On Thursday I had my longest episode of AF. It started at 7.30am and stopped ao Friday at 7.45am so 24 hours. My longest previously has been about 11/12 hours, since then I have been experiencing periods of tachycardia up to about an hour long. The rate is about 160 and regular. My normal rate is about 72bpm.Should I be worried about this?
Any advice appreciated
Hi ,
I get episodes like that about once a week and was really scared because I feel really dizzy and just odd!, prolonged episodes and passing out would need to be seen to be seen in A and E I think, Do you have a cardiac nurse you can speak to they can advise, mine is invaluable. Good luck
Thanks for your reply. What advice were you given?
Was advised if accompanied with severe chest pain, blackouts or trouble breathing then to get them checked out, basically your body feels like its doing a marathon and you can only keep that up for so long before you get side effects,, I have lost count of how many times I have gone to Casualty, but now I know when its bad and when to go, usually AF will be self limiting depends what your is like I guess and will eventually go back into sinus rhythm but when in doubt!
Thank you for replying.
I have had AF for 5years so don't tend to panic now but was getting a bit concerned when it lasted 24hours instead of 11 or 12 which was the longest time previously. I am already on Bisoprolol and take extra if I have a prolonged episode. As it is for rate control I was a bit concerned that I was having tachycardia and the beta blocker didn't slow it down.
Being with someone is not possible when you live alone and things are happening at night.
Jo, I didn't think you were patronising at all andwas grateful that you took the time to reply.
My AF is usually rate controlled with the beta blocker. The tachycardia started after the AF had finished. I have had short runs of tachycardia quite often but this was for a much longer period and after taking double the usual dose of Bisoprolol.
Feeling fine today and have managed to do some pruning in the garden in lovely sunshine.
Hope you are well at present.
Guys how do AF and tachycardia differ?
Thanks Jo it sounds like svt that I am getting. Will have to research it as I don't know much about it.
It seems to me that this is not worrying except that it is a sign that you may start getting more AF than you've had before and it is perhaps time to discuss the way it is managed. Perhaps the medication you are on needs adjusting or a pill-in-the-pocket might suit if you don't already have a means of dealing with bouts of AF. I agree it is a bit unsettling to go to sleep with heart astray if it usually sorts itself out within the day.
Thank you for your reply. I am taking Bisoprolol 1.25mg daily with instructions to take an extra one when/if AF starts. I have often had AF at night but an episode has never lasted more than 11/12 hours before. Also, the tachycardia (regular) which started when the AF stopped and lasted for quite a long time was not a usual occurence for me. I am unable to tolerate rhythm control drugs so experience AF very frequently. The last time I saw an EP war 3 years ago (at my request) so perhaps it's time for another request!
That might be the way forward. We need to be in charge of AF and not let it get the upper hand!
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