New to this.

[StaffsVal]

Awaiting a full diagnosis and no idea of upcoming treatment. My smartwatch shows me to be in permanent afib.

[BobD Volunteer]

First thing to do is go to AFA main website and read till you drop and then come back and ask us whatever you don't understand.

[Oldforge73]

Is your heart rate generally under 100bpm this being very important. The usual first line of treatment is a beta blocker and an anticoagulant if it is considered that your afib can be managed by your GP. You may be referred to a consultant for tests and offered other drugs that only they can prescribe. It might be that you are asymptomatic and don’t feel unwell or that you are very aware of your condition. We are all here to help each other so please post any concerns you have and everyone will do their utmost to assist you as you come to terms with this annoying condition. Regards Kathleen

[Omniscient1 in reply to Oldforge73]

A good summation. To which I would add when on the drugs it may take a few tries to get the right dosages for you personally.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Oldforge73]

HiTimes have changed.

Beta Blockers did not much for my AF rapid and persistent.

The firstline of med should have been a CCB Calcium Channel Blocker CD. But at night my normal is 47bpm avg.

Left for 2 years 3 mthe with uncontrolled heart rate of 185 then 156 at 1 year 5 months the damage to my heart is inexcusable. Left with left severe dilation of Left Atrium.

Metoprolol was firstline in our base hospital but I proved to them the worst med for me. Breathless and gave me missed beats at night with 47bpm my norm at night.

Metoprolol is finally banned from my med list.

cheri JOY. 75 (NZ)

[Buzby62]

As BobD says, here is a link to all the reading material, I would start with the AF fact file.

Link: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Best wishes

[mjames1]

Just because your smart watch keeps showing atrial fibrillation does not mean you're in permanent atrial fibrillation. It doesn't even mean you're atrial fibrillation as they have an incidence of false positives.

Find yourself a good cardiologist and preferably an electrophysiologist (ep) for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan if needed.

That said, if your rate is not controlled -- meaning under 110 at rest and under 130 with light:moderate exertion -- then forget everyone else's advice and head to the A&E now.

At a minimum they will give you a rate control drug to keep you safe until a longer-term plan is developed.

Jim

[secondtry]

Persevere with the reading, consultants and tests but don't despair as life may not change a lot. Certainly the case for my brother similarly diagnosed a year ago.

[Paulbounce]

Hi Val.

I totally agree with Omniscient1—it can take a few attempts to find the right combination of medications.

The procedure often goes like this.....

1. Med's

2. Cardioversion

3. Ablation (if CV put you back in sinus)

Rest assured afib won't be half as bad as you think. Everyone on this forum panicked when first told they had it - me included. There are treatments to help and lifestyle changes are very important. I'm a good few years into it now and there are far worse illnesses to have. I guess my point is to stop worrying and research as much as you can - use the search box top left of the page.

Paul

[ozziebob]

And do ensure you receive a full battery of blood tests for possible deficiencies that may have played a part in the aetiology of your arrhythmias. In my case Vitamin D (not routinely included in blood tests by GPs) deficiency played a significant role.

[Paulbounce in reply to ozziebob]

100% correct Bob. Having spent much of the last 6 months in hospital some of my 'bloods' were very low. I was on drips and all sorts but am now 'normal' on all accounts. I'm hoping to naturally return to sinus now this has been resolved. I have made some more lifestyle changes and am almost there.

Happy day's.

Paul

[Ppiman]

My elderly friend is now 91 and has the same. His heart rate is in the normal range however, which helps. He has only ever had a few symptoms and no treatment except warfarin.

What is your resting heart rate? Do you feel poorly with your AF?

Steve

[StaffsVal in reply to Ppiman]

Hi, My heart rate is in the 75 to 85 range. I'm having a 24hr monitor fitted next week.

[Ppiman in reply to StaffsVal]

That's similar to the friend who I mentioned. He has never had much on the way of symptoms, which I put don to the lower rate than, say, I get during AF. Some here get really high rates, which is even harder to deal with. With luck, you feel "okay" with yours?

Steve

[DawnTX]

first thing get rid of the smart watch, etc. you get obsessed when you don’t know what you’re looking at. I had an oximeter same thing. It was the first thing my EP told me to do stop looking because everyone’s heart rate changes. It could be second to 2nd. If it’s that bad that you really need to know you will feel I always when it was my a fib or flutter. I still do even with a pacemaker. If it’s that bad get to the hospital or call your doctor ASAP depending on how bad you’re feeling this stuff is not going away like I said even with a pacemaker there are times you are going feel it. The difference is if you had the AV node done then it no longer causes damage and your pacemaker is in charge. That’s the simplest way to put it. My first line of treatment with meds followed by my my first ablation a week or so later. I was also put on an anticoagulant Xarelto that same day. It is a precaution. I’m glad to take. The pros are definitely more than the cons. I don’t care what people think. I have taken many because hip problem. I have a feeling this has really helped me from having a stroke because when you get injured, you get clots sometimes and sometimes they travel. I’m surprised you were not put on any medication or were you this is a long lifetime situation. We have there are no cures. Most of the things they do are simply Band-Aids. Some people are luckier than others. I am so happy about the pacemaker, even though I was so against it at the time. The difference it made in my life is just amazing. I could not walk only scuffle, just barely to the bathroom. When I stood up, I had chest pain like a car and an elephant were both on it and it would bring me to tears immediately. When I was released, they made me go in a wheelchair, but when we got to the car, I was able to stand up and get into it. That may not sound like much, but to me it was a miracle.