Lots of people talk about experiencing ectopics , even for a short period. How do you know you're experiencing those? what are the signs? As my heart rate has been double what it should be for the last 7 weeks (due to see cardiologist soon) , perhaps the signs have become the norm for me. I know I experience ectopics when I catch it happening taking my blood pressure.
On another topic, I do find this discussion board really useful. I ve learnt a lot from people's experiences, however is it possible for respondents to explain in brackets the meaning of any abbreviations used (came across EF this morning and had to look it up). Call me a lazy bugger, and perhaps I should look things up, but to the A.F (ahha! if I don't know that one , I shouldn't be allowed on this discussion board - although P.A.F. did stump me for a while) novice, I find it a barrier to clear communication.
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mrhappydays
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Look up Dr Sanjay Gupta, York ectopics on YouTube and you will find some helpful videos.
Click on the link below and there you will find lots of helpful information including a list of abbreviations and acronyms relating to AF.
I was taken aback by your comment "my heart rate has been double what it should be the last 7 days".
From your past posts, that would mean around 120 and while not crazy high, I would not be sitting around waiting to see a doctor, but would either find someone to see me right away or head to the A&E which undoubtedly at a minimum would put you on something to get your rate down. Really surprised they would make you wait that long or at least not prescribe over the phone.
As to how to tell if you have ectopics, at least initially, you really need to look at an ecg to be sure. Kardia or Apple Watch will both be helpful here. Either a really good investment for anyone with afib on an ongoing basis.
Yes, we sometimes use jargon here for such as ECG, PAF, NOACS, etc, but afib is an education journey, so while looking it up may sometimes be a PITA, it's also educational. So look it up online and you will not only find the definition but probably something else that is useful. Or if in a hurry, check out the link that Jean provided.
No worries, Jim. GP has increased bisopropol twice and has consulted with cardiologist re- ecg trace.Gp doesn’t want to tamper with medicines until cardiologist meeting .
Likewise mine has been running at 120 for last 3 weeks. Admitted to hospital for 3 days, drugs increased & new added in the mix to no avail. Seems I am alternating between atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation but no cardiology appointment in sight. Their website says approx 42 week wait!
Yes, high heart rate & breathlessness on exertion and talking, GP told me to ring 999 & was taken in by ambulance as I had been like it for 5 days, despite seeing gp on day 2 & him increasing bisoprolol. Also tested positive for (symptomless) covid but consultant wouldn't connect the two! Cardiology consultant reviewed my ecgs & other tests bloods, xrays etc upped drugs and said see me in outpatients.
I was not at the hospital where my cardiologist who did my ablation is, so it has to be a new referral from my GP back to him as the hospital I was in couldn't refer me to another hospital. Admin - doh!
Currently ticking along at 120 bmp (beats per minute) with the box of frogs with hobnailed boots dancing in my chest! Weary-ing to say the least and I get concerned that my BAV (bicuspid aortic valve) and AS (aortic stenosis) will deteriorate faster. My theory being if my heart is beating at twice the speed it should, can the rest of it cope or does it also get worse twice as fast?
I don't think there's a difference that can be felt between runs of ectopic beats and atrial fibrillation, myself. It can be measured, though, on an ECG (i.e. apple Watch of Kardia, etc.). With such a measurement, the ectopic will show the presence of an atrial pulse (a "P" wave). but AF won't. Both create an irregular pulse and it's that which can feel so disturbing and stressful.
Generally, ectopic beats are, because the atrium is beating normally, "benign", whereas fibrillation isn't. Everyone has ectopic beats, even youngsters, it seems; but not runs of them.
Speaking for myself, I can tell the difference the difference because my heart rate doesn’t go abnormally high with ectopics, and although they are very disturbing and you feel all the extra beats, missed beats, etc, it feels more like normal beats going out of whack. With AF my heart rate goes abnormally high and the beat is completely chaotic. Having said that, I’m not minimising the effect of ectopics - I think I’ve felt worse with them than with AF.
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