Am I in AF? Need advise please.

[Valdoot]

Hi I’m feeling quite lethargic today, happy to just sit around doing nothing even tho I have stuff to do. Normally my Hrate is on 60ish, today it’s on a very irratic 84bpm. I’m on 1.5 tablets of 5mg Bisoprolol, statins and Pradaxa. I also feel weak in the muscles and a bit thick headed? I’ve had Atrial AF for approx 18 and only three attacks so it’s all quite new. Is this an attack and if so what’s best for me to do today? I’m allowed 2 Bisoprolol, should I take the other half today to help me along? I normally cope very well on 1.5 , 2 make me too slow and tired. Apologies long post, I’m just not sure what to do? Thanks

[BobD Volunteer]

The only sure way to know is to have an ECG. If your pulse is very irregular it may be AF but 84 is quite a low rate for it. The more bisoprolol you take the more fatigued you will feel I suspect.

[Valdoot in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob. I’ll just take it easy. Just needed reassurance. Nothing to get my knickers in a twist for. 😀

[bmand]

It’s obvious that you stress out

To go from

60 to 80 consider yourself lucky.look

Around on this site you’ll see people with heart rate any where between 150-200 or more. It’s scary to have your heart beat so fast. The best thing you can do for yourself is to

Forget about it go about your day knowing you won’t die from it. If it continues there several way to get back in rhythm

I know this easy to say and much harder to do but what other choice do you have?

[Valdoot in reply to bmand]

No , I’m not stressing , I’ve been lucky, I’m just trying to understand the condition really. I have had 2 attacks since the initial onset attack and both times I rode it out. Im always well, again luckily, Im just unsure at what point I may need help. Each attack I’ve had have been more serious than I thought. Suppose I’m trying to preempt a further Hospital visit. Now I know I won’t ask that question again. Thanks

[baba]

It is possible to feel VERY unwell with AF and heart rates less than 100, from personal experience.

[Valdoot in reply to baba]

I agree baba. Both times after my initial attack my rate hasn’t been too high but the doctor has sent me in . That’s why I’m asking. I need to understand it all otherwise I’ll be getting in trouble again for ignoring signs. Thought I was being a wimp there. Keep well.

[Angie06 in reply to Valdoot]

I find that my heart rate goes into the 80's when I'm having ectopic beats which can make me feel quite ill. Usually distraction helps so I do some light jobs to take my mind off it. Sometimes they can last most of the day, even at night so not very pleasant but all part of AF. I don't have high blood pressure and only take flecainide 50mgx2 daily. This is enough to stop me having a full blown AF attack.

[Valdoot in reply to Angie06]

Thankyou. I’ve updated at the end of the thread.

[Buffafly in reply to baba]

I think a lot depends on the degree of irregularity, very irregular but 'slow' can make you feel as bad as slightly irregular but fast.

[Valdoot in reply to Buffafly]

Thankyou Ive updated at the bottom of the thread

[cassie46]

Generally if you have breathing problems, or feel feint or have chest pain and high heart rate then a visit to A & E would be sensible. I have permanent AF and my heart rate is 85/95 most of the time but goes mad at times 120/140 or more. I find that if I am not feeling too good, if I just potter around doing a few odd jobs helps, sometimes I just have to sit and relax and wait for things to calm down. Ideally the medics would like my H/R to be lower but this can only be achieved if I up my dose of Bisoprolol, which I have tried but the side effects make me feel terrible, so I stick to 5mg a day, i can tolerate this.

Statins are well known for causing muscle aches and pains, speak to your GP, perhaps you could try a different one. Your dose of Bisoprolol is quite low, perhaps your meds should be reviewed and another beta blocker prescribed. Hope you feel better soon.

Cassie

[Valdoot in reply to cassie46]

Thankyou I’ve updated at the bottom of the thread

[mbheart]

I appreciate your post as I've been diagnosed with afib and heart failure. I realize I am not responding to your post but I do always wonder how others feel as I am completely asymptomatic. I always wonder what I should be feeling as I was diagnosed about 9 months ago. My HR is definitely irregular all the time and I had a failed cardioversion. Generally my HR is in the 65-80 range, but when I go on my walks, it can go as high as 130. Daily, I'm on 10 mg. Bisopropol, 2 Pradaxa a day, 20 mg. Lisinopril. I go in for an EKG (I live in the US). I should probably start my own post, but I am interested in how you are, particularly since it sounds like your attack is not a common thing for you. I keep wondering what I should be feeling, but on the other hand, maybe I shouldn't worry so much. Honestly, I feel like my nurse is who makes me worry as she's always asking me if I am having symptoms but I don't.

[CDreamer in reply to mbheart]

Everyone’s experience is very different. Some people go years without knowing they are in AF whilst others are alert to every change in beat and are very symptomatic - no rythm or reason to it.

[Valdoot in reply to CDreamer]

Thankyou I’ve updated at the bottom of the thread

[cassie46 in reply to mbheart]

Your medication is obviously working, I wonder what would you feel like if not on it. Your nurse has to ask questions, no need to worry about it. As said above I have permanent AF and I do have symptoms but not nearly as bad as most people with PAF seem to have. My HR is irregular all the time and my HR is erratic but most of the time I feel reasonably okay. I do get bouts of tiredness, feeling low and can feel my heart messing around. I cann't even remember what it is like to be in NSR. I also have heart failure and that seems to be under control most of the time. You are doing well at the moment and you may go for years feeling as you are or AF may get worse, you will know when things change. Best wishes.

Cassie

[Valdoot in reply to mbheart]

Thankyou I’ve updated at the bottom of the thread

[Valdoot in reply to mbheart]

Thankyou I’ve updated at the bottom of the thread

[fairgo45]

Invest in a kardia alive cor device you will know exactly your heart rate and whether your in NSR or A/fib

Available on Amazon for $99 works with smart phones Android and Iphone

[Valdoot in reply to fairgo45]

Thankyou I’ve updated at the bottom of the thread

[Meeko]

I have a kardia and highly recommend it. If I catch an attack early enough I can take the pip and stop it. Lots of bending and lifting set my afib off. My heart rate goes high then after awhile irregular. Kardia has helped me to figure out what is going on with my heart. A few times at work I would have gone home early if I couldn't figure out what my heart was doing so the kardia has paid for itself.

[Valdoot in reply to Meeko]

Thankyou I’ve updated at the bottom of the thread

[RaySyl]

The stairs at home is the testing ground for my AFib. If I get to the top breathing heavily then I am almost certainly in AFib. I am pleased to say that I am now in NSR, and have been for over a year, courtesy of cardiac ablation and Flecainide.

[Polski]

It sounds to me as though you are in AF, but it is being controlled (artificially kept low) by the bisoprolol. That is the purpose of the Bisorolol. You could take the extra bit and see if it makes you feel better or worse - gradually you will get to know how much is best for you when you feel like this.

My doctor said the heart rate should be kept below about 100, and definitely not above 120 if possible, so you are doing fine and the extra Biso would only be needed if the rate was higher. Having said that, I bought a Kardia and discovered that my heart rate was often higher than I thought for short runs, so I am much happier being able to use that to see what rate my heart is.

Meanwhile, just take it easy! If it starts regularly lasting longer than usual, or more than 24 hours, you may want to go back to your doctor to consider whether further drugs may be needed.

(Muscle pain from statins can be helped by taking CoQ10, as the drugs prevent us from making it)

[Valdoot in reply to Polski]

Thankyou I’ve updated at the bottom of the thread

[dcadwallader]

Yes, the only way to know for sure is via ECG/heart monitor. 84 is "low" but that is high for me (and probably you, too) and this plus your other symptoms describe mine EXACTLY when I "feel" like I'm into AF, like I felt all morning. This afternoon I feel "settled down" and not in AF, with heart rate in the 60s. So you are not alone with this question, and your symptoms are common. I call them collectively "zombie-fication." Too bad all of it doesn't come with loss of appetite because I manage to eat like a pig as well. Don't apologize for the post length -- it helps to air it out and get your thoughts organized too. We all need to hear that we're not alone in the battle with AF and realize that the medications and procedures are certainly not the same everywhere.

[Valdoot in reply to dcadwallader]

Thankyou I’ve updated at the bottom of the thread

[dcadwallader]

...and I want to thank everybody for these replies -- they help me immensely.

[Brizzy5000]

My AF I find is very erratic sometimes I only know I'm in it is because I become breathless and sweating, this happens usually when only doing light tasks and my heart rattles along at 115 to 125bpm but I don't feel that bad, but other times it goes from 120 plus to as low as 48 and feels like your heart is trying to jump out of your chest, I'm on 2.5mg of bisiprolol and 200mg of flecinide but can take more if needed, when it's very irregular, I just try to rest sometimes these episodes last for 3 days to varying degrees of intensity, so sit tight and hang in there.

[Valdoot in reply to Brizzy5000]

Thankyou I’ve updated at the bottom of the thread

[Valdoot]

Thankyou everyone for your reply’s , you’re very kind. My HR is still really erratic, but I don’t feel as unwell. A little light headed tho and seeing stars slightly when I stand straight from being bent over. Im going to try and get in to see my GP tomorrow if I’m still seeing stars. Thanks again everyone x

[cassie46 in reply to Valdoot]

How is your blood pressure - is it normal or on the low side. If your blood pressure is low that can cause you to fee light headed.

Cassie

[Valdoot in reply to cassie46]

Hi Cassie, last time I had it taken it was a tadge high but lowered within 5 mins to normal.

[1Jerbear]

I am a persistent A-Fib ,however my heart rate stays between the 60's and middle 80's where as some people experience much much higher heart rates . I feel pretty good most of the time ,I may be a little more sluggish but I think I'm getting use to it .

[Valdoot in reply to 1Jerbear]

I think that’s me too you know. I can almost always see my heart beat through my clothes. I feel good too 99% of the time thank god. But now and then I get a wobble, Ive ignored it twice and ended up in Hospital and been told never to ignore it. Then some say ride it out. A visit to my GP is due I reckon. Trouble is we have locums and Ive had conflicting advice . Hence my question. Difficult to know when to go to Hospital. Thanks for your reply.

[JaneFinn]

Hi Valdoot, I’m belatedly catching up with threads from the last few days, and just wondering how you’re feeling now? Did you consult a dr today? Really hope you’re feeling better x