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Does The Afrial Fib Cause Fatigue?

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Posted on Thu, 6 Mar 2014
Question: I have been diagnosed with atrial fib and am taking Pradaxa 150 mg, hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg, metoprolol 100 mg (twice a day),diltiaz 240/24 cap, lisinopril 20 mg and digoxin .25 mg, I see a cardiologist twice a year who listens to my heart and pronounces me in good shape. But I am constantly fatigued--excessively so much of the time to the point of being unable to function normally without taking rest breaks. I have been checking blood pressure multiple times a day, and it is mostly low, averaging 108/65. Am I overmedicated? Does the afrial fib cause fatigue? Could I have additional heart problems (it's been almost three years since I was originally diagnosed.I have no primary care physician, only the cardiologist who is not terribly involved beyond the twice a year five-minute visits.
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer: different possible causes Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic (1)A normal blood pressure is a systolic ( the top reading) of less than 120 and a diastolic (bottom reading) of less than 80 . Low blood pressure varies from one person to the next but in general a low pressure is considered to be a reading of less than 90/60. Some persons may experience symptoms of low blood pressure above this value however. Symptoms that indicate a blood pressure is too low for one particular person are: dizziness, shortness of breath, palpitations, fainting. In most persons fatigue is not a common symptom of hypotension . Your blood pressure reading would not generally be considered too low unless you are experiencing these issues (2)Some of the medications that you are using can cause fatigue in some persons- lisinopril, pradaxa, metoprolol, digoxin. This is a rare side effect of these meds but it may be a contributing factor (3)Atrial fibrillation is not generally associated with fatigue unless accompanied by heart failure. Heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to meet the demands of the body. It would be associated with shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, palpitations, swelling of the feet/legs A fib can cause dizziness, fainting, palpitations. (4) there are other causes of fatigue such as anemia (low blood count), hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormone), excess electrolyte and fluid loss (can occur as a side effect of diuretics ), sleep disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression and anxiety It may be best to find a general practitioner. With your history of fatigue he or she is likely to suggest a battery of tests such as complete blood count, thyroid levels, electrolyte levels. The treatment would depend on the results of the tests. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Does The Afrial Fib Cause Fatigue?

Brief Answer: different possible causes Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic (1)A normal blood pressure is a systolic ( the top reading) of less than 120 and a diastolic (bottom reading) of less than 80 . Low blood pressure varies from one person to the next but in general a low pressure is considered to be a reading of less than 90/60. Some persons may experience symptoms of low blood pressure above this value however. Symptoms that indicate a blood pressure is too low for one particular person are: dizziness, shortness of breath, palpitations, fainting. In most persons fatigue is not a common symptom of hypotension . Your blood pressure reading would not generally be considered too low unless you are experiencing these issues (2)Some of the medications that you are using can cause fatigue in some persons- lisinopril, pradaxa, metoprolol, digoxin. This is a rare side effect of these meds but it may be a contributing factor (3)Atrial fibrillation is not generally associated with fatigue unless accompanied by heart failure. Heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to meet the demands of the body. It would be associated with shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, palpitations, swelling of the feet/legs A fib can cause dizziness, fainting, palpitations. (4) there are other causes of fatigue such as anemia (low blood count), hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormone), excess electrolyte and fluid loss (can occur as a side effect of diuretics ), sleep disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression and anxiety It may be best to find a general practitioner. With your history of fatigue he or she is likely to suggest a battery of tests such as complete blood count, thyroid levels, electrolyte levels. The treatment would depend on the results of the tests. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions