Is it due to my AF?

[7Helena]

For several months now I have been suffering from shortness of breath necessitating a 30min rest after any exertion. I have finally made an appointment with my GP. His reaction was -"What do you think is wrong?" I explained that as I don't feel any reactions to my AF I couldn't say what was the reason. He checked my heart and said that the rate was very high. He then checked my blood pressure which again was very high. He didn't give me figures but felt that it could have been because of the extreme heat we were then experiencing. I made an appointment to have it checked again in 2 weeks by the nurse. I'm very worried about this fatigue but he really seems to take it lightly as he hasn't made a further appointment to see him. I feel very ill with this as I was like this when I was taken to a heart unit where I was then diagnosed with AF but haven't felt so bad since then. Any ideas folks, please?

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Helena

I'm afraid your tiredness is a typical result of AF and the hot weather we're experiencing doesn't help either.

What medication are you taking, as that can make you feel sluggish?

I think when we get AF it stops us from doing as much and our muscles grow weaker through under use. Then on the slightly rarer occasions when we do something energetic it's more tiring and we get out of breath.

Jean

[7Helena in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Yes I do realise that as I've had to adjust tablets and dosages in the past to combat the lethrgy and tiredness. It has got so much worse in these months and that worries me. I have to keep going as my husband is blind and I'm his sole carer. I was hoping that there was an answer.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to 7Helena]

Have you had your thyroid checked, because I was feeling really tired and was putting it down to AF and my heart not functioning properly? Then I had a blood test and my thyroid was found to be under-active. Medication for this has given me back my energy.

Best wishes

Jean

[Lizty]

Hi Helena...…..shortness of breath is typical of an af heart trying too hard to pump properly...... and hot humid weather contributes to dehydration which does not help. Before my ablation my shortness of breath got so bad I couldn't even hold a decent conversation with my best friends without constantly running out of air.... tragic for a chatterbox like myself! The ablation sorted out most of the problem, but I have the odd recurrence including during very hot humid nights. Drinking lots and lots of water is the first think to do. Other than that, guess slowing down on summer afternoons..... as they do on the continent...… is probably the best answer for the moment!

[7Helena in reply to Lizty]

I've never had an ablation nor been offered one. I do drink a lot of water which in the past has helped.

[realdon]

If you can deal with the AF (by ablation or medication ) then the breathlessness should go. In my case, after failed ablations and reduced effectiveness of usual medicines, it took 3 months of Amiodarone (usually a last resort) to deal with it.

[7Helena in reply to realdon]

I will mention Amidarone to my GP. Thank you.

[Jlaine]

Shortness of breath on exertion and feeling tired are the two sympthoms that I experiance when in afib! I am asthmatic as well but the shortness of breath feels differant when in afib.

[plopper]

My sob got pretty bad. Changed beta blocker and cured the problem.

[7Helena]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I really appreciate your advice.

[Redman]

Have you considered having a Cardioversion to shock you back into Sinus Rhythm?