I have found the information this site gathers to be invaluable and have passed on many helpful findings to others.
As for me now I am just 80 and have had AF on and off over 7 years and treated with bisoprolol,amplodipine and apixaban.
The AF now seems permanent i.e. has been on for 6 months,my BP is around 135 over 78 and pulse is always around 70 to 80.
My dilemma is do i stick with this situation now or pursue some other treatment that could possibly make it worse?
Regards and thanks to all
Hello Harrybin, these types of questions are never easy to respond to because there are so many different issues to consider. Firstly, can you please confirm your age because an earlier post states 69, but if you have found a way to go back in time.....please share!!!
You make no mention of symptoms and further treatment depends very much on quality of life. If you are thinking of an ablation, there is always a degree of risk and considering that your pulse rate is well within the normal range and blood pressure fairly good too, any ongoing treatment needs to be carefully thought through, especially if your general health is good too. If you are experiencing symptoms normally associated with AF, its quite possible these are actually caused or made worse by your medication so if I were you, I would seek the advice of an EP (Electrophysiologist) as they are cardiologists who specialise in arrythmias and can suggest what might be the best way forward for you. I'm sure you will receive lots of good advice from others on the forum, best of luck, John
Thanks John for replying to this
Sorry I must have had a senior moment with my age i am actually 79 and 80 next month.
Normally now i see an irregular heartbeat together with the readings i mentioned
I can got on the treadmill for 20 mins no problem,there are times however that I seem to get a "flare up" Excessive noise levels in a cinema last time brought this on,then it seems to gradually go back be less troublesome
As for your comments on the medication,after 7 years of taking it i am beginning to suspect that it is responsible for some chest pains that come and go
Cutting down slightly seems to have improved that.
Thank you again
mike
I should have mentioned that normal BP monitors are not accurate when in AF.
My EP told me that the cut-off age for ablation in Liverpool is 80. If the AF doesn't trouble you too much then the answer is to do nothing beyond avoiding triggers such as alcohol.
He can not have been serious! Treatment exclusions based on chronological age won't stand up in 2017.
Imagine if that was the policy applied at St Thomas's hospital and the Queen wanted her ablation on the NHS. Madge would not be amused, and she would be right not to be so.
Where's the BGS when you need them!
The big thing for me, and many doctors, is what quality of life are you getting. My Dad had AF from his 60's well into his 70's before he passed on and it never bothered him - in fact I never knew he had it until my Mum told me later. I know a couple of GPs socially and they say they see broadly 2 groups with AF - those who aren't bothered by it, and those who are. I think the NICE guidelines include Quality of Life within their criteria.
I would say if it's bothering you, press to get something done. However, re. the age thing, it's complex and not a pure "discrimination" thing - there is sometimes a valid reason not to treat someone where age increases the risk unduly, or reduces the likelihood of success. Don't know enough about your situation (or anyway what these criteria migth be in AF) to know more. But permanent AF is known to be less amenable to successful ablation than paroxysmal.
What now?
What now, 300mg of Flecainide?
Rest or carry on? 
My tips for reducing AF episodes, what are yours?
