When to go to hospital

[Arctic2020]

I’m in the process of confirming an afib diagnosis still waiting on nuclear perfusion test am on meds and anticoagulant no other health issues. I have only been to emergency once as felt Ill at work. I have been “waiting “ out my afib attacks but see a lot of people repeatingly going 2 hospital help please.

[Hidden]

This is a difficult one to answer because not that long ago I said “we” do not normally recommend going to A&E unless you are experiencing chest pains, breathing difficulties or an excessively high heart rate. I then had my testicles remove by someone accusing me of presuming to speak on behalf of the forum, which, of course, was another load of testicles!

Many say that if they go to hospital, they hang around for ages and are eventually sent home with instructions to see their GP as soon as possible. Others say that when they go, the staff are helpful and monitor them closely after medication to bring the heart rate back down within range. Some say they ring 111 (UK) and let them make the decision. Others say AF is neither an accident or an emergency, so I guess the answer is, do what YOU think is the most appropriate......

[Buffafly in reply to Hidden]

Ouch 😲! When was that?

[Hidden in reply to Buffafly]

Now you know why I speak with a high pitched voice! 😉😳😉

[BobD Volunteer]

The party line is that AF is neither an accident nor emergency. It is a chronic condition and should be treated as such. The BUT is that any chest pain, fainting or difficulty breathing does require attention and some people do attend. One old hand once said that if he rang 999 every time he had an event he would have an ambulance parked outside his house 24/7!

For most people once the shock of finding you have AF passes we find a way of coping but we are all different with different levels of acceptance and fear. Educating yourself by going to AF Association website and reading all you can will help.

[Finvola]

If I do not have chest pain or an excessively high heart rate, I stay put but as others have said, it is a personal choice. For me the journey to A&E, the wait (13 hours when I was first diagnosed) and the awful stress of it aren’t worth it. It also depends what you expect from A&E - monitoring, tests or referral.

My GP told me to go to A&E if my heart rate was above 100 for more than 45 minutes. Like another poster says, I would have had to camp out there in the first few months until I started Flecainide.

It is difficult for someone else to advise you as you know your own circumstances best. As you get more used to the effects of having PAF, the decision will become clearer.

[sotolol in reply to Finvola]

I rented a side room. 😆

[Finvola in reply to sotolol]

😂

[Buffafly]

I think that until you have had the recommended tests you should err on the side of caution - go if you feel unwell and definitely if you have any sense of pressure in or around your chest. Once your plumbing has been found in good order you can sit the episode out. In my case I am lucky because I can sleep it out if at home. I've had the tests and been told my chest pain is caused by artery spasm so I don't go to A&E unless I feel faint or have stronger pain than usual. Someone else here has been given very strict and low criteria but if we all followed it A&E would be swamped! Monitoring is not 'doing nothing' as it gives info about how your heart is coping with the demand and if it isn't treatment is given or further investigation carried out. It would be the best idea to ask your cardiologist the question once all your tests are completed.

Best wishes 💜

[Hidden]

My heart doc said only go if I have chest pain or breathing trouble. Ive probably had 6-7 episodes in over 4 yr, no ER needed.

[absolutepatsy]

In the initial stages of Afib, I called an ambulance after waiting it out for 3 days. I am very symptomatic and life stops when I am in AF. Can't walk a few steps without feeling I am dying. The paramedics were fantastic and hooked me up to the ECG machine before taking me to hospital and they told me to always call the ambulance as AF is difficult to "catch" as all to often you revert back before getting to see the professional, but with and ECG you have proof for the Cardiologist or EP. They also wanted to know why I waited 3 days, I guess its because I felt it would revert back soon but grew more anxious each morning when I woke up and it was still there. I did wait in A&E for a few hours, hooked up to a monitor, but on the second occasion I was admitted to Cardiology and had my meds changed and reverted back after 1 night. Since then I felt things moved much quicker as I was in the system and had a direct link to a Cardiology nurse. This is just my experience. Hope this helps.

[BobJ52]

Like you I found this difficult to find a decision point. I was having PAF attacks and a heart rate over 200 initially.I had symptoms making me feel really rough the first few times and called an ambulance.Once I started meds, bisoprolol increased each visit to a dose of 8.25mg over 4 weeks eventually put on Flecanide 50mg twice a day and bisoprolol reduced to 5mg and no longer need to go to A&E

[Bagrat]

3 different health care professionals have told me entirely different things.

GP( now retired) said suck ice chips in cold water and if still in AF after 40 mins go to A and E.

Staff on coronary care said come straight in if it happens!!!

My episodes are usually night time and Consultant said try and get back to sleep. Starve from midnight in case need cardioversion and go to A and E the next morning. If I feel ill chest pain etc go straight away.

So who knows. I feel it depends on your anxiety levels too. Once it's happened several times you cope better I think. No one will ever say " I don't know why you've come"