No symptoms

[emsling]

It looks like I am one of the lucky once. Since diagnosis 2 years ago after having a stroke I wouldn't know if I have AF or not. I do know that my pulse is very irregular all the time but I only notice it when taking it. i suppose I will know if I ever get an episode but so far I have been lucky. I do take apixaban . Is there any one else who is as symptoms free and what advise was given by the GP to stay that way.

[BobD Volunteer]

It seems that those people with permanent AF are seldom aware of it whilst paroxysmal sufferers are all to aware every time they have an event. As Professor Schilling said to one permanent sufferer with no symptoms at HRC a few years ago " you lucky bugger". No guarantees what the future holds regardless of what you do.

[Mercurius in reply to BobD]

How knows ? I'm paroxismal silent afibber. I can't feel nothing, just I see on my ECG if I'm at afib.

[emsling in reply to BobD]

Thank you

[doodle68]

Hi emsling my Paroxismal AF has become 'silent' since I started taking beta blockers in June , they reducing my high blood pressure and lowered my pulse rate removing the horrible symptoms but I live in fear of the symptoms returning. I know the AF hasn't gone away, I can occasionally pick it up in my pulse and my BP monitor registers an irregular beat. My fear is my body will get used to the beta blockers and the suppressed symptom will return.

I am trying to delay this happening and read about a study into weight loss and most importantly maintaining the weight loss as a way to help control episodes of AF in some people and maybe even to slow the progression from paroxysmal to persistent or permanent AF so I have adopted a new life style and am slowly losing weight with a goal of reaching a BMI of 25.

The changes to my lifestyle could have contributed to the lowering of my BP which I hope will help my AF and my heart health in general.

My GP gave me no 'advice' at all (she already knew I had a healthy life style) . Everything I have learnt about controlling AF has been through the internet and sites like this.

I hope you stay symptom free and well

[Hidden]

I think I'm lucky knowing when I'm in AF - that way, I know to slow down and take care of myself rather than charging around like a bull in a china shop. Not that I do that (honestly) all the time...

[RichMert]

Looking back, although the symptoms were bad, I am glad I had something to tell me I was in AF. A stroke is not the 'welcome to our world' that I would recommend.