Long episode of AF

[BigFletch]

Hi there apologies if this sounds stupid. What can I do whilst I'm actually having a long period of AF. Was in AF recently for more than 12 hours. Can I go to work, drive walk the dog etc

[BobD Volunteer]

I always did but then nothing stops for motor racing. It is more important than mere life!

Serioulsy so long as you have no chest pain or fainting/dizziness and you don't try to run a marathon just smile and carry on.

Mind you as I often say, we all have different levels of acceptance and coping so would never condemn a person who couldn't keep up. My HR seldom went much above 200 and more usually 180 so not bad.

[BigFletch in reply to BobD]

Thanks BobD I know I'm having the episode but have no sickness, nausea or pain. Not had an episode since August and felt bad taking a day off. Work in an office so nothing physical.

[OzJames]

well it depends how fast the rate is, one time I was about to go overseas and I went into AF my HR was well controlled in the 80-100 range then on meds for AF it went down into the 70’s. We planned to do cardioversion when I returned in 2 weeks if still in AF. Strangely as my heart was so controlled it didn’t go back into Sinus. Anyway after I returned they did the CV and my time in AF was around 3 weeks. BTW I had a great holiday just no alcohol….

[secondtry]

Hmmm...my approach would be work no (maybe just office but the AF distraction may not be productive at best), drive only in emergencies, walk yes.

[Decaf_Andy]

I’ve been in AF about 20% of the time for the last few years - for 8-24 hours typically, so at least once a week. I do everything I would when in sinus. Bike riding (will be slower …), walking (whole day on Cornish Coast Path with pack, also slower), gym, work, etc.

I have no symptoms other than being aware my heart is jittery and at 80-90 beats at rest where normally it’s in the 40s or low 50s.

Lots of people are in permanent AF and live normal lives. Of course many are doing so not even knowing they have AF.

My doctors are happy with my approach, staying fit is positively encouraged. Limiting to super gentle exercise doesn’t keep anyone fit. . I think that the fact that I can cope with AF quite well is because I am fit and not overweight. I plan to stay that way!

[Snowgirl65]

During my working days, I would go to work while still in a-fib from a night of same and no sleeping because of it. These episodes would last 6 to 12 hours. Strangely, I'd stumble back into NSR after work took my mind off it.

[BaileyC57]

I have been in AFIB for 4 months now! On meds to lower the heart rate but I still get nervous

[Ppiman]

I think you likely could work if you felt okay to do so. All that might happen is that your heart will race even more, I would think, but the efficiency of the heart is reduced somewhat, too, and variably so, so you might feel light headed, breathless and woozy. I don’t think I would work with it if it involved any risk at all.

Steve