I have been complaining for years of fatigue, heart fluttering, brain fog and a dodgy ear. In December my heart was racing and I decided to go to A&E as it was a Saturday. When I arrived they done an ECG and took me straight over to resus as a precaution. While there they was putting needles in and a drip and the consultant explained everything really well. At this point my heart was banging away at 154 I was starting to feel a bit panicked when all of a sudden my heart rate dropped to 91 just like that. I’m still waiting to see a cardiologist and have been back twice already I have had a bad week this week but don’t want to go to A&E only to be sent home. Does anyone know where I can be seen any quicker or what I should do?? A little scared to be honest as I only have one heart. Thanks in advance x
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Heartrick
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Hi oyster, yes three trips so far and should of gone in today really but it seemed to settle down on its own. I’ve be told Ive had multiple atrial ectopic (not sure if I have said that right) but hopefully you understand what I mean! Plus pain in my left side just under my armpit plus a weird sensation going up to my throat. So fingers crossed someone gets in contact soon.
Angina (or heart pain) can give pain in the neck, jaw and left arm even without chest pain. Until you have had your cardio assessment, if this happens again, I suggest you ring NHS111 for advice or if severe go to Casualty.
HI Heartrick I have paroxysmal AF and get that horrible aching sensation in my throat during 'episodes' it is not unusual for people with AF to experience this . I also get some other rather scary symptoms and regularly experience ectopic beats as do many of us here.
A good thing to do during any of these events it to try to stay calm and concentrate on slow deep controlled breathing , anxiety can make the symptoms worse.
Hi Heartrick, it probably wont help much, but we have all been where you are now so we understand only too well what you are currently going through. It's always a bit difficult responding to a first post because very often we have to second guess some of the issues folk are facing and it's all too easy to get it wrong. A couple of important facts to consider, one, around 1 million people suffer from AF and a very large number of them manage to lead reasonable normal lives once they have adjusted or adapted to their condition. The other point you will often hear is that no one has ever died from AF but there are times when you think you will. However, it is important that you understand about the importance of anticoagulation as it is likely the risk of stroke is higher.
One other thing.....we are ALWAYS nice...even if we are not always sure who we are tallking to.
Whilst you will get lots of valuable advice, the best thing you can do is to see a cardiologist, preferably an EP (Electrophysiologist - a cardiologist who specialises in arrythmias) as only then will a treatment plan which is specific to your needs be planned. The trouble is, under the current climate, that is likely to take a while depending upon where you live. A lot of people (me included) who were climbing the walls from fear and anxiety, have taken the plunge and sought a private consultation which should cost around £250 plus the cost of any necessary tests. Most people who have been able to do that have no regrets, but obviously not everyone is able to do it.
The other thing is to read everything available on the AF Association webpages so that you can better understand the options that you can discuss with your consultant. No easy answers I'm afraid, but hopefully it will nudge you in the right direction to get the help you need right now......always ask if you have a problem cos we really are nice!! All the best, John
Hi John, thanks for your reassuring reply. I will hold out a little bit longer for a cardiologist appointment but if I don’t hear anything then I will have to go down the route of paying I’m not a rich man but health has got to be top priority.
Yes you all seem very nice on here and really nice that I can waffle on to you all knowing that you all understand what I’m going through, so thank you.
Hi well this forum is the best step you have taken. It's a horrible and scary experience and a cardiologist or Ep is the best place to start to getting treatment. Also attached to your cardiology unit are at nurses I am hopeful most hospital will have. If you live in Essex we have the Essex Heartbeat support group which actually meet up about 3 times a year. I paid for a private consultation it was worth every penny seeing the consultant within two days. You can then feel reassured and they will arrange your tests if you haven't got the funding which will be through NHS. Dr Sanjay Gupta has posted lots of videos look him up on you tube or Google. He is a wonderful man who tries to help explain things in layman's terms. This forum along with medical care saved my life and my sanity no question to silly and such warmth and honesty from these lovely fellow sufferers. Keep calm and carry on. Best wishes and it would be good to know how you get on. Regards Chris
All the above!plus,I did go for private EP consultation recently, although have had AF for several years. I found it very useful,cost £175.Coventry University hospital, just letting you know for reference in cease you can/want to do that.
1. You don't seem to have had a diagnosis of AF (yet), as Atrial ectopic beats are something that most people get from time to time, but your symptoms suggest something bigger is going on. At this stage it might be AF, or might be something else.
2. You are extremely anxious (as we all are at the start of this) and need something to calm you down and stop worrying so much.
We are not medically qualified here to help with part 1, (at least, not many of us) but it does sound likely that AF may be the diagnosis in the end. With part 2 you are already in the best place possible talking it out with the lovely knowledgable people on this forum. I would suggest that, if you have a spare £99 or so available and you already have a iOs or Android device of some kind , you could get a Kardia device which will let you record your heart's activity when you don't feel well, and show the recordings to the medical people when you can get to see them. It's like a two lead micro ECG machine. You can read up about it on here, just put Kardia into the search box at the top of the page.
Hi Heartrick and welcome . You will love this place and these people . I must mention that you are allowed to rant , rave, complain about what ever you want and that is allowed ,we all listen .There is so much good to be here ,hope you get straightened out soon ,I am sure you will. Keep us all posted my friend , Jerry .
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