Hi all, i have been in afib for over 48 hrs. Prior to the AFib episode while struggling somewhat to clamber up sand dunes with my dog i became aware of pain between shoulder blades and across shoulders which was a minor concern at the time but the pain continued way into the night. Not sure if I had afib before the shoulder pain but i became aware of afib late into the night by which time the pain between shoulder blades and across shoulders had eased off. Afib has never lasted this long before. Really concerned that this lengthy episode of afib will damage my heart much more than it is already damaged. Have an enlarged heart, hypertension and blocked artery and of course afib. My current medication is verapamil, and apixaban. Have been in bed for two days now feel much better but afib remains. I am 71.
Additional info: Got to see an NHS cardiologist April this year. Prior to seeing him I was on bisoprolol, amlodipine and apixaban. On this medication I was admitted to a+e on numerous occasions with severe afib and/or dangerously high blood pressure. Generally, my life and health was a mess...no continuity of feeling ok or stabalised afib. On verapamil and apixaban since ApriI this year, i have had very few, short lived episodes of afib whereby heart rate is not too high...life has been so much better that is until this recent set back.
What should i do about the afib issue?
thank you for taking the time to read this post.
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dragon51
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Pain between the shoulder blades can be a sign of something serious so get medical attention bearing in mind what you have told us about your medical history. Angina doesn't just happen at the front.
Really appreciate your swift reply Bob but the pain between shoulder blades has gone now. It lasted for roughly 8hrs in total. Surprised to hear that this type of pain is referred to as angina. Its just the remaining afib that needs sorting.
Phone 111 and see what they advise. Or go straight to A&E and get checked out if 48 hours isn’t normal for you. Asking for advice on what to do on an internet forum isn’t the gold standard when it comes to healthcare. You need professional advice.
All the pain between shoulders etc happened on monday night. Then came the afib. Now that its Wednesday, how can they tell if i have had a heart attack?
thank you Buffafly took your advice, been onto 111 then clinician phoned me ran things by her and now advised me to go to hospital. Said i had a silent heart attack. She also said if afib lasts more than half an hour one needs to seek medical attention. Off for long stint in a+e now. Sincere thanks to everyone who replied to my post.
I hope you are seen promptly in A & E and come out feeling satisfied with your treatment. I do wonder though, about being advised that if Afib lasts for more than half an hour medical help should be sought. If that was the case, half of us on this forum would be knocking on our GPs doors or waiting in A&E most of our days and nights ! And it’s true they can tell if you have had a heart attack anytime in the past. Let us know how you get on.
Hi there. Just to add that I too had the pains you mention. I called 111 and paramedicsc came took me to a and e. Had the full works. Apparently a fast heart rate can cause the pain too but I would always call 111 in these instances.
I was ok as I really hope you are. And as for getting medical help if af is over half an hour...well as someone has already said we would be practically camping at a and e every day in some cases. Please call 111 next time. My paramedics asked me to call 999 next time. We are so 'British ' sometimes and dont want to make a fuss but we only have one heart. Wishing you well
999 is emergency services - police, fire, ambulance and coastguard Your equivalent would be 911
111 is the NHS health advice line, not for life threatening emergencies (that’s 999 you’ll want then). It deals with a wide range of physical and mental health queries, and out-of-hours advice.
This would develop after too much fatty food or spice.
I had to have an injection for pain. We heart would be going like the clappers. Face white as a sheet, and I collapsed.
13 years later with the odd episode and little results of colonoscopy or stomach oscopy and little balls showing near my gall bladder I had surgery to remove it.
Gall Bladder had disintegrated and the balls were blood balls
Then they took GB out through tummy button.
I have 6 portholes where the surgeon picked off parts of gall bladder stuck to other rgans.
Just saying. Get yor GB checked out.
cheri. jOY
The pain encircles one and goes up to the shoulder blades.
The direction of the pain for a heart attack is different.
At front and disappearing down arm/arms.
I had had a stroke and as it was an ischaemic stroke - Embollc - clot I awoke at 2am with a gigantic sore head! A dnt get headaches or migraines.
In NZ we run a Heart Attack advertisement in which it is the chap on the seat who is having a heart attack and NOR the others.
I can remember at just 17 now a student nurse meeting the patients i general ward. A nice man was there one day and gone the next. He had died of a myacardium infarction. Terrible to get my head around that.
Heart Attacks dont register unless the test taken immediately during.
A friend was found hunched over the table when found.
The ambulance couldn't register a heart attack until her heart stopped en route to hospital.
She was lucky and still living today.
Even a TIA is guessed as that also cant register. My Mum was acting when I picked her up from Respite care. She had trouble walking a little. Next morning she was leaning on one side. I called the ambulance. In hospital overnight I was told TIA ?
A bit like my husband's results even when they took pus staphycocci aureus ?
I can’t speak for the man. He was told he’d had a silent heart attack. He probably has other priorities right now than to go online and tell us all the details about how the diagnosis was made.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Anyone that has been diagnosed in their 20s/30s with afib? 
No symptoms of Afib, should I get an ablation?
Am I being over sensitive?
I know what triggers AFIB. 
What can I expect with Afib?
