Irregular Heartbeat

[linc2u]

When does an irregular heartbeat actually be diagnosed as AF ? I know that my pulse is nearly always irregular these days and I fail to recognise an AF episode any more. Twice I have had an ECG showing AF when I actually felt well and quite surprised at the results. Remain a bit confused. Hope someone can help. Thanks.

[BobD Volunteer]

AF can realay only be diagnosed by an ECG which shows the chaotic nature of the atria . You can have an irregular pulse due to multpile ectopics but this will not show as AF on an ECG. Many people are asymptomatic i e they are not aware of symptoms yet still are at risk of stroke which is why we are so keen to promote regular screening for AF to enable proper anticoagulation for those at risk.

Bob

[beardy_chris]

It isn't always easy to know when you are in AF - especially if the drugs are working and preventing super-fast pulse rates. Perhaps the only way to be sure is with an ECG but a good indication is if your heartbeat is "irregularly irregular". In other words, pretty much random and not regular with occasional extras or skipped beats. If it is irregularly irregular, you are probably in AF. Some of us get few, if any, other symptoms.

All the usual caveats apply: I'm not a medic and your mileage may vary so don't trust a word I say!

[Hidden]

To me, if you have an irregular heart beat you should see an EP. I would ask for a referral if you haven't had one already. They are the experts.

I have been in hospital with AF once and came to discharge myself because I felt fine, very bored, and nothing was happening. Nurse told me to go look at the monitor before I went. It was all over the place but I couldn't feel it. So I stayed till they then found some drugs that stopped it. I was surprised I couldn't feel it.

Koll

[farmerwalt]

I'm persistent/permanent AF and am one of the ones that Bob referred to as being asymptomatic. I'm not on any drugs for control of my AF apart from warfarin to reduce my stroke risk, after having had several TIA's. The only other drugs I am on are 2 vasodilators to improve the pumping action of my heart due to some heart failure.

I note that you have had ecg's that have shown you have AF, so, as Bob mentioned, I hope you are also on an anticoagulant to help lower your risk of a TIA or stroke.

Having been eventually diagnosed as having AF 15 years ago, it was a shock at the time, but I just get on with a fairly active life and don't really think about the AF very much now.

If you have no symptons when in AF, that's good. Just don't try to dwell on the fact that you have AF and enjoy life to the full while you can.

Keep well

Walter.