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Have you had the tests to find out how big it is?
beej,
Medium, is all I've been told!
I was told by a nurse with a specialism in arrhythmia that short flutters when resting are caused by the heart growing in response to exercise. The electrical pathways change as the muscle develops, which causes the sporadic flutters.
My understanding is that the pathways stay the same, but the increase in heart muscle/tissue causes the issue. Bit like a tattoo on your auld fella; gets bigger, but the writing stays the same.
When you lot are getting AF how long does it last?
Richmars - Well, mine was large, so hopefully you'll be fine for the easy closure method. I'm not that well read on PFOs though! One document I was sent ahead of my procedure covered PFOs as well as ASDs and mentioned the device they use for PFOs is more of a mesh than a plug, with your heart growing over it in time.
There was no real rush to get mine closed - I was very very low risk of stroke and I'd already had it 48 years - but they were clear from the start it needed doing.
That's the surprising thing. Had mine for 57 years, done all sorts of high intensity stuff, with no problems, no pain or anything. If it's closed, they go in via my groin. PFO closures have only been an option on the NHS since the summer, after being removed a few years ago.
When you lot are getting AF how long does it last?
Have you had an ECG molgrips?
AF is a ...usually long term problem... not a temporary thing.