I’ve been in af now since Saturday morning. On the whole, my meds are keeping my HR to around the 80’s.
As soon as I start moving around like going upstairs even, my HR hits around 130 and takes a while to come down again.
So, my question is, sit it out or carry on as normal?
I’m told that due to being over weight I can’t have an ablation and the only treatment available to me is meds. Not sure how true that is
That's quite a difficult question macymoo because if you sit still there may be no movement to put you back into normal rhythm. Though if you move it sounds like your AF could be straining your heart. I think I'd do a bit of both and as much as you feel you can do.
Up your intake of water a little and shut your eyes and do some slow deep breathing, taking the breath down deep into your stomach and letting it rise. Do your best to take your mind off your heart, read, watch t.v. or walk slowly around your garden if you have one. Do not wear any restrictive clothing around your torso.
Please let us know how you are a little later.
Jean
I’ve been doing lots of slow breathing etc. have done little since it started. As I say, as soon as I start moving around my HR shoot’s up to around 130 which as you say is possibly putting my heart under strain.
let’s see what day 3 brings 😩😩
Good morning, if no better I wonder if a call to 111 ( or GP ) might be best? Xx
I'm sure you've tried these but sometimes things that kick off AF also stop it, like drinking iced water or bending over.
I have had the same as you but it was many years ago. Because I live on my own I had to get up and do things. Even mowed the lawn in AF, then would sit and feel sorry for myself that I had to do it. So many times that very evening after the mowing I'd go back into normal rhythm.
How about trying the good old fashioned Valsalva movement, look it up online as we're not allowed to put links on the forum now without permission from the AF Administrators.
Jean
I’ve done that too. It makes me very lightheaded and feel like I’m going to faint. Still has never worked 😩😩
Short term, you're rate is not being controlled enough. Speak to your medical team. Meanwhile take it easy.
Longer-term, you might want to switch from a rate strategy to a rhythm strategy. That might involve anti-rhythmic medication's, an occasional cardioversion or an ablation. All dependent on the frequency and burden of your a fib episodes as well as personal preferences.
Jim
I’m sorry I don’t understand any of that.
l would not be happy with AF going on so long. Maybe call 111 for advice, or go to AE.
It’s not the 1st time. Last time I went to my local a&e on day 3 the doctor genuinely asked me why I’d gone to hospital implying that I’d wasted their time and resources. I swore I’d never go back to this hospital unless I was at deaths door
I have had an AE doctor treat me the same. When l left it one time, l had to phone for ambulance. The paramedics told me off for not phoning earlier and never to do that again. You just happened to get the wrong doctor at the wrong time. AF needs to be stopped if it goes on a long time, especially if your numbers are high. Don’t avoid treatment because of one unethical doctor.
I had AF for 7 days and my nerve broke on day 7 when my HR shot up and I felt very dizzy. The nurse who did my ecg told me in an almost accusing tone that my rate was 168! After a day spent in A&E after a loading dose of digoxin I finally reverted as I was admitted to a ward. The doctor I saw before they kicked me out asked why I’d come in but hastily added ‘Was it the rate?’ So it may have been a genuine query in your case as well. Unfortunately an intermittent rate of 130 is not likely to get anyone excited so it will be difficult to get help 😕
I think it depends if there other symptoms e.g chest pain, breathlessness, dizziness and feeling generally unwell. Last time l went to AE., l didn’t have a fast HR., but l was put on a monitor and was not discharged until l was in NSR. I was able to get help, had no problems and was told off for not seeking help earlier. I think it is up to the individual to use common sense and his own intuition as to when to seek help. We are not medics. and can only give our own experiences, which can be precarious, as we are all individual, in our symptoms and management of this monster.
I have been hospitalised twice in Dorset (and not let out till NSR). I went to my local hospital (Oldham in greater Manchester) and was sent packing still in Afib with a higher dose of bisoporol to take. My local hospital treated me very bad. I swore I’d never go back unless at deaths door.
Yes, l know there is a great variation in hospitals. Did they examine you etc. before sending you home? I understand how you must feel, but if you are worried then go back. They have to see you and you can’t mess with your heart. Hopefully a different shift will have taken over! Look after yourself and don’t hesitate to get help. You are important. Take care.
Absolutely, but Mm didn’t mention any of those.
Some of these doctors are like midwives who have never had a baby but tell you to go home and come back when the head is hanging out.
I wonder what device you are monitoring your HR on while or after doing something, it’s the average that matters while in AF not the instantaneous readings on a HR monitor. It’s not easy to get the average while in AF and the instantaneous highs and lows can be quite extreme while your average is still below 100.
Manually you should count beats in 60 seconds or use an ECG device that displays the average over 30 seconds usually.
I find HR monitors that display rate over a few seconds little use while in AF and can cause more anxiety and feed the highs.
Best wishes
I use an Apple Watch. I check the average hr as well as the current.
The only accurate HR while in AF on the Apple Watch is the ECG average.
I learned to ignore the current HR on mine in AF as it would be jumping all over the place, especially if you do something. Even just looking has an effect.
Simple examples, 3 beats in 1 second can read as 180bpm and then a pause of 2 seconds can read as 30bpm, both of which I found to happen while in AF with a controlled average below 100bpm.
I’ve sat out episodes which lasted up to 24 hrs and then other times needed to do something which seemed to revert me to NSR sooner. There’s just no reasoning with PAF episodes really. Go by how you feel and contact the medics if different from your normal or usual episodes
Best wishes
When a reply is deleted then it deletes all replies to that reply. It’s quite common when replying to the last reply on a post to hit the wrong reply button and reply the main post instead of the intended reply. That’s what’s happened below and the reply that macymoo007 was referring to has been deleted and looks like that member is no longer on the forum.
Best wishes all
Have you tried keeping your opinions to yourself. How dare you criticise me. Go and play keyboard warrior with someone who cares.
Let us know how you are. xxx
Still in af but lowish heart rate (about 80) no other symptoms thankfully. Thanks for asking x
That’s good. Try keep calm now and get good nights sleep. Sometimes l have gone to bed with AF and it’s gone by the morning. Keep well hydrated. You don’t need any stress right now! 🥰
Thank you. I don’t feel stressed about it just fed up as there’s stuff I should be doing which is physical but I don’t want to put any more strain on my heart. It’s lovely to have caring people with similar problems to talk too. x
Back in NSR!!
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