Hello,
I have permanent, persistent AF which was diagnosed in 2018. I get so tired nowadays both to rest and also sleep. Sometimes I feel exhausted walking just a short distance.
I am going to be 80 in a couple of weeks so Sometimes I think that's what it is. I am wondering if people with AF can get a disabled sticker so I don't have to walk so far if I am tired. Does anyone know? The thing is could doctors say it is age rather than heart problems. Any information or advice welcome.
Kathleen
I never got my blue badge from AF alone and know of nobody who has. It took severe arthritis shortness of breath (for other reasons) and a long interview for me to get mine.
Have a detailed talk with your doctor how fatigue affects your day-to-day life, including how walking short distances impacts you. Explain how your condition specifically limits your mobility, caring for yourself and quality of life. You 'll need specifics re Blue Badge such as physical endurance, dizziness, breathlessness and how persistent AF substantially limits your ability to walk.
My friend has a blue badge and she emphasised it is based on worst case scenario - I have been with her when she could potter around a car boot sale but on some days she can barely walk because her condition fluctuates.
While I think your age and atrial fibrillation should be in your application or doctor's note, the main thing is to mention your functional ability. So, for example, if you get fatigued or short of breath when walking even short distances, that should be emphasized. I'm just giving it from the US perspective how our disability stickers are handed out.
Jim
Hi Kathleen, I added a reply re the blue badge but if you haven’t had a review recently perhaps your doctor should also be looking to see if your symptoms could be eased by more effective medication or a pacemaker.
Just to be clear I submitted all requested documentation including results of tests and letters from consultants and GP etc on two health matters. After about five weeks I was then invited to an interview which took about an hour and included observations of me walking back to my car (with two sticks as at that time I had not bought my rolator). About ten days later I received the report and recomendation that I be granted the blue badge. I had been given a score I think of 15 /20 with the go mark being 12. It was almost three months from start to finish. Got to do it all again in 2026!
That said a friend in a different county just completed a form and got his in about ten days so there must be a post code lottery. I guess down yere in Devon with such a high aged population the demand is high. If you don't get into town before 9.30 all the disabled slots in the car park and non loading yellow lines are occupied!
I was turned down after I was diagnosed with moderate heart failure, an ascending aortic aneurysm and AF. But as soon as I was diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis and severe stenosis in my spine I was granted a Blue Badge.
Interesting what you've said Rosie and severe osteoarthritis and stenosis is debilitating. Though they seem to be ignoring (or unaware) of serious health problems, like heart disease, that make it just as hard—or even harder—for someone to get around. This means people with heart conditions might not get the help needed, even though they’re struggling too. We need more informed rules on disabilities.
My application went straight through with just filling in a form. I do have osteoporosis as well as AF. I didn’t have to submit any medical evidence. I think your age alone will probably be an advantage so l would apply and lay it on thick!
I had to supply all letters and docs appertaining to my case and have a face to face interview. The Blue Badge is operated by each local county council so I’m not sure whether they are all using the same criteria.
It doesn’t seem so. I was surprised at the time how quick it went through with no other communication. It was an ordeal for you. Different criteria and possibly bigger populated area.
You fill in an application form and send supporting evidence such as a doctors letter or hospital letters. I got mine no problem at all based on A/F and the fact that I had walking problems, shortness of breath etc.etc.
Some people will automatically get a blue badge if they are claiming personal independence payment and get the enhanced rate mobility component. If you don’t claim this benefit then the application is dis Cretian and based on how your health conditions affect you this will have to be backed up by a medical professional Also if you are having issues with dealing with your daily living and your aged over 65 or Pension age in the UK, you may be eligible for attendance allowance unless you were claiming personal Independence payment before reaching Pension
As above you must answer all questions with the answers you would give on your worst days. This is not deception it is the truth for your situation. An example of how to answer these questions for, say, attendance allowance is this - My mother had macular degeneration. She had been turned down for AA when she applied herself. When a representative from the local society for the blind helped her fill it in she got the the payment awarded. An example of this is - Q. Can you dress yourself in the morning? My mum had answered 'yes" because she could physically put clothes on her body. The representative answered "no" because my mum could not see if the clothes were matching or if they might have a stain on them. It was against her human rights to go out in mismatched or dirty clothes. So do think of you absolute worst days when you answer. You are entitled to go out on even your worst days.
I definitely think you would get a blue badge as you have a heart condition which makes you breathless and so limits your ability to walk far . I got one on these conditions and am much younger than you .
Hi Kathleen I’ve got a blue badge I put in for it when I had a new knee and waiting for a new hip . So if would say yes. Give it a go , Take care
Hi Kathleen
I'm 75 and I have the same symptoms with controlled rapid and persistent AF.
Before Stroke, AF as above and 4 days in Thyroid Papillary Cancer walking well but finding steep stairs and mowing small lawns needed a rest. Sleeping well, the odd day sleep after an outing but
Metoprolol a beta blocker really 'stunted' any exertion.
I didn't want it and said "it will make me breathless!" I was ignored by this Endocrinologist on the stroke ward.
I struggled from Sept 2019 when the stroke - embolic happened. Until I demanded a heart specialist. I got seen March 2021. By the way no following up with stroke.
In Feb 2020 my surgeon and anaesthetist ignored the Joy has to wait 6 months post stroke for any operation. I had 2 ahead. The thyroidectomy with 12 lymphs removed (2 infected) proceeded in Feb 2020.
An ECHO, ECG and 24hr Heart monitor was carried out. Metoprolol left me @ 186bpm and pauses at night (normal 47bpm.
Changed to another BB Bisoprolol. But still no control @ 156 bpm avg day.
In December 2021 9 months later with the above showing I was ignored and left with no consult or change.
So as the Locum Dr who had experienced AF talked and persuaded me to attend a private H/Spec.
Due to him I have had a regime of
AM Diltiazem 120 CD to control my rapid heart rate.
PM Bisoprolol to control my BP. In the last month cut 2.5 pill white in half = 1.25mg.
This I did because I couldn't wait longer with monitoring my BP having 108/62 2 out of 4 checks.
It showed up in walking down stairs in JAPAN's subway, on bed eyes closed I had 1/2 vertigo.
Back i NZ table tennis which I had started before leaving overseas, dizzy after stooping down to pick up a ping pong ball. One time something happened and I saved myself from hitting my head on the wall to right. I lost my balance.
It's important to monitor your BP and pulse. My pulse is down to 60s after AM Diltiazem. It rises afternoon. Night rate stays at 47avg bpm.
I've had BB Metoprolol before back in 2008 and only on it a year and had to go off it because BP went low.
I am told Diltiazem a CCB Calcium Channel Blocker does both jobs of controlling Heart Rate and BP. It is also I safer anti-arrhymic med.
I'm back to Dr next week to have my clinic's ECG taken.
Improvement with fatigue, sleepiness etc happened as soon as I reduced to 1.25mg. It might mean no BB. Great. I believe it goes a long way to drain you of energy.
I'll let you know ..
cheri JOY. 75. (NZ)
Hi KathleenV my aunt used to take a little fold up seat wherever she went. She was a lot younger. I never knew what was wrong with her, but she was very young. Her family had a history of heart attacks/stokes and probably where I’ve inherited it. What about a mobility scooter?
I have had a blue badge because of AF and Aflutter for 4 years. ( Warwickshire)
Just a thought in laying it on thick to get your well deserved Blue Badge.
My best friend who is blind completely had a person coming round to see how see manages in the home. This is to do with her benefits. The last time was funny but my friend got her increase in benefits.
I asked my friend to get her Braille Machine out and various tinned foods. When the lady had finished with the questions. I mentioned the Braille up of the tinned foods. My friend then started to use her machine which is slow at best. After 20 minutes my friend had only done a few tins.. When the lady asked why it was done I explained that my friend likes peas with her evening meal and not peaches. She had a raise in benefits of over 200 pounds per month.
No trouble with the Blue Card though. Lay it on as thick as you can you deserve it.
both my husband and I have disabled cards. Me with my atrial fibrillation and hubby with pacemaker, heart failure and chronic back ache
We didn’t have to go through our GP just filled in the form from NHS and it came through within two weeks
surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-t...
Although we are Surrey, all counties are still under NHS
Worth applying for as they have been so helpful to us
Good luck
Blue Badges may be issued by a Local Authority for hidden disabilities, but the wording on my sight impairment certificate only refers to a Blue Badge for severe sight impairment (blind). It will depend on how your Local Authority assesses you.
I am 78 with permanent AF. My medical conditions include (certified) impaired vision, pulmonary fibrosis, hearing loss and, the after effects of a stroke. DVLA revoked my licence due to being "medically unfit to drive". My Blue Badge was granted as I am unsafe due to impaired vision as a pedestrian in a car park and crossing busy streets, plus cyclists and e-scooters on pavements and, ignoring red lights on pedestrian crossings. I would not venture into central Bristol on my own and, I was advised to carry a white cane across me in crowded areas.
With age and breathlessness making life difficult and if you suffer from anxiety making it difficult to walk far, then the rules cover that. What does your GP say?
Other reasons:
you regularly have intense and overwhelming responses to situations causing temporary loss of behavioural control
you frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public/open spaces
Letting go of anger
The positives of AF
Heart Rate ok Rhythm Not.GP Referal rejected ?
Sea Salt Trial
Different feeling
