AF or flutter? Stress test and more.

[Hilly22]

Hi

Yesterday I had the stress test which was the second half of my isotope test.

I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation a couple of months ago and have since been taking Apixaban, and also Bisoprolol which has had a very positive affect on my arrhythmias. I was sent for a nuclear test because I also have left bundle branch block.

At the end of the stress test my heart was fluttering and I felt quite ill from the effects of exhaustion combined with flutter. Luckily it settled after 10 minutes or so. Afterwards I was told by the cardiologist that the test showed I have no additional heart problems but he thought I had flutter and not atrial fibrillation. I'm quite confused now, especially as all my symptoms so far have been of a fib... heart rate 135ish, often stopped by lying on my side. Has anyone else with AF experienced flutter after strenuous exercise?

Also, I had an on/off fast heart rate for about 5 hours after the test - had to take an extra half of Bisoprolol to stop it. I'd had no arrhythmic episodes for a month before that.

Now awaiting a monitor to record heart rate over a few days, but of course that relies on my having an episode during that time.

Does anyone have any thoughts on any of this please?

Thank you all for being there.

[BobD Volunteer]

Flutter and fibrillation are quite different animals and easily diagnosed on a twelve lead ecg but you should understand that flutter can induce fibrillation. Flutter is from the right atrium whilst fibrillation is in the left. Flutter is a fast regular beat which shows as a saw tooth trace whilst A fib has no rhythm and is just chaotic and fast. Just to confuse even more there is atrial tachycardia which is a fast (circa 140) regular beat.

Try not to worry trying to second guess the experts as this will not help. You are being looked after well by the sound of it.

[Hilly22 in reply to BobD]

Thank you Bob, that explains it. I hadn't realised that flutter can induce fibrillation- makes more sense now.

I'm very lucky to live near a hospital where the care is second to none x

[jondeanp in reply to Hilly22]

I was first diagnosed with fibrillation and was cardioverted back into rythym. I was subsequently diagnosed with flutter and was offered an ablation to treat both at the same time.

I elected to just get the flutter treated in the first instance, partly because it is the less risky procedure and also i had read that flutter can induce fibrillation. I thought that treating flutter might mean the fibrillation is kept at bay.

I had the procedure in February and "touch wood" all has been relatively well so far. I am due to go back for my follow up appointment with the EP (more likely AF nurse) in two days.

Before the procedure i had had periods of up to two years AF/ flutter free, so i'm not claiming to be "cured" just yet

[Hilly22 in reply to jondeanp]

Thank you Jon. Sounds as if AF and flutter, although different, are happy to co-exist. I'm touching wood for you too x

[jedimasterlincoln]

I had AF diagnosed in 2014, the chaotic irregular and fast HR. When it came back in 2017 I was diagnosed with Flutter.... a fast beat regular at 140 and as high as 220... but that took some diagnosing to rule out the AF return due to the rate being so high. Slowing the rate lead them to confirm the flutter. And it was believed flecanide was making it worse.

At the moment after 2 PVI ablations to correct the AF, and 2 flutter ablations, the heart is still flipping out randomly (twice since last ablation at Xmas) so I have no idea where I'm at!

[Hilly22 in reply to jedimasterlincoln]

Thank you jedimaster. I'm so sorry to hear about your problems and do hope you get it sorted soon. Cardiologist talked to me about ablation if my problem gets worse so I'm crossing my fingers that the treatment I'm on keeps working to a high degree.

I've made the mistake of googling all sorts this morning and the results for SVT led me to a link for ventricular tachycardia ... eek! I must stop googling x

[jobristol]

I was diagnosed with AF June 2016, put on Apixaban and Bisoprolol. Saw Cardiologist Sept had holter test showed AF throughout, saw him again Dec put me on Amiodarone for Cardioversion in Jan 2017 which lasted for 2 weeks. I then went into Flutter (no AF). Stopped the Amio March 17 as was causing problems and referred to EP. Had Flutter Ablation in October 2017 and since then, apart from some ectopic, all has been well. EP told me AF May return at some point! Have just stopped Bisoprolol, although now having a few symptoms of withdrawal and have also stopped Ramipril for BP which EP wanted me on as my BP was slightly high and he thought it would help with NSR. See GP tomorrow to see whether I need to restart Ramipril or not and if not I may be able to stop Apixaban too (although I feel like its my safety blanket). But all good!

[Hilly22 in reply to jobristol]

Thank you Jo.

Very interesting. I was taken off perindopril a couple of months ago due to high potassium levels and wonder if that's had some bearing on thIngs.

Very reassuring to hear about your ablation experience. One of my problems is the anxiety I get before any medical procedure ... you should've seen me before my nuclear stress test! It doesn't help that I was brought up in a medical family!

I know what you mean about the Apixaban ... it's both reassuring and scary. The other day some idiot drove through a red light at 50mph and if I hadn't jammed on my brakes he'd have gone right into my side. Couldn't stop imagining copious amounts of my blood spilled all over his beautiful white sports car!

Hoping that all stays well for you Jo x

[wilsond]

I have both Af and flutter,and yes often the flutter sets off the other side! My flutter actually feels quite like AF,I only found i had it in A and E after a bad episode of what I thought was AFib.

I do feel very much more tired after flutter episode rather than Af on its own.

They are offering an ablation on both sides for me.

[Hilly22 in reply to wilsond]

Thank you Wilsond. This is all making me feel less alone. All the best with the ablations if you decide to have them x

[wilsond in reply to Hilly22]

Thats ok Hilly,Af world is a funny place to be,and difficult for non_Af peop!e to get! Best wishes to you too.Keep in touch on this great forum..xxx

[poppystorey]

Hi have just read your post ,I am in permanent AF and do have a pace maker ,I take bisoprolol ,to slow my hear down ,but I am convinced they make me breathless I'm on 10mg ,ido hope they soon get you stabilised ,it does turn your world upside down ,do take care ,. Poppy Story

[Hilly22 in reply to poppystorey]

Bless you Poppy, thank you. Yes, unfortunately it can have a massive effect on our lives.

I was on atenolol before the Bisoprolol so have forgotten what it's like not to be on a beta blocker. I hope you get used to it soon. All the best to you x

[Hidden]

After 12 years of therapy, my psychotherapist said something that brought tears to my eyes."

"What did he say?"

""No hablo inglés.""

[Hilly22 in reply to Hidden]

🤣