Permanent means you will be in afib for the rest of your life. However don't worry as rate and rhythm med's will help with this. Most find their body adjusts - were as with PAF (Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) it can 'hit' you.
A CV can help (it won't last forever) or ablation (hit and miss) but it works for many.
It's your call on this one Glad. Personally I'm almost at the point to say just leave me in permanent and I'll get on with it - saves all the messing about.
Your call Glad - make sure you aware of all the facts before deciding.
Have a great day.
Paul
Permanent AF means that you have an irregular heart beat which can be fast, slow or within normal range ie 60 - 100 beats per minute and both you and your Doctor have agreed that there is no benefit to be gained by having any further treatment to return to normal sinus rhythm. Prior to making that decision, it is referred to as Persistent AF.
Generally, someone in Persistent AF is offered a cardioversion which is the quickest and most effective way of attempting to return them to normal sinus rhythm. If that fails after up to 3 attempts, sometimes a second CV is offered but with an Arrhythmia drug taken either side of the procedure but if that also fails, it is generally decided that there is no point in offering an ablation. This is when Persistent becomes Permanent and the patient agrees to having ongoing drug therapy to control their AF.
In the UK alone, there are many thousands of folk in Permanent AF and they go on to lead relatively normal lives for a very long time and I know many who wouldn’t dream of having an invasive procedure even it were offered…….
I always wondered what permanent AFib was ,thanks for that,it sounds horrendous to be honest I can't stand a irregular heartbeat for more than a day,let alone for ever,sometimes you don't realize how lucky you are.
Whilst both the other answers are correct I feel you are looking for a different one , maybe asking the wrong question.
AF is an irregular irregular beat (i e no rhythm just chaotic thumps and bumps) which can be fast or slow. Normal heart rate is between 60 and 100 so your rate is only slightly elevated. Cardiologists do not generally treat for rates inside the normal range so I understand your consultant's position.
I know it can be irritating as mine was in the same range as yours post an abalation for atrial tachycardia for months until I got my drug regime sorted since which it has ranged between 75 and 95 at rest.
Hi Glad, if you can’t get on with the higher rate I should push for a review of your new medication. You don’t say what the change was but maybe, as Bob says, a tweak would improve your QOL 💜
Before I took magnesium my heart rate was always between high nineties and 120. My consultant was not concerned unless it went to 130 for two days. I now have a heart rate between low eighties and high nineties. So within the normal range.
Hi there. What you have is not atrial flutter, which is a conduction problem in the top right atrial chamber producing a regular beat of ~300bpm; atrial fibrillation occurs in the top left atrial chamber producing a chaotic irregular quivering.
There are three kinds of AF, "paroxysmal AF" (i.e. the arrhythmia stops and starts at varying intervals (short, long, very long); "persistent AF" which won't stop without medical intervention (usually tablets such as bisoprolol, sotalol or flecainide); "permanent AF" which won't stop at all (but which might be treated with anticoagulants and a beta-blocker still, to prevent stroke risk and high heart rate or tachycardia, a persistent rate over 100bpm).
My friend, now 88, has "permanent AF" and has had it for very many years and has only warfarin as treatment as his heart rate is normal, and he is well.
I have permanent Afib. The doctors are only concerned with my blood pressure and pulse and I take medication to control these. Generally I am barely aware that I have Afib, except for the fact that I get tired and out of breath more easily. I have to be careful not to get stressed or excited or drink caffeine or alcohol though. If I do the Afib flares up like a paroxysmal episode, and I feel really unwell. But the flare ups before it became permanent were much worse. And I no longer have to worry about the various treatments so feel much more relaxed about that. I have met others who feel the same.
Interesting. HR range up to 106. Is that Resting Heart Rate eg lying still in bed in the morning for 5 minutes? My RHR is about 70 but my HR is typically 80 just sitting around (eg typing here on my phone after breakfast), walking it goes up to 90-115 depending on pace. As others say your HR range is probably not worryingly high. (Nb my RHR is 10 higher since ablation 13 weeks ago).
My rates run very much like yours, and I'm three years out from ablation. No more episodes of irregular beats, and my resting rate during the day is in the 80's. Sometimes it runs high for no reason and I feel somewhat stressed by that, yet if it runs to 114 during exercise I don't even notice it.
I've had permanent, though mainly asymptomatic AF for 6 years. My resting heart rate is normally in the 90s. I'm not worried about that.For AF my only medication is an AntiCoagulant, Warfarin being my choice. I do take Doxazosin which is a blood pressure medication but mainly take it for BPH, a benign prostate problem.
I am also asthmatic, but inhalers normally keep me breathing well.
What concerns me most is the result of falling down partway downstairs. A damaged Peroneal nerve in my right leg. I now wear an orthotic on that leg which helps me to raise my foot off the ground while walking. I use a stick outside for balance. I find I'm stopping for a rest more, but otherwise I am fine.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.