Afib 24/7

[Hairem]

Anyone out there with Afib that is happening 24/7?

[BobD Volunteer]

Lots of people have permanetn AF. Many say it is easier to cope with as body adapts

[Hairem in reply to BobD]

Yes I don't even know it is happening. My Doc says if allowed to continue on my heart will grow and I will have trouble breathing. Just like an athlete!

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hairem]

Only if uncontrolled. Provided rate is well controlled and you are anticoagulated there is no risk to life . Any and all treatment is mainly for quality of life.

[captainKFF in reply to BobD]

Dear Bobd, your feedback and attention to member posts is highly appreciated. Thank you

[Jalia]

Yes, my husband ! He's not even aware that he has it!!

[Hairem]

Does your Husband feel short of breath? That is the only way I know it is there. Cannot hike any longer, just long flat walks.

[Jalia in reply to Hairem]

He did initially,several months ago, when I tested with my Kardia. Since then, he has been put on Rivaroxaban and has a cardiologist appt in 2 weeks . His heart rate is higher than before but not particularly high. 80s/90s, occasionally low 100s but he is not aware of it. He has Parkinsons which restricts his activities anyhow. If I hadn't been an AF patient and owned a Kardia he would be none the wiser.

[captainKFF in reply to Hairem]

hi, What is your heart rate during your Afib?

[Hairem in reply to captainKFF]

It looks like it remains normal while my watch is testing randomly for Afib.

[pip_pip]

Refer to hospital and see a cardiologist .! And then a electrophysiologist. Or see an ep directly. You have a few options.

[RoyM]

Been in Permenent AF since 2016 . I have 12 monthly scans and at each scan my heart is not dilated and apart from the irregular beat all structures are reported as normal .

[Jaws66]

Been in permanent AF since 2005. Initially I was put on beta blockers, but changed to a calcium channel blocker (Verapamil) due to side effects. I can still jog - I've done 10ks - but can't sprint. Some mild side effects from the medication, but otherwise feel pretty good.

[Wswsh01]

Hi, been in AF for over 20 years . I have been Cardioverted three times each time my heart when back on rhythm but within a day or two I went back into AF.Recently I was getting short of breath and some mild chest pain so they sent me for a heart scan. The scan showed the beginning of a clot in my heart so they have now put me on Apixaban. Will let you know how i'm feeling in a few weeks.

[Hilianna]

I am a bit puzzled by the term permanent AF. Does this mean that your heart is jumping up and down all the time and never calms down? I cannot imagine how one lives with that happening. It must be exhausting. It is difficult to manage when it goes up and down for one or two periods in the day, maybe for a couple of hours at a time.

[Jeans1234 in reply to Hilianna]

It is exhausting, hard to sleep, bend down, climb stairs etc. You feel washed out

[Omniscient1 in reply to Jeans1234]

Ive had permanent AF for years. I think it's worse (more debilitating, traumatic) if you have it occasionally, though I've never experienced that.

[Hairem in reply to Hilianna]

No I can't feel it, my Apple watch does about 5 tests a day and every one comes back with Afib results. The only way i know I have it is by tests and when having my cardioversion they mentioned it was going on constantly. The only trouble I have is being light headed when climbing stairs or hills. My other stat's are good while on BB and blood thinners.

[RoyM in reply to Hilianna]

Permenent AF is a term used when you agree with your EP that no further intervention to revert back to Sinus Rhythm is attempted and yes it means your heart is permently in AF I have been in Permenent AF since 2016, before that I suffered with occasional but regular bouts of AF lasting for 8/10 hrs and it was awful raised HR 150 BPM + dizziness, tiredness, little energy. I was due an Ablation in May 2016 a month before that I went into persistent AF but it felt different. HR 60/70 BPM but certainly irregular rhythm. I kept my ablation appointment and it was advised by my EP that if I felt ok why take the risk of an Ablation. I had a cardioversion which reverted me back into Sinus Rhythm for 11 hrs and during that time I didn't feel any different so we made a joint decision not to go down the Ablation route. Ablation is all about improving quality of life, in my case the risks of an Ablation out weighed ant improvement in my QOL. 5 years on I don't regret that decision. My medication is limited to Apixiban and 1.25 mg Bisoporol daily. I live a normal life, I swim, cycle, walk approx 5 miles a day and can still chase my grandchild around. I have regular checks and there is no signs that my heart structure has changed. Cheers Roy

[Hairem in reply to RoyM]

Thanks for the update. As I have few other symptoms Ablation will not be something I even want to think about. I am having a chemical cardioversion at the moment with Solotal which has lowered my normal PB but not touched the Afib episodes.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hilianna]

Most people with asymptomatic permanent AF are totally unaware of it. Some have it discovered during routine tests others only when they have the stroke that takes away their normal life. This is why we are so keen on screening for AF.

[Omniscient1]

I've had permanent AF since diagnosis, i have done runs etc, the only way I can tell is an ECG or with a stethoscope. But, a period on beta blockers immediately after diagnosis was crippling (the symptoms you describe) so, if you're on BBs check you have the right dosage, but it sounds like you need to go see your doctor anyway. Good luck.

[captainKFF in reply to Omniscient1]

BB does the same to me but I need them to lower my heart, what is your heart rate during Afib and how do you manage without them with the high heart rate?

[Hairem in reply to captainKFF]

My heart rate appears in the normal zone.

[Omniscient1]

My heart rate is 80-100 ish. I think the key with BetaBs is to get the right dosage. Though I was advised by a specialist to come off as the benefits were outweighed by the negatives

[Hairem in reply to Omniscient1]

really coming off BB? My Solotal is a BB, warning sign re something to do with the heart beats and time between may be increased causing death. My cardiologist assured me I would be safe as my V length was normal! I am learning a lot about hearts. It is amazing how they don't really know what causes AF unless a leaky valve or a blockage and they all have different methods or care.

[Omniscient1]

Hi, I recommend Dr Sanjay Gupta's videos on YouTube (search York cardiology) as very educative and reassuring. We all have different circumstances (I guess that's the message really) and there is no one size fits all. One other thought, in the UK (imho) the health service sees AF as more of stroke risk than a heart issue directly.

[Hairem in reply to Omniscient1]

I agree and will watch the video, Thank you.