Hello,
I’ve been in AF for 24hrs and despite taking the extra medication advised ,no signs of it abating.
My question is have I a chance of returning to normal rhythm without more interventions . It’s never gone on this long before, has anyone else experienced this length of time . I will add I have no intention of going to A and E unless circumstances change. Just after a bit of reassurance I suppose.
Many Thanks, uniform 96.
Perhaps dialling 111, they may be able to get in touch with a cardio nurse who will phone you back with advice accordingly.
Many thanks for reply but it’s Sunday and I know how busy they get as I have tried many times for patients myself. I don’t think a 111 doctor would advise me to take extra heart medications , but I may be wrong. But if NSR doesn’t kick in I will certainly consider this tomorrow, kind regards.
Every time Iv'e phoned 111 concerned about my arrythymia they have just said take myself to A&E...which most times I have done, just to be kept there in a crowded waiting room for up to 21 hours only to be sent home next day, dehydrated exhausted being told not to worry keep calm and carry on.
I've been 6 weeks in AF at times and then gone back into normal rhythm. Once went back the day when I was due a cardioversion. Was all wired up to have it then someone looked at my pulse and I'd returned to sinus rhythm.
What rate is your heart and how are you feeling?
Jean
Hello Jean,
I don’t often post but I read loads of posts and you are always around for kind reassurance , it means a lot. I’m not too bad HR not over 130, but obviously irregular ++ . Just feeling nauseated and very sick during the night for some reason ? Anxiety.
Kind regards.
Have you taken your pulse when feeling nauseated, mine was once 60bpm when I checked it with my BP machine, but it was actually sky high and only showed when paramedics were called because I felt nauseous and struggled to keep conscious. I never trust the pulse rate in my arm now and always use a stethoscope.
I'm not one for blaming things on anxiety, though I do know that it almost feeds AF making it so much worse. I don't think a heart rate going up to 130bpm is acceptable and I'd speak to your GP and let him/her know how you are feeling.
Jean
I’ve been in AF for 5 days and reverted without extra medication so it’s too early to worry. However if it continues you should get medical advice of some sort because only someone who knows your medical history can advise. There seems to be a lot of variation - some people are told to head to A&E after a couple of hours, others told to sit it out for weeks!
If you have any chest/neck pain or tightness, breathlessness or dizziness the of course you should go to A&E regardless ❤️🩹
Many thanks, fingers crossed that something will happen soon. If not will seek advice from GP this week re perhaps taking some extra Flec although I reckon body is becoming too used to it or condition just deteriorating after five years.
Reassured that all is not lost yet.
Persistent AF is described as AF that lasts longer than seven days or needs intervention to return to NSR. On that basis. provided that your rate is not excessive (over 180 say) and that you are not fainting or having chest pain then as you say A and E is the last place to go.
Stay well hydrated, dont go running any marathons and try to relax with plenty of deep breathing. Remember many people live in AF all the time and provided rate is controlled they suffer no ill effects.
180 bpm is ok for 7 days, really?
That was my situation for my first afib episode 40 odd years ago, when I didn't even know what afib was. By the time I arrived at the medics, they told me I was lucky I didn't pass out and die. Not to mention the stress and potential damage to the heart muscles remaining in uncontrolled afib over time. That's how people develop heart failure.
Yes, not a medical emergency to be in afib for a few days, even longer, but rate has to be CONTROLLED. And if you haven't been given the meds and authorization to do it at home, then head to the A&E.
Jim
Many thanks Bob, for the reassurance and good advice. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.
Kind regards.
You are not alone in this. I have been in AF for more than 36 hours now. Very unusual for me to go that long. Rate has been around 140 but fluctuating.
Yesterday, I couldn’t stand for very long without feeling faint, but today I am feeling better and have just managed a shower, so hoping that I will flip back soon.
I don’t have any meds to take as a PIP. I am intolerant to most of the drugs that I have been tried on. I take Nebivolol and have continued that but I always stop my BP medication whilst in AF because my BP drops too low.
What I do doesn’t mean that I am saying others should do the same. My cardiologist is aware and I know the rules for going to A&E.
Hello, I have just converted to NSR. The longest time it’s taken me! Just to say I hope you have too now and thanks for reassurance.
Pleased to hear that you are back in NSR. I am still in AF and definitely the longest for me.
I’m glad to hear you’re back in NSR. get your feet up and take it easy.👍 best wishes.Ron.
That's a relief back to NSR you took me back in time there to afib rearing it's head and going on for hours scaring me.Do you have the chance to have an ablation it would be the way forward.
I hope you feel better now and know that we have all felt like you and understand.
Hi back in the days when I was in Paroxsysmal . I have had episodes lasting longer if I had a virus and once for 4 days which was self induced . Rest, lots of water . Hope it goes soon.
Thank you this was self induced. I failed to check ingredients and had some dairy which will trigger an episode. Never been this long, 42 hours!
Mine was A week long bowling competition in the Algarve with too much alcohol.I don't really drink these days.5 drinks in 5 months maybe longer.
At least yours was enjoyment. I haven’t drunk alcohol for 13 years, not a drop because I know it will trigger AF.
All I had was a couple of slices of turkey breast in a roll for lunch. I failed to see that it was butter basted!
hi just wondering how you worked out about the dairy? I’m at a loss at the moment having an 12 hour episode and now daily flutters, jumping etc. suppose to be getting referral since a&e but have not heard for coupld weeks now.
Told on the past I had svt , but now afib.
I guess a process of elimination. My AF is vagal and always caused by something that I eat or drink, or even tablets.
I have the same problem with gluten and soya, so my diet is quite difficult. I write down everything that I eat and drink and the pattern emerges.
Recently, I discovered that coffee was causing AF. I have never drunk much coffee, but after stopping dairy and normal skimmed milk, I didnt like the alternative milks in tea. Was having 4 cups of decaf coffee a day. I know that most decaf does contain some caffeine.
I started getting AF every few days, so assumed it was a build up of caffeine. I bought a more expensive decaf coffee that is 99.9% caffeine free. I had one cup two days running and two cups on day three and got AF. That told me that my problem was caused by the actual coffee.
I was prescribed chewable calcium tablets after stopping dairy. First tablet, I got AF. Looked at the ingredients and they contained aspartame which is the most awful sweetener. I happen to know that this is a trigger for me.
My life revolves around reading ingredients on packets, jars, tins everything. Last week I slipped up and bought turkey breast slices basted in butter
Note to self must be more careful, because I am still in AF since Friday. The longest ever for me.
Hope you manage to work yours out. Sorry for the long reply.
Hello, my rate is the same as yours, my bp is always high so I don’t feel dizzy so far, just nauseated.This is the longest I’ve ever gone.This is such a pesky condition.
Thanks for replying.
130 bpm is borderline. Should your rate go up and/or symptoms get worse, feeling faint, or any chest psin, creconsider going to A&E. Nausea is concerning. You might also trying 111 to see if they will authorize you to take additional dose of your rate control med.
Moving forward, ask your doctor for a more comprehensive home plan for rate and/or rhythm control, as you don't want to have to go through this again.
Uncontrolled (high rate) afib csn eventually weaken the heart snd lead to heart failure, so you really want those high rate episodes controlled as soon as possible.
Jim
Many thanks for advice, I agree I need a review , I feel I’ve done well in the last five years but obviously my condition has changed.
Way back in the day -- before the internet, before afib was an industry -- my afib episodes were years apart, so I really didn't know a whole lot about it, just ran to the ER if I had an episode.
One of these times, I called my doctor ahead to meet me at the ER (back in the day, doctors actually did this :)) -- but he was out of touch and I got the "on call" doctor. She asked me if I had "x" lying around. I said, "no", but there's a 24/ pharmacy nearby. So she called in an rx for "x" and told me to take y milligrams and if my HR didn't get down to "z" then take "y" milligrams more. I followed her directions, saved a trip to the ER and have never had to to the the ER since.
My home plan has evolved over the years as my afib has evolved. First it was just PIP rate control drugs. The idea was to get my HR down to around 100 by taking a dose of a rate lowering drug at certain intervals while monitoring my heart rate and then maintaining that heart rate with continued dosing until either I naturally cardioverted or had to have an electric cardioversion.
Lately, the home plan involved taking an anti-arrythmic drug, Flecainide, at the onset of an episode, that ha always converted me in 1-4 hours.
Home plans keep you out of the ER. A good place to say away from unless absolutely necessary. A home plan also takes a lot of the stress out of an afib episode, because it puts you in control, giving you a means to either convert or lower your heart rate, so you can safely go about your business until either you naturally convert or get further directions from your doctor.
Jim
I have just converted to NSR .A zinging in my ears a fainting feeling and pulse dropped down to 42 . Thanks to everyone who gave me reassurance. Now just got to try and avoid another episode( easier said than done)
Great news! But from both personal experience and that of others, once the episodes get longer, they tend to get even longer. So definitely speak to your doctor about a home plan to control rate, or possibly PIP anti-arrhythmics. The plan should also include instructions to call him if in afib more than "x" days for outpatient cardioversion.
Jim
Really pleased for you that you are now back in NSR and long may it continue. My episodes average 16-20 hrs but longest (once) was 57/58 hours. Only been to A&E twice in 18 years as I had chest pain and SOB. I wouldn’t go otherwise. I ride it out and try and distract myself watching tv, reading, crafting etc. For me it has to be something fairly sedentary otherwise it floors me.
Sometimes just coming on this site helps calm Afib down because of sharing our concerns and getting reassurance. Very glad you are both back in normal rhythm Mrsvemb and Uniform96 🙂
Hi there! Sorry to hear that, that does suck. So, I am NOT A DOCTOR, however, after 23 years in AF I know a few things.
I actually had a ten minute AF two nights ago. How did I turn it around? I drank a big mug of warm water with 1/4 tsp of Potassium Chloride.
That simple. By the time the ambulance came I was back in NSR. I also took my PIP of Flecainide, but Flecainide takes between 90 minutes and 120 minutes to act when taken orally so I knew that it was not what had cardioverted me.
A lot of AFibbers disregard how important electrolytes are, regardless of the type of AF you have. Magnesium, Sodium and Potassium are VITAL minerals for our hearts so any time you are just a bit off, it will trigger AF quite quickly.
For Magnesium I take Magnesium Choride.
On days that I sweat a lot or do a lot of exercise (I had spent fours two days ago sawing off and chopping up several trees and bushes at my house) I take 1x tsp of liquid Mg Chloride, 1/4 tsp Sodium Chloride (table salt) and 1/4 tsp Potassium Chloride.
For potassium chloride you may need to buy it via Amazon or other online retailers. Ensure it is PURE and has nothing else at all, no fillers or other crap.
You can actually feel your thirst be completely satiated when you drink a big mug of water with the above ingredients.
Hope this helps!
Note: when I was at my worst with AF issues in London years ago, I used to have a stainless still flask with warm water (not hot), with a tablespoon of Mg Chloride in it. Every time I woke up with ectopics or palpitations, I quickly drank half the flask and this helped stop it very quickly almost every single night.
Note2: VERY IMPORTANT! Be careful with how much Potassium Chloride you ingest directly. Never take more than half a teaspoon in water at any given time and drink it slowly. I only put maximum 1/4 tsp of potassium chloride so I just gulp it down hahaha.
I agree about electrolytes. Even now with my pacemaker if I’m feeling off, I will drink some and almost immediately I can feel the difference. We are also in warmer weather for many of us. I really had to watch myself when it was warm out even though it did not bother me. I love the heat but my blood pressure would drop and so would I. I don’t know if it would continue to do that now my blood pressure is perfect according to my EP last visit a week or two ago my rate was strapped to 60 finally on my pacemaker. Today I have been up and about feeling human and my heart rate has stayed about 65. I’m hoping this means I have finally turned a corner with my pacemaker. It’s been three months. My doctor said it could easily be six months or longer to be fully healed. I can’t imagine how much better I could feel, but I will take it all.
Hi Uniform 
for over a year now my highly symptomatic episodes of fast P-AF happen every few days and they last up to 5 days. I attended the arrhythmia clinic in January and the EP was unconcerned . I was told cardioversion was not an option because my episodes are not long enough and anyway there is a 10 week waiting list. Flecainide does not work for me,
I just do the things I can slowly during these long episodes including going for slow walks using a walking pole doing slow breathing . I am also in pain from severe arthritis in both hips and my spine so need to do daily stretching excercise, not easy when breathless with a fast heart rate . Some days I feel so wretched but I keep going. I am due for an ablation some time heaven knows when looking at the state of my local Hospital who have now stopped all operations and moved them miles away.
I smile reading about those who have been in AF for a few hours, they don't know how lucky they are to get off so lightly .
Woke up this Monday morning feeling like NSR after AF kicked in on Saturday evening - my own fault, blood glucose had dropped without me recognising and sudden hypo hit me. Must have unsettled the system and stressed the heart. Didn't take any particular action apart from minimal physical activity, just chilled out and cancelled a couple of planned events. Relieved things seem to have sorted themselves again, must be a bit more observant in future.
I was told deep breathing for 15 minutes to calm the heart back into rhythm Start breathing in and out from a low number up to a 10 and then down againOften it's a trigger anxiety, worrying eating drinking a stimulant
If doesn't work A & E or Dr and more meds always given
Try natural way , even a walk if you can
Suggestions:
Relax sitting and listen to steady strong heartbeat on YouTube
Breathe slowly through your nose whilst blocking the right nostril - more nitric oxide for heart and more stimulation of the parasympathetic nerve system relaxes
Go for a walk where you can maintain a steady medium paced stride for 1/2 mile.
Gulp a cold drink from the fridge (probably will only work if your AF is vagally mediated)
Good luck!
hi. How hi is your pulse? Mine have historically been lasting 24 hours apart from the last 2 times. The last one lasting over 3 days. I ended up going to A&E like you say, it’s a last resort.
When I’m A&E I got asked ‘what brings you to hospital today’ this was after doing ecg bloods etc. I explained I’d be in af for 3 days. Reading between the lines, I get the impression that you should go to A&E only if your pulse is continuously high eg over 100bpm. Thanks to medication my last lot of af despite lasting a long time stayed around the 100 bpm. At A&E my pulse never really went past 110 which is why I was asked ‘what brings you to hospital today’
Since my bisoporol dose was upped at the visit to A&E I’ve not had another episode (3 weeks and counting). The doc there told me if I get another episode I can ‘safely’ up my bisoporol up to 20mg (I take 5 now)
I’m still all new to this so I can only tell you what my circumstances are.
Good luck.
Gosh, you must be in the UK seeing as the Medics were obliquely hinting/understating that you didn't need to be there! Ha ha! However they gave you good advice and took your anxiety down. It is so hard doing it all on your own. My GP told me about 4 years ago that 10mg max per day was the top dose to try and get an Afib episode under control, so I find it interesting that you were told twice that. I keep taking it until the rate drops from the 100's to the 80's and my heart is not thumping around my chest stopping me sleeping, usually 7.5mg to 10mg. (My usual BPM is in the low 60's). My episodes are now 20-30 hours long. Used to be 16 hrs. Hey ho. I wear a smart watch that records my pulse as a line graph so I can monitor the rate there. When it goes into NSR there is a sharp drop in the graph pattern. Gives me the feeling I at least know what's going on. Calmness to you!
Yes in the uk and yes I got the Apple Watch too to keep an eye on things. The guy did say 20 was the absolute maximum and just in extreme cases. He says I still have ‘a lot to play with’ only being on 5. My last episode max pulse was 120 but most of the time around early 100’s. My usual resting pulse is 68-72. I really do believe they don’t want us to visit A&E unless pulse is over 100+ all the time. It’s a sorry state here in the uk. Fortunately I have private medicine insurance
Yes it is a sorry state here in the UK. I wish I had private health insurance! I also have IBS and frequent Diverticulitis attacks and think I get Afib more often when they are active. I'm waiting for major bowel surgery and hope to find, after the recovery period, that I get less Afib as well as less Diverticulitis. God bless!
you’re going through it. Hang on in there x
if you don’t speak with your own doctor, you will usually be told to go to emergency I think they just don’t want to take a chance and that’s the problem with going to emergency. They do not know you like your EP does. I stayed in the 150s from a year ago April until I got my pacemaker the end of this February and yes I developed heart failure I had one break with a cardioversion for 3 1/2 weeks but that was it the second one totally failed. We are all so different. You really have to make the decision yourself including speaking to your doctor or nurse if you can.
I regularly have episodes of AF lasting 2-3 days (a couple of times a week too). My worst was four days before I naturally converted. I was recently started on Amiodarone which has reduced the AF heart rate from around 160/170 down to 100/110 and has also shortened the episodes to around 24 hours.
I’m having an ablation on the 22nd. 🤞
It depends on the type of AF that you were diagnosed with. Paroxysmal Afib lasts less than one week and usually stops on its own without treatment. (Paroxysmal is pronounced par-ək-ˈsiz-məl.) Persistent Afib lasts more than one week and needs treatment. Long-standing persistent Afib lasts more than a year and is sometimes difficult to treat. I hope you get some relief soon!!!
I once travelled to London from Scotland in AF which lasted for four days before something just seemed to click and it stopped. Mentioned this to gp who told me I should have gone to a and e. Years before, I phoned 111 in AF and was told to go to a and e. AF stopped as soon as I stepped in waiting room. I reckon if you phone 111 you will be advised to go to a and e. Despite the inconvenience of this and a potential long wait, if this episode and any subsequent ones is noted on your record then that may inform any further treatment. In meantime if you don’t want to go down that line use a Kardia or at least record rate and symptoms for any medic to examine.
Hi thank you for giving her some good advice, my GP told me also that if mine goes up and remains so for a couple of hours, to go to A & E, as this is the time when worse can happen and does in some patients. Never just wait and see not when it comes to the heart is my advice to anyone now.
That can be a bit tricky for those of us who are symptomless - the only way you know you are in AF is if you constantly take your pulse and that becomes an obsession , which is not healthy, so really it is a problem.
Yes know what you mean symptomless, i dont get many symptoms as such but because i can hear my heart beat in my ears which is annoying, i dont need the oxymeter to know. I try not to over react, as some of the time things can be made worse by panicking. But having said all of that, my own has only just been diagnosed a few months ago, i seem to have the paroxysmal (spelling) type which is only occasionally but they still have me on Bisoprolol and Apixoban and bp meds. To be really honest, although i was taken in hospital and it took 6 hours to regulate my h.R. and also i had a holter monitor on for 14 days, AS yet i havent seen a proper cardiologist just the A & E and my GP. So until then i will only take the opinion and word of a proper specialist. I think they just put us all on meds and half of us dont need them all, just my opinion that is.
I was diagnosed by chance (luckily) - it was just a matter of time, in my case it's familial my 4 sisters all have it. I live in South Africa and I scratched my leg on an aloe plant in my garden and it became infected - I went to my GP and was prescribed an antibiotic - unfortunately this did not agree with me and after one pill I started vomiting and vomiting, eventually vomiting flecks of blood. I phoned the surgery and was told to go there straight away, I was given an injection for the nausea and an ECG which showed AFib with a pulse rate of 140. My GP was worried about a dissection so she sent me to a Cardiologist at a heart hospital a few miles away (this is all private health care BTW)- that was a palaver because she would not let me drive I had to find two drivers, one to take me to the Cardio and one to take my care home. Anyhow, I got to the hospital where the Cardio has his practice and was admitted(they even had a wheel chair waiting for me, although I was quite capable of walking.) A short while later, the cardio saw me and I was back in NSR - I too have PAF. He did a thorough examination and echo. etc and kept me in for the weekend (it was Friday. I have the same drugs as you, but I also have alprazolam, a drug they do not seem to be keen on in the UK, for anxiety. I have been on it for 16 years, with no problems, and without it I would have many more Afib events. As it is I have very few , very short ones. I see the Cardio annually and he has no problem with the Alzam. Even though the Cardio asssured me that it is is a condition you die with not of, I di like to see him every year and my GP every six months !
Yes, my GP did make a point of saying to me that it is rarely life threatening providing kept to the meds. but I cant help feeling that until i actually see a Cardiologist for which i am on a list now, i wil not be happy at just being diagnosed by the A & E at hospital, or my GP, although they are probably correct, i really do believe we all need to see the proper specialists, its still a bit of a worry and my own Mum died at 42 in her sleep no warning, her own Brother aswell in 40's and my Mums Father was 45 when he dropped dead. so who knows they could all have had AF aswell but back then i dont think the medics were so au fais with it. Still no point in worrying is there and worry only makes it worse doesnt it. take care. Maureen.
I hope you get your appointment soon. The Specialist cardiologists have all sorts of equipment that can see your heart from the side and behind, and it might well be there is a genetic condition apart from Afib that your family suffered from that can be picked up and treated once you've seen the Cardio. All the best. Let us know how you get on.
when I got my pacemaker in February, I became obsessed with my heart rate and began to frighten myself with the changes lol I spoke with my nurse and the first thing she said was stop taking your heart rate throw those things away that you’re using. Then she went on to tell me how the rate my pacemaker was so that is resting only like in bed. When we move, our rate will change everyone has that happen. Of course, it doesn’t mean if you’re suddenly dizzy or black out, etc. but if you’re just looking at numbers stop nothing adds to your anxiety like doing that. I should’ve known because years ago my other doctor said that about my sugar and never had me testing it I knew if it was low or high I keep five blood sugar around six A1c and have not had any issues but again like with that new thing they have on your arm you’re gonna start testing and testing and minute to minute if sugar can change just like your heart rate. Put the toys away.
My EP tells me to sit it out unless I am breathless, feel faint or have chest pains. My episodes last around 30 hours with a heart rate over 100bpm. I take Sotalol and apixaban. Don't get this inconsistency of advice from different medics
Are you in the UK i am not sure, if i had AF for that long i would defo be on to 111 for advice, as My GP told me never to let it continue for very long i.e. over an hour, before seeking help and explained the thinners plus beta blockers help but would not prevent a stroke, and not to just self medicate with another bisoprolol. So this is what i will do.
Hiya, yes I am in the UK. My EP is a top professor and pioneered the robotic ablation. I have to trust him when he tells me what to do. I just find it scary there is so much variance in guidance. BobD will tell you as he often does that afib is neither an accident or an emergency unless you have chest pain, etc or underlying health conditions. Good luck
So what underlying health conditions would apply, my husband too has Af, plus COPD. Paul Ogrady had stents which were working fine but he had an AFib attack which caused his final death, sending his heart into bad rhythm. Yes I hear what you are saying and agree, but Afib is serious enough for people to be given thinners and beta blockers. going into abnormal rhythm as been explained to me by hospital, the top chambers electrics are abnormal causing blood to pool, hence the dangers of clots going to lungs or brain. This I have to take seriously, therefore I would not allow my own to remain high for long. When in hospital last month with this, had it not reverted after the 5 hours as it did they were ready to give me the not pleasant injection which shocks the heart in effect into rhythm, they let me home once mine had returned and remained around 65 for at least an hour. This all i have to go by.
many times I’ve been in AF/tachycardia for up to 5 weeks. Either home or to A & E who only gave me extra bisoprolol or I’ve waited it out taking the bisoprolol myself together with extra flecainide. GP and hospital both knew it was about 169 bpm (although I have been up to 240+) I went from 28th December until end of January then again April snd May
I would stress though if you are feeling faint or extra breathless don’t hesitate to phone 999
I hope you revert soon as I know it is do distressing.
I am finally giving in and awaiting to go into Harefield hospital to have something done
All the best to you
Pat
With Bisiprolol which i am on too, all i know is when i am given it in hospital when first diganosed, they were reluctant to just give me this without being monitored by them, as they told me its easy to overdose on them, and just one extra can take the h.r. down far too low which is OK if in hospital but not so if at home. I have very low h.r. normally of around 55, so even if i take one 1.25 mg which i take daily this takes mine down to just above 40, if it goes higher some evenings, and remained there I would get professional advice before just popping another pill. That is OK for the pill in the pocket method only when needed but not so if one is alread daily on Bisoprolol only stating what i have been told my hospital, thats all.
Hello. Please excuse me, but i am a person to call a spade a spade.
I too have AF, and everyone is different, you cannot take this sort of advice from these platforms in your case. This is not normal, and i personally would not go on for even more than a couple of hours before calling 111.
My Doctors have told me that even though on Beta Blockers and thinners etc, i would be in danger of a stroke if allowed to continue.
its your life, but better safe than sorry, 111 is there just for this purpose, please use it, i know they seem useless at times and a long wait, but better than a stroke isnt it.
I always go to A&E in Leicester, usually,when I get PAF. I have been told not to wait longer than 2 hours, as mine is very fast and eratic and my BP soars. I couldn’t stay at home anyway, it is so awful. They have always seen me quite quickly. You go to reception and they take your details and then they give you an ECG within 15 or so minutes. Then, when they see what my heart is doing, they usually take me into the majors or similar dept.I have been taken to the Heart hospital on occasions, for a cardio version, but it usually stops before then. I cannot fault the treatment I get. They usually give me a fluid drip or a drug that stops it after so long. I was told I was not being a nuisance and I was the sort of patient they want to see. They get a lot of time wasters, they said, but I wasn’t one of those. I would prefer to get it stopped as quickly as possible, than having it dragging on for a long time. Last time I was in, was February and they did a Covid test and it was positive, they said that probably caused the AFib that time. I really didn’t have any symptoms, apart from a tiny bit of a cough, which I thought nothing of. First time I’d had Covid. I’ve had 8 episodes of AFib, since 2014, when it first started. Hopefully, if it’s stopped quickly, it won’t progress. I’ve been on the waiting list for over a year, for a Catheter Ablation.
I have been wondering since then, whether I should ask if I could have a covid booster, as I’m not in the over 75 bracket, but if Covid started my AFib, it seems sensible to get an extra booster, I’m surprised people with AFib are not on that list for it.
Hi
In NZ the hospital texts me to have my Vax, I was one of the first to have the first in 2020.
Last month I had my 5th which includes omnicron anti strain.
Nz advises 3 months from last Covid positive, or 6 months since last vax.
I have not had Covid or Flu. I wear a double mask if there are crowds of folk.
NZ has lots of cases every week and unfortunately 48 died last week with Covid.
Talk to your Dr and have it noted that you get AF episode when you get COVID.
That's you managing your own health.
Anyone over 30 can have the 5th vax and of course those who are vulnerable.
Take Care, JOY. 74. (NZ)
Here in the UK, extra spring booster is only being given to ove4 75’s and people with weekened immune systems, which rules me out.
Oh dear.
If you have a great Dr/Specialist to push your request, go.
Argue that your quality of life depends on it. Keep taking your anti-co.agulant.
Its easier in NZ I think. Lots of anti-vax.
cheri JOY
Can I ask, are you under Glenfield in Leicester? If so who is your consultant.My paroxysmal afib episodes are very fast with heart rate over 120/130 BPM and sometimes higher. They last for around 30 hours. My EP tells me to sit it out unless I am breathless, have chest pain or feel very faint. I am under an EP from Glenfield but see him privately for monitoring. I am on the waiting list for an ablation but know this is likely to be well over a year
Hi
That sounds awful.
I had 187bpm avge Day on Metroprolol, 156bpm Day on Bisoprolol.
Not controlled.
Priv Specialist found me 120+ on rest.
Started me on CCb Calcium Channel Blocker - bingo down to 51 within 2 hours.
Reduced Diltizem from 180 to 120mg AM. And Bisoprolol left on 2.5mg at Night.
I'm now controlled and lost the uncontrolled sweating, fatigue and STOP any exertion.
Have you had a 24-hr monitor?
My Night avg H/R is 47. Seems to be staying there regardless of meds or not.
Settling your heart is quality of life.
Also if you need an operation anaesthetists won't allow going ahead until you are a stable under 90 best.
I am now 123/69. 62-69. Day.
The question is whether to take prevention meds to get you through these episodes.
I am in AF 24/7. My meds get me through. No ablation as I have an enlarged chamber LV.
Take care, Joy. 74. (NZ)
Dr Sandilands is mine. i was told to go in after 2 hours and Drs in A&E told me to go in. My heart rate goes up to 150 or more. Actually, this morning I have just got a letter for mr pre-assessment for my catheter ablation. I’ve been waiting over a year. We’d booked to go in our caravan then, so will have to try and go the the week before, don’t want to cancel hospital appointment or you’ll probably get put to the back of the waiting list.
I am on the waiting list for the ablation too.Strange isn't it how we get different instructions especially as Dr Sandilands and my EP Professor Ng share the same secretary and work together. I am told to sit it out unless I get the chest pain, breathless or dizziness etc.
Good luck with the ablation. Do you know if it's general anaesthetic? That bit scares me the most
I’ve been told it’s local, with sedation. I’m trying not to worry about it, easier said than done, but I suppose it’s the fear of the unknown. Just hope it stops me getting AFib, then it will be worth it,
My own experience is that these things wax and wane over varying and sometimes long periods. I’ve not had what you are experiencing, however. My elderly friend has had permanent AF for years and copes admirably but with few symptoms. If I were very symptomatic, I would want advice from a cardiologist, which, these days, most unfortunately, means £200+ bill!
Steve
Thank you to everyone who has posted .I am pleased to be back in NSR at present but will be seeking to review my medications. I see that there are many stoic people out there all coping in the best way you can .This really is a great forum for information and reassurance.
Hi
Bouts of AF usually lead on to Persistent unless meds can help.
I have rapid and persistent AF from the Stroke in 2019.
Meds control me. Ablation is ruled out.
I'm hoping for a self conversion as in 2020 all Thyroid cancer was removed.
I was told if my Systollic BP was over 160 and H/R over 190 I should ring
my St Johns Ambulance Alarm.
But since I was introduced to CCB Diltiazem AM for H/R control all is well.
I remain on BB Bisoprolol 2.5mg at night.
Try not to get anxious and follow your Heart Specialist's instructions. Other wise A&E for reassurance amd/or support.
cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)
Stand firm. I have been in Afib for 45 minutes, 44 hours, 8 days and always converted. I am not you but 24 hours does not seem problematic unless you have symtoms - chest pain, breathless, dizzy, light headed. You are in control.
if your heart rate is more than 100 bpm, it would be safer to go to A&E. It is your body and your heart make the appropriate decision. High heart rate is never a good thing on a long run.
I hope by the time you read this you'll have flipped back into NSR -- I'm in the US and read the forum later than most. I had episodes going over 24 hours and they went back on their own, especially when I decided to go about my normal daily chores trying to forget about it. Other times (twice) I ended up in the ER (your A&E) and was pumped with drugs; another time I was cardioverted. Keeping fingers crossed for you.
my two longest bouts were 1 1/2,days, each. Most of the time is is only a few hours. I do get very symptomatic, so it isn’t difficult to know when I flip in and out of NSR. Hope it converted back on it’s own. I have only had to have one cardio version.
Hi there, yes, my episodes usually last at least 30 hours although the rate tends to drop over the last 24hours. My heart rate starts around 150bpm and really makes me anxious but under the instruction of my EP I sit it out unless I feel breathless or have chest pains. Wipes me out afterwards though.
Hello, I eventually went back into NSR . But still have lots of ectopics. Thank you for replying, it’s good to know I’m not alone.
Hello, yes I feel really rough the following day ,but just glad to be back in NSR.
I had AF for 2 days and returned to NSR after a good sleep.
I have AF for about as long as 36 hrs, now I am getting use to it a little ,not fun!
What is A&E?
AF 32 hours
AF FOR 24/7 
Four weeks post ablation bad 24 hours
