AFib returns

[JackyMac]

I am wondering if my Afib returned because of being put on Verapamil for palpitations. Heart rate returned to normal five days ago but I continued on Verapamil and awoke this morning to AFib. It says in the PIL that if the pulse rate drops below 50 don't take it. When I'm sleeping my HR is about 46. Anybody else experienced this? I've now gone back on Flecainide in advance of seeing the doctor in the morning.

[rosyG]

I should check the pulse rate for Flecanide- I think, from memory, NICE guidance says above 60 bpm is needed. I don't know about verapamil but think the palpitations and AF are just part of same haywire activity in the heart. Hope you feel better soon.

[CDreamer]

Palpitations is a word describing the sensation of feeling one’s heartbeat and is not an indicator of AF which can only be diagnosed by taking your pulse - irregular heartbeat or by ECG such as Kardia. I know many people cannot tell the difference between AF and ectopics or SVT as the sensations can feel the similar.

Our heart rates all drop at night and mine certainly drops into the 40’s but then I haven’t taken heart rate drugs since 2014.

I would heed RosyG’S warning though before self-medicating and maybe wait until you speak to your doctor?

[Jhcoop55]

I think that Verapimil is a calcium channel blocker that will reduce heart rate but not sure how it impacts arrhythmia per se.

For me, I went on a combo Flecainide and Meyropolol following a second failed ablation and have not had one AFIB event in 18 months nor any side effects. Of course, these drugs impact everyone differently as well as their effectiveness.

Your physician will give you the next advise. Hopefully you have access to an electrophysiologist who best understands this condition

[Truckerclark]

I was put on verapamil after having 2 stents fitted & clopidogrel , before that I used flecanide & bisoprolol ,for years only having the odd real AF problem ,,,recently after stents fitted for angina , and changing onto verapamil ,I’m having ectopic heart beats & AF issues every day ,,, feeling like I’ve went back 18 years ,,,, I’m going for 48 hr monitor do they can see what type of irregularities I’m having so they can adjust ,,, recently been put on more verapamil but slow release tablets ,,, sore heads ,nauseous, vision problems along with major fatigue,,, I’m hoping by Xmas they have the answer ,,,possibly another ablation had one when I was 45 now 59 years old ,,, knackered ,,,, about to lose my job & hgv licence due to ill health too ,