A little advice would help please.

[RoyM]

I was diagnosed with PAF last year and I am due for a pre ablation appointment on the 9th May prior to the Ablation scheduled for the 24th of May. About 10 days ago my pulse became irregular with a rate of between the low 60's and mid 70's. Normally my episodes last anything from a few minutes to a few hours. However, this time the irregular pulse as continued. I am on twice daily Apixaban and pip in pocket Bisoprol. I feel perfectly well...no breathlessness no dizzyness no pain and a normal blood pressure reading of 135/75. My question is should I wait for my appointment on the 9th May or seek help sooner. I do feel a little reluctant to go to A and E because I feel well and and functioning normally. If ii have tripped into persistent AF will it effect my Ablation on the 24th May. Thank you in advance of your comments. Roy 

[PeterWh]

It does sound like you have dropped into persistent AF but unless you have a device to confirm it you can't be 100% sure. If you have chest pains, etc then you should obviously seek immediate medical help (as I am sure you would).

However it may not affect your ablation because many people who are in persistent AF have ablations - I am one of those!!

[RoyM in reply to PeterWh]

Thank you Peter. I kinda feel like I should  wait until the 9th but I do respect the views of others on this forum. Roy 

[Hidden]

I was in persistent AF, for a few months untreated, for years treated so no symptoms, and my ablation was very successful. EP said before the procedure, that because my AF was there all the time, they would know straight away whether they had got it or not, his words, and he was right. 

Koll

[RoyM in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Koll

[BobD Volunteer]

Why not speak to your GP and see if they can do an ECG. Most have the facility. That way you can go to the meeting with it and present some evidence. I do not think that if you are feeling OK it is worth taking up valuable A and E time unless you feel faint or have chest pain. None of this will affect your ablation prospects.

[RoyM in reply to BobD]

Thank you very much Bob appreciate your comments. Roy 

[Perrylees]

Being in persistent AF isn't necessarily any worse than being in paroxysmal as long as you are taking the correct medication ( & it sounds like you are).  I never had AF attacks as such  as I  was in persistent AF for 10 months prior to my ablation a month ago. I took bisoprolol (but 2.5 mg every day) and apixaban too.  There would be no harm in speaking to your GP - but if you're  feeling OK a trip to A&E probably wouldn't help at all and in my experience would only be frustrating and worrying!  I'm sure it won't affect your ablation so don't worry about that!!

Ruth 

[Icenae]

Hi. If you feel ok just wait as otherwise you will be in a & e for hours.  Your range seems small. Is that correct. 60 - 70's.  I know its really uncomfortable when its flutteriing around.  Have they tried you on regular bisoprolol or rythmn drugs to see if it will settle.  I wonder whether an ablation might be a bit premature as its usually used for more extreme rythmns as it is not without risks. As I know having just had my 3rd with quite a few probs and now still in af range 60 - 150. And on 2.5 bisoprolol 2 x dly.  (Pacemaker set at 70).   Seems to be settling down now with the drugs. Although they can make you a bit 'weak legged' too.  

Best of luck anyway. 

[RoyM in reply to Icenae]

Hi Icenae...yes its correct my pulse very rarely goes above mid  seventies and often in the mid sixties.

[Tobw]

That heart rate you describe is about the same as mine when I'm having an episode. High blood pressure is an ongoing issue with me though and, after one particularly high reading at a time when I had another pressing medical worry, I went to A and E twice in a few days while in AF. 

On both occasions, I was released, after the usual tests, within a few hours while still in AF. I have been told on three separate occasions by three different doctors that I could safely spend months in AF if my heart rate remained as low as the readings they'd just taken while I was having an episode.

Therefore, if I was presented with the same set of circumstances as you, I think I'd wait until 9 May, but one thing I've learned in the last few years is that there are likely to be subtle differences between each individual's AF - I reckon checking with your GP might be your best bet for now.

[RoyM in reply to Tobw]

Thank you for your reply Tobw

[KipperJohn]

If you have telephone access to the EP's secretary or arrhythmia nurse, perhaps  it may well be worth giving them a call as your are currently under their care and it may be relevant to your ablation?

I've rung my EP's secretary a couple of times about various things.