AF Regular check ups.

[Palmer]

I have been in AF for about 5 years, symptoms being irregular heart beat and some breathlessness with a constant BPM of between 60 - 80 and medication consisting of Bisoprolol 1.25 mg and Warfarin. During this time I have never been referred to an EP or anybody else, is this normal or should I be monitored somewhere along the line, I only saw a cardiologist at the beginning of my journey. Any advice would be welcome.

[10gingercats]

The same with me. My GP sometimes checks my heart rate but there has been no further echo. ECG or other physical checks for about 5 years.I changed from Warfarin to Apixaban 2years ago and my GP discussed various issues to do with the changes but otherwise that been it. I am thinkibg of pressing for another echocardiogram as I have a leaking tricuspid valve but this is at the bottom of valve problems. might have to get it done privately.

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Palmer

In my opinion, and I am not a doctor or medically trained, unless you count my boy scout first aid badge, you should have seen an EP. A Cardiologist is not sufficient as this is not their speciality, you will have seen elsewhere I am sure that cardiologist are plumbers and EPs electricians.

Similarly I strongly believe that we all need at the very least annual consultations, I know that some EPs do not agree, but my symptoms are identical to yours (slightly different drugs), and I think that changes creep up on us without us noticing, and that unless there is a laid down benchmark to refer to who knows if it is getting worse until perhaps too late?

My GP knows almost nothing about AF and cannot be trusted for advice in my opinion, he tried to prescribe me ibuprofen recently until I protested.

Anyway just my opinion, others will differ I am sure

Be well

Ian

[Goldfish_]

If your condition is stable and symptoms few, I doubt an ep will want to do anything

[Hidden]

Hello Palmer, I think Beancounter and Goldfish are both right in that you appear, at the moment, to have a form of AF which seems relatively stable and asymptomatic, but of course, this could change and it might be useful to establish a contact with an EP earlier, rather than later. Your dosage is the low, but Bisoprolol could still account for some of your breathlessness and an EP might arrange for you to try an alternative medication. I don't think GP's have ability to offer alternatives, but I could be wrong there. Apart from anything else, you will have added to your knowledge of how to monitor and influence your treatment for AF...all the best, John

[Wightbaby]

It seems to me that if you don't ask you don't get......at least maybe not with MY postcode...who knows.......see if you can find my post entitled "Long awaited results" .

It took me well over a year to get an appointment for a review and the Con said I should have checks, I think at least every 2 years.

I am sure you are keen to know if your AF has progressed. I was in persitent for about 6 months before an EP appointment came thru. He told me by this time because of delay, it only had 50% chance of working.

Contact me if you wish to know any more

Good Luck!

[Hidden]

You've been in AF with an irregular heart beat for 5 years and it hasn't been made regular, if that's what you're saying, so yes you need to see a specialist as Ian said, in my opinion.

[cassie46]

I have permanent AF I manage okay most of the time but have been hospitalised four times in the last 3 years. My cardoligist basically wants as little to do with me as possible, I have had out patient appointments at the cardio unit but only ever seen the AF nurse. I do have a very good heart failure nurse who I reply on quite alot, she has helped me out on many accasions. I have had to fight the cardiolgist to change some of my meds, he's Biso, digoxin and maybe ramipril presciber, I think he has little interest in AF. Asked if I could be referred to an EP a flat no. However this spring I will be making an appointment with an EP privately. I just want a clear picture on drugs availably, how my AF is progressing and what my long term future may hold. My GP if a very nice lady but cannot prescribe any drugs, cardio only has to do this. She knows a little about AF but not fully clued up. One of my biggist hates is when they say we can always up you dossage of Biso, I have banged it into their heads for so long, I am okay on 5mg but over that and I have terrible side effects. It has been tried a few times, even when I was in hospital and they knew how I reacted, should have been on my notes it still gets mentioned

Cassie

[Mike-tyson]

Hi Palmer

I have had af for about 4 years which was controlled by medication. But at end of last year it kept shooting up and my Bpm got as high at 160. I was then referred to Cardiology in Stoke. The Ep consultant gave me a heart scan and said I needed an Ablation. Which I had done in mid December. It's now two months since I had it done and Bpm back down to around 65bpm. Felt really tired for first month as it's a big procedure. But feel it was with having it done. So would ask the question of your Hospital on what the requirements are to qualify to have an Ablation. It's quite a regular procedure at Stoke I am told they do around 12 per week. And three consultants do it. Mike