We want to hear from YOU! 💚

How has atrial fibrillation changed your life?

Sharing your patient story can help other people affected by AF.

If you would like to share your story with our Patient Services Team, please email us [e-mail]

[stoneyrosed]

It is a condition that gets very little sympathy from anyone, and that seems to include GPs. AF carries no scars or is a physically seen disability, but anyone who is very symptomatic can testify it is very much a life changer, in all sorts of ways.

[Hidden in reply to stoneyrosed]

Good Afternoon stoneyrosed, thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience with us. Please feel free to contact our Patient Services Team - [e-mail] if you would like to submit your patient journey and experiences with us for use on our website, by sharing individual patient stories, it can offer comfort, support, and hope to many who may be finding themselves in a similar situation. Examples can be seen here: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

[Saltcoatslass04]

Having been diagnosed with PAF two years ago life is completly changed.

'They ' told me dont worry, You are LUCKY!!! ,You are on the right medication so the fear of a major stroke has gone. The symtoms of AF are really just an inconvenience . Get on with your life but just do it slower.

What wasn't explained was the fatigue ...the fuzzy brain....shortness of breath,...feeling faint when doing the simplist of tasks . Swelling in the legs ,ankles ,Weight gain.

Making a bed and having to lay down on it when you are only half done . Having a shower and having to have a sleep afterwards because you are so exhausted. Unable to bend down as it triggers an episode. Unable to walk far without being so short of breath you need to sit down Or on a good day you mange a short walk but then having to sleep when you get home .

Having an ' episode 'when you are asleep and are wakened by the need to urinate multiple times or your heart rate going so fast that you cant breath the feeling of being suffocated or a herd of wild ponies running full speed trying to escape though your chest.

My life now is nothing like it was I have aged .I am 66 years old I feel more like 86.

Once when I asked my GP (in the days when you could see one) a concern I had . Was told he could not answer my question as he didnt know much about AF but he knew it wasn't life threatning so not to worry .

Some people are lucky and dont suffer from the same debilitating symtoms, but there are a lot of us who do and I feel it should be recognised and given more sympathy.

[Hidden in reply to Saltcoatslass04]

Good Afternoon Saltcoatslass04, thank you for sharing your story and experience here with us. Please feel free to email our Patient Services Team [e-mail] if you feel that you may like to share your story with others on our website. We would ensure your anonymity is protected, and avoid using your full names, any doctors names or specific dates. To see some examples of the Patient Stories we feature they can be read here: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...