I was diagnosed in 2018 with AF and prescribed bisoprolol and flecanide. Then I had a stroke in July 23. After 2 months I was finally allowed home. I had an episode of AF and was admitted for a 1 night stay where I was told I wasn't given apixaban due to y age of 38 at the time and being low risk. At what age do you become a risk then?, because at 43 I was which was horrific for my 7 year old son to watch and my 11 year old daughter to find me. Stroke consultant almost couldn't believe me when I told him. I was lost to follow up as my cardiologist retired. I saw AF Nurse at GP and that was it. Now after night on CCU I was told I would be followed up in 6 to 8 weeks to discuss an ablation. I chased this appointment to be told it would be 6 months. Why on earth can't consultants manage patients expectations? I am seriously considering to be referred to another nearby hospital. Where my dad has just hadan aortic valve replacement and abalation. The level of care there was like going to Bupa. A nurse on CCU told not to be fobbed off. Why is everything a fight? Surely I need to avoid stressful situations, yet they insist on making you shout the loudest to get anything done. Can anyone give me any advice moving forward?
AF and stroke : I was diagnosed in 201... - Atrial Fibrillati...
AF and stroke
Why is everything a fight? Good question! Many reasons, too long to go into here, but the key principle with health care theses days is: manage your own case, and therefore get what you need. Good luck.
This is shocking. Anyone can have a stroke at any age although from what I understand it is less likely in younger people than in those who are older.You must fight your corner and do everything you can to get the treatment you need.Do not just wait for hospitals to contact you. You will have to be proactive on behalf of yourself. Put yourself on the cancellation list which will likely allow you to be soon a lot sooner than in 6 months time.
Yes hear what you say, but sadly no amount of making a nuisance of ones self, or continually trying with GP and everyone. NHS is broken now, i realised this a year ago and with AF now i joined Benendon Health, so far not needed it, but its there when i do, as my expectations of the NHS is very poor now. No amount of badgering them works.
Nobody could be anything other than touched by your experiences which thankfully, are unusual but of course, that’s absolutely no help to you. It’s important not to turn this into a political discussion, but having just heard the new Health Minister, it’s going to take a while before the situation improves, especially with the onset of winter.
Moving forward for you is going to be challenging but try not to lose your temper and focus on the things that matter. If you have more confidence in a different hospital then you should follow your instincts because you will be doing everything you can to improve your current level of health care. If that’s the route which you think might be best for you, consider a private consultation perhaps with your Dad’s specialist as he maybe able to continue your care using the NHS. I really hope you find the correct level of care you need……
A private consultation is a first class idea. Consultants know about the NHS juggernaut. They are to a certain extent powerless to change it. However, if you see one privately, he/she can effectively insist for valid clinical reasons which nobody can gainsay that you get treated in a timely manner.
The one I approached, got me very quickly into the NHS system, got a scan done within 2 weeks, and initiated follow up treatment. He did not charge for the odd follow up phone call either.
I did feel guilty, because I was actually jumping the Queue, but not too guilty
I understand and agree. In my case, even back in 2014, there was a 2 month wait to see a specialist and my GP agreed that seeing one sooner would a least help me to get things in perspective. However, all ongoing treatments under the NHS followed normal waiting times including a 9 month wait for an ablation so I don’t feel guilty either……
Well you are one of t he lucky ones, this used to be the case a few years ago and i did this myself as have private insurance too (no choice with the NHS service), but it does not these days mean the private sector have any "pull" in g etting patients seen quicker. Sorry but others on here may think this will help them, but in all probability it will not and they will have paid out to see Private. Just saying, sorry but its a sign of the times we now live in, or die in if one is older, over 70 like myself and we are expendable in their eyes. If some of the NHS had their say, we would all be euthenised after 70 😜
I really feel for you, and hope that you are recovering well from your stroke. I think that Flapjack’s idea of a private consultation is great. It doesn’t mean that you need to follow on with private treatment. It could set the ball rolling towards a waiting list and treatment. These consultations tend to be around £200 - £250.
Communication doesn’t seem to be the strongest thing these days, though I suspect that it’s another symptom of a system stretched to breaking point. Sadly, it does mean that we need to be - to put it mildly - proactive! Otherwise known as ‘shy bairns get nowt’…
I’m not sure if you are now on anti-coagulants following the stroke? You will likely have been too young for them before that, especially if you have no other comorbidities. I worried a lot about stroke as there is a strong family history, with two sisters having strokes in their mid 60s. It took me until 67 to get an AFib diagnosis, elusive thing that it is. At 64 I had a retinal vein occlusion, which the optometrist said was a warning sign. Lots of tests, still nothing - and was told that even if it was AFib, I wouldn’t be given anti-coagulants below 65. I remember saying that I felt like a ticking time bomb. Family history just didn’t come into the scoring system, but luckily at 67 I qualified, with a Chads2vasc score of 2. They were maybe surprised at how happy I was to get them!
I am on apixaban now since my stroke after the horse bolted, but I'm glad I am as I do not want a second stroke. I know the NHS is on its knees but how long can you keep blaming COVID for everything that is wrong. I worked for a consultant that would hold extra clinics to reduce waiting lists and times. She was proactive and wanted to be the best at the service she offered. It can be done if people are prepared to put the effort in for their patients
All common sense seems to have left the NHS. Surely some bean counter has done the math and realized that the cost of prescribing anti-coagulants is much lower than the cost of stroke care. Perhaps it’s a case of public accountancy being too clever for its own good.
sorry to hear your situation. I agree with everyone pushing for early answers I once asked consultant at one of our support group meetings why young people with AFare not anti coagulated and he said the heart lining etc is much smoother than in us oldies so clots don't form so easily! This doesn't help you re your stroke but may reassure you that it may not recur as easily as in my age group!!
I’m really sorry to read your story and the fact you’re not being properly looked after now. I totally empathise with your frustration.
I am inferring you are in the UK so I researched NHS guidelines on requesting to change hospitals for you and I’ve attached the leaflet below. The criteria on changing is tied to wait-times as far as I can see. You’ve certainly nothing to lose in approaching your GP to discuss your situation. As Flapjack says, at least you’ll have done all you can. I would stress how this is affecting your mental health & that you have dependents.
As you have sadly already had a stroke, I trust you are now being given an anticoagulant despite your age, as this is particularly important for avoiding a future recurrence.
Let us know how you get on.
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Thank you silky a nurse friend of mine told me to check out referral times, I will contact the hospital tomorrow to find out. I am now on a anti coag. I will keep you updated . Thank you for taking the time to look into this for me. Most kind.
Good plan. All the best & keep us updated.
I am truly sorry to read your experience which just goes to show that generalisations caan be dangerous. Not making excuses here, just explaining.
AF does make us all more likely to have a stroke yes. Some say five times more likely. Anticoagulants do reduce that risk by about 70% I'm told. BUT out of every thousand people randomly put on anticoagulants a small percentage will suffer a catastrophic bleed.
It is for this reason that a scoring system known as CHADS2Vasc2 was developed to assess risk of stroke. This uses prompts such as prior heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, age and gender and it is generally thought that a person your age with no co-morbidities has a very low risk of stroke so taking anticoagulants would actually add to health risk rather than reduce it. .
We find on this forum that people are adverse to taking anticoagulants in many cases wrongly thinking that they will suffer spontaneous bleeding but many of us really believe that a diagnosis of AF should mean anticoagulation. Of course we are the ones at risk rather than those who will have to make a decision that may damage a patient.
I explain this as I know how easy it is to blame and also how destructive that emotion can be.
Like Flapjack I feel that a private consultation with an electrophysiologist would be beneficial but must also warn that there are no short cuts with treating AF and cure is another emotive word. Any and all treatment is only for symptom control or as we say quality of life (QOL). It is important to understand that ablation is just one of many treatment options along the long road that is AF and may well need repeating .
Good luck with your journey and remember we all understand and are here to offer advice and support.
Wise words as always Bob - particularly about how destructive the emotion of blame can be. Especially if there is nothing that we can really do about our feelings.
When I discovered that my ablation was not successful, and they had found too much fibrosis for any treatment other than rate control, I was upset but also very angry. Especially when told ‘if we had caught it ten years earlier’. I had tried, as I was at risk. I was angry at myself too for not reading up more, despite the condition being in my family.
It was a book about back pain that helped me in the end. Included in the advice was ‘expressive writing’ - basically writing your feelings down, then chucking the paper out. I’ve not kept it up, but it did seem to help. Meditation, slowing down the racing thoughts and deep breathing also helped.
In the end I had to separate those things that are in the past, and that I can’t change, from what I can do in the future - including not being fobbed off if things worsen. Also realising that I’m lucky not to be too symptomatic - even though that slowed diagnosis. (Having been told once that they couldn’t refer me for tests unless I was feeling palpitations three times a week - it’s taken until now for me to recognize palpitations for what they are!)
It’s important to keep that useful side of the angry feelings, to make sure we don’t get fobbed off. Yet separate from the ‘what ifs’ which only add to stress, and ultimately affect both out mental and physical health. Easier said than done.
Years ago I used to write angry letters of complaint to people and companies, hammering away at my poor keyboard. Then next morning. re- read then and use them to light the fire. Very therapeutic!
Big thanks to all of the advice. It has been taken on board.
Hi,
I was sorry to read your post outlining your dramas. I have to say when I read your age I was very surprised. I can’t recall a ‘normal’ age for AF but anecdotally, from comments made on this forum I would suggest 55 upwards. I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AF at 65 - at 9 hours from the onset of symptoms that put me in A & E. However, from what I know at 38 you would be regarded as a low risk. Mind you, there is much evidence accruing that shows athletes, marathon runners, cyclists ( of Olympic Games level ) are being diagnosed and I know of one UK athlete ( marathon runner ) ending up being a fatality during a race and an Australian Olympic cyclist also. I have heard of air force fighter pilots falling foul of AF. Younger peeps seem to becoming victims more generally these days.
My AF is now highly controlled and I regard it as non existent, I can’t remember my last event, certainly 18 months maybe up to 4 years. That said, AF operates according to its own set of rules, never take it or anything to do with AF for granted. You ask ...’Why is everything a fight’. I don’t know. I feel the same way. My personal take is that one or more politicians have used the immense cost of fighting Co-Vid as an excuse to clumsily, deceitfully dismember the NHS we used to know before Co-Vid into a cheaper version, and more inefficient too. At the same time they appear to have changed - secretly - the work practices of healthcare professionals, also procedures and protocols to suit most Surgeries, many of whom are operated as privately owned companies. I have a fight on at the moment with my Surgery, nothing to do with AF or cardiac stuff - all about managing and coping with osteoarthritic pain in both shoulders. And that doesn’t even touch on the appointment system. It has also had an unfavourable review by the Care Quality Commission and the way things are progressing the CQC will get a complaint very shortly from me. Probably it will get me placed on a ‘Patient Banned List’.
I have had to resort to this a few years ago, pre Co-Vid, concerning a Hospital Trust and my intended cataract surgery. Well, I’m pleased to say I won that hands down. One feature of this that emerged was a reference to my age ( 79 now, younger when the incident occurred ) - it implied that I shouldn’t be working rather I should be at home with my feet up. Yet ..... in recent years ( Post Co-Vid ) the Government have been advocating that older folk get back to work to assist in overcoming labour shortages in a number of industries/ services. Hmmmm !
I’m sorry that I cannot give you any advice, all I can do is draw your attention to my experiences and support you if you choose to go down the ‘KICK ASS’ route rather than tolerate peeps hiding behind the name of NHS.
Best wishes to you for the future.
John
I wouldnt want this to happen to anybody else. I consider myself lucky as age was on my side to recover, but as someone else has stated they wouldn't have been put on a anti coag because they are under 65. I understand not everyone wants to be on one, but to be informed of the possibility of a stroke if I didn't take one should have been a decision I should have been included in. Not taken for me. As I am now managing my own health care and following another's advice and seeking a private consultation to move forward. Thank you for your response and I wish you all the very best with your condition also.
my husband exactly the same , wasn’t given thinners to continue with after his first ablation . Went to A and E with a fast heart rate of 170 ish feeling unwell , just gsve verspamil and put on the scale for strokes as zero even though he had AF before and had obviously come back , he was 64 , this was five months ago . I went to gp next day as he was still unwell , still no thinners given . Next day had a massive stroke which has left him with only fifty percent vision in both eyes , as yet AF only treated with meds and a failed cardio version , aphasia and hardly able to read and write as well as not being able to drive again . So I def share your anger that I think intervention with thinners could have stopped all this . Take care . We don’t have an appointment till 2nd February for arrhythmia clinic with no sense of urgency even though he now ihas 33% heart failure in his left ventricle due to his persistent high heart rate . He is on thinners now along with bisoprolol and some others . No calcium channel blockers which I don’t understand either as his ecg on his watch still goes pretty high . Sorry for the ramble but like you said it is very frustrating at any age .
Hi
Diltiazem controlled my rapid H/R Day. It dropped my 156 by105 in 2 hrs.
But 180mg 1/2 dose too high. With a combination of Diltiazem 120mg AM to control H/R Day and Bisoprolol 2.5mg PM to control BP.
Fully controlled and Night avg rate still stays @ 47bpm.
Take care. I'm in NZ and I didn't even have a follow up after stroke with AF and Thyroid Papillary Cancer showed at 4th day in hospital.
I had to go private to get controlled H/R and BP. 2 yrs 3 mths later.
cheri JOY 74 (NZ)
Thank you for your reply . It’s never straight forward is it
Jackie what an awful story and experience for you, speechless. I really hope your husband gets the care he needs going forward. X
I had an A/F induced stroke at 56, I had been diagnosed a year earlier and at that time was not put on any anticoagulants however I took 375 mg of Soluble Asprine a day, after the stroke, as much as my cardio didn't want to, she put me on Warfarin and told me I would be taking that for life. Even after having an ablation 15 years later I still have to take anticoags and heart drugs. I would agree with you regarding the hospital so go back to your GP and ask for an urgent referral elsewhere, you will probably have to wait for an appointment however. Why are we having to fight so hard for everything, because our NHS is overwhelmed and cannot cope with lack of staff, lack of funding and the volume of patients it is now having to serve and I fear unless something drastic is done our wonderful NHS will be no more, instead we will be looking at complete privatisation. Good luck
Loads of good advice already offered. I would focus your research on why you might have had the stroke so early. Two things come into my mind first 1) Have you been tested for Factor V Leiden and 2) Have you had the C-jab as I understand one side effect has been blood clots. Best wishes.
Sorry to hear about your poor treatment. Sadly, it seems the way with everything nowadays. If it's not Covid's fault, it's Brexit - blame everything apart from the way the NHS is run which is badly. I should know, I used to work in it and my daughter still does and is treated appallingly by post-graduate know-alls know nothings. Keep your chin up, keep fighting and good luck with everything
I’m so sorry to hear this especially since you’re only a year younger than me - it definitely struck a cord. was diagnosed in 2021 at age 42 and I’m not sure if it was because my mum had a stroke at 44 but I was given Apixiba n immediately.
I feel like there may be broad guidelines with age categories/risk factors etc. Sometimes our faith in doctors are tested to the highest point - mine being prescribed drugs for AF which caused me to have a cardiac arrest on holiday in Crete. If my husband hadnt decided to break his routine and come back to bed, I wouldn’t be here now and my kids would be without a mother.
I’m quite surprised at your lack of care as I must say I can’t fault the care and attention that I’ve been given but I assumed it was because I’m classed as “young”. I would definitely recommend switching care providers if you’re not feeling happy.
Let us know how you get on 🫶
It seems to be a lottery with healthcare in the UK these past few years. I wonder whether, mirroring events in dentistry, that the NHS, isn't covertly being engineered to push those willing to pay privately to do so? The result will be that the NHS will never have to get its house in order.
As any internet search will reveal, the profits of private dental and medical health companies are booming while waiting times in the NHS grow,
Steve
I worry about that one. When my dentist turned to private work, it didn’t seem quite as big a deal though. It was only ever the check-ups that were free on the NHS, and now I was paying £20 a month. It felt, lucky for me, that it was affordable. Then any bigger treatments might be in the hundreds, but they seemed to cost quite a bit beforehand anyway.
Private medicine is a different thing though. I guess it’s crept in for me by paying a physiotherapist and now a chiropractor. Yet I definitely couldn’t afford to pay for surgery, and I’m sure that private medical insurance would be astronomical. I could imagine a private consultation if I wanted to talk more about something … is this how it creeps in?
I guess it needs an overhaul - and a good, honest look at how we value those who care for us. Also, an acceptance that we get what we pay for - yet each election is fought on lowering taxes. Then of course we have lost workforce by making them feel less than welcome in the UK…but that’s getting political.
You make some very good points. Some NHS staff locally are certainly stressed and unhappy but how general this is, I could only guess.
The drift to private healthcare may well be being covertly engineered. It’s not a cynical view given what has been allowed to happen in dentistry where we have been forced to accept private treatment at a very much higher cost that before.
I think this government knows that there are easily enough people with funds to pay privately to allow the drift to continue. As for the rest - well, the statistics are there to see but not easily uncovered or interpreted. We are an increasingly unhealthy and poorly looked after nation.
Steve
I'm the same I pay on den plan but for 4 scale and polish a year and 2 checks up I think it's fair. I had a quote for health care insurance looking at £156 per month and will take on any new problems from existing conditions. But still a bit steep for me at the moment
Upsetting to read this as my partners daughter had a stroke at 29 but the treatment she received was fantastic so even more upsetting to read that yours has been less than that. Have you been in contact with PALS at the hospital? They were very proactive and understanding when I had to make a complaint and that has also been the case with other people I know who have done the same. Don't ever be worried about fighting your corner and shouting the loudest as you say, or about demanding answers about how you have been treated and especially in a system nowadays where communication and care seems to be falling by the wayside in a lot of cases. I really hope you find a positive and a less frustrating way forward. Xx
I did inform PALs and the director of cardiology rang me and said if I wanted appt brought forward to ask so today I did put my self first for a change. Nurse told me why I wasn't on Apixaban and told me I would now be on it for life. Which is fine by me.
Good for you and I'm glad you at least heard from someone. It's unfortunate that we feel we have to shout to get noticed but it seems to be the norm now in so many areas of life. I really wish you all the best and glad that your voice has been heard. Take care xx
Hi
Dreadful care!
I am in NZ and having had a stroke with AF, argued I didn't want Metoprolol (past 2008 made me breathless). 4 days later in hospital the carotid arteries scan also showed the scanner a shadow on my thyroid.
No follow up for stroke and I struggled with Metoprolol. At 1 year 4 months I finally saw a heart specialist. Tests ECHO, ECG and 24hr H/Monitor. H/R Day rest 186! Pauses at night.
Changed to Bisoprolol, breathlessness stopped, pauses stopped but still no control of heart rate 154. Not so fatigued.
Still got to stop whilst walking especially elevations.
Also on PRADAXA 110mg x twice. Transferred to local hospital never saw a Dr and changed to 150mg x twice.
You should have had an anti-co.agulant as soon as you were diagnosed with AF. I would say age doesn't matter. CHAD 1 Female, CHAD 2 AF.
Then you had a stroke! 2 months i hospital and with a young family. That is disastrous. Goodness me you would be scared.
Me, at 2 years 3 months uncontrolled on 156 H/R day rest my locum Dr sent me to a private heart specialist. On the history he started me on CCB Diltiazem. I dropped 105 with 180mg. Too much the NZ Heart Foundation Nurse rung the specialist and I picked up Diltiazem 120mg. Also I was told to take in AM and Bisoprolol 2.5mg PM. Separate CCB and BB.
Now finally December 2021 controlled H/R and BP.
I talked to a new young Cardiologist and when I asked him "is the damage to my heart - dilated LV and regurgitating RV by a long time left uncontrolled H/R at rest he told me not to look back.
In NZ we can't sue our medical folks as we have ACC.
However, I will delve some more.
You need to do the same. We should be able to expect better service from our medics.
My stroke was ischaemic (embolic) caused by thyroid problems (cancer now removed within 4 months). I was in hospital only 7 days. Apart from learning to talk, lips down, right hand dropsy, and swallowing problems.
Take care, cheers JOY. 74. (NZ)
You know NHS state it on their website as medicine for AF patients. Sure practice what you ubiah. I diagnosed y dad with heart failure from the NHS website just from his symptoms. 2 says later he confirmed this to me. His care has been amazing. But still the operation for replacement aortic heart valve was done at a neighbouring hospital. Better equipped as service. Some of the best cardio thoracic surgeons in the country. So as someone else above suggested I will ask for a second opinion
I would change to a different hospital. Appreciate you might have to start all over again, but no harm in that. Go where you feel safe and you dad’s hospital sounds good
All the best
Am I missing something? I make your CHA2DS2-VASc score at least 3 (Female +1, previous stroke +2 = at least 3). The scoring system states ≥3 for women is “moderate-high” risk and should otherwise be an anticoagulation candidate. I don't know your medical system but surely you can get prompt access to someone who can prescribe an anti-coagulant (or explain why the risks in your case outweigh the benefits). At least that would provide some protection against further strokes while you are in the queue for a procedure.
I think that the OP does have anticoagulants now, following the stroke.
Hi, your chadsvasc score determines your risk of stroke, look it up, im 63 with chads score zero so no anticoagulant until i score 1 at age 65 , i almost cant wait, the anxiety that comes with af is not good.
The same here in the U.S. ! Ugh!! I feel your pain! 
Move to America. I was diagnosed just about the same time you were. I was offered an ablation immediately. I refused. I was put on sotalol and a blood pressure medication. I have never had a stroke and after years of refusing blood thinners, l finally acquiesced and now take Eliquis … my afib occurs every six months or so … very manageable … l refuse to have anyone cut into my heart for a procedure that has a high fail rate. My best, Jan
so sorry, what a dreadful experience you have had. Unfortunately our NHS system does seem to dictate dogged determination and follow up, but contrarily the very reason you need care is because you have been so poorly and it’s difficult to motivate yourself to rattle cages if you are feeling bad, I hope you can get somewhere. I was diagnosed with AF in Oct 22 after a trip to A&E, I then went privately as NHS said would be 4 months to see a cardiologist. this did mean that by the time I eventually had my appt with NHS I had had a whole raft of tests done.
However I appreciate not everyone can afford to do this (nor should have to) so I really hope you get the care you need after what you have been through.
Well I have just seen AF specialist nurse. My god she has restored my faith a bit more. She will follow me up in January. Also discussed about having a loop monitor fitted as I've only been in flutter on my recent ECGs went into flutter when she told me about the procedure. Hoping for it to be Afib so then I wouldn't need the monitor so I was shocked. But hey at least moving forward now it seems. Actually to be seen by someone who gives a damn was a refreshing change. Feeling pleased with the outcome of today's appointment. Feel I have someone in my corner now finally. Very happy today. Thank you to everyone for all your advice so far. Hopefully they can now redeem themselves. Take care everyone xx
Not sure if any one else has suggested this but I think you should make the request to be referred to the other local hospital that your father has been treated in.You have a legitimate reason for wanting a second opinion from a Consultant that works from there and to have your future treatments done at the other facility and not at the hospital which you feel let you down.
Your reason for wanting this is that after having your stroke and learning more about the treatment you should have received for your AF, as well as the hospital neglecting to find you a new Cardiologist for your follow up which could have rectified the flaw in the choice to give you preventative treatment you have lost all confidence in the treatment you would be given at the hospital facility you are currently on the books for , and in light if that you deserve to be given the option of being treated at a local facility that you feel you can trust.
If they refuse , forget PALS, they have no real power, set out your case in a letter to the Chief Executive of the hospital instead.
So sorry this has happened to you, sadly things like this are not as uncommon as we would think , and excuses like COVID or whichever political party is in charge are actually only excuses. Because none of these things make a difference to the medical advice or treatment you are given. Bad medical advice or below standard treatment is the responsibility of the Department staff giving it, and there is no excuse for it.
Good luck , and please keep us updated on your progress, take care , Bee
I think the stroke might be for one of two reasons. The first is that the clot came from your atrial fibrillation, which is what everyone is assuming. The second is that the stroke was of the type that non-fibrillating people commonly get, that's to say it's down to age-changes in your artery linings: medically called athero-sclerosis, or cholesterol furring-up of your artery linings.
For your future continuing health, I think you should already have had an assessment of the state of your arteries in general. You might well have had a doctor feel-out for the pulse in your foot arteries, for example, to see how widely-distributed your "good and active" blood circulation is. The fact that you are young to be having a stroke, or indeed to be having atrial fibrillation, - suggests to me that that your general circulation might not be as good as it could be for your age.
I think your doctor might want to discuss, whether anything can be done to open up your arteries in a more general way. That generally means looking at your blood cholesterol level, your blood pressure, and whether anything in general can be done to reduce any soreness (inflammation) in your body. Athero-sclerosis can be slowed down by a lower-than-normal blood cholesterol level, a low blood pressure, a reduction in weight, and general anti-inflammatory tablets such as aspirin, and maybe a tiny dose of colchicine.
On the one hand you don't want to pop so many pills that you're doing nothing else all day, - but on the other hand it might be (I don't know) that your blood-vessels need all the help they can get.
I think you might get advice from your GP on whether lowering your cholesterol level with a statin, and bringing your blood pressure down a tiny bit more, and taking aspirin for its anti-inflammatory and the anti-sticky-platelet effect, could be good. Certainly if you're not taking a Factor Xa anticoagulant at all!! Those worries about tummy upset for aspirin, - well, you could take Omeprazole or similar. A tiny dose of 0.25mg of colchicine too, is safe enough.
These more general things could also help your AF not to worsen, perhaps. I'm suggesting less focus on your heart alone.
I have a good LDL cholesterol at targetof 1.0 and a CT angio was unremarkable to note. I have asked my dad to ask his surgeon for a second opinion
Yes, that's nice then. It's good about the coronary arteries, - mind you, all the other arteries remain for your consideration. It's still possible that there's some atheroscleroses of the brain arteries. Sometimes a simple clinical examination, can give you the information you need. I still suggest aspirin or a factor Xa anticoagulant, and some rôle for colchicine is getting more thought! 'nuff said.
I think the official number is 20 to 20% of stroke victims are under 40! My cardiologist suggested I stop taking Eliquis after my ablation and no return of AFIB. I insisted on staying on it. I highly recommend you watch this interview around 56 minute mark with Dr. Gregory Marcus on using blood thinners.
I am so sorry. I am retired RN . If you can find a friend who is in the medical field to help you advocate. I recently spent a week daily at the hospital advocating for a friend. Sometimes knowing the language and where to push helps. It is so frustrating for me to see how the quality of health care has gone down her in America with a huge decrease in compassion and concern. I will hold you in my thoughts and prayers. One line I use is well tell me what you would tell your mother, brother sister etc to do so I have a clue. I try to get them to think about how it would be for them.
Hope you are feeling better somewhat. As soon as I was diagnosed ( in A&E ). I was put on anticoagulants ( 3 years ago now ) and never had a problem. I was also assessed and my CHAD score given. Get to see an EP, not just a straight cardiologist and insist you are protected. Proper medication and intervention will greatly reduce your risk of further incidents...All the very best
at 54 yo after AF symptoms for 6 months, and after a procedure at the hospital of Cardioversion, my Cardiologist tell me to get off Eliquis after taking i t before Cardioversion and 3 weeks after the procedure. He said because I am less than 60 yo and the chances I would have stroke is less that 1%, he told me to NOT take Eliquis anymore. Guess what ? After 5 weeks of not taking Eliquis..I have a stroke!! It was last year, but the side effects of a stroke last permanently..my communication skills are not as good as before! I have APHASIA,....
I would like to see a change to guidance for this CHADVASC score their should be patient choice involved too. Stroke doesn't choose the eldest to effect we are all at risk
I live here in the US and after my first hospitalization for a ischemic event I was immediately put on Eliquis while waiting for my ablation. Even though my ablation was successful I will be on apaxiban (Eliquis) for the rest of my life. I couldn't imagine dealing with what you did to simply get competent care. Good luck.
Manages to see AF Nurse last Monday. Told they want to fit me with ILR heart went into flutter was pray for fibrillation but it wasn't meant to be so ilr it is so they can move forward for abalation. The nurse was amazing plus she managed to get me an appointment with consultant on this Tuesday not in 6 months. One happy lady now, everything seems to be looking up for a change. Thanks to everyone for all your support. You are amazing people. ❤️❤️❤️
Annual risk increase for stroke= inevitable stroke?
Post-AF stroke
Stroke risk
