did anyone actually carry on drinking after fast AF and cardioversion?, no one has checked me no one gave me any advice just discharged me?

[Pinkladyga]

I was rushed into hospital with fast af but no one said why it happened, no one did anything and I have had to ask to see a cardiologist, how bad is that? no reason as to why and nothing its so bad, can i drink, can i carry on as normal? can i excercise, there seems no reason to it?

[Teresa156]

Hi PinkladyGa,

I remember your post from the other week, so have you had another episode since that? So they’ve cardioverted you again?

You can go many years with no AF , I did myself, but episodes can gradually get more frequent.

When you say fast AF - how fast was it? It’s not unusual for AF to go over 150 ( mine goes over that) and even for some, unfortunately over 200.

It sounds like you may need some medication possibly to try and keep future episodes in control perhaps, but the cardiologist, now you’ve asked to see one, should help with that. A&E should have put you on a list to see a cardiologist, yes, but perhaps they already thought you were seeing one for your condition, especially as you’ve had it for a long time? They probably see a lot of people who know they have AF, who are already under cardiologists, coming into them with episodes…perhaps? They are quite generalist in A&E and all they’ll be doing is getting you back into rhythm and discharging you as quickly as poss. They wont know why it happened, as AF does just happen. We can tear our hair out wondering why and sometimes can’t find the trigger.

You definitely did the right thing and hopefully your appointment should come through soon. What does your GP say about it all? Perhaps it might be best to have a chat with them, about all your concerns?

You should however be able to lead a normal life as possible and exercise normally, but best to get advice from them about all your concerns.

[Pinkladyga in reply to Teresa156]

Sorry only just seen this. No just the one time three weeks ago been so stressed about it all. Anyone know if it’s a given I will Defo get again. No not on cardiology just asked to go back & see them

[Teresa156 in reply to Pinkladyga]

Hi Pinkladyga,

You should be seeing emails from Healthunlocked, when someone replies on this thread? If you want to know if you’re going to get Afib again, then, if I’m completely honest, then yes, probably, I’m sorry to tell you. There is no cure for Afib. It’s a progressive condition. All cardiologists and EPs will tell you that. Ablations give people the best chance at the moment and many people are free of it for many years, some being very lucky, with it not coming back. You might be better having some medication to help treat/prevent episodes too, which a Cardiologist/EP would be able to prescribe. Sometimes purely medication can help prevent episodes for a long time, along with lifestyle changes.

Nobody at A&E would know why you got Afib and none of us really know why we have it.

It can be stressful. I know, but it doesn’t help. You really need to see a cardiologist or EP to discuss all your concerns and next steps. I noticed you had private health care but don’t want to use it for this, but I think it’s your best option really. You will wait forever for the NHS sadly.

[jeanjeannie50]

I've had quite a few cardioversions and learnt the following the hard way:

Don't do anything to raise your heart rate for a week or so, no walking up hills, or lifting anything heavy. Allow your heart to gain strength beating at it's correct rate. I once made the mistake of walking up a hill the day after a cardioversion and my heart went straight back into AF. Oh, no alcohol for a while either.

I really don't know why people aren't given some guidance notes. Someone on here was fuming a while back because he drank alcohol and immediately went back into AF. Play safe please, too late once you're back in an abnormal rhythm again.

Jean

[Pinkladyga in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you 🙏 yeah I’ve been taking it easy but I think I freaked myself out too much over it and went back to hospital twice there should be more support!

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Pinkladyga]

You are quite normal, after my first cardioversion I went to my GP and also to A&E (nothing was wrong). I had a lump in my groin near where the catheter had gone in, it was a haematoma (blood clot) that dispersed naturally on it's own. Talk to us here, we understand totally what the experience of having a cardioversion is like.

[Hidden]

As most folk here know, I tend to waffle on a bit but todays my birthday, I’m on holiday and me and the missus are going out shortly to celebrate 🍾but I hasten to add, not excessively so!

Following on from Teresa’s comments, unfortunately what used to happen under the NHS and what happens know is very different and very often, not for the better either. In emergency situations, I know from personal experience, they perform almost to perfection but unfortunately, although AF is often a terrible experience for the newly diagnosed, in the vast majority of cases it is not considered life threatening so sometimes patients tend to feel at a loss, frightened and very concerned for their future. If A&E failed to give you the help and advice you need and did not arrange any form of follow medical treatment then the only route you can take is to see your GP and ask for a referral to see at least a cardiologist, but preferably an Electrophysiologist (EP) who is a cardiologist who specialises in arrhythmias. Unfortunately, this will not happen anytime quick sadly so if possible, consider a private appointment which will at least get you pointed in the right direction but make it clear, that all ongoing treatment will be via the NHS unless you have private healthcare cover.

You GP should be able to provide you with medication to help control heart rate and (which due to your age might not be necessary) anticoagulation as AF can increase your stroke risk. AF is a mongrel condition, with so many variations that it is impossible to quickly assess the best treatment plan for you but once the ball is rolling, your confidence that your condition is being treated seriously should improve.

The couple of lifestyle things you mention require some caution. Certainly at this stage I would suggest you abstain from drinking alcohol. Moderate exercise is good as long as you can carry out a conversation whilst you are exercising. Extreme exercise is a known cause of AF.

My missus is beginning to give me that look, so got to go but I’m sure others here will come up with lots of thoughts to help you…..good luck

[pottypete1 in reply to Hidden]

Happy Birthday John

Hope you are enjoying The Algarve away from the storms & flooding

Another day older and deeper in debt.

Pete

[Autumn_Leaves in reply to Hidden]

Happy birthday! Have a great evening!

[JaneFinn in reply to Hidden]

Happy birthday for yesterday, Flapjack! Hope you had a good day xx

[Pinkladyga in reply to Hidden]

Got private but didn’t want to use it I know that sounds bad but didn’t want to get told the same as nhs and then just raise all my premiums thanks 🙏 for all the advice

[Autumn_Leaves]

It’s sadly the case that what feels scary and frightening for someone who hasn’t had AF before is actually considered a common arrhythmia and unless there are any obvious red flags that indicates a life threatening emergency, they probably come across a bit laid back about what is to them a typical, uncomplicated AF episode.

It’s still important to get a proper assessment. GPs can organise a 12-lead ECG, 24h ECG and/or an echocardiogram without a referral to a consultant, and sometimes these investigations have to be done before Cardiology accepts a referral.

[Pinkladyga in reply to Autumn_Leaves]

My doctors been total arseholes honestly terrible thank you 🙏

[Autumn_Leaves in reply to Pinkladyga]

That’s no good. You just have to keep pushing to get the referral and/or the tests, yet you can’t push too much because they’ll assume you’re just a hypochondriac or something like that.

[BenHall1]

Not quite the same circumstances as your goodself BUT when I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AF back in January 2010 it came as a result of my GP sending me to hospital as my BP dropped in a few hours from 136/80 ish to 76/50. The Cardio Consultant left me on my BP meds and added to my party bag Warfarin and Bisoprolol ( this year I changed that to Nebivolol ).

My party bag of meds is still the same. I have never stopped drinking alcohol .... never been given any advice to stop back in the day, so I carried on with whatever took my fancy, Grapefruit Gin ( and a tad drop of tonic, or lager beer, or red wine or whatever takes my fancy (not all at the same time of course ).

It's only now (am 79) that my GP or Practice INR Nurse advise me to cut back ....... they gotta be 'avin' a laugh ........ and added to all my sins - I don't exercise. But hey guess what I'm happy - I also still drive double decker buses part time (30 hours a week) and my employer ( a major national bus operator) and DVLA are fully aware of my medical history and so long as I keep passing my annual medical DVLA still renew my PCV licence.

My AF is highly controlled nowadays, can't remember my last AF event, certainly longer than 18 months maybe as long as 4 years.

Not advocating anyone follow my lifestyle ... just commenting on yer post. 😂😂

John

[Tellingfibs in reply to BenHall1]

Hello John, I was just wondering; as you were on Bisoprolol ( with success ? ) for so long, why did they change it to Nebivolol ? I have been on Bisoprolol since 2017, and it has been increased over the years so that I am on 10 mgs daily. I can do all normal things, but am very sleepy when at rest. I wondered if with Nebivolol I might avoid that - of course, it may just be old age ! 😂

Annie.

[BenHall1 in reply to Tellingfibs]

Hi Annie,

Yep, I was on Bisoprolol from Jan 2010 to August 2023 and very successfully so. It was not a PIP prescription but to be taken daily, at night - my strength was 5mg.

Earlier this year I started to feel 'different' so tired, sleepy in fact I began to feel like The Zombie from the Village of the Damned. Got so bad that I asked from thoughts on this forum and several of our colleague AF'ers on here commented on Nebivolol.

I then consulted my surgery Pharmacist and we agreed for me to switch over to Nebivolol. So, I have dropped from 5mg Bisoprolol to 2.5mg of Nebivolol but to be honest although I feel light years more active, mentally and physically ( got my life back ) and it has got my HR up to around high 60's/low 70's bpm ( which for me is ideal) it is not quite such a good result for my BP. I am due to speak to the Pharmacist on 9 Nov about increasing the dose up a tad, maybe 3.75mg daily to look at the result of that. Currently with Nebivolol my BP is around 137/80 ish. With Bisoprolol it was around 131/70.

So, onward and upward as they say ! 😂 Hope that's of interest Annie.

John

[Tellingfibs in reply to BenHall1]

Thanks John, that’s interesting. I had thought that anyone having taken Bisoprolol successfully for a few years would be well past any side effects. My high dose of Bisoprolol was because I had little breakthrough Tachycardia events. They weren’t high rate, but I still felt dreadful with them. No one on my Cardio team has mentioned Nebivolol, although my cardiologist suggested switching to Sotalol if the Biso stopped working for me. I get quite a lot of SVEs, but no one seems concerned about them. Going by what you say, I think I’ll have a chat with my GP. Thanks again

Annie.

[BenHall1 in reply to Tellingfibs]

Annie, no worries and wishing you good luck.

[Pinkladyga in reply to BenHall1]

Thank you well you come across very happy postings & young , so how many times has it happened to you & how did they get you back in rhythm when you went Out. It’s good to hear you didn’t change anything as it wouldn’t have changed anything if you know what I mean love your reply. I don’t think mine is due to coffee or alcohol personally thank you 🙏

[BenHall1 in reply to Pinkladyga]

Hiya Pinkladyga,

😱I cannot remember that far back and can't now tell you, certainly from early 2010 to early 2015 I was in and out all the time, by mid 2015 I had embraced a new food plan and by that time the Bisoprolol had kicked the AF into touch. In november 2015 I had knee replacement surgery and the ortho surgeon and anethetist were happ enough to proceed with that. After that surgery I maintained the bisoprolol and the food plan and very slowly over the following years my AF events gradually petered out. As I said, now I can't remember the last one - 18 months ago possibly as long as 4 years ago. It simply doesn't bother me ..... the bloody mongrel has been put to bed !!! 😱😱😂😂😂😂 ..... however, I would never say I'm cured. Never. Apart from politicians, AF is the most untrustworthy thing I can think of.

I would say this though - I'm glad I copped my AF when I did (2010) before Ablation and PIP's crept so dramatically and so widely into the vocabulary. I never had a Cardioversion, nor Ablation nor PIP's. Diet and food aside, having a staple diet of Bisoprolol now replaced by Nebivolol, daily for life has been the key ...... almost as if these doses gave the heart electrics the opportunity to remodel themselves. This has been supported by a study of my HR over the years. Almost like the Bisop retrained the heart to beat good and proper like 😂😂 if you see what I mean. Taking meds as a PIP seems a bit counter productive

Unlike many AF'ers, I have no problem with taking meds for life and genetic history says I may qualify for a long one and I am convinced that I will remain AF free. Certainly my current GP, who I've had to tolerate since Sept 2012 - has never had to treat me for AF, or get involved with an AF event - just signed off my repeat prescriptions. I have never needed her to help me. Still don't !

Stay well and safe.

John

[Sixtyslidogirl]

You might want to read the two classics Haywire Heart and The Afib Cure to try and stave off further episodes. See what resonates for you.

[Pinkladyga in reply to Sixtyslidogirl]

Awww 🥰 brilliant love this thanks 🙏

[Hidden]

Oh no ! Has it happened again !!

Only 13 days ago you posed a very similar question. What was life like in between these two incidences of AF ? Did you do anything strenuous or excessive that you can relate to?

My response(s) remain the same as last time.

All the best in finding what keeps you well.

Take care .

[Pinkladyga in reply to Hidden]

No not again just the once I just not sure how to use this page yet and just found these reply’s lol thanks 😊

[Lloyd2022]

I was diagnosed with AF 15 months ago. I am a 64 year old male and had high blood pressure for a couple of years before the diagnosis. This led to HF and my EF was 20% when I was hospitalized.

I had a cardioversion and the usual drugs prescribed.

Since then I have continued to have a few glasses of wine maybe 3 nights a week.

At the same time I have increased my exercise regime, and I walk about 45 minutes most days.

I had an Echo last week and my EF is back at 55%.

I haven't had any more episodes of AF.

I still have a slightly enlarged left atrium but otherwise I am fine.

I'm not recommending alcohol consumption, I'm just telling my story.

[Pinkladyga in reply to Lloyd2022]

What is Ef? Thanks telling your story love to hear everyone’s life & understanding of it thank you 🙏

[Buzby62 in reply to Pinkladyga]

Ejection fraction – refers to the amount of blood squeezed out of the main chamber of your heart with every heartbeat. It’s usually measured as a percentage; 50% or higher is considered normal.

Link

england.nhs.uk/long-read/ma....

[dunestar]

I've never been given any advice from the medical profession about what triggers AF. And I understand some doctors don't even believe in the idea of triggers. So you are left to work it out for yourself. It seems from reading of other peoples experiences that triggers can be personal. Mine include alcohol. Probably not all forms but certainly anything heavy like fortified wines. I don't drink at all as alcohol doesn't do anything for me so it doesn't cost me anything to steer clear. Another big one for me is always being well hydrated. Avoiding big meals, especially in the evening and being too hot are other triggers. Some kinds of stress like penalty shootouts when I'm invested in the outcome are also to be avoided.

[Pinkladyga in reply to dunestar]

Think mine stress with money & business thank you 🙏

[Nursingirl]

You need to find a great EP that has great knowledge and care.

Praying for you now in USA.

[Pinkladyga in reply to Nursingirl]

True thank you 🙏

[Jajarunner]

My first cardioversion was the same. They asked if I'd done drugs, blamed it on Holiday Heart and I was discharged. I went four years without another episode but I was on flecainide

[Pinkladyga in reply to Jajarunner]

So how is it now when did you have last one.

[Jajarunner in reply to Pinkladyga]

Had lots of cardioversions since and three ablations, now on amiodarone 🙄. But everyone is different so don't let that worry you 🙏