AF Newbie

[Jay024]

I'm waiting for an appointment with cardiologist. I've had an ECG but I keep getting breathless and can feel my heart quickening only last for about 30 mins but still a worry! Should I go to A&E?

[Rellim296]

Sorry you are not feeling good.

Was your ECG done when you were having a problem or was it a routine appointment?

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Jay

OK so someone has diagnosed you with AF from an ECG? and you are waiting for the cardio appointment, as I understand it. You will get these episodes and unless they last for much longer and you really feel unwell there really is no point in going to A & E, you will only sit there for a couple of hours and then get sent home.

As you get more used the the AF you will begin to know your own heart beat much better (we're all experts ) And you will then know when something is very wrong and you might need emergency treatment.

Remember AF is seldom fatal, but as one doctor say it just feels that way when you are having an attack, breathlessness comes with the condition sorry, especially and often when going uphill, right now you need to learn as much as possible about AF. Read the AFA website from cover to cover, ask lots of questions (we are all sufferers here) and learn learn learn. Knowledge really is power.

And remember, and you won't believe me yet but that's fine. You will control your AF not it controlling you, but you may have to adjust your lifestyle a little. Perhap give up the professional rugby career.

Has anyone mentioned anti-coagulation? the real risk from AF is stroke not heart attack, so go and check your CHADSVACS2 score (Google it or on the AFA website) score 2 and you MUST be on anti-coagaulants, and you will find plenty here (including me) who will argue you should be on them from 1 and even simply on diagnosis. Don't worry most of us are perfectly fine on warfarin or others, don't believe all you have been told about it.

Be well

Ian

[Bev999 in reply to Beancounter]

Hi again, didn't realise you'd had replies - Ian speaks with more expertise than me, although we've similar opinions thank goodness - he expresses them better though!

Bev

[Jay024 in reply to Beancounter]

Thank you so much for your reply it was very helpful.

I read everything I could yesterday and last night I slept properly for the first time in a while.

I resigned from my rugby team on your advice!

I'm not going to attend A&E I will wait for my appointment with the cardiologist.

Once thank you I am so glad I found this site yesterday as I now have somewhere to go for advice from people who understand AF!

Regards breathing much better,

Jane

[franksavage in reply to Beancounter]

Quote from Ian.

"You will control your AF not it controlling you, but you may have to adjust your lifestyle a little. Perhaps give up the professional rugby career."

I find your quote very encouraging Ian thank you. I am so worried i used to be very active but now i hardly go out as i know i will have an attack.

:[

[Beancounter Volunteer in reply to franksavage]

Hi Frank

We have all been there, it often starts immediately after diagnosis, with "Oh my God there's something wrong with my heart and I'm going to die" No matter what anyone says it doesn't sink in, and we convince ourselves it's the end.

That passes, and then we get into right I have to monitor everything BP, HR, how much I eat, what exercises I do, how many times I go to the loo, the variations are endless (and meaningless) and that too is a phase, albeit it at the end you will have £00s of equipment on the top shelf not being used.

You will come through that and come out of the other end, it often coincides with some stability of drug therapy, and then you can start to say, Sod it, this is my life Mr (Mrs) AF and you are not having it. I am taking back control and I am going to do what I want to do, I will make adjustments for my condition but I will NOT allow it to change my life.

That's when you are fully on the path to recovery and control. AF can do what it likes in the background, you got it covered.

By the way I've been through all 3 phases..

You'll get there I promise. Glad my words can help a little.

Ian

[franksavage in reply to Beancounter]

Thanks Beans man!

I appreciate your words i can relate and your spot on! It's good to know somebody has a handle of the situation so ill be getting back to you from time to time if that's OK? I am an artist and this thing has crept on me and im almost afraid to go the shop without worry! you have helped thanks...That link is what i do so you know who i am Beans!...

Again, thanks for the great advice.

Frank

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[Delphetta in reply to Beancounter]

I did have a heart attack last year which my Cardiologist thinks was caused by AF. I have only had one recording, of Atrial flutter, but had experienced Paroxymal AF for three or four years prior to my heart attack. These episodes had never been recorded. It is only since my heart attack that a diagnosis has been made based on the Atrial flutter and my descriptions of long AF episodes that are like 'abstract jazz music' or a 'box of frogs' going on in my chest. I have had two angiograms, lots of other tests and all show a healthy heart. I've never had high blood pressure or cholesterol. The blood clot lodged in a small vessel of my heart and raised troponin levels indicated a heart attack (and pain!!!) I am grateful that it didn't travel to my brain. Am on rivroxaban now and am trying not to worry to much about the lack of anti-dote! Am back at the gym now which is wonderful.

[Bev999]

Hi, I don't post that often but just to say welcome and here you will find many informed and supportive people! I'm afraid can't advise re. your situation, but comment for what it's worth. I guess you need to be guided by how you feel as to attending A&E, but it's difficult to know - for example are you on Warfarin? This obviously lessens risk of stroke, which is probably the most serious risk of AF. Has it definitely been diagnosed as AF? If not, it may be more important you attend for a check.

I know how disconcerting it can feel with the symptoms, but if they pass, maybe make a note of it and try and distract yourself (the quieter or more still/occupied I am, the more I'm aware of the symptoms which can lead to a vicious circle due to the anxiety it can induce).

Anyway, there is lots of help out there - emotional support as well as good cardiologists etc. who deal with treatments. But, I'd advise learning as much about the condition as possible, so you will be able to have a dialogue with cardiologist and feel a bit more in control.

Wishing you well for your appointment - keep in touch!

Bev

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jay - Welcome to our forum. Ian has put everything perfectly in his response to you so I can't really add anything else, but just wanted to say hello and feel free to ask any questions. We fellow AF members of this forum are all here to offer any support and advice you may need.

Best wishes.

Jean

[Hidden]

Hi Jay and welcome to the forum. Ian's said it all really! If you ever are worried there's usually someone around here that you can talk to through these pages, which I have found a real comfort. It does feel weird at first having your heart do all this lumpy bumpy stuff (someone described it as like a bag of rats, or frogs wrestling, which I understand!). But that by itself is just what AF is and at first the panic actually makes all the symptoms worse I think, which is maybe inevitable. As Ian says though you do get used to it. Hoping you are feeling well today