Is this persistent af?

[Rhiannonimity1]

Hi. The inevitable has happened. I’m back in A and E a week after I left. I know that I have not other issues except heart electrical ones, but this time I will be sent home with rate control rather than any kind of cardioversion, although they are currently struggling to get my rate down - it is around 120 bpm. I am so frustrated. I still have no idea what life will be like living with af - but I guess I’m about to find out.

[CDreamer]

Hi, I just looked at your earlier post. Persistent AF is when you are in AF all of the time. Paroxysmal is when it comes and goes. Permanent is when you and your doctors agree not to continue to chase the holy grail of NSR.

Many people live active lives in permanent AF once anticoagulated you just need to keep the HR controlled, especially when exercising. There are different drugs which can achieve this so sometimes it’s about finding the one that works for you. Losing weight, if you can, eating well for good nutrition, quality sleep and exercising will also help.

Have you seen an arrythmia specialist? Like anything else, sometimes it’s about speaking to the person who has specialist expertise. I’ve never had a good experience in A&E with AF.

[meadfoot]

Sorry you have joined the AF club, the journey will seem better once you have been stabilised and on a coherent treatment plan. I would suggest you get yourself in front of a good Electrophysiologist (a cardiologist specialising in the electrics of the heart) as soon as possible.

Getting the right person in your corner is crucial to getting things back on track. Many people take a long time to get a diagnosis so at least you know what is happening and can move forward to getting this thing under control.

I hope you start to feel better very soon and on the path to a coherent plan of action.

[Buffafly]

Don’t despair, at least you know you can go back to NSR and that gives hope for the future. You’ve done well losing weight so far so keep it up. The fact that you are struggling with the rate may be a good sign as I have the impression (may be wrong) that permanent AF tends to be slower. Sympathy and best wishes 💜

[Singwell]

Good advice here. You need to be informed so that you can work out how best to live your life. My brother is in Persistant AF and barely notices it. Thanks CDreamer for explaining the difference between those terms! Apparently the heart adapts and works around it if you get AF all the time. You'll probably slow down - it's what I've noticed in my brother. He also benefitted from changing his diet and losing weight as well as walking twice a day.

[CDreamer in reply to Singwell]

Probably better doing that than going to the gym.

[Singwell in reply to CDreamer]

Yes! He always enjoyed walking anyway. He lives alone so you can imagine the impact of this year's isolation on top of it all.

[Rhiannonimity1 in reply to Singwell]

Yes. There has been a lot of good advice. I think I just needed/ need a moral boost to say “ it will be ok”. Thank you all for your help and save words. Hugely appreciated.