Newbie

[Gillian2Mc]

Hi, I was diagnosed late February after an irregular heartbeat discovered by our practice nurse during my annual chronic kidney disease review prompted her to send me for an electrocardiogram. In fact, I had to have two done because the first one didn't show the results clearly enough. It was quite a surprise as I was feeling perfectly well at the time. I saw a doctor within a couple of days who prescribed Bisoprolol and Lixiana. I was supposed to go back for a review with the same doctor but was told he would ring me instead, due to the prevalence of the coronavirus, then they told me he wouldn't even be doing that.

I'm still feeling good, but know it could be a different story if I weren't taking those meds.

Gillian

[BobD Volunteer]

Many people who have permanent AF are unaware of it andlive happy lives provided that they are anticoagulated for stroke prevention and that their heart rates are well controlled. Sounds like your doctor has it all covered BUT should you experience chest pain or shortness of breath/ fainting etc then seek medical attention.

[Omniscient1]

I'll echo what Bob said, many people have it 24/7 with no obvious external effects. But just make sure you are feeling as well after the diagnosis as before. It may or may not take a while to tune your medication to you.

All the best

[jeanjeannie50]

Welcome to the forum Gillian.

You've had informative responses from BobD and Omniscient1. We're a friendly group of people so feel free to ask any further questions you may have.

Jean

[Paulbounce]

Hiya Gillian.

Welcome to the afib ride. Honest - it's not as bad as you think it will be.

You wrote

"I was diagnosed late February after an irregular heartbeat discovered by our practice nurse"

Yep - why on earth doctors don't do a quick check on patients more often for an irregular heart beat evades me (it would take 30 seconds to check a pulse). I admit afib be there one minute and gone the next. Fair enough.

I saw my doc after my pharmacist picked it up about 3 - 4 years ago (twice). The Stroke Assocation (I think it was them - something similar but old age is catching up with me now heheh) doing a free check in the local market found, and confirmed it for me. They do it once a year to check for any heart problems in my local market. They offer it to shoppers free as they walk past.

I wouldn't go as far as to say they saved my life - however heart failure or stroke were VERY likely - certainly with the life style I was leading at the time. Enough to say my name is down for the next volunteer group when it happens after this lock down

You wrote

"I'm still feeling good, but know it could be a different story if I weren't taking those meds"

Keep up the good work - your nailing it Expect some ups and downs but I think you will get on top of it. I think you already are with your positive attuide.

Paul

EDIT - BobD wrote

"Sounds like your doctor has it all covered BUT should you experience chest pain or shortness of breath/ fainting etc then seek medical attention"

100% agree - just to clarify,

[Gillian2Mc]

Thanks for your replies, guys. Since I started this thread I had a review appointment with our practice nurse. It should have been sooner but it has taken some time to organize people's reviews owing to you know what. She told me I had been referred to our local hospital for a heart scan, so I've been watching the post for a letter about that.

Gillian