I just thought this might help someone, the last session of AF I had, of course it was middle of night!, my husband was driving me to hospital (it takes 1 hour for an ambulance to get here, and one hour for us to drive there!)
On the way in I just tried to relax , big long breaths in and longer ones out, That's all the way, over the hour, I was taken in straight away, and hooked up, still feeling rotten, the doctor did all the usual, after a while I felt much better, he then asked why had I come into hospital, I told him my pulse had been at 172 - my resting rate is 44
I think it was making myself relax that did it!! Try relaxing next time.
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Af2017Hn
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Glad it worked out and that's great advice. You know that many of here manage afib episodes at home without having to to the hospital. Some take extra rate control medications and others take ant-arrhythmic drugs. They work differently but in most cases allow you to convert at home. If you haven't already, you might want to talk to a cardiologist or ep about that.
Thanks Captain, my meds are very simple, for AF, Apixiban, one twice a day.Bisoprole 2.5mg one at night.
(I was taking a smaller dose in morning, but I complained it made me feel tired, so the dose was doubled, and I take at night, my energy levels have risen, and I sleep much better! )
On top of those I am also on Altervastatin 20mg every night, and have been taking Fybogel 3.5mg every day, for years ( about 30 yrs) so I keep the chemist busy!!
That sounds like a good recommendation. Years ago on this forum I remember a lady telling us, that she would put her hand over her heart and talk to it soothingly. She said it always calmed the beat.
The calmer you can remain and sustain LSD = Long, Slow, Deep breathing the better. Well done as it is quite hard to remain calm and remember the breathing - longer out breath than in breath.
I have to say I never went to hospital, mainly because on the several occasions I went, I never received any help as every other patient had AF and they seemed only to attend to new onset or dangerously ill AF patients.
After one stint in A&E after waiting for 9 hours I discharged myself (because I had reverted to NSR) but it was only when I was walking out that all of a sudden I was a priority and an ECG attached! Just my experience. Others seem to have been better treated.
Poor you, in our A&E as soon as you go in you are assessed, if heart tested is v high you are called in straight away, if , like I was it has settled, I was sent back to waiting room, with reassurance that as soon as equipment and bed /trolly, was available I would be called. During Covid my husband had bad attack of Angina, he waited 4 hours before he was seen, by then attack had subsided, I had to wait in car!
I'm glad you get a better service. One of the worst travesties the covid rules imposed was separating loved ones when they were in need of reassurance and love. I hope your husband has been ok since.
I was fed up of going to our A&E. They usually ignored me for hours so i decided to cope at home. I relax, use the breathing technique and others and can eventually fall asleep. Once I dropped the fear I managed much better and its far more relaxing to be in my own bed.😊
Please try to identify your Triggers for AFIB and work on avoidance strategies. Triggers can range from Stress, Indigestion, Over and Under Exercising and last but not least Information Overload. I happen to be retired and can adopt an avoidance comprehensive strategy. Good luck to you.
Great advise hard to do. I am trying really hard to implement. One of my triggers is, I think, chemicals in food. When ordering out is when I have most of my problems. Don’t order out they say. Family comes over, won’t tell me plans even tho I ask. I am told oh we don’t plan except generally. Then they are over and say I’m hungry, I said what do you want me to do about it? They all want pizza and chicken wings covered in sauces and fried foods even though they all know its not good for them and especially for me. Here comes my problem, I end up in Afib but don’t say anything even to my husband because actually I am mad but more mad at myself. We are older and retired and love having the adult kids over with the grandkids but it becomes stress for me. I have been telling my husband lately so now every morning he asks me if I am in Afib. Ugh! I don’t want constant reminders either. I feel that stress too because he is extremely worried which makes me stress. Does this make sense?
Took me a while to realise that panicking when AFib hit made it worse! I now double distract myself by using headphones with an audiobook (music doesn't work for me) and at the same time do colouring in or something creative that needs focus but not too much brain power. My attacks nearly always happen an hour after I go to bed, I can't sleep when in Afib so this helps pass the time as well as keeping me calm.
I would suggest being straight with your loved ones regarding your health issues , perhaps they are not fully aware of the impact of food choices on your heart condition. A preemption strategy that is based on stocking healthy food choices and slow peaceful sharing of meals without distractions of cell phones, TV or unpleasant topics of conversation. Also you may need to focus on enjoying restful sleep. A good sleep is essential for clearing lingering anxieties.
Yea I'm wondering the same as others here...do you need to go to the hospital every time you go into afib? Have you ever converted on your own? Check with your doctor... going to the hospital every time you go into afib could get VERY old and be un-necessary.
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