AF is an irregular irregular heart beat noted on ECG by the lack fo a p wave. It can be either fast or slow. That said many people get confused by ectopic (out of place) beats which can feel just as un-pleasant.
Afib can be fast or slow, but I would have your watch EKG confirmed by an ep (electrophysiologist) . While usually correct, the Watch can sometimes get confused by ectopic beats and tell you that you have a fib when you don't.
I read from a previous post of yours that you went from paroxysmal to what looks like persistent AF about a year ago but pretty much asymptomatic. I have also read from many on here that progressing to persistent is a lot less symptomatic than paroxysmal. My guess is that the bisoprolol is keeping the rate down and managing your symptoms but it doesn’t mean you don’t have AF. You can have low rate asymptomatic AF but it’s still AF.
My heart rate flits up and down from 60-90bpm. I am in constant AF, it sounds like you are too. AF is an irregular heart beat. If your heart rate is going from 75 to 95 constantly when resting then you are in AF. I get along quite well with my rate, hope you do too.
Yes there are lots of different rates of AF. I used to get irregular rates going over 200bpm. That is an awful situation I can tell you. Think yourself lucky that yours is so low, I'm certainly glad that mine is now.
l get ectopic beats as well as AF. They are just as bad as the AF for me and to be honest l can’t tell the difference, as they feel the same. My ectopics don’t last as long as an AF episode, so that’s how l distinguish between the two. I also have a low heart rate, so l consider myself lucky. When first diagnosed my heart rate went through the roof. Looking back, l am sure that was because of the anxiety and shock of being diagnosed with AF. The high heart rate was an awful experience. It can be a complex condition, but you seem ok and on the correct medication.
My elderly friend, now 90, has had permanent AF in that range for maybe 20 years, now. If I put my Apple Watch on him it always registers as AF. He's had very few symptoms in all that time, after the initial fainting episode that brought on his diagnosis. He claims never to have had PAF before that, which seems an odd thing from what I read here, but there we are.
If your watch registers AF it could be wrong but mine never has been. It tends to be spot on with AF, but often calls that "Inconclusive", especially when the rate is below 100bpm. I confirm it is AF with my Wellue ECG which clearly shows the lack of P waves.
My Afib is rhythm not rate and I think I've always had it. My issues now are more to do with DCM developed after treatment for BC which has had an impact because of the Afib
Why not try try modern anti-co.agulants which can be reversed and don't need blood test monitoring!?
I chose PRADAXA x twice day and have the lower 110mg amount.
An irregular heart beat whether slow or fast is AF.
It means the upper chambers are not corresponding in a normal way with the lower.
That is why anti-co.agulant was recommended for you.
I had thyroid cancer which caused AF unbeknown to me so I had a stroke - Embolic (clot) which got me on my left frontal lobe (brain) in Sept 2019. Not good from then.
It is better for your Dr to use a stethoscope or physical check rather than rely on your MICROLIFE BP Macine which I use.
I do not know if there are different types of AFib but a person can have an irregular heartbeat without being in AFib. The irregular heart rhythm could be caused by ectopic beats, such as Premature Atrial Contractions (PAC's) or Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC's), I had them continuously for over a year. My Kardia EKG device would say "Possible Atrial Fibrillation". My Kardia allows me to send the EKG into a staff cardiologist to read the EKG in more detail. When they would read it, it would usually be read by the staff cardiologist as "Sinus Rhythm with Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC's)". If you have a Kardia EKG monitor, you should have availability to their staff cardiologist to perform these EKG readings you have in more detail. I know for myself, the ectopic heartbeats can be almost as uncomfortable as being in full blown AFib. My cardiologist decided to put me back on Flecainide, which I had taken for the AFib before my AFib ablation. It has been a great help in stopping the ectopic beats.
Not all irregular heart beats are A Fib. I had Atrial Tachycardia which doctors and nurses said was A Fib. Only the electrophysiologist could see the difference. But it felt like Afib to me.
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