Brief update.

1st, and most importantly, I went for a wonderful 15 mile ride today. Weather was cool, which I enjoy. Took my heartrate going up a hill and it was 80 (remember I am on a heavy dose of beta blockers, but, still it was very heartening!)

Okay, now to the less important stuff.

Had my appointment with the cardiologist today. WOW, what a difference from the Kaiser-Permanents docs - you may remember that they refused me a visit with a cardiologist. Really nice, knowledgeable guy with a nice sense of humor.

I had a list of 14 questions, all of which he answered. Some good things that I wasn't sure about - I am likely to live about as long as I would without the AF, assuming I take care of myself and the AF; Exercise is GOOD - I was worried that I might get too exhausted, hurt my heart, etc.; there is an alternative to coumadin on a drug trial basis for which I might be considered - everything will wait upon the results of the cardioversion, and a bunch more information which greatly relieved my anxieties.

So, next week we will try an electric cardioversion, which requires a general anesthetic, and then they put paddles on my heart to try to get the heart back in rhythm.

1st time we will try it with no special drugs and see what happens. Chances are about 25-50% that it will work and last 1 year or more.

If the 1st time doesn't take, we will consider another cardioversion with drugs (these drugs have some major, nasty side effects).

Anyway, I was GREATLY pleased by the appointment, and I feel comfortable riding my bike as much as I want within reason. I have to remember that I am sort of operating on 3 cylinders rather than 4, and that I am on drugs which really slow down the heart rate. But, so far, in my riding, I have not gotten winded or even tired!

Have a great day, everyone!