Paroxysmal Afib

[Reena09]

Hi everyone. I was diagnosed with PAF two years ago and that was by chance whilst having a routine echo! I have no symptoms and after having a recent 48 hour Holter monitor, it confirmed I was in Afib for 30% of the time. I am now 71 and generally feel well with no real symptoms. The cardiologist suggested I consider speaking to an EP re: ablation. However, i don’t see any benefit at the moment - anyone else in the same situation or has been? Success rates for ablation are higher with PAF but I’m not keen.

[BobD Volunteer]

A leading London EP told me that any and all treatment for AF is only ever about quality of life (QOL) Cure is not a word often used. I am a great fan of aablation having had three as mine was so symptomatic but for somebody like you who is largely asymptomatic I would not think it a wise route to take. Provided that your rate is well controlled to avoid premature heart failure and your stroke risk controlled by anticoagulation your end result would be fine. If your symptoms became more problematic this is a choice you may wish to re visit in the future but nothing is without risk. Just my personal feelings and no medical training. Just 15 years of AF experience.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

I second that but only have 3 1/2yr of experience. Just about everything current that I read also supports BobD thoughts.

[Frances123 in reply to Hidden]

I third that with almost 14 years AF experience. xxx

[Hidden in reply to Frances123]

👍🏻

[secondtry]

You may have the argument presented to you that ablations are more successful the earlier they are done, which I think is broadly correct but you have to balance that with the longer you leave it the better the procedure becomes with new techniques. I certainly wouldn't be having an ablation in your circumstances.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to secondtry]

Nice theory but ablation techniques plateaued a few years ago. The only improvements now seem to be down to experience of the EP which shows up dramatically in US where new centres are cost driven and spring up rapidly often with inexperienced EPs. The paucity of EP centres in UK does actually mean that results have been improving due to the much higher number of procedures completed.

[Peterng]

Basically I’m in the same boat.. diagnosed with AF, 30 years ago, had no symptoms, nothing..still have no symptoms..now aged 60 and a bit. I have been lucky, for I have a systematic AF..blood pressure normal but with an irregular heart beat. Seen a cardio bloke 4 years ago to keep the family happy..I walked in with nothing..15 minutes later walked out with 3 scripts..plus a return visit for 2 weeks. In keeping the family and my GP happy..I took the scripts and within a month I was diagnosed with Thrush in my throat by a ENT Specialist ( long story) walked out of there with another 2 scripts...

I changed my initial AF meds as I was started feeling terriable..2set made me depressed ..crying and being very sad and morbid..a family friend said to my partner, that I had changed and look out for me..as I came across as serverly depressed..I told the family I can’t go on like this..these meds are taking a toll on my quality of life. I then went and got off the AF meds over a 2 month period and stopped taking them completely. The Thrush in my throat vanished and I stopped taking those meds as well. I have been on Co enzyme Q10 for 28 years..150ml per day..still I have no AF chronic symptoms that many suffers have..I just have an irregular heart beat...no blood pressure problems.. none..but when I cut myself..i take a bit longer to clot. My GP rolls his eyes and says the usual GP stuff..stroke and the risks..but it’s my decision..my quality of life..it’s more risky driving the car these days!!

I have been extremely lucky with the type of AF that I have..

[Hidden]

Hiya Reena09,

I was diagnosed in Jan 2010. At the time when discharging me back to the care of my GP my Cardio consultant commented that I was, like you, asymptomatic. At the time I dismissed all thoughts of ablation when it was discussed.

I take Co-enzyme Q10, Ramipril and Felodopine and a Statin. Specifically for AF I take Bisoprolol (heart rate) and Warfarin ( stroke risk). My statistics are ; BP 126/70 with HR of 65 ... all of which are steady and regular/consistent.

I eventually identified my AF triggered by food - a dysfunctional vagal nerve.

With the help of a Nutritionist I reviewed my diet and she helped me with a modified food plan. Eventually, this lifestyle change began to work and I've had only one AF event (in Feb 2018, sleeping on my left side) since April 2015. This AF event lasted 5 hours but it took another 21 hours for my BP to return to normal.

No ! I am not cured but my quality of life has returned.

I turn 75 in September and employed nowadays by AgeUK driving a Cornwall Council owned bus route service, 4 days a week through a remote rural area to Penzance. I have a PCV (Bus drivers licence) for which I have to have a medical each year which (so far and always declaring my AF to DVLA) I have my licence renewed.

So, for me the best thing I have done so far is not proceed with an ablation.

Sure every now and then I eat something which causes massive bloating. This puts pressure on my heart and is painful and now I have a handheld portable ECG device (not Kardia) I can monitor my heart when I am bloating ...... the ECG is as chaotic as when I was in AF from lying on my left side - and my BP and HR go ballistic.

Must try and find a way of putting these on here as a general interest item.

Hope this helps.

John

[Reena09 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, John. I’ve never been able to tell when I’m in AF so difficult to tell what triggers it. I guess the only way is to monitor the AF over a longer period but as I was in AF 30 per cent of time under a 48 hour monitor my consultant doesn’t believe there is any specific trigger - I’m not sure I would agree. I am seeing him again in a couple of months and if you recommend any further tests please let me know. Would be great to understand the cause of my AF as i don’t think there is any benefit of an ablation at the moment.

[Reena09 in reply to Reena09]

How does the co enzyme q10 help patients with AF?

[Hidden in reply to Reena09]

Hi Reena09,

OK, so CoQ10 is a substance naturally produced within and by the body. It is responsible for pushing energy where its needed, both within a cell and within the body. The heart, for instance is an energy hungry muscle and it is possible that insufficient energy delivered to the heart may cause it not to function properly.

As we age the body produces less and less, a function of the aging process.

It is claimed to offset or help offset the negative effects of statins too.

It is also claimed that it can also make a contribution to combating the negative effects of the following ...........

anticoagulants,

beta blockers,

blood pressure medication, diabetes medication and the list goes on and on.

There is no evidence that it impacts on AF specifically, it is not a 'fix it' for AF.

Hope that helps.

John