atrial fibrillation

windingshores

Anyone else develop atrial fibrillation while on an aromatase inhibitor?

I don't want to scare anyone off of taking them, and this is exceedingly rare if it is connected, but wonder what others have experienced with heart issues in general.

Peregrinelady

What are your symptoms? I have been on Tamoxifen for a year and Arimidex a little over 3 years. I started getting a heart “flutter” when I hiked or biked uphill. The dr. ordered a stress test, but I got sick and didn’t make it in. It seems to have quit doing it as much, but I still plan on getting tested soon. How long have you been on AI’s? Did you stop taking them?

Spookiesmom

I've had a fib for years, way before cancer. Cardiologist has had me on meds for it. My BP is excellent. When I got DVT and PE at the same time, I was put on blood thinner. Absolutely no problems with aramidex or tamoxifen. Currently on letrozole no problem.

windingshores

Thanks to both of you for responding. I went on Femara in April 2015. In October 2015 I had my first dramatic episode of afib (heart rate near 200, bp 70, chest pain, short of breath, woozy, heart flipping around like a fish). It happened again last fall and then last week. All three times I ended up being tended to by two ambulances and ended up in the ER for hours. The second time I was admitted to the hospital. These episodes last 1-4 hours and then stop. I have ST depressions and pulmonary congestion during the attacks.

They seem to be related to adrenalin.

I had never had these until I went on Femara. If you google it is a relatively rare side effect of aromatase inhibitors but there could be many reasons this started to be a problem.

I am starting the decision on whether to continue past 5 years so this is now relevant to that.

Peregrinelady

Thanks for the details. I would definitely pursue a BCI test. It could really help you with your decision. Mine came back high risk, but high benefit from continuing. If yours came back with low benefit, that may give you peace of mind when stopping.

windingshores

I go to MGH and they don't do the BCI or the Prosigna. I will go over to Dana Farber and Beth Israel to see if they do it.

Gussy

I was dx with A fib during Taxol treatment and was put on three meds including Xeralto. I now go in and out of A fib and NSD. I am very short of breath at times and sometimes not, so very frustrating. I am on anastrozole as well. I have purchased the Kardia small ekg monitor and it is interesting to see what's going on from time to time. I can almost tell before I do the test what it's going to be especially if the rate is over 65.

windingshores

I was thinking of getting a Smart watch but the Kardia sounds interesting. Where did you buy it and was it costly? Thanks!

Gussy

The Kardia monitor can be purchased from Kardia.com or, of course, Amazon. I paid $99 for mine from Kardia.

windingshores

Thanks! More affordable than the Apple watch.