AF or Flutter is it the same.

Can anyone advise me please?I was admitted into Hosp., 12 months ago heart racing,faint,sweating etc then consequently left 3 days later with a diagnosis of PAF and a prescription for Bisoprol,Fecainide and Asprin.Since that day I have not had that devastating experience again but the heart dos "flutter" often.Am I in AF when this is happening?C

[TheStand]

caromia, As defined there is a basic difference between atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation. They are both conditions where the heart will race (normally between 120 and 200+ BPM). But with flutter the heart is racing and is in sync (regular). With fibrillation it is racing and out of sync (irregular). There is a lot of discussion as to whether flutter has as high of a stroke risk since the blood is more properly pumped during flutter.

Both conditions can be very uncomfortable and unsettling and cause concern (especially when it's your heart doing it). Many often have symptoms of both. Mine has always been AF but after my ablation I had a few attacks in the first few weeks where the heart did not race as high and both the heart beat and blood pressure were regular (flutter). That has since all stopped happening.

Hope this info helps...

Tim

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Thank you Tim and is it correct in assuming the medication is keeping the heart in "flutter "mode rather than full PAF? I have an appointment with the Cardiologist next month I shall ask him whether he will refer me to an EP.Sometimes I wonder what would happen if I discontinued with the medication altogether. I don't know if my other symptoms are from PAF or the medication. As prior to this happening on that day 12months ago I had no symptoms at all or none that I had noticed.

I read a few weeks ago that you had an ablation very good to hear Tim that you are doing well.C

[TheStand]

caromia, the Fecainide would be the one if it did but that's not a normal thing to happen. Usually the Fecainide just holds the heart in rhythm which stops it from happening altogether. I don't think I've ever heard anyone else say it that way though. I guess (???) that if the impulses were strong enough to start an attack, AND the med was enough to hold the heart in rhythm, it could happen. Had never really thought about it before. That's a good question.

Just discontinuing the meds would not be a good idea. First I still worry about you being only on aspirin as it is not an effective method of preventing clots in AF patients. Other than that, stopping all meds would probably increase the frequency and severity of your attacks. The more often it happens, The more pathways the heart develops for it to happen again which would probably lead to a permanent AF and also more attacks means more chance for a stroke!

Thank you... Yes I had my ablation almost 13 weeks ago and have not had an attack now in almost 10 weeks. I see my EP on June 7th and we will go from there. I hope to stop the rhythm control drugs and also the beta blocker since my blood pressure is in check. I will remain on the warfarin though until I can be sure there will be no more attacks. The risk of a stroke really scares me.

Tim

[Hidden in reply to TheStand]

Hi Tim,Again thank you for your concern over the Aspirin.Yes every morning I look at this little orange pill and think what on earth am I taking this for what I may as well be popping a "smartie".My appointment with the cardiologist falls the week after yours I suspect he will argue the toss or over this Aspirin situation, will have to wait and see and continue to help myself by increasing blood thinning foods into my diet.The garlic keeps the Vampires away or so I am led to believe...

Good luck for the 7th you have done brilliantly, give yourself a well deserved pat on the back.C

[Offcut]

I am going in to hospital next week for my third ablation I seem to have a combination atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation. I am now mainly in flutter tracycardic heart beat but have episodes of hertbeats that are like a free jazz jam. I was moved to sotalol 80 mg x 2 with digoxin. I have never been taken off my tablets. I was told becuase I have had the problem for so many years (1992 diagnosed ) and has not been fully under control. I have had times I am unaware I am even in AF or have a BPM in excess of 150+ unless I keep checking my own pulse.

[Hidden]

Hi Offcut,can draw a parallel here and compare your "jazz jam" to my own full orchestra complete with ringing in the ears playing Rachmaninoff's-Theme of Paganini.However,on a more serious "note" you say there are times when you are unaware that you are in AF this is what I don't understand about PAF most of the time I am also unaware of my irregular heartbeat but what I am beginning to understand is that it doesn't mean it is not happening.Hope that makes sense. Like some many others the thought of a stroke is the worse of my fears. All the best for your next Ablation.C

[Offcut]

I had a 24 hour holter monitor this year and even though I was aware of AF a little of the time my heartrate went as low as 35 bpm and as high as 169 bpm at various times in the day/night. My rate is more stable on sotalol but I feel that is is too slow now 50/65 bpm as I have no energy or have I just got used to it being faster?

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Hi,I also had monitor a few months ago,consultant remarked by heart was beating calmer that his which I found difficulty understanding as there were times during those 24hrs when it was in a irregular mode(Mozart that time) which I logged on the occurrence sheet which the hospital gave me to complete..

The debilitating tiredness is the worse part although I push and push myself to continue with the activities I enjoy ie swimming, walking and gym and still working for myself.i find working through the tiredness works for me.Probably a combination of the PDFand the medication that causes the tiredness I am still confused and get "sucked in" when with my GP or cardiologist who continually tell me I have nothing to worry about...Am I being misguided or misled I seem to be receiving mixed messages...C