My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

DH went for minor surgery on Monday and was told he's got AF....

13 replies

Toria70 · 27/02/2020 22:39

He was due to have a small hernia repair, but the nurse wasn't happy with his pulse and then did an ECG. The anaesthetist wouldn't put him under GA as it was a private hospital (Winfield) and they don't have the facilities if someone's blood pressure drops.

So he's had a letter from the Doctor which was copied to our GP, stating that DH has got fast atrial fibrilation and they recommend a cardiology referral. DH couldn't get an appointment with our GP but chatted to him on the phone, and he's had another ECG and bloods done today - they will decide what to do next when these come back.

He's been really tired, especially over the last couple of years and I'm feeling a bit guilty that I've been moaning about how little he does around the house and garden. We work together and he just seems completely unable to deal with even minor stress, to the point that today I really had to bite my tongue as he was making me feel edgy. He's become a not very likeable version of himself as he's got such a short fuse Sad

Anyone else got experience of AF and treatments, and are his symptoms similar to those that others have had?

OP posts:
Report
Overseasmom100 · 27/02/2020 23:12

AF???

Report
Beamur · 27/02/2020 23:14

Atrial fibrillation?

Report
Whataboutthattthen · 27/02/2020 23:23

My mum has it. Just to say it’s good it was caught as it can lead to stroke. She is on blood thinners, also tires easily but she other issues too.

Report
Babdoc · 27/02/2020 23:33

His AF can be slowed with beta blockers - he’ll feel a lot better once he’s rate controlled. He may also need to be on long term anticoagulation with either rivaroxaban or warfarin, to prevent the blood clots in his fibrillating atria firing off into his cerebral circulation and causing embolic strokes.
It’s sometimes possible to cardiovert the heart back to normal sinus rhythm - this is most likely to be successful if the AF hasn’t been going on long term.
Don’t feel guilty OP - you didn’t know his tiredness was due to this!
Just be pleased it was picked up at the anaesthetic pre-assessment clinic, as it can now be treated before he risks a stroke or heart failure.

Report
Purplewithred · 27/02/2020 23:35

It’s really good it’s been picked up - there is lots that can be done to help with the af and to reduce the problems that go with it.

Report
BrokenMumTeenDD · 28/02/2020 00:25

With the highly strung stress response etc too, I'd suggest looking into Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia. It's a heart wiring, rather than heart itself condition, so is less dangerous IYSWIM & can be helped. If you look on POTsUK, you'll see how to check for this yourself if you have a BP monitor & what you can do to help it. It can be as simple as drinking more & taking more salt

Report
GrumpyHoonMain · 28/02/2020 00:30

It can be managed if that’s all he has, but it often does come part and parcel of high blood pressure / cholesterol / undiagnosed heart defects or even early heart failure. Whatever the cause it is highly treatable and managed - the cardiologist may, if his prognosis is good, suggest a pacemaker but don’t worry about that. Pacemaker technology is amazing now.

What I would suggest is he buys a blood pressure monitor (that also counts heart rate) and takes his pressure first thing in the morning and last thing at night. If the heart rate ever falls below 50 he should get it checked out. He should also weigh himself morning and night and report any significant weight changes.

Report
Bin85 · 28/02/2020 09:48

Yes it can lead to stroke
Take this seriously

Report
20viona · 28/02/2020 09:52

My dad has it, it can be very difficult to get under control and hes has years of operations and medications. It certainly doesn't stop him 90% of the time but recovery from ops and anxiety relating to it never quite being sorted, does sadly effect him.wishing him well.

Report
Toria70 · 28/02/2020 10:44

Gosh, thanks for all the replies. I'm not sure if I'm reassured or panicked though, seems this can be quite serious. The advice is much appreciated though.

I just wish I could get his stress levels down - running our own business isn't helping. But like several of you said, thank goodness they found this.

Hopefully onwards and upwards. He's still waiting to hear back from our GP. I will order a blood pressure monitor today and start making him take readings and recording his pulse rates.

OP posts:
Report
BrokenMumTeenDD · 28/02/2020 10:52

Oh & POTs can be a symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency, usually due to malabsorption of B12, so needs B12 injections to correct it. That's worth looking into as treatment can make a huge difference if he needs it.

Report
dotoallasyouwouldbedoneby · 28/02/2020 13:57

Good that it has been caught. Read more here: www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/atrial-fibrillation

Report
DingoDing · 02/03/2020 00:13

My DM has it, had a cardio version twice but it didn't work so she just lives with it and is on warfarin. There are other treatments though. She has had it and been well-managed for forty odd years though and is in her 80s now and still very active so it's not necessarily a life limiting or shortening condition.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.