Stress at work

[giddytd1]

My af has been well managed for many months but suffered a bit of a melt down at work where I became completely overwhelmed, hot sweats and palpitations again. Was sent home and saw GP later that afternoon. ECG done and ok, blood pressure taken and again normal. However, signed off for a fortnight with stress, bloods taken and I am to have a 24 hour heart monitor to see what's going on. Then when all results are in they will look at altering my medication. Currently on 5mg bisoprolol, 2.5 mg ramipril and 5mg Apixaban. Tried all kinds of different meds in the past so will be interesting to see what is recommended this time. The GP feels it is all stress related but I feel that something else is going on but trying to find a knowledgeable GP is hard. Haven't seen the cardiologist for nearly 3 years. When I last had,a scan they also diagnosed regurgitation in the heart. Managers at work not really helpful with comments don't want you dropping dead at your desk and what has caused this!!

As always great to share,my thoughts with the forum

[jennydog]

I'm so sorry that you are having such a difficult time. Stress is dreadful and causes awful physical problems.

If you have atrial fibrillation then you must push for a referral to an Electrophysiologist .

Regarding the heart monitor, in my opinion, if you have PAF, then a 24hr monitor is likely to be worse than useless. You need to have a 7 day monitor that records all the time.

Best wishes.

[Mike16]

I can sympathise strongly with the potential of workplace stress inducing AF however, from my own experience stress was just one aspect for causing my AF. Similarly to yourself I had regurgitation in my heart (mitral valve regurgitation to be precise) for some time, and both the valve regurgitation and AF had not been picked up previously. This all changed when I presented to my GP just over 12 months ago with symptoms associated with poor athletic performance (I am a keep fit nut). In brief, my mitral valve regurgitation ended up being diagnosed as severe. The considered opinion then was, as my heart had tried to compensate for the reduced blood output it had induced the AF. In other words they were directly linked. Clearly I am no expert, but it may be worthwhile if you redirected your GP to address both conditions in conjunction as opposed to in parallel?

Fingers crossed for you and the very best of luck.

[PeterWh]

Which valve(s)?

[giddytd1 in reply to PeterWh]

Hi not sure as all they told me was about the regurgitation. Trying to get straight answers from the GP and the cardiologist has to say the least been difficult. I am stressed because of work but I know that there's something not right!!

[PeterWh in reply to giddytd1]

Ask your GP's secretary / admin person for a copy of all correspondence to / from your GP and cardiologist. They are obliged to do this. Certainly in my case Consultant's letters are specific and clear. If you want to double check you can also ask your consultant's secretary the same. When someone else did this after I suggested it they got different submissions from each source!!!! Also ask both to put it on your records file that you want a copy of all correspondence.

It makes a difference re the valves. I have moderate to severe leakage in the tricuspid valve and minor leakage in the mitral valve.

[giddytd1 in reply to PeterWh]

Thanks for that will get a copy of my records so can hopefully get to the bottom of what is wrong.

[PeterWh in reply to giddytd1]

That's the most accurate way because there is no misinterpretatio. If you have queries you can pm me.