Persistent AF

[Spj57]

Hello, for the past couple of years I have had paroxysmal AF which has taken increasingly long times to convert to NSR. The last few have been 22 hours and usually every couple of weeks or so. This time I was quite pleased as I went 22 days without, the longest interval for 18 months. However it's now been ongoing for 37 hours without converting which has never happened before 😔 My heart rate if I sit quietly is in the 80s, over 100 if I walk around. I'm on bisoprolol and edoxaban. I will try to contact my gp this morning as my cardiologist doesn't return calls or emails. I just don't know what to do. I have no chest pain so haven't been to A&E.

[CDreamer]

Good morning, good thing is that your heart rate is being controlled and you are taking an anticoagulant so you are on first line treatment. Sometimes it is just a matter of time before NSR kicks in so stay calm and practice your LSD - Lond, Slow, Deep breathing techniques.

Keep well hydrated, do you use electrolyte drinks? They really can help. If not then try eating a salty snack and eating a banana. Sit well propped up and preferably with your feet raised. As long as you otherwise feeling well and have no other symptoms but if you start becoming breathless whilst resting, feeling clammy, faint or have chest pain do not hesitate to call 999. I found Paramedics are often more helpful than sitting in A&E for hours (my record was 9 hours before even being seen by Triage).

Ring your GP and get an emergency appointment and if you have any way of taking ECG print out a copy.

Then distraction - listen to music, read a book, watch a film. The less you focus on your heart and the moe relaxed you can stay, the better and hopefully the sooner NSR will kick in.

Wishing you well and hope that NSR returns very soon.

[jeanjeannie50]

An excellent reply from CDreamer above, I agree with all that she's said.

At times I've been in constant AF for a few months before being cardioverted back into normal sinus rhythm. I don't look at your 37 hours as being a long time, especially at the rate you say your heart is beating. How are you feeling? A normal rate is usually described as being between 60-100 at rest.

Certainly ring your GP today, then hopefully they will do an ECG and see just what's going on.

Let us know how you get on please.

Jean

[Spj57 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I returned to NSR just now, so 44 hours total. I'm very relieved but will still speak to my GP. Thank you 😊 x

[Frances123]

I have had paroxysmal Afib for 18 years. My shortest has been 4.5 hours and longest 54 hours (only once) but I seem to average 18-23 hours. It does make you anxious when it’s not happened before and that’s understandable. You have had some very good advice from others so can’t really add anything. Pleased you are back in NSR now

[Steve101]

As always great advice above.

I find like others with AF that our greatest challenge with AF is our own anxiety and how to calm our own nervous energy and prevent our mind going into overdrive.

With that in mind I have recently read the book called The Chimp Paradox that talks about the chimp mind, the human mind and the computer. In times of stress it is the chimp mind that rules, it is 5 times faster than the human mind, and is always looking at the doomsday scenario. The key is the calm the chimp the book provides ways of doing that. Long slow breathing is one way, and pressing the Pause button in you mind, to slow the chimp down. I am still to master it! I need more practice.

It appears to be a trate of many people with AF we are naturally anxious people.

Great advice above.