On a visit to gp, asked if there was a risk of damage to heart due to that amount of time in afib. He said no. Am a little unsure. My episodes usually last between 6-10 hrs . How long should I let them continue without checking in at hospital?
Also, should I have regular heart checks? Have not been checked since diagnosis late 2016.
Thanks
My doctor uses 36 hours. This I think is subjective it depends on how you feel when your in AFib and how fast your heart rate is and how high your blood pressure is. When I’m in AFib I take 30 mg of Diltiazem every 6hours until a breakthrough
If you don’t have any existing structural damage to heart muscle, valves or blood vessels then AF and your BP is controlled then very, very unlikely. Many people are in permanent AF and live relatively ie: they need to make certain adjustment such as not exercise as rigorously and ensure they control a high HR, normal lives.
My episodes would run for days with HR of 150-180 and even if I did go to hospital at the very best - I would only be monitored as I was not an emergency and an out patient. AF is not an emergency. In these days with such pressure on our health systems unless I felt very ill, had chest pain or other concerning symptoms such as near syncope or syncope (fainting) then I learned after sitting in A&E for over 9 hours without being even put on a monitor that I could be much more comfortable and I could monitor myself with BP machine, O2 sats and Kardia.
Some people do get extremely anxious and find it reassuring to be in hospital, especially early in diagnosis but it’s something I got used to and used to managing with help and support from family. I do wish the services after diagnosis were better so that they would support newly diagnosed, especially with education but luckily I found the Heart Rhythm Alliance and the AFA and this forum and they have educated and supported me.
Lots of information on the AFA website and don’t forget Virtual Patient Day - which if you enroll on you will receive more information in one session than you will in 7 years talking to doctors - well least I did!.
And now I hope we can do the same for you, lots of very knowledgeable, kind and supportive people here. Take care and best wishes - CD
If the fast heartbeat is not doing any damage to the heart, why does NICE recommend drugs to bring the rate down?
What evidence is there that, over time, the heart and the patient stay just as fit as they would have done if the heart was beating normally.
It may have been shown that AF doesn't make you die any earlier but at what cost? Surely there must be some effect or why carry out ablations on asymptomatic patients?
Define ‘fast’. My EP’s recommendations to me were if your HR exceeds 200 for any length of time then call emergency services, otherwise don’t worry. That was the advice specific to me, from someone who knew my full medical history.
There are always caveats. As to why NICE recommend rate control - ask them because all rate control drugs did for me was make me very, very sick. I understand a high BP is of far greater concern which is why it’s called ‘the silent killer’.
Of course you will be symptomatic with a fast HR but I found I could function for normal activity up to 130-150. Once it exceeded that I had to go rest. Treatment - drug or ablation is about improving quality of life.
That’s my understanding.
Just wanted to say thankyou for your explanation. Been v anxious. Newly diagnosed wit A Flutter.
Commiserations - I had both AF and Flutter and have to say Flutter was more debilitating that AF because your HR goes so high.
Good news - AFlutter is often easier to treat. Hope you get sorted very soon.
Weird thing is my hr was never high to start with. Around 75 at rest. Now about 65 after 5 days on 1.25mg Bisoprolol. No other symptoms. Feel fine apart from flutters and anxiety (which is making things 100 x worse)TOE next week. Possible blood clot but theyre u sure. Lets see what that reveals... Scary times but gradually coming to terms with it. Best wishes.
It can be very scary and waiting for results is the worst! It does take time to first get your head around it, second to absorb information and be able to ask the right questions and thirdly to find what helps you as there is no one fix for all.
Take care and keep breathing.
I have been in Permenent AF since 2016, every echocardiograph and CT show normal heart structure with no dilation of the chambers. I am on Apixiban and 1.25 Bisoporol daily, other than that I am able to live a normal life, I swim, ride and walk approx 5 mile a day.... don't let AF define you.
In permanent afib how fast is your day-to-day heartbeat?
Sounds like me..same meds. Recently diagnosed so been v anxious. Comforting to read comments here. My A Flutter and ectopic hb s are pretty much constant now. I have a TOE next week as they think they saw a clot in my Echo. I'm sure ppl can identify this is a massive bombshell to come to terms with.
Hi Ian. I know it's easy to say but try to control your anxiety.....it doesn't help your AF. I try to think of AF as a condition rather that an illness. I have lived with Permenent AF now for 5 years...apart from not being able to run a marathon I lead a very normal life I walk about 4/5 miles each day ( weather permitting) I swim, cycle and do most thinks I did before AF reared its ugly head. Try not to let AF define you and good luck on your journey. Cheers Roy
Thank you Roy, I appreciate that. I need to keep practicing mindful meditation instead of sitting here panicking every few hrs because my chest feels tight when it's prob just my anxiety!
I was diagnosed with Afib in April of 2020 and have been taking Eliquis and Toprol since and in April of this year I was diagnosed with heart failure. There is a way to correct it, with the proper treatment, but my echo in December showed my heart was okay and 4 months later, it wasn't.
I am interested that you asked that question, I was diagnosed late 2015 and this year my episodes have become a lot worse, in addition to tachycardia. Yesterday I was walking about with a heart rate of 120, my doctor changed me from Bisoprolol to Metroprolol (at my request) but it doesn't help at all. I have never considered going to the hospital but I did wonder if I was overdue for some sort of check-up, I haven't seen a consultant since 2016.
My normal resting heart rate is in the 50’s. I can spike to 150 in afib, with no discomfort. I only take bisoprolol when I have an episode. Heart rate back to 50’s when episode over. Gp has never suggested a follow up consult with specialist
Does the metoprolol give you better results for lowering HR ?
I am considering asking to switch to Bisoprolol.
No, Bisporolol was much better but I changed because I felt tired all the time.
Remember virtually all treatment is only for quality of life (QOL) as so long as rate is well controlled there should be no risk to life. Many people in permanent AF live happy and prodicutuve lives.
Are you saying that, if the rate is not well controlled, there is a risk to life?
I am sure it must be understood that an uncontrolled heart can become enlarged and if left un treated this could led to heart failure. Most of that is reversible with treatment as many have found out. Long term rates of 200+ are obviously harmful.
To the best of my knowledge the only people who have ever died directly from AF are those unwise enough to pursue excess such as running a marathon whilst in AF.
I used the words that I did because my older mantra of "AF won't kill you" was once challenged by another member as needing qualifying .
I think the heart rate plays a factor, what is your heart rate during the Afib episodes?and how frequent are they?
Now, I was told that prolonged AF causes the heart to enlarge ....... hmmmm
It could cause the atria to stretch yes, but that hasn’t happened to me. Nothing is certain & everything individual.
Planned Watchman procedure
A question about ablation procedure
Eliquis and Pacemaker procedure 
Procedure for Morbidly Obese with AFIB
Keyhole Maze Procedure Tomorrow
