AFib (handhold please)

[Kangaroobrain]

I've just been diagnosed with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation - I was referred to the arrythmia nurse in the cardiology dept who confirmed it, after I was A&E a couple of weeks ago with a sudden episode. Not on meds as yet, but will be put on Sotalol, with a view to ablation at some point.

My head is reeling at the moment. I've read so many different things, from the very reassuring (perfectly possible to live a normal life etc) to the really scary (serious risk of earlier death, dementia etc). My 87 year old mum has AF so that's reassuring, but I still feel very upset by this. I'm nearly 58, otherwise fit and healthy, BMI 23.4, don't smoke, drink under 10 units of alcohol a week (but considering giving up now).

Any words of advice? Reassurance?

Some info here that may be reassuring:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atrial-fibrillation/

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/atrial-fibrillation

You're under medical supervision and say they'll be putting you on meds so that's an absolute positive. If you know about it you can be knowledgeable about it and work with tye professionals to manage it. I'm afraid I don't know of your specific condition but have had heart trouble and know how scary it can be. Hard as it is try not to jump to the worse case scenario, and Google sparingly! Sign up for the British Heart Foundation magazine as they have some interesting and relevant articles. Not sure how helpful this is but be thankful you are getting medical assistance,and be inspired by your Mum!

With the drug you ate on and the mention of ablation are you in the States. I have just had the same diagnosis, but here in the UK they would much prefer us just to go away and die (its cheaper!!)

No, I'm in Wales!

Hi fellow travellers. I was diagnosed at 63, (am now 67), much to my astonishment as I had zero symptoms! It was discovered while I was having a minor procedure in hospital. Anyways.... there is a risk scoring system called ChadsVasc score, you can look it up, it assesses suitability and timing of anti coagulants depending on your age, sex, previous cardiac history and hypertension. If you have a score of 3 or more you will be prescribed blood thinners to prevent a stroke. But as you are 58, and the age criteria is 65, you may not have to take them yet.

I'm also on Beta Blockers similar to Sotalol (Bisoprolol) and have no side effects from it. I was taking anti coagulants (Eliquis) but got a life threatening gastric bleed (long story) so was taken off them immediately. As my stroke risk was high due to age, hypertension (well controlled) and being female I was offered a high tech procedure called the Watchman Device which when inserted does as good if not better job as blood thinners in preventing stroke.

I feel very well, just get the odd flutter nowadays knock on wood, but I know when to go to A+E as my watch will alert me to a prolonged Afib episode. So far, so good.

I had every cardiac test under the sun as you can imagine. I have zero calcium score, echo perfect, so while I don't have heart disease at all, I have an electrical fault!

There is a very helpful forum on Facebook, I am a member and it was tremendously helpful when I was having the Watchman surgery. It is US based, but it seems that every second person is having an ablation, so you should get plenty of advice there. I couldn't have an ablation due to the need for anti coag meds as part of that.

Wishing you the best, sorry for going on so much, but I wish I had more information at my diagnosis as I was terrified! Much calmer now though and I'm in good hands. Here is the forum.

(20+) Atrial Fibrillation Support Forum | Facebook

Ahh! I am on Bisoprol, and up for an assessment of stroke risk,which is standard, something called a ChAd assessment?. GP also talking about blood thinners as apparently increased stroke risk without them. Have yet to see the GP. Rang on 30/08 in a state when it first started. Best they could do was a telephone appointment on(wait for it) 20/09, said I was really worried and told to go to A&E if I wanted to!

Subsequently had a 5day ecg monitor and letter to doc yesterday confirming Afib. Only saw that through the NHS App as the doctor not contacted me yet. Going to ask for an Echocardiogram as per that letter.I work alone in a rural location but the GP seems unconcerned about that. My colleagues seem more worried than my doctor!

It was the mention of ablation that made me think of the States as they tend to go for that more quickly. Seems premature for paroxysmal though. I have symptoms on around a 3day cycle which I think is a bit weird! only take the pill(a beta blocker) when heart rate high, doc told me to take 2 a day but don't want to slow the heart down when its between episodes as my resting rate is 60bpm. must say my faith in the GP is well and truly shattered

Have read up about the Watchman device, apparently it fills a little pouch up in the artery to stop blood coagulating there, seems a much better idea than lifelong blood thinners

No wonder your head is spinning at the moment but try not to panic. I have AF I’m 50. The previously mentioned FB groups are good for advice and the members are very supportive and kind although I find if I read too much it can sometimes be bit an overwhelming. I think if you are able to get referred to an electrophysiologist they are the real experts in it although I have found the arrhythmia nurses are really knowledgeable too. Any questions please do ask.

Thanks for all the info, everyone. I have just spoken to the arrhythmia nurse again and she is going to recommend bisoprolol rather than sotalol first. She didn't mention ablation again but I think that's more for people with persistent rather than paroxysmal AF, although from what I've read it seems to be done preventatively in the USA.

Still feeling really overwhelmed by all this. I know that online / Facebook groups can be useful, but for every person saying they are living a normal life there is someone saying how it's devastating them. Really not sure what to think or feel.

AF is so common, and even then you only have paroxysmal. They can get you back into sinus rhythm either with electric cardioversion or drugs. Stop googling- it’s not as bad as what you read.

I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AF 7 years ago. I also have SVT. That first episode was very dramatic and I was blue lighted to hospital from the GP surgery. It can be just an irregular heart beat but it can also be very fast 200+bpm.
Afterwards I saw cardiologists and had a stress test and monitors. I then had an EP study with a view to abaltion. They couldn't do an ablation.
I take Calcium channel blockers which are v similar to beta blockers and it's managed very well.
It took me years to get my head round though. I was terrified of a repeat of the original attack, afraid to travel abroad and altogether hyper aware of my heart.
The cardiologist was massively reassuring and helpful. I also have fleicanade pill in the pocket which I've never needed.

Really try not to worry. I definitely recommend getting a Kardia device which is a small bank card size piece of equipment as thin as an After 8 Mint. It does a 30 second ECG when you put two fingers from each hand on it and looking at your smart phone tells you when you are having an A Fib. Ive just got the bog standard level (ie doesn't do blood pressure et al) You can record the reading and send to your cardio/gp as a PDF. I had an ablation in 2012 and one again just recently. It sounds bad as its to do with heart but really not and they are very effective. (I had the radiofrequency ablation one not the cryoablation one - the freezing one) I also had Flecanaide for pill in the pocket but rarely used it. Beta blockers did not agree with me at all so generally just took nothing and was fine - apart from twice daily Apixaban blood thinners and irbesartan to control blood pressure. If you are on Thyroxine for under active thyroid check you are not on too high a dose of that as that can trigger A fibs.

I also have a Kardia, it was suggested by the cardiologist.

Please don't worry about it.
You have no control over it.
I know people who are born with it.
The drugs work amazingly to fix it.
Your heart has it's own rhythm and the drugs will stabalise it.
Don't worry about drug side effects. Without the drugs you are damaging the heart.
And the drugs work wonder these days.
Hope you keep well.
❤️❤️❤️

Any issues or concerns about drugs then please speak your pharmacist.

By the way, there are some kids that take this drug as soon as they are born.