Is my AF getting worse if my RVR is lasting longer?

[A_fi_bR]

My rapid beats seem to be lasting longer these days. I'm just wondering what people's experience is. Will it just get progressively longer?

[beardy_chris]

AF progressively gets worse. This seems to be general. The only issue is how long it takes. It may be weeks, months, or decades. Eventually, you will probably end up in permanent AF unless some action is taken in the meantime (such as ablation).

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news....

[A_fi_bR in reply to beardy_chris]

Yes I'm on the waiting list. I knew it could get worse without treatment. I'm on meds so that's not an issue but maybe that's what they meant by, it might buy you 10 years before your first ablation. You may need a few. Nobody's ever gone through what the worsening process might be though. I guess everyone is different.

[beardy_chris in reply to A_fi_bR]

The worsening process usually is that episodes become longer and more frequent (but not more severe). Initially, they can revert spontaneously but, over time, you may need to have a cardioversion (much less scary than you imagine!). Eventually, without treatment, AF becomes persistent and then, when they give up treating it, permanent. It depends on how symptomatic you are how serious that is for you - I'm in permanent AF but I'm fairly asymptomatic so it isn't much of a problem - your mileage may vary!

BTW, I'm not a medic so talk to your medical team to get an expert opinion.

[A_fi_bR in reply to beardy_chris]

I get lots of symptoms. Less severe now I'm on meds. I describe it as having the volume turned down. Those symptomatic periods have got longer though. I do have weeks or even months where I think I'm cured but then I have to remember I'm on meds, so that's probably the reason. It kicks back in again at some point.

[Spoiler in reply to beardy_chris]

Do your medications control your rate? How long have you been in permanent afib?

[beardy_chris in reply to Spoiler]

Yes, medications control my heart rate. I've been in permanent AFib for 5 years.

[Lovefrance in reply to beardy_chris]

Hi Beardy Chris. How on earth do you cope with being in permanent AF and how fast is your heart rate and does it fluctuate. How do you manage to get out and about. I am in A F at the moment and despite being told not to worry, I am always scared stiff.

[beardy_chris in reply to Lovefrance]

Without drugs my heart rate goes up to 160 or more. With drugs, it is much more sensible - usually 70 -100 depending on activity. It is actually easier to be in permanent AF because you know what you'll be able to do. It is much less variable.

[Lovefrance in reply to beardy_chris]

Thank you for your reply. Does your heart rate occasionally exceed this and do you just sit it out? Do your drugs actually prevent this from happening? My heart rate was 180bpm last night. My surgeon says it will eventually go back to normal and not to worry. Easier said than done!

[beardy_chris in reply to Lovefrance]

When you are in permanent AF, mostly things are stable. My heart rate goes up when I exercise but then returns to normal when I rest. The joy of permanent AF is that it is mostly predictable!

[Lovefrance in reply to beardy_chris]

Thanks for your reply Chris. Maybe permanent AF is something I should look forward to!

[wilsond]

Just to say I was diagnosed in 2013, probably had it before then.After a few meds adjustments and bumps along the way I am actually much better and healthier all round now than then . Looked at the whole ,diet,stress etc as well as meducal support.

I remain on the ablation list but EP is considering taking me off it. Ablation isn't necessarily a permanent 'cure' as you can see on here , just another option.

I realise this could change but it's not inevitable that one will get worse and there's a lot we can do to help put that day off.

Stress for me was a major factor.

Best wishes xx

[Ppiman]

I’m in the same boat. I get tachycardia much more frequently these days, accompanied by some odd upper gastric or lower chest discomfort, sometimes through to my back. It is often only 85-95bpm, but sometimes up to 130, and often 105). Only occasionally does it progress to AF.

It’s all quite worrying and I keep wondering whether to email my cardiologist to see whether seeing him would be worthwhile. My GP just puts it all down to AF, even when it isn’t showing as that.

Steve

[A_fi_bR in reply to Ppiman]

As the EP said to me last time they checked my ECGs,

"is it like this alot?"

"Yes"

"Well, it's going to be like this going forward"

I was told at that point only to bother letting them know if there are significant changes. If you're on meds and/or getting an ablation, I don't think there's much more they can do. Just up to us to live as healthy as possible.

My most significant thing recently is the time spent in rapid beats. It's definitely increasing. Not going any faster than usual though. Pre medication it was going off at 180+

[Ppiman in reply to A_fi_bR]

180 floored me when I had it before my ablation with atrial flutter, then once after with AF. But I think my EP would say much the same as yours has. The mild tachycardia I get, often starting during breakfast or with bending, along with ectopic beats, seems to be part and parcel of a more general "arrhythmia" problem, one in which (for me at present) occasional AF is still only a minor part.

Such is life!

Steve