Just joined. Diagnosed with AF today. Shock! I run to keep fit following diagnosis of hypertension several years ago. Hello fellow sufferers

[HazelStrawberry]

What is INR?

[Offcut]

The INR stands for International Normalised Ratio. It is a test used to check how long it takes for your blood to clot and it has been standardised so that tests done in different laboratories around the world on the same sample of blood will give the same result.

The INR for someone who is not taking warfarin is around 1. The higher your INR is, the longer it takes your blood to clot. The desired INR for you will depend on the reason for which you are taking warfarin.

Your doctor will try and keep your INR within a particular range called the target INR range.

The target INR range is different for different conditions. For example, for people with atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart beat in the top chambers of the heart) the target INR range is 2 to 3. Higher INR ranges are recommended for people who have a mechanical heart valve or for those with some irregular clotting conditions.

[HazelStrawberry in reply to Offcut]

Thanks, Offcut. Amlodipine changed to Viazem XL to slow rate & put on aspirin but Wafarin recommended. Heart scan due in 2 weeks. Scary. No symptoms at all.....didn't know!

[Offcut]

I have had AF since 1992 I have had many occasions were I have been for tests and was unaware I was in AF. Try not to get to stressed over your appointments etc. it will make you think to much into your AF and ask as many question you can when you are with the specialists however silly they may sound. AF is controllable most of the time.

Be Well

Phill

[Mamamarilyn]

Hi Offcut and welcome to the club! I was diagnosed with PAF 8 weeks ago and to be honest during the first week or so I became pretty anxious as I too exercise regularly in the gym, to deal with my silly knees and my raised BP. I've had some great advice from users of this site......we are a supportive community here. I'm waiting for my appointment with the anti-coagulant team right now, they lost my paperwork and when I told my consultant I hadn't seen them yet, he hit the roof! I guess it's important to remember that our condition is not life-threatening but that doesn't seem to help when you're having an episode!

Initially I was resistant to the idea of Warfarin but I have a very supportive GP who talked me through it and convinced me it was the right way to go, primarily because of the protection it gives us from the risk of stroke. But I guess different things work for different people. The bottom line is that we have to reach our own decisions about the treatment we receive. That's why it is valuable to hear of other people's experiences and to read up as much info from reliable sites as possible.

I wish you well in the handling of your diagnosis, Offcut. And HI to anyone who reads this....hope you're having a happy healthy day xx

[Hidden]

Hello Hazelstrawberry - what a lovely name.

Welcome to the club. It's always a bit of a shock to healthy people when they learn they have a heart problem but be reassured - most of us have had it for years and are now no longer afraid. It's not a life-threatening condition - just a --------- nuisance.

Very best wishes to you

Dot

[farmerwalt]

Hi Hazelstrawberry,

I was 30 when I first went to see my cardio because of the papitations etc. It took another 25 years before it was confirmed that it was Paroxysmal AF although my cardio did not start me on warfarin. It was 3 years later following a TIA(mini stroke) that I was started on warfarin. The warfarin regime is OK once you get used to it and it's certainy better than having another TIA or full blown stroke. I self monitor my INR so it's not at all inconvenient.

It was certainly a shock at first but you learn to live with it. I am now 70 and still working away.

Best wishes and good health.

Walt.

[porridgequeen]

Hello Hazelstrawberry,

It is a terrible shock to be diagnosed with AF, especially when you take a lots of care to keep fit.

Many of us here have no symptoms and only know of the heart's activity from their pulse rate. You will probably have a range of tests on your heart now and , like many of us, find that everything is in good working order, mine was even 'better than normal' for my age. It's just the electrical part that gets short circuited.

You have definitely come to the right place. Everybody here will give support.

Best Wishes

Angela