76 years old, no heart problems as far as I knew, just had one of my better games of golf for a couple of years and started to get an ache in my chest in the evening. So phoned the Healthline (I live in NZ) and they had a 30 minute wait, so tried the ambulance service, who operate a triage service. They sent an ambulance who did a few checks and put me in the back for transport to ED.After a night of CT, X Ray, ECGs, lots of pain was diagnosed as pericarditis - not something you'd wish on anyone as its very painful.
Anyway, few more tests and five days in hospital and was discharged by (a very young, but who isn't these days) registrar with the comment "because of your atril fabrilliation we are recommending these beta blockers (I was already on Ace inhibitors, which he stopped) and, after four weeks, Pradaxa"
Fair enough, but was getting over the pericarditis(breathing problems, bloating and a few more things) and starting to feel half way human, then went onto full dose Pradaxa, and feel like crap. Plus I have read all about the dodgy side effects.
From being a relatively healthy (I thought) 76 year old with no atrial fibrillation symptoms, to feeling like crap with atrial fibrillation on a very powerful drug in a month is disturbing, but my pulse rate stays steady at about 85 to 90, no heart flutters, nothing except an ECG. What gives?
My family does have a stroke history, which is mainly why I have gone along with all this.
Any advice please.
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ParrotY
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I use an Apple Watch to monitor/alert for AFIB, and have set min/max HR limits that alert if it goes above or below the set limits. Fine tuning meds for afib, especially with your other issue is tricky. You will get there. And yes, anticoagulants are your friend when your family has a stroke history.
Thanks Beach Bum. It was a question more the other way round. No history of atrial fibrillation, no obvious signs now and, suddenly, after a trip to hospital for something else, I am having to take a very powerful anticoagulant which has more warning notices than a packet of cigarettes. Still they did enough ECGs and an echocardiogram so they should be pretty sure of their conclusions, the beta blockers replace an ACE inhibitor, the Pradaxa replaces aspirin so the net pills is the same, I'm still on the planet - so all must be good.
I've had AF since 29 and still kicking 20 years on...if that helps. These things dont always just come with age, sadly. I have also have been through heart failure, suspected stroke, complex allergies, thyroid disease, and have rheumatoid arthritis. A few other things along the way, including gynae surgeries, eye issues etc. All of which have been a surprise to me...and took a while to diagnose.. had lots of "looks like xxxx but it can't be, you're too young" kind of messages.... its been a bit of a shock at times, given my age and lifestyle. I am a healthy, active person. But I've got through it all. One step at a time.It does take time to adjust, but you'll get there. I'm still working full time. I have to do less around that and adjust to energy levels etc, but it's doable.
It is a pain taking meds, you're right, but so is the alternative and once they get them right for you (never had issues with the anticoagulation but the rate control meds can be tricksy) then you can hopefully get back to playing golf and other activities. You may still be recovering from the pericarditis, as well.
The anticoagulation sounds pretty important given your family history. I'd definitely be taking that.
There are other options with the meds though if you, for any reason, don't tolerate them well. So no need to feel rubbish. They can look at different ones.
You might also be a candidate for procedures like cardioversion or ablation. This is worth discussing with your cardiologist to know what is possible. And, if you're not that symptomatic (not everyone is) then this might not be necessary.
After a 3rd ablation, I was able to come off all heart meds. At least for now. The AF will be back, I'm told. The procedures are not a permanent fix (usually) but well worth it for me for a year of normal heart rhythm (so far!!) Which has temporarily sorted the AF and taken me out of heart failure.
Hope this offers some light at the end of the tunnel. 🌸
Once the atria have shown signs of AF, I gather the latest thinking is to introduce anti-coagulation regardless of AF frequency. The theory is that the changes that allow AF to develop might be those that also promote the clotting, rather than the clotting being caused by the AF itself.
I wouldn't think twice before taking dabigatran in the circumstances. Over here in the UK, it tends to be edoxaban or apixaban, but I think they are quite similar, and similarly safe. The patient leaflet is intimidating but for most, the drug is safe, and for a few, a life saver.
'as far as I knew'.... Many if us (eg me) are asymptomatic, I've been in AF for years, and probably years before it was incidentally picked up like you were. They will have done a chads2vasc review on you and because you are over 65, and have another heart problem, prescribed the AF meds. Your ECG will give the presence of AF, possibly showing the irregularity, but also the shape of the heart beat (us AFers have a slightly different heartbeat profile than 'ordinary' people).Learn all you can, and keep abreast of the meds they're giving you and whether any surgical intervention is available to you.
Welcome to the Forum, I am sure all the members will offer advice and support based upon their own experiences. Alternatively, please contact our Patient Services Team: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...
The team are here to help you and answer your questions. Have you visited the AF Association webpage? you will find a wealth of information including many resources, videos, patient stories to support. heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...
ParrotY Check the above references from Tracy which will be very helpful.
Chances are you may have had afib which was not previously detected due to your active lifestyle and being asymptomatic. Look forward to your future posts.
Hi - Pradaxa (anticoagulant) a must have and sure it won’t be this that’s making you feel like crap - I’m on Apixaban and only tab I kiss - It will be the beta blockers - takes some time to get used to them so you might - I didn’t and was in Bisoprolol but had to stop as turned me into a total zombie- also worth noting though that beta blockers don’t tackle the rhythm problem only help to bring the heart rate down and that was my problem as HR was already low (due to earlier years of fitness) and brought mine too low into 40’s
Thanks all for the wealth of information.It will take a while to absorb it all, but I have a regular catch up with my doctor in two months by which time things should have settled down a bit and my body got used the the new chemical cocktail, and I will have had time to get my mind round it all.
Hope he is ready for the questions, perhaps prepare him in advance by writing them down.
Good news for me was first trip to the golf course since this all started. Not for a game, that's still a way off, but to hit a bucket of balls at the range - surprisingly well if not as far as before. Bit stiff today though.
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Happy New Year all. 
Finally home-Happy New Year to you all
New Patient support group in Surrey! All welcome!
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