Posted by Debby (24.188.157.3) on February 18, 2001 at 13:16:10:
In Reply to: Icepick headaches posted by Sandra on March 21, 2000 at 15:51:26:
: I am a 29 yr. old female who had an embolic stroke 7 years ago. The cause of my stroke has been said to be MVP wih regurgitation and atrial fibrillation. I have been on beta blockers, but had my pulse rate react in an adverse way. I am now on 2 adult strength aspirin a day as a stroke preventative. My question is in regard to my pulse rate. I am not a physically active person due to the fatigue associated with the stroke and MVP, and have constant neurological vertigo from the old infarct. My pulse rate has been consistently between 48-55bpm at a resting rate, and rarely goes above 80 when active (working, cleaning house, etc...). Is there anything I can take to get my pulse rate to be higher? I feel very faint and it makes my vertigo intensify when it drops below about 52bpm. I wore a King of Hearts Arrythmia monitor for 2 1/2 months which showed a lot of "skipped beats" and low pulse rates. Because of my age, my cardiologist did not want to start Coumadin now....any suggestions for stroke prevention and/or pulse raising?
: Thank you for this forum! Lisa:)
___________________________________________________________________
Dear Lisa,
Although atrial fibrillation is commonly associated with stroke, MVP is less commonly related to this serious outcome. Beta blockers help to relieve some of the symptoms associated with the MVP syndrome and can also reduce the recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation, however they can cause fatigue and slower heart rates in some patients. Regrettably, there is no safe medication to increase your heart rate, although you might consider discussing with your doctor whether a lower dose of beta blocker might be helpful in improving your fatigue.
The issue of coumadin is an important one. If atrial fibrillation was associated with the stroke, coumadin is indicated in the prevention of recurrent, disabling events. Aspirin therapy is an alternative treatment in some patients at low risk for recurrent episodes of atrial fibrillation. As you have done, it is wise to discuss these issues with your physician.
Information in the Heart Forum is for general purposes. Specific diagnoses and therapies can only be provided by your physician.