Heart Quiver

[BHFK967]

I have had Arterial Fibrillation since October 2021, was taken ill and had really high infection markers. On medication, had a Cardioversion in August last year, when I woke up was told back in rhythm, however, step outside the hospital, and it came back with a vengeance, (seems never happened that quickly before, and was talk of several departments, found that out last month on visiting A&E for another problem, and triage nurse, clocked my name when I mentioned AFib 😀).Anyway now in permanent AFib, but have now started having episodes of Heart Quivers, makes me shakey, and not feeling great, find I need to stop and rest, wonderful if others have experienced this.Also with people with AFib, what have you done about driving, as GP and consultants have given me no guidance, obviously if I feel crap, don't drive.

Thanks all.

[BobD Volunteer]

DVLA requirements change so best check with them under "driving and medical conditions". At one time you had to complete form H1 and submit but that may have changed .It was all a bit of a nonsense unless your doctor had told you not to drive. If AF incapacitates or distracts then you must not drive. PSV or HGV have much stiffer conditions and you must advise them and not drive till told you may. Always best to advise insurance company as well or you may find yourself uninsured .

[TracyAdmin Partner in reply to BobD]

Thank you Bob for your support and advice. You will find information relating to driving etc in our 'AF & You' patient booklet api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

If you have any questions or concerns about your ability to drive, please speak to your Doctor\Consultant for advice on a personal level.

[meadfoot]

I have had these heart quivers from time, they feel really strange. Never got to the bottom of them,. They came seemingly randomly, no medic has ever given me an answer but suggested I rest when they happened. Being under stress doesnt help and exacerbated them in me. Strangest of feelings quite unnerving. Sorry I cant be more help. Concur with Bobd about driving issue. Best wishes.

[BHFK967 in reply to meadfoot]

Definitely a real strange feeling

[Suesouth]

when I told DVLA about about my AF they stopped me driving and I had to send my licence back to them! Now developed other problems with heart so don’t think I’ll get it back!

[Stupid_Bear]

Hello. I'm a newbie, and can't help with most of your question, but there's a lot of wisdom on this forum. But I was diagnosed last Autumn, and checked the DVLA website in detail then, and took a couple of screenshots so that I have a record of what it said, which I'm happy to share. So as of last Autumn the website said:

"You must tell DVLA if you develop a notifiable condition or disability" (my italics).

So that's clear enough. Then it gets a big more vague: notifiable conditions "can include .....heart conditions (including atrial fibrillation". So that's a maybe. They can include. There was a link from the words "atrial fibrillation" and if you followed that it said:

"You must tell DVLA about your arrhythmia if one of the following applies:

- you have distracting or disabling symptoms

-your arrhythmia means you might not be able to safely drive your vehicle (d'oh!)

Talk to your doctor if you're not sure if your arrhythmia causes other symptoms that will affect your driving....You must tell DVLA if your arrhythmia affects your driving"

So I read that as meaning afib can be a notifiable condition, but will only be so if you have distracting or disabling symptoms or otherwise affects your driving". But you may read it differently....

Either way, stay safe.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Stupid_Bear]

Pretty much what I said still then. Again PSV or HGV are much more stringent. Obviously if you say that your AF affects your driving or that you have pre syncope then you will lose your license but for most of us it has not been an issue. Insurance is quite a different matter. Because of the grey area with DVLA and AF (AF may be notifiable ) you should advise your motor insurance company as any and all "notifiable conditions" must be reported or the pilociy may be invalid.

Different I know but when I was given a pacemaker I reported it to both parties and received confirmation that it had been noted and no changes in my ability to drive.

[BHFK967 in reply to Stupid_Bear]

Agree with you on DVLA website, seems very vague in areas

[Tomred]

Hi i took quivers and buzzing feeling on and off for 6-8 months after having cardioversion.