Hi everyone, I am in Treliske Hospita... - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

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Hi everyone, I am in Treliske Hospital because of my permanent AF over last 6 months ( I had episodes since 2002). Guess what they found at

Ang3lc4ts profile image
13 Replies

long last, my Potassium levels were dangerously low due to the wrong medication for high blood pressure. I am now on a drip to get the Potassium into my body as quickly as possible and after being on the drip for 4 hours my heart is in Sinus rhythm. I am listed for a Cardioversion tomorrow, but I do not think I will need it if the SR continues. Has anyone else had this? The cardiologist said I may still have AF afterwards, time will tell, I live in hope.

Di

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Ang3lc4ts
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jennydog profile image
jennydog

Very best wishes for your continued recovery. Please let us know how you get on.

Very best wishes

virgle4178 profile image
virgle4178

HI Ang31c4ts, i too was in hospital last week as a emergency as SR was way out bpm 180 blood pressure 125/185

Am awaiting Ablation and home now , potassium level was also low, now at home recovering , i hope you well

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Unbelievable isn't it that no one thought to check your potassium levels before now. I'll make sure I get myself some bananas today as my heart has been constantly racing for almost 2 weeks now. Cardioversion hopefully mid March. Unless of course the bananas do their work. Wishing you a speedy recovery and thank you for your post.

RajaRua profile image
RajaRua

Hi Jeanjeannie and Ang, Another good source of pottasium broth Look it up on line but its a broth made from Onions carrots, potatoes, parsnips, and parsley and other veg also if you like. Boil in plenty of water and drink the water twice a day! Good luck and hope you continue in SR!! Biddy

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to RajaRua

Hi Biddy - I'm feeling pretty smug this evening as I had stew for dinner with all the ingredients you mentioned. Thank you for your tip.

I went into AF after a couple of days of a bad tummy, and my GP said it was probably due to low potassium levels. Bananas and broth it is! Hope that you stay in NSR...

Lis

Terjo profile image
Terjo

That is a wonderful outcome but a sober reminder of how much they can find from blood tests there should be more of them carried out, out of hospital . Hope you continue to do well. Teresa

Dadog profile image
Dadog

Potassium levels are so important. When I began taking drugs for high BP I was put on a regular blood test regimen which included potassium checks. Shouldn't you all be on this? Dreadful that Di should have reached such a poor state for the sake of a simple (and necessary) check.

Marion62 profile image
Marion62

Interesting post about potassium and blood tests - I am under GP care and have had no blood tests whatsoever (except INR test every 10 weeks) since diagnosis 16 months ago when hospital did a blood test.

Hello Di -- Can I ask what BP drug caused your low potassium ? I know that diuretics can cause this . In the early days of my Af journey when I had been admitted for cardioversion , I was told that actually being in AF causes Potassium levels to drop . I was advised to have the normal banana & also orange juice & tomaotoes .

Anyway , pleased that you are OK now !

Sandra

Ang3lc4ts profile image
Ang3lc4ts in reply to

Hi Sandra, part of my BP medication was Bendroflumethiazide 5mg together with 100 mg Losartan and 4mg Doxazosin . The diuretic depletes the Potassium level in your body and you should be regularly checked by your GP. I have always eaten food with Potassium but I was told that because my doctor gave me another diuretic as well, this is what did the damage. Also they found I had a very low haemoglobin count and they are checking for internal bleeding due to Warfarin. At the moment I have been taken off Warfarin and they gave me the antidote. I now have to have an endoscopy to check there is no bleeding of the stomach. I have always thought that Doctors seem to dish out too many drugs for various medical problems without taking into account all the side effects. So in a nutshell, my supposed persistent AF, instead of just episodes was due to low Potassium and low haemoglobin and they assure me my AF is PAF.

Thank you everyone for your good wishes, I just wonder what would have happened if I had waited until 21st February to see the EP!

Di

Mazza23 profile image
Mazza23

I had a potassium drip in both arms before my cardioversion it was the most painful thing I have ever had

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