Atrial rate

[audrey2543]

How does one get measurement of atrial rate as distinct from ventricle which in my case is controlled by pacemaker at 60?

Is there a gadget for home use?

[BobD Volunteer]

As far as I know the only way to check atrial rate is with ECG machine. Since you have a PM your atria can do what it wants so not really relevant.

[grey-power]

Hi Audrey

I believe if you have a dual chamber PM the only way to know what your atria is doing is when they download your Pm at say a six month Pm check up, provided you have an episode in that six month period. The PM only monitors the atria it does not pace it, like it does the ventricles. At least that is my understanding.

And of coarse the other way as Bob has pointed out is to have an ECG done.

[audrey2543 in reply to grey-power]

Thanks to all who responded. I'm told I now have permanent AF but can't feel it as I could when it was intermittent. I am on Apixaban after trying Warfarin, Dabigatran ans Rivoraxiban, all with horrid side effects.

I feel constantly light-headed, tremulous and breathless but

don't know if it's the AF or the COPD I also suffer from.

I would dearly like to come off the Tildiem, Bisoprolol and anticoags but dare not because of the stroke risk.

I'll have to wait till my next pacemaker check up to see if the AF is really still rampant. Nevertheless, still surviving at 87 so not really grumbling!

Happy New Year