Mind the gap!!!

[sarniacherie]

I would like some advice from you lovely people, please.

I was diagnosed with PAF over 30 years ago and since the early years when episodes frightened the life out of me, I now understand them better and deal with them in a calmer way. It doesn't make me like them any better though. I had an echocardiogram done a year ago with reassuring results.

At 75, my cardiologist tells me that episodes will become more frequent and last longer, which they are now doing. However, over the past few months I have noticed a worrying trend. For many years I was hardly aware of when my heart was reverting back to normal sinus rhythm but over the past few months there is a nasty gap between the end of an episode and NSR kicking in. I am at the point when I dread my heart going back to normal because the gap makes me feel so faint almost to the point of blacking out. I haven't lost consciousness yet but feel that it is only a matter of time before I do.

I am assuming this gap is happening between a PAF episode ending and reverting to NSR and I just have to get on with it.

Is this the case or is something else going on? I would value your advice.

[Desanthony]

As I had persistent Af and now in permanent AF I have no experience with this but I think the best thing to do is to discuss this with your GP and your cardiologist or EP as soon as possible.

[sarniacherie in reply to Desanthony]

Thank you for replying. I will phone the cardio's secretary and see if he can at least ring me. X

[jeanjeannie50]

I think I know exactly what you're describing. Is it a feeling like you're going to black out, but in slow motion, you feel dizzy, the darkness comes and then just when you think you're going to pass out completely, back you come to normal?

Jean

[sarniacherie in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Exactly that. I don't get any warning that it's going back to normal rhythm but just concerned I may be at the top of a flight of stairs or something and one day I may lose consciousness. Thank you for your reply. X

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to sarniacherie]

It usually happens to me once or twice a year, have had it for years. I think Dr Sanjay Gupta of York Cardiolgy talks about it, will see if I can find the presentation.

[secondtry]

I would talk to a cardiologist. However, I think it is not a big worry as the body can do amazing things and I imagine your NSR will always kick in as a self preservation mechanism before you black out.

By your name I assume you live in Guernsey, enjoy those beaches!

[sarniacherie in reply to secondtry]

Thank you for your reply. I am phoning my cardiologist's secretary in the morning to see if she can arrange a telephone consultation with him. I am Guernsey born and bred and I loved the beaches for the 20+ years I lived there. I came over here to get married. As things turned out I should have stayed in Guernsey!!!😂