General queries relating to AFib

[DDYTCC]

Hi I posted yesterday for the first time (just joined the forum). Basically I have recently been diagnosed with Afib and in process of sorting out the best treatment/way forward, I'm not even sure what type of Afib it is but bottom line I was a fairly fit 55 year old last September (involved in sport, walking etc etc) and now I'm pretty breathless (sometimes dizzy) doing fairly basic tasks, 60% to 70% of the time. Is this normal for Afib people? It seems to have increased as a problem since taking Betablockers but I'm not sure if this is just the Afib getting worse? Many thanks for any thoughts!

[doodle68]

Hello DD welcome there isn't a 'normal for AF people' , we AFers share variations of comorbidities and symptoms , some people have none at all .

I think for starters it would help if you familiarise yourself witth all aspects of AF I will post a link for you..

heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

[DDYTCC in reply to doodle68]

Thank you I will do some reading and get up to speed, much appreciated thanks

[Hidden]

Once you have had a chance to digest the information I made you aware of yesterday you will see there are 3 types of AF. Paroxysmal AF is the type that comes and goes, often without warning and for some, it can be asymptomatic whereas for others, symptoms can be troublesome and not unlike the ones you mention. Some are aware of triggers which can provoke an episode, things like alcohol, certain foods, excessive stress, it is a fairly long list. The easiest way to find out if you are having an episode is to check your pulse. Normally, you should detect a regular pulse beating anywhere between 60 to 80 beats per minute, sometimes slightly more. If however, your pulse is quite irregular, fairly fast or slow then the chances are you are in AF. However, there are other arrhythmias. The other 2 types are persistent and permanent, both are similar, but permanent is when you and your Doctor accept that it will not respond to treatment. As you can probably see, it can get quite complex sorting out ideal treatment plans. Betablockers are almost always prescribed, especially for fast AF and they can cause symptoms not too dissimilar to AF itself so you really do need to plough through the AF Association webpages to find out more about the condition because this will enable to more meaningful discussions with your EP/Cardiologist. My teas ready now, so got to go but hopefully, this will set you off in the right direction. The good news, if you don’t know already, is that controlled AF (yours is currently controlled with medication) does not shorten life. AF does however, increase the risk of stroke and where appropriate, anticoagulants are used to significantly reduce that risk. At 55, they might not be necessary yet but I suggest you familiarise yourself with something called the CHADsVASc score, all available in the AF Association webpage........tea beckons!!

[DDYTCC in reply to Hidden]

Thanks again FlapJack, lots to read, but that above is a great explanation much appreciated for your input and I hope tea was good!

[Hidden in reply to DDYTCC]

👍

[BobD Volunteer]

AF is a mongrel condition which has no gold standard and experienced differently by most. "OUR AF" can be quite different to your AF. Beta blockers tend to slow us down at best and since there is no best drug to take it van be a bit of a lottery trying different drugs until you reach a balance.#

Do understand that any and all treatment be it drugs rate or rhythm contro) or ablation is only about quality of life ie symptom control

Go to AF association main website and read all you can so you can start to understand and keep asking questions here.

[DDYTCC in reply to BobD]

Perfect thanks again Bob D much appreciated

[Leechg]

Hi, I would say that for me once I started on the beta blockers the breathlessness occurs on stairs or walking up a slight hill. It is probably worse in the first few hours after I have taken the tablet. I often have more energy later in the day. The symptoms improved a little over the weeks after I first started taking it. All the best to you.

[DDYTCC in reply to Leechg]

That's good to know, I appreciate you taking the time to send an answer thank you

[Dodie117]

Try taking it at night.

Good luck

[DDYTCC in reply to Dodie117]

Will try that thanks

[Desanthony]

I got this from the outset with Afib. In fact it was waking up breathless at night that took me to the GP. Although I was much older than you at 73 at the time of diagnosis just 2 weeks before I had cycled 30 miles for cancer research and went to the gym at least 3 times a week as I always had. I was put on apixaban anticoagulant fairly soon afterwards but as our hospital didn't have a resident cardiologist paid to see one privately - I would have waited 6 months at least to see one coming to our hospital. After about a year or so of trying various beta blockers and various doses which didn't help with these symptoms - I would get breathless walking downstairs and feel faint with dizziness and sleep at the drop of a hat - except at night when the breathlessness would keep me awake! Luckily we then moved house at the time and I was transferred to a brilliant cardiology team. We found after trying a couple of months of higher doze digoxin that low dose digoxin was the only medication I could tolerate and keep myself mobile without being breathless. However, I was only on that for 3 weeks before having a successful Cardioversion which kept me out of AF for nearly a year and off any beta blockers. When I went back into AF I was not put back on any beta blockers and had another successful Cardioversion which unfortunately only lasted a matter of months as I had my Total Knee Replacement which put me back into Afib during the rehab time and the strenuous physio. Since then I have had another CV and I am still in Normal Sinus Rhythm waiting to have an ablation I should have had this sometime next months but with Covid 19 doubt I will be called in this year now.

All the best on your journey.

[Beaky-Pompino]

This is exactly what is happening to me! I am on Beta Blockers (Bisoprolol 5mg) and although they brought my HR down its the dizziness and tiredness that gets me. I know this is a side effect of the BB, how long before the side effects wear off? Anyone know?