time

[duckpopper]

when i have had an af attack they have lasted 12hrs or more so am a bit worried to just try and get on with something , is there a time limit , and also what heart rate should you go to hospital with

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Duckpopper. My last attack, last week, lasted 5 days and I declined going to hospital as been there several times. It was only the second time I'd had a 5 day long session. My pulse started high then settled between 135-145. With hindsight I should have gone, but I kept hoping it would go back to normal. My doc (who's brilliant) sought advice from a cardiologist and next time it's high and wont lower I have to go to A&E for possible cardioversion - again! I do a lot of coastal walking and my other half once asked the doctor at what heart rate level he should call for help and I believe the doc said 130-135 beats per minute.

Hope that helps.

Do you have a heart monitor?

Regards

Jean

[TheStand]

duckpopper,

That is really such an individual thing and really hard to answer. I know many that will have attacks that only last minutes and others like jeanjeannie above that can have them last for days. Mine would always last from 6 to sometimes 10 hours and then convert back to NSR.

My pulse would jump around from 145 to 185. But knowing that it would stop in a few hours, I would just ride it out. Also being in the US and with our medical costs helped make my choice. The idea that going to the hospital and it costing me $300+ to just lay there and have them tell me what I already knew, just didn't make sense.

Knowing that you are on Pradaxa (so the stroke risk is managed) it becomes a matter of how you feel and whether you can endure the attack. If your pulse is very high (some report rates of 220+) and the attack lasts a prolonged time (only you know your normal time) then it might be a good idea to go in. They can start an IV and give you a dose of meds that may end the attack.

It all comes down to how you feel and I don't think you would be wrong for going in during an attack. There really is no right or wrong.

Tim

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

Hi Duckpopper,

I agree with what Jean and Tim said. There is no right or wrong. The key is that you are on the anticoagulant which is protecting you from stroke. My doc used to say to call him if it lasts over 24 hours, which it has only done once. I called, they mentioned cardioversion for the next morning and 5 minutes later I went back to NSR. I guess just the thought was enough to frighten me back to normal....ha ha. But at any rate,(no pun intended), it's good to have that conversation with your doctor ahead of time to have a game plan. The only time I have gone to the ER is the very first time. My episodes typically last 12-14 hours. I hope you are feeling well now.