AF Diagnosis

[Bushlover]

I've just been diagnosed with AF and am struggling to come to terms with it and the drugs I have been prescribed. Have always been fit, healthy and very active. Now fearful of doing too much and bringing on AF. Any support, encouragement or advice anyone going through this can give I would really appreciate.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi there

What was your diagnosis? Mine diagnosed as RAPID and PERSISTENT.

Step 1 . Get BP and H/R controlled. On Metoprolol 186 H/R with high Systollic 150. Also 24-hr heart monitor showed 47avge Night but with pauses.

Step 2. (1 yr 3 mths needed a change) Public H/Sp changed my med to Bisoprolol. But 156 H/R still uncontrolled. Pauses no longer there on 24-hr Heart monitor. BP better. Left even with that info.

Step 3. Locum Dr said to go privately and she recommended. He said cheaper if she refers me to him.

Step 4. Put on a CCB Diltiazem 180mg (too high) and keeping 2.5mg Bisoprolol.

Step 5. Changed to Diliazem 120mg AM no food and separate and take BB 2.5mg Bisoprolol PM ( Nurse at NZ Blood Foundation advised me)

Hooray. At last CONTROLLED.

Now and lost 6kgs PROFILE IS 110-130. over 69. with 60s H/R. Nights are 47avge x 3 24hr Heart Monitor.

I still need to STOP as if I can't go further, but Dr says blood not getting around the body. Not breathless. No energy rather.

I have an enlarged back chamber so they say no cardioversion, ablasion. anti-arrhymic meds.

So I am left being controlled by meds.

cheers JOY. 74. (NZ)

[Golfer60UK]

Hi Bushlover, went through AF route after dislocating my hip whilst walking the dog on the beach. Took a couple of years via medication to control AF but finished up having a pacemaker fitted plus an AV node ablation.

That was in late 2021 and now am back to as normal as possible for a 78 year old. The only medication I take is Apixaban for blood thining to minimise the risk of a stroke.

I was on Bisoprolol which caused a lack of energy and feeling generally 'not well' so was delighted when I came off it.

Have stayed with the Cardiologist so have annual checks, she also is an electrical heart specialist.

Best of luck

Dave J

[Bustler in reply to Golfer60UK]

Did you have a low heart rate to need the pacemaker?

[Golfer60UK in reply to Bustler]

Hi Bustler, Heart rate was all over the place and the Cardiologist suggested the AV and pacemaker route as the best option. Had already been down the ablation route which was unsuccesful, twice. Guess she was right too. Now back to golf 3 x times per week

Dave J

[Princelover]

Hello The short answer is Keep Calm & Carry On! The diagnosis is the start of a new journey & you will need to find your way through. So be kind to yourself as you learn; everyone here is very helpful so post questions as they arise. I read all the leaflets this site has as a starting point so I had some understanding of what is happening and my options. Best wishes as you adjust to this….

[ozziebob]

Hopefully you are aware of your current serum Vitamin D level, as Vitamin D deficiency or excess is a proven cause of various arrhythmias. If not, please get yourself tested.

For me, it was a deficiency, a fact I only discovered at the time of my AF diagnosis a couple of years ago. From a deficiency level of 22 nmol/L I have raised my level to a sufficient level of 100-125 nmol/L by supplementation. (Currently 4000iu D3 + 100mcg K2 per day). As a consequence the frequency of my AF events has now subsided from a previous 30 days (8 events) to my current 110 days (last 4 events). And my pulse feels much stronger and regular, if such a description makes any sense to you.

Good luck.