Sorry first post on here my husband has AF he has a normal resting heart rate of around 51 his latest episode was between 42 and 78 Thursday night but he is still feeling weak and fatigue and has had a couple of dizzy spells. He is on apixaban and bisoprosol.
He has booked a private appointment with a cardiologist on 8th February.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I would not say that this is a case for A&E. If you are still concerned then have a word with your GP tomorrow or 111 today if things escalate. Could the Bisoprolol be causing his heart rate to drop too low ?
AF is a chronic condition not an accident nor emergency and should be treated as such. BUT, if you have any chest pain, difficulty breathing or are fainting and or a very high heart rate (up towards 200) then A and E is good idea. Your husband's rate is still within the normal range of 60 to 100 . His symptoms sound quite normal but I know that AF can be scary for those newly diagnosed. This will pass as you both get more used to it and life does go on, just a little different.
Thanks for your replies he did have a telephone appointment with his GP yesterday who said if he feels unwell call 999 and did not want to discuss it!All we want to know is it normal to feel weak and fatigue after an episode.
Hopefully the cardiologist will discuss the medication with him.
He also has dizziness and nausea.
Quite normal especially being on bisoprolol. Good move on the private appointmnent but an electrophysiologist (cardiologist who specialises in arrhythmias) would be a better bet if that appointment doesn't help you both.
Yes it's totally normal to feel weak and tired after a bout of AF, that feeling could often last for a few days with me. Make sure he drinks plenty of water and doesn't become dehydrated. I would get episodes like that when I'd consumed something containing artificial sweeteners.
Jean
Thanks so much for your reply.Just been a really worrying time we did not want to go to A&E was just looking for reassurance that it is normal to feel fatigue weakness and nausea after AF. Really annoyed at his GP for not listening to him and just saying we can’t help with AF if you feel ill ring 999.
He is feeling a bit better now I am not letting him do anything today except watch tennis and am giving him plenty of TLC😊
I feel wiped out the day after an afib attack and usually take it easy. Think of it like your heart working away as if you were exercising for the length of the attack! I get a faster heart rate between 130 and 150 bpm and take extra beta blocker to help bring it down. That does not help with the tiredness.
"Heart rate 42 and feeling weak and dizzy," I'd ring 111.
Despite what Bob says low heart rate can cause problems as well as high heart rates.
See this recent discussion,
Just to add my bit, my doctor freaked out that my heart rate was as low as 42 and sent an email to the cardiologist who replied promptly to say given my history it was alright at 42 bpm but as i was getting lightheaded with it to reduce the bisoprolol from 2.5 to 1.25 , i was also taking flecainide but kept that dose the same, and after that all was fine I think sometimes Doctors don't like admitting they really don't know enough about AF.
Definitely normal to feel weak and lethargic post AF episode. Usually takes at least 24 hours in NSR to start to feel human again (for me) and then maybe a day more to feel 'OK carry on and enjoy life till the next one'. Our blood pressure also fluctuates during an AF episode so that might have an impact. If the HR stays low and symptoms continue then call 111 for advice. Do you have a BP monitor? I'd advise getting one. Plenty of fluids today, eat sensibly, try not to dwell on it. As Bob says - it's a different way if life and it can be managed.
There's so much else to be known that all that can be said is the cardiologist appointment will give you the answers you need. It seems as if the bisoprolol is knocking back your husband's heart rate too far. I only take it occasionally and even 1.25mg can bring mine to just below 50, and often a day after I have taken it. Dizzy spells can be a low BP, especially if they are brought on when changing position, such as standing. Many accidents are caused by falls related to this, so do tell your hubby to be extra careful.
I would phone your GP on Monday and discuss this, prior to seeing the cardiologist. He or she might well do an ECG which can be emailed to the cardiologist.
Steve
Got to say the bisoprolol can have this effect and eventually my cardio and EP decided not to use any type of medication for rate control as none actually made me feel better and most made me feel worse. If you feel the need to call 111 then don't hesitate especially if he gets pains in the chest or arms. Take things easy for a few days and all the best for your appointment with the cardiologist/EP
Cardio nurse may give you flecanaide to take along side the bisoprolol to help with the rythmyn along side the rate which helps with symptoms. Gp cannot prescribe flecanaide without the say so of the cardio, which is probably why you felt your GP wasn’t been too helpful.
I'm sorry to say that my two experiences of going to A&E for AF are both horrific, and I would avoid doing that again except in the most dire of circumstances. Mostly, they do not know what to do with you, and if their first tricks of putting you on fluids and metoprolol don't stop the AF, they just leave you on a monitor until you revert to NSR and then let you go home the next day.
Chest pain and excessive fear of dying are the only things that would send me back (or non AF related stuff).
Hello,I'm new on this forum as I'm recently diagnosed with persistent AF after having paroxysmal AF. Previously my GP recommended Beta blockers which I was reluctant to take and so I went to see a cardiologist privately. He told me that my holter monitor showed that I had a low heart rate at night and that beta blockers were not indicated for that reason or my heart could stop!! I would suggest seeing your cardiologist ASAP and perhaps reducing your dose, that heart rate (less than 60) is getting very low and your husband will definitely feel bad
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