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How Does A Finger Monitor Test Confirm Atrial Fibrillation?

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Posted on Tue, 12 May 2015
Question: This is in reference to a 80 year old male who had an open heart in 2012. Stent placement in 2013. After his open heart he went to A-fibrilation. Even in 2013 before stent he had A-fib. Doctors have monitored him with prodoxa medication . At present he does not have A-fib. I have 2 questions:
1. We check his heart rate with the finger monitor. At what rate should we suspect that he may be going back to Atriel fibraltion
2. what are some precautions we can take that he does not have a stroke/ cerebral attack?
Please advice
doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Following answers to your queries...

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,

I have gone through the medical history of this 80 years old male and I can respond as following:

1. If his heart rate (hr) is higher than 120/min with irregular heart beats noted, then, we can suspect of atrial fibrillation.

2. It is crucial to:
- monitor his hr and blood pressure (bp)
- continue taking pradaxa regularly
- treat hypertension and/or dyslipidemia properly

Hope it answered to your queries!
If you have other questions, I'll welcome them!
Dr.Benard
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (53 minutes later)
Thanx Sir, we have this little machine which he puts in finger tips that gives his oxygen and heart rate readings. One doctor was telling me that the machines heart rate does not predict Atrial fibralation and we have to check it by hands and reading pulse. is it true? he further said that A-fib cud happen at any heart rate.

I am confused. Because i like your theory of heart rate over 120 and that machine cud predict that and we are not good to check his pulse

please advice
doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Following advice...

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,

Atrial fibrillation (af) can rarely happen when hr are low. This is not normally happening, but in rare situations.

Usually atrial fibrillation is detected by irregular heart rate. If your father heart rate and rhythm is irregular (as is shown on his finger pulsometer ) than probably he has atrial fibrillation.

However I advise to take a good at-home bp/hr monitoring (for example an Omicron home monitor).

Let me know if I can be of further help!
Dr.Benard
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Benard Shehu

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2257 Questions

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How Does A Finger Monitor Test Confirm Atrial Fibrillation?

Brief Answer: Following answers to your queries... Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX, I have gone through the medical history of this 80 years old male and I can respond as following: 1. If his heart rate (hr) is higher than 120/min with irregular heart beats noted, then, we can suspect of atrial fibrillation. 2. It is crucial to: - monitor his hr and blood pressure (bp) - continue taking pradaxa regularly - treat hypertension and/or dyslipidemia properly Hope it answered to your queries! If you have other questions, I'll welcome them! Dr.Benard