Will my AF get worse if I don’t take medication.

[Freddiejosh]

I had a pacemaker fitted because I kept having heart pauses in my sleep.

I’ve been told I have AF even though symptoms are extremely slight with just the occasional fast heart palpitations now and again. I have been prescribed thinners but do I need to take anything for the AF? Will it get gradually worse if I don’t take any medication to stop it. As I say it does not bother me and I’m not really aware of it much.

[BobD Volunteer]

Anticoagulants (they don't thin blood at all) are to protect you from stroke for which AF increases the risk so that is important.

AF is generally a progessive condition so it is important to make sure that the rate is well controlled to prevent additional damage to the heart. Left un checked it can lead to enlargemnt of the atrium and possibly ventricle which in turn could head towards heart failure. Normal heart rate is between 60 and 100 so best keep it within that range and if it means taking drugs then do it.

[Freddiejosh in reply to BobD]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, I wasn’t given any advice about ehat to do so guess I will have to seek out advice from the GO

[CDreamer]

I think everyone is very different & you will find differing views from specialists. I felt really ill on meds, all the heart meds and felt that I was much better without, especially the rate control drugs. My AF did become progress but the symptoms didn’t.

I’ve not taken any rate control for 7 years now and my EP doesn’t seem concerned about high HR up to 189-200 for any length of time but at that rate, I want to be carefully monitored.

What I do think important is that you are informed and that you have regular echocardiograms to monitor your heart as AF can cause other conditions so you must discuss what is right for YOU with a specialist.

[Freddiejosh in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks for your reply, I’ll speak to my GP as I wasn’t told anything when I left hospital other than I would need thinners

[CDreamer in reply to Freddiejosh]

Not an uncommon experience but you should find this forum very helpful. I learned more here in one morning than years of going to doctors.

[CDreamer in reply to Freddiejosh]

PS - I had a Pacemaker implanted to help with the AF, best thing I ever did. Mine is monitored remotely and I don’t think you will find the Pacemaker Clinic of any use whatsoever. You will need to speak to your GP and ask for a referral to specialist if you would like specific advice, unless your GP has a special interest in cardiology.

[Hidden]

Hi Freddie, most of us remember when we were first diagnosed so we know how scary it can be. As you have had a pacemaker fitted, your situation may be different to most and I think you should ask your GP to arrange a referral. It might be worth seeing if it can be done via your pacing clinic assuming you have reviews or at least some contact with them. Unfortunately, referrals will take time, especially over the winter months so if it’s possible, consider a private consultation but because of the close links between AF and pacemakers, I think you should contact your pacing clinic first……

[Buffafly]

Hi, it sounds as though you may have permanent AF - AF all the time. A constant high rate would be a worry but it sounds as though your rate is up and down,, hence the pacemaker. If the higher rate episodes make you feel ill in any way you should speak to your GP but I would have thought you would have been monitored by the hospital before you had the pacemaker. I had a holter monitor for a week to see if I needed a pacemaker but the conclusion was not yet. If I have a lot more problems with my AF I will need a pacemaker so I can take meds to slow my heart when it is too fast.

[Jetcat]

Hi Freddie, personally I would take the meds but that’s only my view.! The meds will help keep the heart rate controlled and make life a little easier for the ticker👍. Like Bob said us aFibbers are at at a higher risk of stoke and we don’t want one of those, they can be life changing or even life ending.😢 best wishes.Ron

[Skertchly]

Are you pacemakerd? I am and take more meds than food. I don’t have any symptoms only deadened toes due to my insulin diabetes. Evidently I have AF at 3am for a a few seconds and once or twice a year a few night time hours. Very weird.

[Freddiejosh in reply to Skertchly]

So are you on medication for the af?

[bayonnejoe1]

Like others, my AF did progress to a permanent state, but I remain essentially symptom free. I use a beta blocker for rate control and alixaban for stroke risk reduction. Before being placed on an anticoagulant I had a stroke. I lost some eyesight (peripheral). I was lucky. I can't emphasize how important it is to address the 6x higher stroke risk untreated AF presents. Despite the minimal loss of vision, my Quality of Life (QOL) is excellent, always has been, that high QOL probably lead me to minimize my risk of stroke. I'm very grateful for a second chance in that regard, many AF stroke victims don't get one as AF clots, coming from the heart, tend to be big and very destructive. Take care.

[mav7 in reply to bayonnejoe1]

Very glad to hear of your minimal stroke complications.

I also have persistent AF with controlled heart rate which will exceed 100 without metoprolol nets blocker.

May I ask which beta blocker you take ?

[bayonnejoe1 in reply to mav7]

I use Atenolol. I was on it, in combination with HCTZ, for control of high blood pressure for a decade prior to my AF diagnosis. My cardiologist simply continued it since it works for me and I am accustomed to its side effects.