Recognising episodes AF

[davythom]

I know it's possible to be in AF without symptoms so is the only way of knowing for sure by having an ECG ie Alivecor?

[Loo53]

I guess if its asymptomatic then the only way to know is to have thorough investigations for it. There are times I think I've got it but the gadget I use always says stable waveform even in my bad episodes perceived by myself when I think I'm in AF it still says stable waveform and its probably the increased heart rate I've been feeling. Sorry rambled a bit there time for bed!

[davythom in reply to Loo53]

Thanks for the reply, hope you sleep well.

[iris1205 in reply to Loo53]

Hi Loo, I do believe we become hyper-sensitive to every extrasystole, ectopic... etc just waiting and wondering when the AF is going to kick in. The alivecor is addictive for people like me, but on the otherhand, it also tells me that there is nothing serious going on and I can let go. The alivecor has a positive influence for me, it does not increase anxiety, it gives me the illusion of control! Everyone reacts differently, for me more information even if intense (AF at 220bpm) I deal better with than not knowing. And I agree, I am sensitive to heart rate changes which sometimes mimic palpitations when one has a lower heart rate in general. I am doing my best to learn to observe instead of intense participation with every quiver or flip flop. I have also used it to discover what increases or decreases the arrythmias and rate, meditation, coffee, exercise. I have enjoyed using it as a study device!

Hope things keep improving!

[iris1205]

Since I don't like going to A&E, the alivecor helped me prove my episodes and how frequent they were (up to 2x per week and rapid AF lasting 5-12hours). A few have stated that they don't have success with the device - it's personal! It can't pick up everything, but it is certainly the best device I've found. The last Holter monitor I did, I ran in parallel with the Alivecor and it was spot-on with both AF and Flutter, as well as catching the lead into AF.... mind you I know my signs as well, so I knew when to start the recordings! The advantage is you don't have to know, just record!

[davythom]

Thanks for replying so quickly, appreciate your input.

[BobD Volunteer]

My question would be why do you need to know? If you have already been diagnosed and are being treated then there is no need for constant checking. This only increases anxiety in my view. These devices have a use when trying to gain diagnosis of course but may not give the diagnosis you are looking for. viz Loo's post. If you have no symptoms then to be honest you are one of the lucky ones!

Bob

[Mamamarilyn in reply to BobD]

Totally agree Bob. Constant checking can only increase anxiety.

[barnes12 in reply to Mamamarilyn]

Yes I have to agree with bob we have it and checking all the time makes you panic

[Therealsue]

This is something that worries me as I've read that post ablation you can have AF and not know it. Can you have AF and a regular pulse? Before ablation, not only could I feel the palpitations, but I could feel an irregular pulse, but now my pulse always seems regular - although as far as I'm aware, I'm AF free since ablation.

[porridgequeen in reply to Therealsue]

Hi Therealsue,

I think the irregular pulse is the best indicator, if your pulse is regular you are not in AF.

I have always been more or less asymptomatic but post ablation I get runs of palpitations, as my pulse is always regular during these it is not AF.

Pleased you are still doing well.

[Therealsue in reply to porridgequeen]

Thanks once again, Porridgequeen x

[Hidden]

I was in a coronary ward for over a week once. After 4-5 days, my very symptomatic AF had gone away and I was getting fed up, so insisted that I was going to discharge myself. The nurse said OK, but first go and look at the screen showing your ECG (I was wired up to a permanent monitor). So I did, oh dear, it was a complete mess, so I stayed till they let me go. I couldn't feel a thing, although I reckon I probably would now as I wasn't as experienced back then.

[Mamamarilyn in reply to Hidden]

That's my experience a year ago! I felt a bit of a fraud on the coronary care ward until I looked at the monitor!

[porridgequeen]

Looking at things from the other direction - while wearing a 24hr monitor I felt the the classic Atrial Flutter symptom of ' a chest full of butterflies'. In fact it wasn't A.Flutter at all, it was a slow speeding up of the heart and then equally slowly slowing down which the cardiologist said was quite normal and experienced by everyone but only noticed by those who are more aware of heart activity - so that will be us then!

Don't panic Mr. Manwaring!, and enjoy the peace if you have it.

[davythom]

Thank you all for your input, there's nothing like sharing experience and getting sound advice.

[pip_pip]

Some five years ago when being discharged from hospital from yet another bout of AF, I asked the registrar something about the the way heart monitor shows the beat. His answer was "your recovery at home consists partly of not looking at the heart monitor".

Phil

[Bev999]

My experience is similar to another poster above in that although in 'permanent AF', there were times I was way more aware of it and symptomatic than others. Likewise, being on a hospital ECG over some considerable time convinced me.

I've just had ablation 2 and am wary although optimistic. Still on 7.5mg Bisoprolol I was getting increasingly fatigued on some days and yet others back cycling (short distances but after about 8 years off bike!; but brisk walking etc - never possible while in AF). Turned out when checked that it was a bradycardia - in 40's - 50's. My GP has reduced this dose and only 2 days but feeling better already, but pulse still quite low.

My fatigue really made me wonder if was back in AF, but delighted to hear my GP say my ECG was 'perfect!!' (yesterday anyway). Didn't look it on Alive Cor thing - although think battery's gone.

Bev