HEART RHYTHM SPECIALIST
HEART RHYTHM SPECIALIST
Being a person with Marfan Syndrome I was checked yearly for any heart problems from the age of 23. On June 9th 1995 I was told that my heart had enlarged over the previous 12 months and therefore, at the age of 36, I was admitted for an angiogram after what x-rays had shown. During this procedure I suffered a heart attack, was resuscitated, and taken straight into theatre for an aortic heart valve replacement and a single by-pass. In the August of 1995 I experienced a T.I.A, which luckily only lasted a few minutes. I was able to return to work 4-5 months after the heart surgery and T.I.A. As I am on warfrin for life I then needed 2 blood transfusions over the following 4 years. Eventually, in 1999, I was given a hysterectomy, but after being taken twice in 24 hrs to theatre I suffered more irregular heart problems that eventually got sorted with medication. The next 9 years or so I felt like a new woman once again and carried on enjoying my life to the full.
In 2009 I started experiencing more heart rhythm problems and had a cardio-version performed, which at the time gave me much relief. Unfortunately the problem returned and again I went to hospital. This was then sorted with medication as much as possible.
On August 10th 2010 I had a stroke which changed everything for me. I was told tests did not find any blockages so AF (atrial fibrillation) seemed to be the main cause along with a low warfrin reading. The stroke had happened in my sleep but I was lucky that I was already on heart medication because that had helped prevent the stroke being far worse than it was. I left work in order to sort my health out.
My regular heart consultant placed a recording tape on me for 24hrs this proved I had a irregular heart once again and I was referred to Dr Gupta and his team to be considered for the ablation procedure. To begin with, the irregular rhythm would last an hour or so. I rested and it would lift. Eventually it was lasting up to 5 days at a time. I was breathless, couldn’t walk far, tired and was unable to do much. This was happening every 3 weeks or so. I didn’t know when it was going to happen, so couldn't plan anything. I could go to bed fine and awake in the morning feeling a different person. It was a horrible feeling!
In August 2011 I was so lucky to have been considered as a good candidate for the ablation procedure, but was told I was a high risk of having another stroke. I had no choice, if I wanted to get better this was my only chance of a proper life again. So, I went ahead with the procedure.
After a period of recovery I instantly felt the relief in my chest. My irregular heart rhythm had stopped occurring and I felt very positive that the procedure had been a great success.
12 months on, I now feel a completely new woman! I have been taken off my beta-blockers and to me it is a great triumph so far. Apart from the odd heart flutter, I can now breathe better, walk further and have been given a new lease of life. Before the Ablation I was like a clapped out car ready for the scrap heap, now i'm like a brand new car cruising down the motorway of life again.
I became a Nan in Jan 2012 and I can look forward to doing everyday things with my grandchild without AF hindering me.
Many thanks to Dr. Gupta and his team in Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool, for giving me such relief, along with a new lease of life once again. I would not hesitate to re-assure patients to have this procedure performed. It has been a blessing for me and hopefully for many others in the future.
Rita King, 53 years, Liverpool
29 August 2012