc in north Dallas who performed multiple procedures, i.e. inserted stents, on patients without providing any documentation the procedures were warranted?
Don't rush into any decisions.
An AV Block is much more serious then say, atrial fibrillation. It is best that OP's mother is followed by a cardiologist. Although the EKG machine may have interpreted the second degree block as that of Mobitz 1, the machine frequently misinterprets the reading and the EKG itself needs to be read by a cardiologist. Regardless of the degree of block, Mom needs to be seen by a cardiologist.
Personally, if I had an EKG that suggested 2nd degree AV Block, I would have been to a cardiologist yesterday. The first "symptom" I experienced could be that of total AV Block = no heart beat. No thanks.
So the docs want to fix something that's not broken?
Did you see the story today in the Dallas Morning News about a cardiac surgeon doc in north Dallas who performed multiple procedures, i.e. inserted stents, on patients without providing any documentation the procedures were warranted?
Don't rush into any decisions.
That's quite a leap there, biscuitmom. The OP said his mom was "symptom" free. That doesn't mean nothing is wrong. And as far as wanting to "fix" something that's not broken, no one has said a word about "fixing" anything. The Primary Care found an arrhythmia. It is prudent to have a cardiologist see if there is anything treatable. If it's age-related, mild, idiopathic, as determined by the cardiologist who is the expert in these matters, it may call for nothing more than an additional pill daily.
The cardiologist is planning on an ultra sound, also known as an echo-cardiogram. It is a non-invasive procedure that will give a clearer picture of any anomalies than a simple EKG. An echo doesn't "fix" anything - it is a diagnostic tool to determine if there is anything that needs "fixing".
Certainly no reason to scare the bejeezus out of the OP who is trying to do the right thing. There are horror stories enough on the evening news. While there may be some doctors who go overboard in treating patients, it has been my good fortune to have some really forthright, ethical practitioners caring for me.
For the record, "symptom" free doesn't mean the absence of disease. It only means a disease hasn't manifested itself in symptoms. Yet.
That's quite a leap there, biscuitmom. The OP said his mom was "symptom" free. That doesn't mean nothing is wrong. And as far as wanting to "fix" something that's not broken, no one has said a word about "fixing" anything. The Primary Care found an arrhythmia. It is prudent to have a cardiologist see if there is anything treatable. If it's age-related, mild, idiopathic, as determined by the cardiologist who is the expert in these matters, it may call for nothing more than an additional pill daily.
The cardiologist is planning on an ultra sound, also known as an echo-cardiogram. It is a non-invasive procedure that will give a clearer picture of any anomalies than a simple EKG. An echo doesn't "fix" anything - it is a diagnostic tool to determine if there is anything that needs "fixing".
Certainly no reason to scare the bejeezus out of the OP who is trying to do the right thing. There are horror stories enough on the evening news. While there may be some doctors who go overboard in treating patients, it has been my good fortune to have some really forthright, ethical practitioners caring for me.
For the record, "symptom" free doesn't mean the absence of disease. It only means a disease hasn't manifested itself in symptoms. Yet.
I'm working on getting her the best care I know of in our area. October 27 Appt is soonest we can get. I wonder if I should take her to the ER? Will they just say go see the cardiologist?
The cardiologist is at downtown Baylor. We have had good care from Baylor specialists in the past. And look forward to this doctor doing the ethical practice in medicine. The focus of the downtown heart place cardiologists is preventative care. The cardiologists are interventionalists who also believe in natural holistic care with the necessary traditional approaches to medicine.
IMPORTANT: I asked my mom to pray on if she will accept any procedure or surgery. I will NOT make that decision for her. In fact I think we need the Living Will. I will read the elder care plan. Everyone on this forum has something positive worth considering. Thanks!!!
Emergency rooms are for stabilizing a person during an emergency or disturbing symptoms. If follow up is needed, then yes, a cardiologist would probably be suggested.
Generally speaking, if she had needed immediate care the doctor would have gotten her a quicker appointment.
I'm working on getting her the best care I know of in our area. October 27 Appt is soonest we can get. I wonder if I should take her to the ER? Will they just say go see the cardiologist?
The cardiologist is at downtown Baylor. We have had good care from Baylor specialists in the past. And look forward to this doctor doing the ethical practice in medicine. The focus of the downtown heart place cardiologists is preventative care. The cardiologists are interventionalists who also believe in natural holistic care with the necessary traditional approaches to medicine.
IMPORTANT: I asked my mom to pray on if she will accept any procedure or surgery. I will NOT make that decision for her. In fact I think we need the Living Will. I will read the elder care plan. Everyone on this forum has something positive worth considering. Thanks!!!
jbless, unless your Mom is in some sort of crisis, like unbearable chest pain; shortness of breath; inability to speak; etc., the ER is not the place to be. You stated earlier that Mom wasn't having symptoms, so no reason to take her to an Emergency Room.
It can be frightening to hear that someone we love has a "condition" that could be serious but it is prudent to consider that until now, you didn't even know she had such a "condition" and that if it was urgent, the doctor would have sent her immediately to the hospital.
If a problem develops before she sees the cardiologist, you should call the family doctor to determine if she needs immediate care such as the ER or hospital admission. I know it's hard to wait for an actual diagnosis, but it's important to remember that countless people have A-fib that is successfully controlled with oral medication.
Try to be calm, both for your sake and for Mom's. Not much point in worrying until you know what you're worrying about. I'll say a prayer that you and Mom can get through this with very little anxiety.
jbless, unless your Mom is in some sort of crisis, like unbearable chest pain; shortness of breath; inability to speak; etc., the ER is not the place to be. You stated earlier that Mom wasn't having symptoms, so no reason to take her to an Emergency Room.
It can be frightening to hear that someone we love has a "condition" that could be serious but it is prudent to consider that until now, you didn't even know she had such a "condition" and that if it was urgent, the doctor would have sent her immediately to the hospital.
If a problem develops before she sees the cardiologist, you should call the family doctor to determine if she needs immediate care such as the ER or hospital admission. I know it's hard to wait for an actual diagnosis, but it's important to remember that countless people have A-fib that is successfully controlled with oral medication.
Try to be calm, both for your sake and for Mom's. Not much point in worrying until you know what you're worrying about. I'll say a prayer that you and Mom can get through this with very little anxiety.
I agree with everything you've said, but just wanted to point out that Mom has 2nd degree AV block, not atrial fib. Horse of a different color.
Nevertheless, Mom does not need to go to the ER unless she faints or otherwise displays symptoms that might suggest her AV block is greater than initially thought.
I agree with everything you've said, but just wanted to point out that Mom has 2nd degree AV block, not atrial fib. Horse of a different color.
Nevertheless, Mom does not need to go to the ER unless she faints or otherwise displays symptoms that might suggest her AV block is greater than initially thought.
Right you are, lenora, thanks for the correction. I should pay closer attention. Indeed, AV block is more serious (in most cases) than A-fib.
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"baby aspirin"
God willing
Thank you
I should pay closer attention. Indeed, AV block is more serious (in most cases) than A-fib.
