The Way forward with AF

[JoKelly]

I had several arrhythmia episodes which were at first incorrectly identified as SVT,  Following a stay in hospital at the beginning of September, it was correctly diagnosed as AF. it lasted for a couple of days, spontaneously reverted (as it always does so far)  and I was placed on Warfarin.  Two AF free months later, I was taken off Warfarin and put on low dose daily aspirin.  Now bradycardia has also been diagnosed and a future pacemaker is on the cards if my condition worsens.  

I write to ask what is the alarm level at which I ought to seek further intervention.  I have now had three further AF episodes a few weeks apart, of about three hours duration, again with spontaneous reversion.  No chest pains but such fatigue for a few days afterwards accompanied by moderate dizziness.  I am keeping an AF diary but have not reported in medically since the September.  I am unsure as to the best way forward as I know many of the decisions these days are with patient consultation.  Many thanks.

[tazgymuk]

I personally think each individual is different. Currrent health status, age, medications, existing health problems. But all of that aside i think if the Af is on going for more than 30 mins medical assistance should be sought. As the danger of clots and it becoming more permanent is feared. In your situation the warfarin eliminates that especially if your INR is about 3 or more. With respect to Bisoprolol, That is a beta blocker so if your heart rate does not go up why did they give you that. They gave me that also, i think it has other properties which promotes sinus rythm. All of that said. I'm great now but it's like the flipping of a coin, you don't know what's goinjg to happen. I'm more relaxed now when it does happen, because anxiety or being restless will just create more adrenalin in your body and that will make it worse. The best thing you can do is relax. I know it's hard but we don't have any other option.
Ablation is good when this is diagnosed early. However is isn't very successful from what i've read and heard. Unless of course your in A F when they carry it out, and you don't have other underlying heart problems. Again each individual id different it may be fantastic for one person. Then not so good for somebody else whose had it done several times

[JoKelly]

Your condition sounds similar, apart from my slow resting heartbeat which is what the pacemaker would cure but it would not help the AF.  I was told to report in only if the AF  went on a longer time (no idea how long is too long) or if I had any chest pains, so I have not been reporting in for the last two episodes which were a month apart and lasted a few hours.  I am on 10 mg Bisoprolol daily.  I agree you feel fine until the next episode, when you feel scared and restless- mainly in my own case because I can hear the beat in my ears and feel my heart jumping about.

My husband got this also and as we lived abroad a couple of years ago where there was no real choice, he got reverted with drugs in hospital a few times (you probably had heparin into the stomach to break up any blood clotting) and then went into permanent AF where he has been for the past two years!  So it doesn't appear to kill you.... He has no real symptoms from it.  I know each one is different though.

I hate the idea of both a pacemaker and also Warfarin with all those blood tests - it makes my hair fall out and softens fingernails also, but no one has so far suggested ablation which seems to be more favoured in America from what I read.  

[tazgymuk]

I'm also a little confused with my situation. I was diagnosed with an episode of atrial flutter on the 23 december 2010. I was placed on warfarin for 2 weeks, then taken off it. I was then told i'm in sinus rythm, back to normal. i kept away fro the gym for one month just to make sure When i returned to the gym i was fine for a month. Exactly 2 moths later on the 17th of Feb it started again and on the 22nd both episodes for 35 minutes first thing in the morning. Then again on the 25th for 4 hours, but this time i seeked medical assistance. Hospital gave me blood thining injection in stomach and also Bispamarol heart tablet. My x ray's Echoes, Ultrasound were all clear, although my Ecg showed no P waves confirming A Fib.
I have been given medication calles Fecinide Acetate if i experience an episode i'm suppose to take it. If it does nor resolve itself in 30 mins i'm suppose to take another. Apart from that i'm suppose to consider Ablation or medication. Just waiting for appointment from Cardiac clinic.
So i guess to answer your question it's your own personal circumstances which would dictate what you feel. Just now i feel great.Until the next episode.lt's frightening how unpredictably you can be fine one minute and A.fib'd the next.
I hope there was something there that give you some sort of help.

[tazgymuk]

I'm also a little confused with my situation. I was diagnosed with an episode of atrial flutter on the 23 december 2010. I was placed on warfarin for 2 weeks, then taken off it. I was then told i'm in sinus rythm, back to normal. i kept away fro the gym for one month just to make sure When i returned to the gym i was fine for a month. Exactly 2 moths later on the 17th of Feb it started again and on the 22nd both episodes for 35 minutes first thing in the morning. Then again on the 25th for 4 hours, but this time i seeked medical assistance. Hospital gave me blood thining injection in stomach and also Bispamarol heart tablet. My x ray's Echoes, Ultrasound were all clear, although my Ecg showed no P waves confirming A Fib.
I have been given medication calles Fecinide Acetate if i experience an episode i'm suppose to take it. If it does nor resolve itself in 30 mins i'm suppose to take another. Apart from that i'm suppose to consider Ablation or medication. Just waiting for appointment from Cardiac clinic.
So i guess to answer your question it's your own personal circumstances which would dictate what you feel. Just now i feel great.Until the next episode.lt's frightening how unpredictably you can be fine one minute and A.fib'd the next.
I hope there was something there that give you some sort of help.