Attack

[Midnight2022]

i’m sitting waiting for an ambulance because my has been in AF for more than 15 hours even though I’m on dronedarone twice a day. Does anyone have experience of heart reverting normally after such a long time or does this mean I’ll be in persistent AF? Any ideas what the hospital are likely to be able to do in the short term?

[mjames1]

I've converted after seven days of being in continuous atrial fibrillation. 15 hours is really not that long. Before I started Flecainide PIP, my average conversion time was 24 to 36 hours. During this time, my rate was controlled with Diltiazem and I was not in any particular distress, therefore I waited it out at home. That said my EP always wanted me to notify him if I was in afib longer than three days.

Jim

[Teresa156]

Lots of us have ended up in AF for many days and then reverted, so don’t panic. It’s easier said than done, I know. I used to be in AF for around 8-12 hrs but I ended up in A& E after being in AF for 36, then I converted after 4.5 days.

You are not in persistent AF and still paroxysmal, especially if you convert within 1 week, even then people revert later than one week, so you’ve a long time to go now.

I don’t know too much about dronedarone, it know it’s an anti arrhythmic. It’s understandable that you are panicking. What rate is your heart doing? How long have you been on the medication? Do you have a pip for these ocassions?

The hospital will purely stick you on a monitor and try and get your HR to below a 100 if it’s above. They’ll of course, do this with medication. They will do all observations etc, but BP will fluctuate, as you’re in AF. They may do a blood test too. There’s not much more they do, unless anything comes back untoward with your blood test. They won’t try cardioversions either. They will also be generalist doctors, not cardiologists unfortunately.

[wilsond]

They won't do a lot,especially at a weekend.AFIB is not an accident or emergency,but they will try to get your heart rate below 100.

I have had prolonged episodes of AFib and AFlutter ,some for weeks. But did not become permanent.

Are you a candidate for ablation ?

Hope it reverts soon

best wishes ❤️

[Blearyeyed]

The one thing the hospital will do is an ECG and the checks to ensure that you don't need Emergency Care or that something else is causing the symptom, as well as advice to cope and when to ask for more help. which in itself gives you strength of mind to cope while you are in active AF.Even if you get sent home , take it easy follow their recommendation and contact your GP or Cardio Unit in the morning to let them know what's going on and to get more guidance as well.

I get active episodes of AFib for days , sometimes off and on for weeks , often with no idea why it occurred as my routine was not different at all.

I'm still classed as having intermittent paroxysmal AFib , because it is mainly managed by my medications despite the odd active event.

It was hard to get used to , oddly you do , but you do still need to get checked when it happens or speak to someone just to be sure it's your " normal" AFib and it hadn't been triggered by something else that might need treating so your AFib becomes stable again.

Take care , Bee

[Rosie1066]

I’ve been in continuous AF since end of November which never stops. I was put on Bisoprolol which has eventually bought my HR down but I’m still in persistent AF and no sign of it going any time soon. I’ve seen cardiology and am now waiting for an appointment to see a consultant with a view to having an ablation. I already have had an emergency Pacemaker fitted in 2023. Not sure whether it will ever stop on its own accord.

[BobD Volunteer]

15 hours is nothing in the grand scheme of things. Persistent is defined as lasting seven days or more or needing intervention such as cardioversion to revert to NSR.

[Peony4575]

My attacks so far have lasted 24 hours each

[Karendeena in reply to Peony4575]

Mine 36 and still sat it out!

[Peony4575 in reply to Karendeena]

You are exactly right . When I have gone to hospital they haven’t changed the course of events. In the absence of any new and worrying symptoms I will be sitting it out at home with a box set and tea and coffee ( decaf) on tap

[Karendeena in reply to Peony4575]

👍👍

[Sleepyzz]

longest I've gone before reverting is nine days although usually it’s a shorter period.

[OzJames]

don't panic i was going overseas and the Prof gave me Flecanide and metoprolol. I returned 30 days later still in AF but rate controlled to 70-75bpm at rest. I had a cardioversion when i returned which kept me in normal Sinus for nearly 12 months. I'm still classified as Paroxysmal AF

[Jetcat]

hi midnight. Iv done 18 hours then converted back without any intervention so there’s time yet. Let us know how you get on.👍

[Karendeena]

My episodes used to come every 2 months and last around 36 hours with a fast heart rate it took me a while to accept that it wasn't going to kill me! I always converted after this time so never took myself to hospital even though it was uncomfortable!

I doubt the hospital will do anything other than monitor you which is more stressful sitting in there!

[ruskin10]

Yes I've self reverted after 24 hours.

[Dudtbin]

i was in af for three weeks before they got the hr below 130 and then another two weeks before nsr its very scary but the medication is working now!

[Tomred]

I am also on dronederone, and have weekly attacks that last at least 48 hours and will revert by itself.

[Ppiman]

Unless you have other reasons, such as worrying symptoms or other conditions, I would avoid A&E for Afib, especially these days with hospitals being thoroughly overwhelmed by so people using A&E instead of visiting their GP.

Have you asked your own doctor when to phone for an ambulance - a kind of plan of action?

Steve

[Kimmieblue]

Hi midnight2022I wondered how you're doing, I hope they've managed to lower your heart rate.

I was recently put onto Dronedarone twice a day, how do you usually get on with this med?

I feel very tired, but it could be my AF because it's not controlling it too well, I'm under the heart institute Bristol and should be having another ablation sometime.

Best wishes

K.

[Midnight2022 in reply to Kimmieblue]

I’m not doing very well. I have appointment with GP tomorrow but I’m very symptomatic still with racing heart and tight chest unless sitting or lying. Hoping GP can get urgent referral but if not consider going to see private

[Kimmieblue]

I'm so sorry to hear that, I hope your GP can get you that referral, please relate how you're doing,I've found this is a great forum for advice.

Many best wishes

K.