In AF

[pirnough6]

I have been in AF for a week after 3 months after no attacks. My blood pressure is good and my pulse rate hovers around 85-90. Should I let it return to sinus rythm or should I go to A and E on Monday if I am still in AF. I feel fine and played tennis yesterday with no problems

[pirnough6]

I vorgot tosay I am on flecanide 100mg twice a day and 3.5 bisoprolol and one of the new anti coagulants as well as several BP tablets

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi there - I wouldn't personally go to A+E with a pulse that low, but I would want to chat to my GP on Monday and see what he advises. Perhaps if your surgery could do an ECG it would show them just what your heart is doing and they can then pass this on to your heart specialist. Quite a few members of this forum are in permanent AF and it's just something they end up deciding to live with. I have a friend who is the same.

Its good to hear that you can still play tennis with no problems. Long may that continue.

Jean

[PeterWh]

I agree with Jean about going to GP's. However I would book both an appointment with the nurse for an ECG and also one with your GP. If GP is first then book that because certainly at my surgery there are nurse slots for tests referred by GPs that aren't available for public booking so to speak.

You don't mention your age or any other co-morbities. I would check your chadsvac (see main AFA site) because potentially one of the risks could be of a stroke. Note when you answer questions it is based on no medications. For example if you had high blood pressure but that has been corrected by medication you DO still score 1 for high blood pressure.

Good luck and let us all know how you get on.

[PeterWh]

What are you using to take pulse with since the majority of monitors are in accurate when someone is in AF?

[pirnough6]

My age is 68 and I am waiting for an ablation due very soon. I measure my blood pressure on a machine that also tells me if I am in AF. I had it checkec at the do tors for accuracy not long ago and it was accurate. When I first went into AF my blood pressure was 60/40 so I stopped taking one of my tablets which the cardiologist said I was to stop if my bp dropped. Now my bp is 110/75. . Why can't you correct the typing if something is wrong. I have noticed that problem before. I am talking about the reply I am typing!!

[PeterWh in reply to pirnough6]

If it's one that tells you when you are in AF then it's suitable for AF patients and will be accurate. In fact yours may be more accurate than those in some GP's!!!! When I was in one of the various hospitals that I have been in over the last couple of years one of the nurses told me that one of the older BP machines (on wheels) that was not suitable for patients with AF found its way onto the heart ward and it took almost a week for someone to realise!!!!!

Remind me by pm about spelling auto correct problems and I'll drop you a line. Also what device that you are using.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to pirnough6]

See the little down arrow at the end of your post. Left click on that and go to edit. You can then alter your post.

Jean

[cali111]

I was like you back in 2003 and the irregularity did not return until 2015, but when it did it was with a vengeance! One of the cardio`s I saw asked me why this wasn`t treated further in 2003 and I had no answer for him. I had a cardioversion three weeks ago and stayed in sinus node for one week. As I was told by my EP that this would happen I didn`t worry too much. He needed me to have the CV to tell him what ablation (which is booked for September) I needed.

I wish they had started treatment back in 2003 as over the years I noticed that my pulse was high and I was diagnosed with Asthma as I had repeated episodes of breathlessness. I was doubtful of this as the inhalers did nothing for me. In 2013 this breathlessness was so bad I was sent for extensive checks on my lungs including a CT scan which were done over a one year period. I had no significant problems and did not have asthma! So I was left to struggle the best I could until 2015 when I went into AF with no warning. I was three weeks away from a shoulder operation which they won`t do until my cardio problems are sorted. I only take Digoxin and a anticoagulant as all the other drugs had horrendous side effects and life was not worth living with them. Although I still get breathless whilst walking slowing down helps this. The digoxin keeps my pulse at 65-70bpm and so I do not feel the AF.

Hope this small explanation helps you decide.