Does irregular heartbeat matter?

[Morges]

Hi Forum. When is an irregular but not rapid heartbeat considered a problem if there are no symptoms - no raised blood pressure, sob, nothing.

[BobD Volunteer]

Provided rate is not high or out of range it doesn't really unless you let it or it makes you feel ill. Any and all treatment for AF is primarly for quality of life (QOL) in other words symptom control provided the patient is anticoagulated where appropriate. Any fainting. dizziness or chest pain MUST be investigated.

[Morges in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob.Yes I am taking the anticoag but am totally asymptomatic with 'normal' BP and heart rate. Therefore I declined the beta blocker when I had my GP appt to discuss the offending ECG. If I get any symptoms I will get myself reviewed.

My irregular heartbeat was picked up on Omron 3 years ago but I was told it was of no concern as it was only LBBB.

[pottypete1]

Statistically you are at a higher risk of stroke particularly when the heart returns to normal rhythm after a bout of AF.

We are not medically trained therefore you would be wise to seek an opinion from the professionals.

Pete

[Morges in reply to pottypete1]

Thanks Pete - I appreciate that a medical opinion cannot be given. I value being able to mull over issues which I wouldn't bother my GP with and there is a lot of first hand experience to tap into on this forum.

[Popepaul]

When you are in NSR the atria will begin to contract before the ventricles. This encourages effective systemic blood flow. During afib this efficiency can be compromised. The fibrillation in the left atrium might therefore reduce the stroke volume, induce a degree of breathlessness and promote further hypertrophy. I think that tachycardia exacerbates all this.Hence the need to reduce AF burdon. I find that Bisoprolol helps.