First appointment with arrhythmia service.

[Lizzie0205]

Hello. I’m 7 wks into my AF journey, having had an episode early March and new to the forum. I’m trying to learn as much as I can.

When experiencing my episode where I was tachycardic and diagnosed from ECG with AF , I was discharged on the same day with bisuprolol 2.5 and rivoroxaban 20 mgs daily. The episode subsided the following day. I was advised by the medical registrar in A and E that I would be referred to the hospital arrhythmia service and tomorrow I have my first appointment with an arrhythmia nurse. Since the first episode I have had bloods taken twice and an echocardiogram.

I’m compiling a list of questions as I don’t know any of the results of the tests just mentioned above and am wondering if anyone on the forum has any advice regarding essential questions to ask that I might not have thought of from your own experience?

Best wishes Liz

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Lizzie

The arrhythmia nurses I've had were all really good. When my heart wouldn't stop racing I'd go and see them about every two weeks for an ECG, while awaiting a cardioversion (that's where they shock the heart back onto rhythm). My heart would often stay in AF for months.

I would ask them if they have a telephone number you can ring if you have any queries, they usually do. Meanwhile I'll see if I can find you Dr Sanjay Gupta, of York Hospital in the UK's, YouTube presentation on AF. It may provoke some questions you need to ask.

Jean

[Lizzie0205 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you Jean for responding. The video was very interesting. I’ve seen some previous by professor Gupta but not this one. I was interested in the stats he quoted and the fact that tiredness is a big factor for triggering. I also read a short book yesterday written by a man who has cured his AFib and although he’s younger than me , the strategies he used are relevant to all of us- lose weight, keep blood sugar and blood pressure down, try to sleep well , avoid food additives. Simple , healthy life with some exercise. Got a good list of questions to explore at my appointment today. Thank you again.

[jeanjeannie50]

This is an old one of his, but tells the basic re AF. When you look at this post you'll hopefully see all the other and more recent ones he has made.

youtube.com/watch?v=kOHB143...(Not working as expected?)

[Ppiman]

These are the questions I would ask the doctor or nurse:

1. Do I have any other comorbidities or illnesses that might be important to my future heart health, for example, diabetes, sleep apnoea or hypertension??2. What do you think has been the cause of my particular AF episodes?

3. Did the echocardiogram reveal that my heart was healthy other than having AF, i.e. was it pumping efficiently and was it was likely to continue to do so in the longer term?

4. Would a cardiac MRI be useful to reveal any other issues with my heart?

Steve

[Hidden]

The above answers are great, I would ask to see an EP and wonder if I were a good candidate for an ablation, to deter or stop future attacks? Good luck

[bassets]

Hi, Lizzie, welcome. keep asking questions and reading up about af. There is some very good advice on here and I would ask where do you go from here? And what advice would they give? Best wishes

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Welcome to the Forum Liz, I am sure all our Members will make you feel welcome and offer great advice based on their own experiences. If you would like any reassurance regarding AF, managing symptoms or treatment options, then please do not hesitate to contact our Patient Services Team on 01789 867502 or [e-mail]

You may also wish to visit afa.org.uk, view some of our patient and health care professional videos and download some of our patient resources. For a complete overview of the condition, you may find the A F Fact File helpful?

book

[ozziebob]

I am only 17 months into my AF journey, but my first medical intervention will be a cardiac echo transthoracic in May. Such is life. Obviously your dive into this world needed a much faster response. However I have just discovered a possible causative factor for my AF in my Vitamin D deficiency and I am exploring this with the helpful assistance of contributors on the Forum. One such contribution, which I have seen mentioned before, but I ignored then, has just led me to the remarkable personal testimony of an Australian Steven Carr and his efforts to "cure" himself of his AF. In the many factors he considers, Vitamin D deficiency looms large. As this deficiency is reported as being common in the wider population, especially among the elderly, as a direct reply to your question, I would advise you to ensure your blood tests include testing for Vitamin D levels.

I will give the link here to Steven Carr's story, available online. Highly recommended !!!!!

You should find it inspiring and give you pause for thought.

carrafibdietinfo.com/

Hope your journey goes well.

[Lizzie0205 in reply to ozziebob]

Hi there. I read Steven Carrs incredible story on the link you sent to me. I’ll have to read it again to absorb the detail. So much information. But really interesting in how he approached his own health, testing and retesting to prove or disprove his interventions. He also recommends a reduction in calcium for most people on a western diet to keep the vit D in balance and able to do its job once it’s at the right levels. I’d be really interested to hear how you go on if you follow this path. Best wishes

[Lizzie0205]

Thanks everyone for replying with really helpful comments. I’m just back from my appointment and it turned out to be a very positive experience. The specialist nurse was lovely - extremely knowledgable and keen to explore what I wanted from the service. She answered all my questions , arranged for a 24hr ECG and a home sleep test (sleep apnoea) and explained everything in great detail. I felt very reassured. The only thing she wasn’t sure about was my theory that gut issues and reflux in particular led to AF starting. She said there’s often no reason but I think she meant we don’t know the reason why some people get it, whilst it’s more obvious in others. There has to be a reason ! So I’mNow on the arrhythmia pathway recommended by NICE. I feel lucky that we have this service where I live ( near Halifax in West Yorkshire) and that the referral came through so quickly. I sang the praises of this forum and she agreed with me that it’s very informative. Best wishes Liz