Missing heart beats

[Christo4]

Headache not feeling to good this morning, pulse keeps missing beats is this AF playing up? New to all this.

[BobD Volunteer]

Missed beats are ectopic beats. What happens is that a beat is set off before it is ready so your pulse feels like it is actually missing. We all get these , AFers or not so nothing to worry about. It is just we AFers are too darned sensitive to our hearts.

Bob

[Hidden]

If you're worried Christo, then maybe pop into hospital/A&E and get them to do a check for you. Then at least you'll know what they are instead of guessing and that may settle your mind.

I went into A&E a few months ago for the same reason. I told them I was getting a lot of ectopics and they said "so what, we all get them, it's total normal" which it is. Then they felt my pulse and said, "oh I see what you mean, it's all over the place."

Anyhow, went through a few drugs and now ended up on one which seems to have stopped mine almost completely and I feel good again. Got a good strong pulse, first time in a year or more. Without the drugs, if you tried to take my pulse, you wouldn't be able to. There's almost nothing there, just what feel like gaps, then a thump or two, then more gaps.

My EP prescribed the drugs.

Good luck, let us know how you get on whatever you do.

Koll

[Christo4 in reply to Hidden]

Went to hospital they were great my pulse was all over the place awful headache Dr at hospital thought I should have beta blockers as well warfrin, is this how it's going to be I only found out about this problem last week ,a very good start I must say ,Thank you for posting,how are you keeping?

[Christo4 in reply to Hidden]

Who is EP please I'm learning as I go along!

[flyfisher]

Electrophysiologist.

[Christo4 in reply to flyfisher]

Thank you learning fast !

[Hidden]

As flyfisher says, EP = Electrophysiologist (i.e. a cardiologist who specialises in electrics).

We're all different, but beta-blockers would not be the right drug for me. If it was a general doctor who prescribed them, then I would seek to see an EP in the not too distant future if you can. They will look at your condition properly, do tests, and try different drugs to find one that works for you.

I'm now on drugs that are working great.

Regards

Koll

[Christo4 in reply to Hidden]

Do you mind mind me asking what are you taking ? Trying to learn as I go along.

[Hidden in reply to Christo4]

Disopyramide. Propafenone also worked on me quite well.

[Hidden in reply to Christo4]

PS. I believe (and someone will correct me if I'm wrong), neither of the drugs I mention can be prescribed by a GP, at least mine says she can't. GP put me on a beta-blocker. I insisted on being referred, and the EP took me straight off them and prescribed rhythm control drugs, which is what I need.

Koll

[PhyllisK]

Good morning all.

Since August 2013 I have had two episodes of Atrial Fibrillation and each time I have made a request to be introduced to an EP (as advised by BobD and, many more).

Both the GP and arrhythmia nurse state that unless I needed an ablation then the cardiologist would be my carer.

It seems to me to be somewhat of a postcode lottery re: introduction to an EP.

As always I would value your opinions.

Phyl.

[Rellim296 in reply to PhyllisK]

I moved from GP to cardiologist who then referred me to an EP

[PhyllisK]

Thanks for your reply Rellim296

.

I have only seen the cardiologist once and I was discharged after last AF episode with, the proviso that I work with the arrhythmia nurse.

I would like to meet an EP so that he could have a baseline knowledge of my needs thus, being pro-active rather than re-active but sadly it is not going to happen unless I am in dire need.

Phyl

[Hidden]

I was under an EP from the start and an ablation was not mentioned for 2 years. If mine's anything to go by though, they are very busy people.

Koll