Atrial Fibrillation - any experiences

[GiveMummyTheWhizzer]

Hi all,

Anyone have experience of dealing with Atrial Fibrillation? I spent the night in hospital on Tuesday with this (first time) and wondered how other people have coped?

I'm a bit anxious about it happening again (was raised for nearly 5 hours) and am now awaiting further tests and whatnot.

Overweight (which I will tackle) but other than that generally fit and healthy. Minimal caffeine, don't smoke or drink much. This has happened after a horrific bout of cold/flu like illness (not covid unless tests were wrong).

Thanks 😊

I developed paroxysmal AF at the start of 2022.
It's quite unpleasant while it's happening, and if the rate goes high (has been 200) it makes me feel very dizzy and I can't even walk up a flight of stairs.

I have kept a log of episodes and found that they can be triggered by various things, including viral illness.

I take a low dose of daily bisoprolol which prevents the rate from going too high during an episode. And I carry flecainide to take when the AF starts. I'm on the waiting list for cardiac ablation.

Like you, I was worried about it happening again, but I've now experienced it happening in all kinds of settings, including at work and while attending my DC's graduation ceremony, and I know I'll be OK (if temporarily somewhat debilitated) so I don't worry so much now.

If an episode goes on for longer than 6 hours (and doesn't respond to flecainide) then I've been advised to go to hospital.

My husband has AF with no symptoms. He is completely unaware of it but I can hear how odd his heart sounds. He did take Warfarin but has moved to Pradaxa which means he no longer has to have constant blood tests to establish how much Warfarin he has to take.

He had Cardiac Ablation around 7 years ago, which put his heart back into a proper rhythm for a few years. About four years the specialist said he needed the ablation again but that it may not last very long. As he has no symptoms, he has not had the ablation repeated, but of course if he did have then that decision may have been different.

I think he is very lucky to have AF with zero symptoms.

I thi

I’ve had it for twelve years now (longer including time before diagnosis) and it’s been well controlled with low dose bisoprolol, like a pp mentioned. Covid however sent it out of control and I had a cardioversion to “reset” my heart rhythm, which worked well. It’s more common than is often realised. It doesn’t have much impact on my life and activities, though I keep a closer eye on it now especially if I’ve had any sort of viral illness.

Thank you everyone.

Never experienced it before this bout of viral
Illness. Maybe I'm wrong to hope it will just sort itself out now as I recover.

I'm awaiting 24 hour ECG and a more in depth echo scan now (the quick scan at hospital he said looked normal).

Sorry you're going through this... I had it a few years back, it wiped me out even though all the tests said there wasn't anything worrying going on. Was on Warfarin for the 6 months it took to get me a cardio-thingy to reset it, but that worked well and I've only had a few blips since. They always make me stop in my tracks and I find it difficult to breathe for a bit, but they always go off. Not sure what caused it. I think the main thing is to try to relax about it, don't let it stress you out you're in the best place x

DH is 58 and has had atrial flutter for 2 years. He's had a cardioversion and two catheter ablations (about 10 months apart). Around 10 % skipped beats still but cardiologist said many people wouldn't even notice and just to live with it.

Mum has it
about 15 years now

two times in hospital with two times she refused

Started on bisopropol which didn’t suit. now takes rivaroxaban and so far so good

was suggested a pacemaker ten years or so ago, didn’t want it

generally she has lived quite normally but it started after she retired so a morning of tiredness was less of a big deal.

hope you get it sorted.

Have had it for 12 years, and it began at 32, which is very young. If you want, PM me.

Thank you everyone.

@Parmesam - yep I'm 36 so more concerned because of that.

I had an episode of it earlier this year. I had raised inflammatory markers so obviously some kind of viral infection (COVID negative) kicked it all off. A 48 hour monitor showed I have regular ectopic beats (below the worrying threshold apparently) so take low dose bisoprolol although my heart rate is regularly in the 50's now and I often feel tired. Stopped it for a few days and heart rate shot up to 140 so back on for now.
Also have flecainide for if the AF recurrs.
Due to have COVID vaccine tomorrow and really in two minds about it as have been stable for months now and terrified of it triggering anything.

My husband has had it around 4 years, only found out when he collapsed on a holiday abroad and got dvt.Spanish hospital found it and had to refer to Nhs, which in itself and covid is enough of a trial 😞he’s had a cardioversion and ablation and now waiting for a 2nd one due to the first not lasting long.

He felt a lot better when his heart went back in rhythm , but not so good now.He gets days or periods of tiredness and lots of swelling of his legs and blood pressure is very high.
Hopefully the next ablation will help all that again as he’s only 46 so it can be quite a knock on to our life.

I don't notice anything unless I forget my bisoprolol. Then I have dizzy spells and feel nauseous. I've recently started Equis (Apixaban) with no ill effect. I've never had an ablation, and I've been taking the same dose of bisoprolol for all the time I've been diagnosed. I'm a mild case.

I'm also very overweight. I've lost just over a stone . I've got 6+ to go. My weight has crept up over years. Having a diagnosis didn't change my bad habits. But I'm trying to do something about it now. I cycle part of the way to work now, or walk, and I move around more at home, not just slobbing in front of the TV. The cardiologist said swimming is good exercise though I don't go because I have to book in advance at my local leisure centre and most of the time I'm too late.

Diet-wise, I watch my caffeine intake (including cola!) and have recently cut out everything junky or too high in fat and salt.

My son developed it 10 days after the covid jab. Hospital being very thorough. Hes had 5 episodes in 10 months, out of the blue, lasts over 4 hours each. Heart scan shows its healthy but impossible to track them. Has worn a halter for many 48 hour periods and shows ventricular ectopics. Waiting for further tests. He is fine during the episodes. Just his heartbeat is over 180 and he just sits there like nothing is going on but i can hear that thud thud thud😞

Forgot to say, tiredness and stress triggers mine, or any viral infection. Even mild colds!

Hi OP take a look at the info on BHF website They also have senior cardiac nurses available on the heart helpline 9am to 5pm who you can talk to about how to manage AF symptoms, how to understand your results etc.

I haven’t had any problems whatsoever after 2 x vaccinations and 2 x boosters.

Thank you so so much xx

I've got it. Had it a few years now. Started off just getting it occasionally and gradually it's got more and more and it's constant now. I get dizzy and out of breath, and hot. It's awful, I'm on tablets but that's it.

Apologies my husband had cardioversion not ablation treatment for AF.

.

Just wondering how all you ladies are doing with the AF ? I developed it in 2021 4 weeks after the covid vaccine. I had 10 episodes in 18 months longest episode lasting 2 hours .I had an ablation in February 2023 and thank goodness I've never had another episode since. I do worry about it coming back but my cardiologist is hopeful I'm cured . I'm hoping he is right.

Have any of you had the ablation yet?

@Mollylolly I had a cardiac ablation in January 2024 and thankfully haven't had an episode of atrial fibrillation since. I'm working on losing weight to reduce the risk of it returning.

Ashemark that's great to hear . Fingers crossed its gone for good.

I find the anxiety worrying about it coming back ,pretty bad sometimes. But maybe that's just because I've always suffered extreme anxiety .