87 years old but new to AFIB

[engvey00]

At the end of last year, I noticed that my heartbeat was high. I had one of those finger oxygen readers which also provides the heart rate. It was a solid 200 beats per minute. I had no other symptoms so I was not scared and did not call for assistance. This continued for 4 hours For most of the time, I stayed at my desk but later got up and went to the restroom and ate some snacks. I checked the heart rate with my finger reader and it stayed solid at 200 BPM. At the 4 hour point in time, the BPM dropped off to the 190s and later continued to drop returning to normal about the 4:30 point from the start of AFIB. I physically felt it when it synched back up to normal. Since that time I have had 3 more episodes. The longest was 8 hours and the fast rate was 209 BPM which was the shortest at 45 minutes. I did get with my doctors after the 1st incident and have been given the drugs of Eliquis 5 mg twice a day and Flecainide 50mg twice a day. I had two incidents about 2 weeks after I started with these drugs, the longest 8 hours and the fastest 209 BPM. Since then I have now gone about 10 weeks without an incident. At the moment, I feel good and have gone back to work volunteering for Meals On Wheels setting up tables for the volunteer drivers to pick up the meals for their routes.

[Hidden]

It sounds like your heart has settled down. Flecainide is a good drug. Ive taken it with no side effects that I’ve know of. Going 10 weeks without an incident is really great. Good for you getting back to meals on wheels. It sounds like you are a very young at heart 87 year old person. I’m 66 and have the same thing, was diagnosed about 3 1/2 yr ago. My episodes are getting further and further apart. Hope things keep getting better for you!

[engvey00 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. Good luck to you.

[Hidden in reply to engvey00]

Thankyou

[Aprilbday]

Wow! So happy things have settled down! A-Fib is annoying ! Wonderful that you volunteer your time like that .

[engvey00 in reply to Aprilbday]

Thank you.

[Rubymurray25]

You are an inspiration to us younger folk, thank you for sharing your story and do hope and pray you can continue a role you obviously love helping others , for years to come.

[engvey00 in reply to Rubymurray25]

Thank you.

[Morzine]

87? You’re amazing, And seem to be very pragmatic about the whole thing......that’s a highheart beat to have had......I started afib 18 months back......me too on flecanaide and elequis......I found them my security for keepingthings at bay.....sounds like they’ve settled in your system and calmed everything down too.

I’ve a little finger oxygen/ heart thing too......it’s pretty accurate against another thing I’ve got more expensive . It’s handy to have isn’t it.

I’m 66 and I hope I’m as active as you at 87!

Sue

[engvey00 in reply to Morzine]

I hope you do as well. Thank you.

[JaneFinn]

Welcome to the forum, engvey

You are indeed an inspiration as others have said! I’m 50 - and could do with a dose of your excellent attitude to life 😊

It’s really great that your fast PAF didn’t knock you off kilter, and that you’re feeling good on the meds. Onwards and upwards, I say! Hope you keep feeling good and keep living your life just how you choose to

If you haven’t already found it, the AFA website is a mine of useful info should you need it.

Any questions you have, just ask on here. Everyone is very friendly!

[engvey00 in reply to JaneFinn]

Thank youi.