A&E

[stoneyrosed]

Been getting a lot of flutters and a couple of AF episodes lately probably due to the current situation. My concern is if I go into an AF episode that last longer than an hour would it be ok for me to go to A&E? I worry I won’t be seen due to the epidemic. Part of me also feels guilty also. Terrible situation which just adds the stress and worry.

[Hidden]

You need to do what your doc advises. Mine let me stay home and ride the episodes out as long as I didnt have chest pain or short of breath. So I would take additional medication at his direction, rest, drink a lot of water plus drinks with electrolytes( sodium, potassium) and try and remain calm thru controlled breathing, etc. Thankfully my episodes would end in 2-12 hours. If and when to go to ER may vary from doctor to doctor.

[stoneyrosed in reply to Hidden]

The trouble is at the moment you can’t see a GP, I can have a telephone app on the 12 April 😳. Thanks for the advice I do try to ride it out and have never gone to A &E yet. Just be good to know to have that ease in your mind in case an episode gets particularly troublesome. I take 3.75 mg beta blocker but my resting HR is down to 50 so I am wary about taking an extra BB in case it lowers it any further. Take care 😊

[Hidden in reply to stoneyrosed]

No more betablocker wont help. I was taking an antiarrhythmic drug. Do you have someone else in your home with you?

[stoneyrosed in reply to Hidden]

No I live alone Holski

[Hidden in reply to stoneyrosed]

That makes it harder when one is alone I think. I know when my episodes would come, along came the anxiety with it. Hope your heart decides to behave soon. ⭐️. Hugs( from a distance, lol)

[stoneyrosed in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much, “Big hug back” 😊

[Hidden in reply to stoneyrosed]

We are here for each other virtually

[MarySea]

My cardiologist told me at my last appointment, that you should only go to A&E if your symptoms are serious, have persisted for more than 24hrs and are increasing, and you are feeling very unwell. He said that ‘you know your own body’. My episodes can last for anything between a few hours to 2 or 3 days. I get dizzy, lightheaded, headache, extreme fast heartbeat etc etc. I have never gone to A&E. I’ve had these attacks for about 5 years now and was only officially diagnosed early last year. I also get them fairly frequently, at least once a month, if not every couple of weeks. In these extreme times for the NHS I wouldn’t go.

[7164 in reply to MarySea]

Marysea

Sounds awful. Do you not take meds? Or am ablation?

Rod

[MarySea in reply to 7164]

I’ve got used to it/learnt to live with it. It’s not nice and wipes me out but there is very little that can be done. I am on Apixiban and other meds as I had a heart attack 12 years ago. Main thing for me would be to lose some weight and more exercise. I lost 5 stone after my MI but over last 6 years or so have gradually put weight back on. Various stress related reasons. I don’t want any medical intervention as I’ve read so many hopefuls stories for them only to be dashed when the AFib returns after often a very short time. I am playing it by ear. But at this time the best any of us can do is stop panicking about the AFib, self isolate and keep healthy. I have had a terrible cough and on and off headache for the last 10 days. It’s worrying but don’t think it’s the dreaded C-19. I am not confined to bed and work from home anyway, so just playing it day by day. Last thing I want is to end up in hospital!

[stoneyrosed in reply to MarySea]

Yes I keep been told I am not at the “At risk group”as I have lone af but doesn’t stop me worrying. Take care !

[7164 in reply to MarySea]

Keep safe 😊

[doodle68]

Hi SR if it is any comfort to you I get highly syptomatic episoded of P-AF every 10 days days and they last a minimum of 8 hours usually 10.

I have been told I must call an ambulance if I have chest pain or the episode lasts too long

The moment an episode starts I get a pillow and lay on the floor and strart my breathing exercises see the thead below for my and other replies...

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

I then do those things I have to do slowly and gently so I don't make my breathlessness any worse and I wait until the episode ends.

[7164 in reply to doodle68]

Doodle

Such a strange horrible illness

I am similar to you but as yet not so good as you dealing with it.

I fight it and get annoyed that it has such an effect on my life.

Dronedarone next week and see what happens

Rod

[MarySea in reply to 7164]

I have been offered Dronedarone by my cardiologist to replace bisoprolol but nothing happend yet with GP.