2 questions afib

[Casualvisitor]

Morning,

1) should you phone 111 if you get an afib attack and have a past history of heart issues ie heart attack or should you ride it out unless more worrying symptoms start to kick in.

2) the day after an afib attack is it normal to feel tired?

[Cliff_G]

2. Yes!

1. Depends. I think once one has obtained a degree of understanding and/or control of one's own fib patterns, and meds., then most people just ride it out, especially if it's paroxysmal. Getting to that understanding can be worrying. Phoning 111 is a reasonable option as they will have criteria for what constitutes a need for intervention. I'm not offering medical advice here, but I'd say your heart rate is key - anything above say 110-120 is worth calling about. If it's very high, like over 150, definitely call.

[Casualvisitor in reply to Cliff_G]

thanks Cliff 🙂👍🏻

[BobD Volunteer]

Most people ride out events at home BUT any chest pain or dizzyness. shortness of breath etc must be investigated. Lets face is, for some of us, if we called for help every time we had an event we would have a hot line 24/7 and an ambulance permanently parked outside.

[Buffafly]

I’ve found 111 tends to err on the side of caution when it comes to heart issues. Under your circumstances I would call if you have physical discomfort, the usual - chest tightness/heaviness, faintness, breathlessness, nausea, sweating - when not exerting yourself. If you are fairly comfortable at rest I wouldn’t. And also bearing in mind the HA I personally wouldn’t exert myself more than necessary.

The answer to question two is yes.

[Borderterriorist]

I tend to wait it our for half an hour if it's still well over the 100, I go to A&E. On both occasions when I've done this I've had an ECG and been taken straight into resus. The last time it was 150bpm and it was taken seriously.

[Qualipop in reply to Borderterriorist]

How long do you have to wait in A&E? Here the wait is 38 hours. No I'm not exaggerating. That's sitting or standing among every bug that's going round

[Borderterriorist in reply to Qualipop]

First time I was at the GP surgery, she phoned for an ambulance and I was blue lighted in and went straight into resus. Second time OH took me in the middle of the night, I was triaged within 10 minutes, had an immediate ECG and was taken immediately to resus. That was in May 2024, A&E was busy, there was no bed for me but I was on a trolley by the nurse's station and hooked up for constant monitoring until a bay became available. HR stayed at 150bpm until 05.00 p.m. the next day and I was finally moved to a cardiac ward at midnight.

[Qualipop in reply to Borderterriorist]

At least you were seen and monitored. When I was taken in by ambulance having a heart attack, I was left alone on a trolley on a corridor that had a swing door that locked after anyone went through. It was 5 hours before I was even triaged. Went in at 10pm, got troponin test at 10am and a bed at 3pm. That was 6 y ears a go. It's far far worse now. Last October, taken in around 8pm with crazy heart rate from 30 to 180 and back again, triage after 4 hours, moved to ambulatory care ward until 5pm next day when I finally saw a doctor and was admitted around 7pm for 4 days. No monitoring at all. OH I was sent for an x ray at one point.

[Borderterriorist in reply to Qualipop]

I have absolutely no complaints, my treatment was excellent and the staff in A&E were efficient and extremely kind. I had the sort of treatment that we should all have . I had a serious fall from a horse in January 2024 and was taken into A&E by ambulance. It was during the Junior doctor's strike and again I had amazing treatment which probably saved my life. I appreciate the fact that not everyone is as lucky. 2024 was not a good year!

[Qualipop in reply to Borderterriorist]

It certainly wasn't a good year for you and I'm glad you got such good treatment. Your hospital could give lessons to ours. Only Friday, nurses were online begging people to donate things to help dementia patients as the hospital couldn't afford anything. It's in dire financial straits

[Model52]

As long as your resting heart rate stays at an acceptable level while in AF ( between 70 and 100) and you are not feeling too dizzy or otherwise unwell, there’s no reason to call 111.

I have had a massive heart attack 7 years ago and get paroxysmal AF about every 2 months, sometimes even every two days. I have never needed to call 111 or even go to the ER.

When I get an episode, I take 250 mg. of Flecainide. That usually stops the attack in between 2 to 5 hours.

To answer your second question : yes, I feel tired after an attack, but not as much as in the beginning, 7 years ago. I guess we get used to it, as with most things in life.

Moet important is: relax! Stress exacerbates AF.

[Casualvisitor in reply to Model52]

I had the widowmaker end of 2023. Been AF free until the end of 2024. So confused.

[Model52 in reply to Casualvisitor]

As long as your HR during an episode stays acceptable, AF is an nuisance, nothing more (if your anti-coagulation is taken care of). There is no difference in life expectancy between people with well controlled AF and people without it. My mother lived to be 94 with the condition. Don’t worry!

[Ppiman]

I would be 100% guided by my specialist. Each heart is different. With a heart that has experienced any kind of prior damage, I would feel very much like phoning 111, at the least, but would take medical advice every time.

Steve

[Redactrice]

Another thing to consider is what happens when you get to A&E. Last time I went (September, three weeks post-ablation, because I went into fast AF), I sat outside in the ambulance for four hours before they would even let me into the building. I was admitted to the cardiology ward but there were no beds, so I was sent home again after another 8 hours. In that time all they did was observe me -- in other words, waiting it out. I can do that at home where it's much more comfortable. BUT, I have lone AF, nothing else wrong with me.

[Auriculaire]

Even though according to my Kardia my initial heartrate is usually 130-150 bpm I do not feel this and don't feel uncomfortable. My worst symptom is the frequent urination. As our nearest hospitals are 35-45 mins drive away through countryside this would cause a nightmare if going at night - the first afib episode I had I had to wee in the ambulance! I take some extra Nebivolol though this is pretty useless at bringing my heartrate down and settle down with a book or the tv. Once the weeing wears off I sleep. I have no idea if my heart rate remains high when sleeping. Towards the end of the episode I often sweat but put this down to the raised heartrate. I feel wiped out the next day. I would not dream of going to the hospital. The first time they kept me in 4 days even though I had been put back into NSR within a few hours of arrival . I am far happier and more comfortable at home. My episodes follow a pattern and I do not feel anxious whilst they are happening. I'm not sure we have the equivalent of 111 here in France. My last experience of A&E at our smallest local hospital was very good. 20 mins wait before being seen by a doctor . Done and dusted with ECG, blood tests and cat scan in 5hrs - results of all these too.

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Hello

AF impacts everyone differently, if you feel you feel anxious or concerned that you are unable to breath okay or experience painful chest pains, then you should seek medical advice either via 111 or 999

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of AF, so it is perfectly natural to feel tired following an episode.

Have you visited the AF Association webpage? You will find a wealth of information about AF, including informative patient resources:

UK and International: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa

US: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

You may find our booklet: AF and You of particular interest:

UK: api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

US: api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

Alternatively, contact a member of our Patient Services Team:

UK and International: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

US: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Kind regards

TracyAdmin

[Casualvisitor in reply to TracyAdmin]

Thanks TracyAdmin,

When I had my heart attack I felt well informed and supported by the doctors.

With this AF it's like "take these blood thinners as well, now go away unless something serious happens again"

[TracyAdmin Partner in reply to Casualvisitor]

You are welcome, and I do understand, please do get in touch with any other questions or just for a chat.

Kind regards

TracyAdmin