Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum and AF. I had emergency cardioversion (the electric shock thing) on 29 May after being taken ill at work. I'm 59 and have been feeling immensely stressed and exhausted in my job, but ironically was on my first day back at work after 2 weeks holiday. I must confess to being an extremely anxious type.
My heart rate/pulse is now around 50 and BP is OK. Unfortunately the cardiologist who visited me in CCU just before discharge came while I was still under sedation from the cardioversion so cannot recall anything she said!
My discharge sheet states that there will be no follow up in cardiology and care has been transferred to GP. I find this a little strange but was just wondering if this was the norm? I saw my GP the day after discharge who was also a little surprised, but she was overrunning in her surgery that morning so had the grand total of 3 minutes with her. I have been signed off work thank goodness, but I am completely exhausted and still have an uncomfortable tight/achy feeling in my chest. I wouldn't describe this as pain, just annoying. I found your website and forum and it has been a god send, (thank you all SO much) as my worry/anxiety levels are off the scale. I have a first grandchild due in July and thought I wouldn't live to see the baby in the those dreaded hours of the night in CCU! Can I just ask...is it normal to feel totally whacked out after an AF event and cardioversion? I feel really awful and have no appetite.When is it OK to start going for walks, drive etc? I have been prescribed Bisoprolol 2.5mg daily and Apixaban 5mg twice a day. Plus I still take Losartan 50mg for hypertension as before. I would be most grateful for any advice about coping with a new diagnosis of AF, post cardioversion recovery and drug side effects to look out for, though I fully appreciate everyone is different. Many thanks again to all.
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....Can I just ask...is it normal to feel totally whacked out after an AF event and cardioversion?.......
YES of course it is sweetheart. Don`t worry - we've all been there.
First off - you`ll live to see your first grandchild. I promise
Afib can be controlled. A cardioversion is often the first step and makes your heart beat in normal rhythm. It may not last forever (it`s unlikely TBH) but it sounds like it`s worked for now. That`s great news as other treatments (eg ablation) are likely to be an option.
Check your pulse from time to time to see if the afib has returned. Don`t panic if it has - there are treatments to help.
I sound like a stuck record but medical advances are moving so quickly. I truly believe advances will be massive in the future - maybe 3 - 5 years. Afib is a pain in the backside - however you`ll more likely to be run over by a bus than dying from afib.
Welcome to the forum. First let me say that in the 14 years I've had AF and the years I've been on this forum, I've never personally heard of anyone dying from it. So please relax. I guess you know that anxiety and stress almost feed AF? Now that you've had this attack you will probably discover that quite a lot of people you talk will say they have AF.
I'm not going to pretend that it's not a horrible condition, because it certainly can be at times and yes AF does totally wear you out. Bisoprolol can also have the effect of making you feel drained when you first start taking it.
After my cardioversions, of which most were planned, I have always been seen a month to 6 weeks after by the AF nurses, I have an ECG and a chat with them to see how I am. I do remember having one while in hospital with fast AF but don't recall having a follow up then.
Having found myself flipping back into AF while walking up a hill, the day after having a cardioversion, I now believe that it's best not to do anything that requires a lot of effort for a few weeks. This will allow your heart muscles to gain strength beating in their correct rhythm. Walking on the level should be fine.
Many thanks to both of you for replying so quickly, I feel much more relaxed knowing that others have been through the same thing and I will take your advice. In some weird way this could turn out to have some positives - reviewing lifestyle and ensuring I really do make those changes like becoming part time and losing weight etc that we all put off doing. I've not drunk any alcohol since the AF event and feel nervous about doing so, as I'm sure that my 2/3 glasses of wine every night habit after a stressful day at work won't exactly help and may have exacerbated things. Sorry if I sound like a right wimp and obviously people have far worse to cope with, but in the last 3 years have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, lost sense of smell and taste following a virus and now AF. Feels like I'm falling apart, so definitely time to make some changes.
Sounds to me like you're describing getting older perfectly!!😒 When younger I always wondered why old people kept talking about their ailments. Now I'm there and could easily be one of them, but fortunately have this forum where I can talk about AF and all it entails as much as I like, so please feel free to do the same. We are the people who truly understand what having this condition is like and no you are certainly not a wimp.
I'm sorry to tell you that alcohol is one of the main triggers, as are artificial sweeteners and additives.
A mainly plant based diet with a little fish or meat can help and many people swear that taking magnesium taurate or citrate tablets, adding magnesium salts to the bathwater, or in the form of a spray to the body really help. Large meals are often a trigger and yes, losing weight can help you too.
Loved reading your posts...only new to this site....but learning that I am not crazy and you certainly help my discouragement in trying to find the right mix for me!...Some times I would like to dump those pills but certainly know that is not rational!! Thanks to everyone!!
Forget the 2/3 glasses a night. BUT one small glass may be ok. A small amount of alcohol with the main meal of the day is not a trigger for everyone. You can experiment with this but only after you have reduced your anxiety. Magnesium can help with anxiety reduction and is worth taking for this alone even if it does not stop the afib episodes. I have found that my afib is not as violent ( that is the frogs in the chest sensation) since taking magnesium and I do not get anywhere near as anxious about it. Definitely avoid big meals . A good tip if afib comes on after eating ( I think Cdreamer gave it)is to continue to sit at the table after dinner ie in an upright chair for about 30mins to start your digestion - no rushing around and no slumping on the sofa or an armchair as this will exacerbate the influence of the full stomach on the heart.
Bisoprolol can have lots of side effects including fatigue. Some people have reported the tight , uncomfortable feeling in the chest. If this does not improve it might be the Biso. 2.5 mg is a high dose for some people. I have had afib for nearly 6 years now. Last year it became more frequent but it is not nearly as worrying as it was at first. This forum is great and has helped me enormously to cope with it. Try not to be too anxious. You will have many happy times with your new grandchild when he/she arrives.
Sorry I have just realised that I have replied to a post that is 2 years old ! I must have clicked on it by mistake. Hope you are doing ok and enjoying your time with your grandchild
I would say yes to you needing a few more days to get over the DCCV, although it may take you a while to get used to the side effects of Bisoprol.
Your GP will follow the NICE AF pathway guidelines and refer to cardiology/EP if specialist intervention is necessary.
Plenty of useful information on the AFA website. Welcome to the forum.
You'll find whilst everyone is different, many people are also the same in some of their experiences.
I'm a veteran of 20+ DC cardioversions (the heart restart with electricity) and 5 ablations, so please ask if you're not sure about anything. My story often appears in replies to posts in more details, or by linking to my profile and reading back.
Ok so you have been referred back to your GP which is normal but do educate yourself by reading all you can from our (AF Association ) website and be aware that if your GP can not satisfactorily control your symptoms within a month or so you do have the right to be referred to an arrhythmia specialist.
As others have said the anxiety is normal and no you won't die (unless you think running a marathon while you are in AF is a good idea. ) We have all been where you are now and trust me, it does get better.
Af can be a life changer - the utterexhaustion, sick feeling & lack of appetite and general anxiety after an event is quite normal & ... it can take a day or two to recover.
The anxiety can be difficult to deal with but, as you will see from the various experiences of folk on the forum you will learn to deal with it.
So No, you are not alone in how you are feeling but as others have said it does get easier. Just a case of finding what medication/s suit you best and help control it .
Do let us know how you are getting on from time to time
We have all been in that truly frightening place after our first AF episode, when you feel that life as you know it will never be the same again. This forum is always here to help you during those first dark days with links to all the information you need. Your life will get back to normal, albeit not quite the same as before. Above all, avoid googling too much in the early days - lots of sensationalist stories and claims out there that really aren't helpful! Best of luck.
Welcome welcome. You are right there are up sides. Having suffered from increasing issues with anxiety, my first episode was when very relaxed. Although much less scary than the panic attacks I had been having , it gave me the push to do something about the anxiety. As Bob said reading info from a reliable source, AFA website for example will help. Good luck.
Thank you all so much for your replies. I’ve never used this 21st century method of support before but it is truly amazing. Realise only a week into this new journey but I find that I feel worse in the morning, perhaps in the hours following the 2.5mg of Bisoprolol? I felt really quite distressed yesterday as thought I would ‘pop’ to the shop but drove a few yards down the street and just had to turn back. Think it was a mixture of anxiety and also feeling really weak. I just want to be at home at the moment, is that how others have felt? Last night I felt more relaxed, after reading your responses and started to feel almost usual self again, this morning woken up feeling yuk again but pulse is ok. I guess things will be very up and down for a while but the way I feel at the moment there is no way I could return to my job so thankful I have been signed off until 21 June. I would be very interested to hear anyone’s experiences of returning to work with this condition. Also have another question ( sorry I will calm down eventually!) - I had loads of scans, tests etc while in CCU and no one mentioned that there was anything else wrong with my heart other than AF. Can I assume if they had found coronary artery disease etc too they would have told me/ treated it? I just wish the cardiologist had visited me when I was awake and not away with the fairies after the cardioversion.
My advice is not to be obsessively checking your pulse, but do check it several times a day. Yours seems quite low at 50 & if you find your resting pulse dropping into the 40’s it may indicate that Bisoprolol dosage needs lowering or changing to a different beta blocker and you should see your GP. (Never adjust your own meds, they are powerful and need expert supervision). My rate was regularly at 40 or occasionally the high 30s on just 1.25mg Bisoprolol & my GP stopped it & the Cardiologist told me never to take it again.
Others on here will also tell you that you need to become expert in your own version of AF which is difficult to hear at your stage, but lots of advice is available from the wonderful folk on here as well as the AFA website. Honestly, I’m sure the more you learn and understand the better you will be able to communicate your needs to your GP. Do ask for a referral to Cardiology if things do not improve on your current treatment. (I went private for a couple of appointments & paid £160 for initial appointment &£120 for follow up, now back in NHS but remain under Cardiology overview).
It sounds as though you had several tests whilst in CCU and you need to book an appointment with your GP for reassurance that these were all normal. You have the right to ask for copies of test results/ hospital letters. It is common practice for a copy of the Consultant’s discharge letter to be sent direct to the patient, but there is a considerable time lag between your discharge from hospital & receipt of the letter.
My AF diagnosis came 10 months ago when I went into A&E with a heart rate of 160+ feeling dire. I was wired up for cardioversion but I think it frightened me so much I suddenly reverted to normal rate & rhythm just before they were about to do it. They sent me home the same evening with the Bisoprolol which I was on for 10 days & copies of my abnormal ECG.
I’m now maintained on the rhythm control drug Flecainide 50mg twice daily & Apixaban 5mg twice daily. I did have a few side effects in the first couple of months, but now feel great. I’ve given up alcohol and I’m losing weight & exercising more (just walking).
You will get through this, but it takes a while to adjust.
Hi Pat, Have you had any further episodes since the one you describe? Also do you have to arrange a private appt via your GP or did you just contact a private hospital directly? I’d just like this info as a back up in case an NHS referral is looked upon reluctantly by GP or will take months. Thank you!
Touch wood, I have been lucky and have had no major episodes since, just a couple that lasted approx 30 minutes which responded to me doing slow, deep breathing for half an hour or so. I have been told to take an extra Flecainide 50mg (extra doses are referred to as pill in the pocket - PIP, on this forum) if I get an episode that goes on for a couple of hours, but have not had to do so yet.
I occasionally get ectopic (skipped) beats, but deep breathing controls these too.
I contacted a Cardiologist privately and they arranged an appointment within 10 days and asked me to see/speak to my GP in the interim to arrange a referral. In the event, the referral letter hadn’t arrived before the appointment, but the consultant was fine with this, knowing it was on the way. He provided me with a prescription letter to take to the surgery so that I could get my meds on the NHS.
The reason I went down this route is that, in my area, patients with AF are referred to their GP to ask for a further referral to Community Cardiology, a specialist GP led service overseen by a Cardiologist with an 8 week wait. As the Bisoprolol didn’t suit me I was left with symptoms of intermittent tachycardia & extreme dizziness on no treatment, so I preferred to see the ‘Organ Grinder’ within 10 days.
Recommend you print off & complete the Patient & Primary Care checklist and the Atrial Fibrillation checklist from the AFA website for your appointments.
You said you are on a blood pressure tablet and the bisoprosol. I think you need to get your BP tested. Do you have a cuff yourself? If not, visit the GP. I found that my BP tablet and 5mg of bisoprosol caused my bp to fall way too low. I have ended up dropping the blood pressure tablet completely and reducing the bishop. to 2.5mg. It made me feel terrible like that. Cold sweats, fast heart, dizziness and feeling awful. Once I got the meds sorted I started to feel a lot better.
Thank you for that advice. I have got BP machine and my BP is textbook perfect for about the first time in years. Great news on one hand, on the other hand, 7 days on from my AF event I definitely think the bisoprolol 2.5 is making me feel exhausted, bit dizzy etc . Pulse is steady around 50-55, but within 15 mins of taking the beta blocker feel wave of general weirdness descending. I’ll give it a few more days to see if adjust and will contact GP if still feel strange on it. I agree with your view that being on Losartan for BP plus a beta blocker may be superfluous and making me feel odd, so grateful thanks for that tip.
I felt the same way when i started with it 2018 Sept so scare did not want to go out but now so much better it's normal way of life now if take time for your tablet to work take care
And a Welcome from me. Oooh YES - we have all been there, got the T-Shirt and completely get it. You are not a wimp, you are a survivor and now you just need to learn how move to being a thriver. Yes it may mean lifestyle changes and cutting the alcohol could be a good idea - see Kaz’s post of today.
AF can be an opportunity to review your life, see what you would like to be different and then making a plan to get there. Stress is one of the biggest factors so learning to manage that is paramount, IMHO. Do things you enjoy - pleasure releases endorphins which neutralise the stress hormones which are so toxic to the body.
Moderate exercise is encouraged - 10-15 mins of moderate walking x 2 daily is really all you need. Rule of thumb is to be able to walk and talk - otherwise slow down or stop until breathlessness goes. You may find the Bisoprolol makes you breathlessness, especially for the first few weeks, sometimes it takes a few goes to get the meds the right for each individual.
Keep reading the posts and anything you want to ask there is usually someone with knowledge and experience who can listen and signpost for you.
Best wishes CD
(AF diagnosed 2007 - but probably had it long before that)
Sounds pretty normal to me.
My left shoulder was really painful for weeks following my first DCV, I'm guessing that I flung it out when they shocked me.
I went back to work the day after all of my cardioversions and felt pretty good after all of them , not being AF is a joy!
Don't rule out the betablocker making you feel tired, even on 0.65 mg I was whacked , on 12.5mg I was a total zombie!
HR of 50 is a little low (mine went down to 34!!) so you could perhaps talk to your GP about reducing the dose of bisprolol to see if things get better, or discuss changing to one of the other betablockers (good luck with that though, I tried for a year and got nowhere, bisoprolol is cheap!!)
My sympathies, AF is horrible but it can be managed. Personally I would push for a referral to cardiology to discuss options and long term management. I wasnt given any meds when I first started AF (in my 50s now 59) as it was so intermittent once twice a year. Last year it became more frequent -monthly- so started Flecainide and had an ablation.
Youll find it helpful to manage your stress and lots of advice re diet and alcohol intake. Learn what you can about the condition - lots of info on this site.
Yes I will read everything on the site and will push for a cardiology referral as the GP I saw didn’t appear to be very clued in, though she was in a rush to be fair. I have always eaten a very good diet as grow own fruit and veg and absolute minimal processed foods etc . We have lots of bowel cancer in our family so have always been very careful and hopefully also instilled healthy eating habits into our 3 children ( now grown up) too. I guess a bit of me is thinking - ok so i’m a little overweight but not massive, very active, did drink a few glasses of wine ( note the past tense there!) but compared to many have tried to lead a healthy lifestyle. I think years of unrelenting pressure, responsibility and stress at work combined with managing a home and family so no rest, has contributed massively to getting AF. Just wish i’d not felt such a huge compulsion to plough on when I was definitely feeling emotionally and physically exhausted. Everyone goes on and on about pensions and making sure you carry on working so you can keep up your contributions but honestly, it’s much more important to actually be here! Change is definitely going to happen and thank you all for your warm welcome and advice, it is so appreciated.
Morning, I know just how you feel . I am 59 and newly diagnosed in May 2019 after a visit to the doctors with what I thought was a virus. Had medication changed several times and now have an appointment for a cardioversion on the 4th July. Feeling very tired and weak. I have also been signed off work at the moment, good job as I can’t even think about work. This forum has been invaluable and will help with any information no matter what question you ask. Hope you feel better soon and the cardioversion is successful
Keep me updated it will hopefully give me some confidence for my own in a couple of weeks.
I’m so sorry to hear you are going through the same thing Poppy128 and send you all best wishes. I agree totally about work being a big NO at this time. This was supposed to be a celebratory year for me, 60th birthday in October plus first grandchild in July. Didn’t quite have AF pencilled into the plan! Although very new to this, I hope I can at least reassure you about the cardio version. It sounds really scary but it really isn’t. I had one in CCU as the drugs approach hadn’t worked when admitted via A&E. I was in an Acute state of AF and utter terror but I promise you even in that circumstance the cardioversion was fine and they sedate you so you don’t know a thing. The other thing to bear in mind is that although it sounds scary to us, the medical staff do them all the time so it’s totally routine to them and an incredibly tried and tested procedure. It is also very reassuring to see your heart rate drop within normal limits when you wake up. The only thing I would make sure of, is that the doctor doesn’t give you all your discharge information while you are still woozy. That happened to me and probably exacerbated my anxiety because I was discharged with no information. So glad I found this site! Take care and let us know how it goes, we will get through this!
Thank you so much for the advice. My husband is going to book the day off work and stay with me so he can listen to all that is said. He doesn’t usually listen so that’s a positive change. I totally agree with you about work, I have been unwell since Christmas but like you pushed on thinking I would get better and it was my age. Had lots of plans for the big 60 and a wonderful holiday planned and now will be just grateful to spend time with family. Strange how events make you evaluate life and prioritise what really matters. Hope you keep well and enjoy 1st grandchild. With four myself I can promise you life will never be quiet again but they are wonderful. Treasure every moment. Take care
.......Keep me updated it will hopefully give me some confidence for my own in a couple of weeks.......
Poppy - there`s nothing to it. Honestly I`m not making that up. The worse part is the worry before you have it. There is no pain - you will out for the count for 15 minutes odd and won`t know a thing. Wake up and they give you a nice cuppa and 2 or 3 hours later you`ll be off home. The worst part when you are there is the boredom and just waiting around afterwards. Having a filling at the dentist is much worse than having a CV. I bet you`ll agree with me when it's done and dusted - please post back when you have had it done.
Poppy also wrote
......My husband is going to book the day off work and stay with me so he can listen to all that is said. He doesn’t usually listen so that’s a positive change.......
heheh - that`s us men for you Poppy. Guilty as charged M'lud
Hi CHM - I too have recently been diagnosed wih AF (62 year old grandma to be - due in September!). Doctor sent me to AMU with heart rate of 164+ which had woken me up at 2am. Once in hospital, and following ECG, I was given 5mg Bisoprolol (already on 5mg for blood pressure, along with Amlodipine 5mg and Losartan 100mg). Also given Rivaroxiban. Felt sudden whoosh and back into NSR. Was sent home and told to continue with 10mg Bisoprolol and await echo cardiogram appointment. Anxiety followed, and I had another episode of AF couple of weeks later lasting 9 hours, following a massive panic attack. This time HR was 135 which doc said was 'small fry'. The panic attack was more frightening than the AF!
Initially, resting heart rate on 10mg Bisoprolol was around mid 40s. GP reduced dosage to 7.5mg but HR remains around 48-50. Had echo and results were normal - no significant issues. I was signed off by the hospital and referred back to GP for care. No AF since and I seem settled on meds, although have a review with doc on Monday. I have stopped drinking (not that it was a problem), lost 18 pounds to date and walk most days. Anxiety has subsided but the unpredictability of AF has me wondering if I should just wait for the next inevitable episode of AF or be more proactive and arrange a private consultation with a cardiologist. I am a bit of a hermit at the moment, and even cancelled a UK based holiday because I didn't want to leave my familiar surroundings. Fortunately my GP is wonderful and has kept me sane, so for now I will keep up with the healthier lifestyle changes and take my chances. Good luck buddy. Let's keep taking the meds, share the inspiring stories of others on this priceless site and look forward to those grandma cuddles in the not too distant future 💛😉
Many thanks for your good wishes Sputnik 56 and for sharing your story. While I wouldn’t wish AF on anyone, it is such a comfort to know that others are going through the same thing. I instantly feel less lonely and have tried to stop torturing myself with the ‘why me’ mantra. I hope things remain settled for you and it’s great that you have such a caring GP. It’s also great that your echo results were so positive. Completely get the panic/anxiety thing. Major step this evening in that I left the house and son took me to the supermarket. Not thrilling, but it felt great after all that has happened in the last week. Burst into tears on the way home convinced i’m going to be some sort of ‘invalid ‘ for ever - a terrible loss of sense of old self, who last week was a fully functioning busy woman. However ‘Keep B*******g On’ as Churchill famously said! Well that’s 3 of us ‘ladies of a certain age’ diagnosed in the last month or so, ( Poppy 128 too) so let’s take this journey together and yes, looking forward to the grandma cuddles! Best wishes to all.
Hi !ots of good advice on here,thought join the party!
I wanted to say,I actually believe my diagnosis of AFib and Flutter probably saved my life! I was running on empty,constantly stressed ,had high Bp ,overweight and unfit.My job was very demanding,and home life was difficult (elderly parents,parents in law etc) After my diagnosis,I carried on trying to keep all the platez spinning for about 18 months,ended up with a mini stroke.....that was a masssive wake up call.I was not anticoagulated at the time,even though i must have been Chad 2.
Anyway,main point is,I took extended sick leave,then part time,then left... Addressed lifestyle in every way possible,and am in much better health overall,and Afib is much less of a burden and much less frequent. If it wasnt for me finally realising that AFib was a symptom of everything else going on, Id not be whereI am now,mostly content and definetly healthier!!
Read up as much as you can,it really helps.Youll find great support on here.
Thank you for your inspirational story Wilsond. You are so right! From what I have already read, I’m staggered they didn’t give you anticoagulants after your initial event- you poor thing. Delighted to hear that you are now well and healthier than ever. I can so identify with your description of ‘running on empty’ etc and I’m determined to change things too. In a sense at least we all know what is going on with our hearts and health now and are probably ‘safer’ than the thousands walking around oblivious to high BP, AF, diabetes type 2 etc. I think the gloom is lifting a bit for me today, with the help of everyone on this forum. Have been busying about in the garden a bit and generally tootling about the house - such simple pleasures but it feels like real progress. Take care of yourself Wilsond xx
I just wanted to update you lovely people 3 weeks on from my first episode of AF. Well it’s certainly a rollercoaster isn’t it!? Some days i’ve felt quite ‘normal’, even lively and have managed to do all sorts of tasks at home, go out shopping, see friends etc. Other days have felt knackered and just teary and unable to motivate myself to do anything. Saw GP today ( a different one) who was actually lovely and empathetic. She was also astounded that I had no cardiology follow up and is arranging some. She also signed me off work for another month - this is such a huge relief as there is no way I could do my job currently. I am still getting chest tightness and discomfort when going for a walk and some days this is worse than others. Wouldn’t describe it as pain, more of a heavy tight ache as if my bra is far too tight. This seems to be worse mid morning, an hour or so after taking Bisoprolol ( now reduced to 1.75 mgs) maybe? It definitely wears off by the evening. Has anyone else experienced this? On the ‘bad days’ my anxiety gets completely out of hand and I convince myself that i’m going to ‘drop dead’. However BP and HR all fine. Despite this, I start imagining that I also have extensive heart disease and just get in a right old state. GP listened to all this and was really very kind and understanding . She has referred me to chest pain clinic just to be on safe side. I did admit to GP that anxiety may well be a major player in the chest discomfort. All in all, this AF business has knocked me sideways both physically and emotionally. On a positive note, have lost weight and have drunk no alcohol at all since this thing started. Just trying to eat fresh veg, fruit, nuts etc. I have been thinking of you all and hope you are all OK.
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