I’ve seen a cardiologist for the first time properly today.
He prescribed me flecanide in case I have another AFiB episode. He said that porxysmol is generally bought on by alchohol, stress, Illness or infection, is that right - and why it’s at the stage it’s not classed as risky as the other stages . Basically saying nothing to worry about yet
I’ve read how many people have moved to the stage quite quickly 🤔is that right?
My heart is structurally fine thankfully.
Paroxysmal AF (that which comes and goes ) can have many triggers though inflamation for anybody and binge drinking in younger people are common causes. Endurance sports and flying fast jets (high g work) also produce more than the average case of AF.
In my view any AF should be tken seriously and stroke risk assessed with the usual Chads2vasc2 forumula. Stroke does not erspect age regaradless of young or old. Sounds like an old school cardiologist rather than an expert in arrhythmias like an electrophysiologist.
I thought that Bob, I’ve read his profile and your right not sure he’s he ha much arrhythmia experience. 🤔
Hi, May I ask you which cardiologist you saw privately? Was it a cardiologist from Nottingham City Hospital ? While there in September 2024 after going to Queen’s Nottingham A&E after fainting, then transferred to the City cardiac clinic and veing fitted with a small titanium recording loop before being discharged. I saw a Dr Matthew. Was not really impressed. This was middle September 2024. On 2/12/24, an 8 hour episode of Afib was diagnosed. I was only informed at the end of December 24 and my GP was asked to prescribe Apixaban 5 mg, twice/day and Bisoprolol 2.5 mg once/day. I am 78.
It is rather scary. Best wishes,
Doctor toon from city, but jive found out he’s a conventional cardiologist so he does everything. I need an electrophysiologist!
Thank you. I saw a Dr Matthew while I was there . Have seen an electrophysiologist privately last month at Spire Leicester. If I have any procedure it will be at Glenfield hospital in Leicester. They have a great reputation there. Hope you find a doctor you can trust.
Hi Bob
Just had another read - Interventional cardiology consultant - this is what’s on his profile.
Interventional cardiologists do stents and things, he’s a plumber you need an electrician .
I was so unimpressed with the cardiologist I saw in hospital with my first episode, I saw another one privately 3 days later who agreed I shouldn’t have been put on drugs after a first episode .
I have had three episodes roughly two years apart . Mine don’t seem to be affected by stress or illness . My first one was a prescribed inflammatory . My second was on New Year’s Day after a festive period of too much chocolate and sugar generally, topped off with a Chinese takeaway then trying to exercise it off the next day.. 3rd one about two years later was panting up and down some very steep hills on holiday in Yorkshire . I am on a very long waiting list for an ablation
There is a pool of triggers the trick is to try and find which ones affect you, if you are lucky. For many people AF happens regardless, but still I stick rigidly to my own guidelines of no alcohol , caffeine , chocolate or indeed sugar full stop , processed food . No exercise that is going to push my heart rate right up . You have to decide what is best for you.
Currently I take Edoxaban . I also supplement with fish oil, which many say don’t take with anti coagulants but I ve taken it for decades, magnesium and Vit D
It’s all very frightening and confusing especially at the beginning I know
Interesting!! It's good to read about your experience.... I went into permanent AF 6 months ago, put on sopralol and had cardioversion 2 weeks ago ..I was back to normal rhythm but it only lasted 4 days. Now put on amiodarone, which looks pretty nasty, but I'm back in normal sinus after just 4 days!! Like you I love my walking, I just completed the mini Camino de Santiago , 150km and felt great!!
Hmm.I'm concerned here. 'Another' AF episode?.suggests quite low burden,and so query onto a stonking medication in that case.
Id strongly suggest you would be advised to see an Electrophysiologist .
Some ,not all ,Cardiologists are pretty vague about AF and other arrythmia. Yours sounds like an old school type!
Where do you live? UK?
HiCardiologist or EP? Remember, you can always ask fir second opinion. Glenfield is not too far from you,or UCHW( Coventry)
See how you feel,go with your gut feeling xx
My dad had his surgery at 57 at glenfield and they did an amazing job, he’s now 70 in April 🙏I could see if they would accept me xx
Normally you can choose,I'm in Mansfield and choose Glenfield over City..Paid private at the Park for a zio monitor and to see Dr Chitkara.Cuts out alot of Red tape,try and ask for a Echo.Ive had an ablation my results from the zio monitor where bad,svt,missing beats 82 episodes in 12 days.NSR since November procedure.Its scary but things can get better,I'm 53 and male
I’ll try this, really appreciate it - I moved from kingsmill as I’m really not a fan.
The heart nurse was good at King's Mill, a lady called Solley.Dont mess around with it your only young,.The Park was good money spent.If you want to talk about it I'm available for a chat,it was a bit of a firestorm for me but all good now.The people on this forum are amazing
My Afib they believe was from pulmonary embolism blood clots on my lungs.I was very fit at the time,
drsaagarmahida.co.uk I went on a top doctor list and there were hardly any electrophysiologist - this man sounds really good x
There are a lot in the NHS. Proff Ng at Glenfield with a team of EPs,Proff Osman at UHCW,with a team,spring to mind straight away pretty local to you,as well as QE Birmingham
I had Professor Ng, brilliant EP
Glenfield is first class, I had my ablation there last March but I did wait 12 months
I’m changing to glenfield o hope.
I found him when he had an article in the Sunday Mail about new technology treatment for catheter ablation few years back. He is the President of the British Cardiovascular Society and recognised in the UK and internationally. Google him his full name is Professor G André Ng.I see him privately but had my ablation on the NHS. I think I paid £250 for my initial consultation and then £180 for follow ups.I think this is probably the way you will need to go to see him personally. I know someone who has been under his team for 6 years on the NHS but always sees one of his team not him. He did perform my ablation.
May I ask you who did the ablation at Glenfield, Professor André Ng? Or Dr Sandilands? How long did it take to recover from the ablation? Are you still taking anticoagulants and Betablockers ? How are you feeling now? Do you have a special diet ( do you avoid certain things)? Am fairly newly diagnosed with AFib. Feeling scared. Best wishes.
Professor Ng did my ablation. I first went to him privately having found him through an article in the Sunday Times. He put me on the NHS waiting list for the ablation and I waited 12 months. I was like you very scared when first diagnosed back in 2020 smack in the middle of covid so it was awful as I ended up in resus on my own!
I am feeling great now, I haven't had an episode in over 12 months (as far as I am aware) since the ablation. I am travelling abroad again and doing all the things I used to do that I was scared to do before. My episodes were awful, used to come every 3 months and last over 36 hours!
Recovery wasn't bad to be honest. I had it done under sedation but don't remember a lot about it. I came out the next day, was walking out the day after and lunch out the following week. I did get some indigestion especially at night when I lay down for a few weeks and I had aura migraines for around 10 days then they stopped, this is caused by the transeptal puncture and happens to some not all, when it heals they stop.
Professor Ng is a firm believer in 'belt and braces' so reduced my Sotalol but I am still on it at the moment. He says I will be on anticoagulants for life and I think this is the norm for anyone who has/had AF as you can be in AF and not feel it therefore the stroke risk remains.
I don't have a special diet I eat whatever I want to although I try not to eat too late at night. I am still wary of alcohol as I haven't drank this since diagnosed, it is a recognised trigger for some. I avoid caffeinated drinks especially coffee although I have had the odd cup of caffeinated tea which doesn't seem to affect me.
We did try to control my AF at first with medication but it didn't work. Professor Ng told me it's like a jack in the box, the more it pops it's head out the more it does and is almost always progressive with episodes becoming more frequent until they eventually join up and it becomes persistent. He said it's best treated with ablation in the early stages as there is a better chance of success. I was frightened as ablation is not without risk but these are minimal and let's face it what isn't without risk 🤔 I was always waiting for the next episode and Professor Ng gave me a scenario which was my deciding factor to go ahead, he said "You have just boarded a plane to Barbados and your AF starts with a 13 hour flight ahead of you, how are you going to feel knowing you have to sit it out?" Enough said....go for it! I don't regret it and Glenfield are excellent.
Hi Karendeena,
Thank you so much for your reassuring reply. Pleased you are doing so well now. Most encouraging. I saw Prof Ng privately in 2017 after i fainted several times, even when sitting down, and after i had been diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension at another hospital by another cardiologist, following a tilttable test. He then saw me at Glenfield hospital for further tests which did not show any sign of AFib. Then I started fainting again in July 2024 when I was staying away at my daughter’s in Suffolk. A Paramedic came to see me but I did not go to A&E although I felt very unwell. Then I fainted again in mid September 2024. Living alone it was quite frightening. After phoning 999, they sent me to Nottingham Queen’s A&E where they did a few tests, an MRI scan of lungs and of brain (my head felt so strange) then after 2 days transferred me to Nottingham City Hospital to the cardiac Ward where my heart was monitored day and night for 2 days. No abnormal rhythms were noted. So the cardiologist decided a small monitoring loop should be inserted into the top left side of my chest before discharging me. Then a recording of an 8 hours and 16 minutes AFib episode was recorded on 2nd December 2024. Apparently it was very loud. I only received a letter to inform me at the end od December. The cardiologist asked my GP to prescribe anticoagulants and Betablockers.
I then sent an email to the cardiologist asked my, asking many questions but I only got a brief reply, many of my questions remained unanswered. This was disappointing and I was worried, not feeling great. I still do not feel great. Totally exhausted, no energy at all, sleepy,´etc. So last month I decided to go and see Prof Ng privately again. When I phoned to make an appointment with him I was told he was away until May! I now wish I had waited till then but I felt too worried so I decided to seecDr Alastair Sandilands who is supposed to be good too. Saw him 2 weeks ago. He reassured me He suggested i should have an AV node ablation and a pacemaker implant. Apparently this would stop any further AFib and prevent my heart going slow and there would not be the need to use Betablockers. I would need to keep taking anticoagulants.
Have read a few comments about him that he was good. However, I feel, perhaps wrongly, thatcProfvNg might be better. Probably irrationnel of me. Perhaps i should see Prof Ng privately again. Clearly I am still concerned about having AFib. I might send you a PM if that is ok ?
Keep well. J
Please PM me. I hope he's not away until May as I have an appointment with him in April at the Spires in Leicester. I am sure they would have informed me 🤔Have you called his private secretary, Julie?
Thank you, Will PM you later as must organise things. Before i phoned Spire Leicester i tried to phone Julie but no answer. Tried several times . As I was feeling rather stressed and scared I decided to make an appointment with another cardiologist who had been recommended by my GP.
Julie only picks up calls in the afternoon as far as I know. If you leave a message on the answer service she does get back to you. She is also secretary for Dr Sandilands I believe
Thanks for the tip. Running out of time so will PM you tomorrow.
From what the cardiologist said, I think you know more about atrial fibrillation than he does. Best to pose those questions to a more sophisticated electrophysiologist.
Jim
I think I may pay privately to speak to an Electrophysiologist. I still don’t feel satisfied yet again. I know about cardiac remodelling - and I know it can progress quickly, not always.
Hi Wishcld,
I think you need to do that too. A cardiologist is totally different to an EP unfortunately. I have seen both and it was only the EP who really looked at my AF.
Hi Wishcld
Paroxysmal AF is defined as occuring up to 7 days. If it occurs more frequently up to a year it becomes classified as persistent.From my studies about 30 % go on to persistent from recurring PAF. Persistent AF and long standing persistent which is defined as AF for more than one year are less responsive to conversion to SR. That is why many individuals with PAF are advised to have cardiac ablation to forestall progression to persistent AF, often associated with irreversible anatomical changes in the heart due to ongoing chronic inflammation.The problem with that approach is as I mentioned only 30% progress to persistent AF and secondly cardiac ablations may not be successful and require repeats. Cardiac ablations are described as low risk unless you experience a life threatening consequence. As a physician with a history of asymptomatic longstanding persistent AF that I converted to SR now for 20 months, I will continue my low risk protocol if I can avoid cardiac ablations, meds, and electrical cardioversions, all of which have considerable recurrence rates of AF. I am not advocating against those interventions for AF individuals who have serious cardiac issues but I do think my protocol , which has been successful for me, may have a place for PAF individuals with supervision by their professional health provider. My problem is getting the medical profession to take a relook at careful scientific administration of oral supplements because Mg treatment in the words of one cardiac editorial questions is it “ myth or magic” due to inconsistent results with Mg administered intravenously. They are missing underappreciated observations that made my conversion possible.
For anyone listening hug your heart and for others who need a hug.
Hugheart
Hello from Oz,
I have had paroxysmal AF for nearly 15 yrs, I’m now 84. I have taken Flecainide 50mg in an evening throughout. I have only had two or three episodes where I have not responded to an extra tablet (pill in the pocket). I lead a normal life, walk the dog, clean the house, do the garden. Like you I don’t have underlying heart problems, so enjoy life and don’t worry. I do take Apixaban to lessen the risk of stroke.
Thanks for sharing that……. It’s reassuring x
who knows what brings it on. I’m on flecanide ..still get episodes..…just learn to live with them and don’t worry about them. Lucky you..I’ve never seen a cardiologist lol..only phone calls.
Dehydration is another factor, get to learn your triggers .
Watch the York cardiologist on you tube..very reassuring and talks in a lovely relaxing and easy to understand way.
I was seeing a rhythm nurse who rushed me so I moved hospital x but now I’m thinking he doesn’t know enough lol - especially the progression x
Well…it won’t go away that’s for sure. There is no real cure…just meds..an ablation but don’t think even that is a permanent fix. Just make sure you have anticoagulants to minimise the risk of a stroke but above all…DONT. wORRY x
mine started when i was 35 i'm now 67.. been paroxysmal all that time. Its just got a bit more regular the last 3 years maybe once or twice a year and prior to that on average once every 4 or 5 years. I believe my good Mediterranean diet and regular exercise has helped stay out of it and of course maybe luck. My big triggers have always been too much alcohol, caffeine then followed by exercise immediately after eg... running up the stairs or chasing a mate.... anything steroidal can kick it off and when i break out with cold sores(HSV) and thats a viral thing and inflammation in the body, AF does not like that.
I’m glad you got through as I’m 43 and thinking can I get through this. Have you stopped drinking then.
Firstly - I think it’s a really good idea to cut out all alcohol YES, but also sugar, artificial sweeteners and ultra processed foods - all of which create inflammation in the body = irritation to the heart muscle = arrythmias. Just see if it makes a difference because you are young and believe me that it doesn’t get easier as you age.
I would always advocate Lifestyle Adaptations first - try supplements such as magnesium and anti inflammatory (avoid the drugs such as ibuprofen as they can cause AF) before other treatment plans such as drugs and ablations - all of which do have affects in the long term. What is disturbing is that so few doctors advocate Lifestyle but one EP who does is Dr John Day who wrote a book called The AFib Cure. What he says in it that Lifestyle changes may not always work for everyone but they will certainly help keep you fit and well and if, as and when you need to take meds or have ablation - more likely to have a good outcome ie: no more AF.
If you are a good weight, sleep well and other than AF fit and healthy then it is time to see a specialist and talk about best treatment plan for you.
Best wishes
My AF was similar to what you have experienced at the start. I agree with comments made on seeing an EP.
I have just undertaken my second abalation. After my first abalation I was AF free for 9 months but it came back.
My cardiologist will not take me off blood thinners due the risk of stroke.
Mine came following a virus and after an echocardiogram showed my heart was structurally sound I was eventually prescribed Flecainide by an EP I saw privately after what my surgery prescribed proved wrong for me after only three days! At first I took 100mg as a pill in the pocket (PIP) but now that I take it regularly I am virtually AF free and have reduced the first dose of the day. But I was well into my 70s before this started and you are so much younger so that’s sad. The EP told me that unless an episode was with a very fast heart rate and continued for long, I would not be at risk of stroke and guess it’s the same for you. When I took it as a PiP it stopped episodes in a few hours and thus I have been fine without anticoagulants. Try not to worry and just rest if you do get the odd episode, having taken the Flecainide. Welcome to this helpful club!
Thanks for that. I have good and bad days worrying how my life might end up…… I exercise and everything now.
Well, don’t overdo it!
I feel like a mirror image to you. Mine was exactly the same. I had an ablation in July 24 as HR with af was in the 200BPM. So far all is ok. Still get ectopics but have not had PAF or AF since the end of the blanking period. I’m on Edoxaban for coagulation and have Flecanide PIP as a just in case. I walk the dog daily. Still scared to push to full exercise. I have not had alchohol since February last year and have decaffeinated drinks. I don’t eat bread and try very hard to stay away from sugary things. So far so good. I wish you luck.
Glad the ablation worked. I’m not keen on the meds much but I just keep plodding along.
Hi ,
I have PAF aswell and been taking flec now for approximately 10+years. My heart races occasionally and I try to deal with it, slow breathing and a kind of meditation.
We all know the list of triggers and eliminating all of them , I think, is unrealistic and would make life rather dull.
It's more about moderation now, although I try to avoid caffeine (never really bothered me anyway), sweet treats artificial sweetners.
I still eat spicy food , drink alchol etc
I live a relatively normal life.
Taking flec , if it helps you, is not a big problem, in my opinion.
Good luck 😊
People have said they can drink on flec and they are ok.
Hi Wishcld,
It’s best to give up alcohol unfortunately. Some can get away with it and drink moderately, but I still believe that it is worth eliminating it altogether as it can be a trigger. I used to like a nice cold Prosecco or a glass of red wine, but I haven’t had any now for nearly four years. I can drink most alcohol free wines and spirits. Some are susceptible to additives ( sulphites) in them, but not all of us and I seem to be ok. It’s trial and error still unfortunately. I’m also ok with coffee, but I do limit the amount. We still need some things in life we enjoy.
Hi Teresa,
I do respect your opinion but I'm not sure I understand ,' it's best to give up alcohol as it can be a definite trigger' .
Can be and definite are completely different.
Also anxiety, worry, walking up steep hills, over exercise, not enough exercise, sulphites, rich food, overeating, artificial sweetners, caffeine, chocolate, cake , biscuits etc for some people are triggers, but are you going to give them all up ?
It depends on individuals and how you react to these things.
Best wishes.
Has the Afib been eliminated? Thanks.
Has the Afib been eliminated? Thanks.
Has the Afib been eliminated? Thanks.
Hi Pommerania,
Flec , unfortunately doesn't eliminate AF, just helps keep it under control,
Regards
What do you mean by "keep it under control?" Thanks.
When my heart starts pounding it mainly reverts quicker. Also, I think I get less episodes but that's probably very hard to prove.
The meds are to try to give you better quality of life with fewer events because there is no cure for a fib. After my first and second ablation, I did quite well and for a year and a half just staying on my meds. I could pretty much ignore a fib and had few events. I feel I was very blessed because after having a loop recorder implanted my first event other than my major that knocked me out, they got right on it. First thing was the anticoagulant the second I forget what I was on now at the beginning becausethere was a lot of trial and error and learning curve. It’s annoying how you can feel so good and a few hours later feel so very bad until it the right way to control itclicks for you. The longest I was able to stay in sinus rhythm was about 3 1/2 weeks. I had tachycardia that never went away except for that cardioversion. For months my heart rate was around 200. I won’t get into all of that I have moved on appreciating how I feel now I will tell you that it was the fault of the doctor for the surgical mess he madeand my fault not following up finding another doctor quick. Unfortunately those six months led me to heart failure and pacemaker, etc. immediately because according to my EP, or I could take much more. Obviously, I’ve had a happy ending because I’m still here telling you this.
There are people who are very lucky and go for a length of time without a fib or flutter sometimes just meds or one ablation. That’s what you hope your meds are going to do for you. Unfortunately, that’s pretty much the best things can be for us. welcome to the world of a fib it will be with you the rest of your life hopefully relatively controlled and when you have episodes I hope they are gentle ones. I’m not sure if it is the people writing or they have it so much worse than I have ever had when it comes to an episode we are all different except in the beginning. I find it more annoying than anything else especially now that I have a pacemaker. Best of luck with everything. The majority of the time running to the emergency room is not going to be helpful. They will make you stable and comfortable, which you would probably end up anyway staying at is no set amount of time for an episode within and you don’t want to be blacking out or anything like that but if you would just getting thumps and palpitations think about if you didn’t have a fib and you felt palpitations from too much coffee what would you do? I don’t feel that there is that much of a difference what is causing it but that’s. I asked my doctor if I went to the ER. Could they do anything for me when I was having an episode and he told me straight out no that they would most likely make me comfortable because it is not their expertise to do anything else and they would need an EP involved by then most likely I would get sent home because the episode was gone. Most of us are going to have a fib episodes often on throughout our lives. The more you stress yourself the more often you might have them or the longer they will last. It’s rare that I let them scare me now. oh yes by the way, even with a pacemaker, you can fill them. The difference is they no longer do harm because the pacemaker is in control. If they don’t tell you, you’re going to it it could be frightening. I know I was scared now that I know what’s going on. It’s just annoying again. Quite a few of us on here have come to realize we are not going to let it run our lives and ruin our lives. Best of luck.
Definitely see EP (electrophysiologist) as others have suggested (electricians & plumbers have their own skills) - I fortunately went privately so saw the consultant every time & no horrendous waiting lists. If that’s not an option, look up consultants in your area (BUPA have lists online) choose your local area private hospital to see who is around & then see where they do their NHS work (if it’s not stated on Bupa site just call the listed secretary & they’ll tell you) Get Gp referral to one you feel is best qualified.
I think I’ve found a private one I can get in touch with.
please make sure you see PE my PE is the one that explained to me the difference between the plumber and the electrician and I am also discovering that most feel they have learned all they need to know they to have a list on what to do next my PE thinks outside the box and he told you never stop learning can’t. Look at all the equipment they use to save our lives. When I got my pacemaker, I was told I am unique one of a kind yet the other day I was looking at something that my former PE is involved that almost makes me look like I belong in the Institute lol just know they are working on things constantly and have not the end of the line for us and when you have doctors such as mine who think out of the box I believe is even better to come. He presented my case at something he was attending up in Dallas, Texas. They requested he return to teach their what he had done so they could save more people like me. They did not have a pacemaker for and although you may hear more of it now at the time, HIS pace bundling was not really spoken of. I also have three leads there are so many unusual things about what they did for me. When I went into the hospital, it was in a wheelchair. I had not been able to walk for about six months. My heart was barely pumping what I needed, and I had tachycardia close to 200 constantly when I left the was in a wheelchair because they made lol but then I was able to stand up and get into the car by myself. I’m not saying I was about to play jump rope or anything but the fact of walking was a miracle. I never realized how much we need that circulation working right that’s why I’m concerned now since the fall because I am forgetting things and I have brain fog so many things that been gone for two years. I’m waiting to hear from the office of my new EP. I think I found another diamond if you took his name off his résumé both he and the one I just lost could be interchange from what I know so far. That makes me excited that’s how much faith I have in them and their teams.
I know things are different for you regarding doctors but until your PE tells you that you don’t need him stay with him if you can I know financially it can also be a burden. It takes so much for them to get to that status when it comes to working on our we only have one we want to have the best doctor we can. I am not thrilled with the way things are these days although I have been very blessed. is a specialist. They also all seem to want you to tell them what’s going on aren’t they? The doctors aren’t they the ones that are supposed to tell us.
best of luck to everyone out hereright now, I have something that has to be squared away because of falling I think but other than that, I’m gonna be fine and I hope everyone out here is just as lucky actually I don’t like the world lucky it’s more than that. It’s something special.
I was under Professor Ng privately at Glenfield and I still see him this way although my ablatywas on the NHS
Hi there yes it is a very common condition and when I first was told I have it I was very concerned to say the least...but it can be managed with treatment and many people lead normal , long and productive lives ...I found a few lifestyle changes , I.e . No more intense fitness training just moderate fitness and a few diet changes have really helped along with the flecanide I was prescribed..and as time has gone on I've been able to reduced my dose by half because of the changes...its a case of what's best for you treatment wise and the cardiologist should help you with that...to much intense excercise by the way is not good for afib and can be just as big a trigger for an episode as alcohol etc..
I’ve been walking to start with
Yes that is a good start , too much excercise or no excercise at all is not good for afib but a happy medium is ..all the best
You don’t need to upend your life because of this. It certainly takes a period of time to come to terms with this new reality. It’s only natural to wish you could turn the clock back to before IT happened but in time your mind will accommodate this new reality. You will have a management plan or contingency plan in place. You will have your meds at hand. You will know the drill. If you look after your overall health, and that includes prioritising your sleep and managing your stress by adopting specific strategies, even if it’s using an app like Calm or another similar app, or going to a yoga class or something like that — if it’s accessible, affordable and do-able. As long as you find what works for you. Please avoid fad diets and cutting out random foods or food groups because of what someone on the internet says. You don’t know them, you don’t know their history, you don’t know anything about their health or their lifestyle. That goes not only for influencers but even on groups like these. You don’t live in their body, and vice versa. You will learn what works for you and what fits in with your life. Just give it time. You’ll be fine. You’ve got this.
add indigestion and your cardiologists conclusion about triggers is absolutely spot on! I had a virus a few weeks ago and had two attacks after not having one for months. Try meditation, small meals and limit alcohol! I also think that magnesium taurate is good and also co enzyme Q 10
Sounds good what your doing.
I was diagnosed with lone paroxysmal AF in 2020, my heart being structurally sounds, they could find no reason except perhaps my over indulgence in wine and stress. I was treated with medication but my episodes became more frequent and lasted up to 36 hours. Paid to see an EP and we tried to control it but nothing worked and he said AF is like a jack in the box the more it pops out the more it wants to! It nearly always progresses. I had an ablation in March 2024 and whilst I was terrified I was told that it's best treated when paroxysmal. It was successful and I've had no episodes since 🤞
That’s good. Glad it’s going ok, for you.
Hi
Was diagnosed prior but Sept 2019 I was diagnosed STROKE - Embolic type wirh Rapid and Persistent AF and a scan for a check on my carotid arteries showed a shadow on my thyroid. This was the cause of AF which caused the stroke.
So none if what he has quoted fitted my diagnosis and explanation.
Steps are lose weight, stop neing stressed or anxious. It could be a family trait.
High Heart Rate - rapid needed to be brought under control asap. Rhythm NOT as important. ECHO to check heart for structural damage. If any Flecainade NOT for me.
Over next 2 years 3 months - no follow up Stroke or AF. No one cared. Metopolol I could not exert - sweating and breathless 186bpm avg Day. Demanded Public Heart Specialist. 24Heart Monitor reported bpm Day as above and 47avg Night with 2 swc pauses.
Changed to another BB Bisoprolol 24hr check 156 Day avg same at night mentioned above.
Both BBs did not control 100 or under H/Rate.
Needed 2 operations not Heart.
Locum Dr the best in her 80s but had AF earlier in her life directed me to go private.
Interested he introduced CCB Calcium Channel Blocker. 1/2 dose took me down from 156 to 51 in 2 hours.
We twinked it to Diltiazem 120 CD mg early morning and Biso.. for NP Night 2.5mg.
In December BP went low so no more BB Bisoprolol.
CCB Diltiazem saved me from more damage to my heart.
You should be trialled on a CCB or BB in pocket until you are persistent or permanent. But you have been put on Flec an anti-arrhymic med as he recognides that rhythm is more important if you have symptoms.
Yesm had the 2 operations stopping PRADAXA 110mg twice day for 3 x 24hrs prior ans 2 x 24hrs after.
Surgeons refuse to do operations if the h/rate is over 100.
Take care, JOY. 76. (NZ)
I’m on bisoprolol and Apixiban and been given flecanide as pill in pocket.
I'm very angry, I was told, ( oh lots of people have this it's very common not a problem) rubbish I'm not the person I was, I once read get rid of AF if possible, I wished I had listen to that and had an ablation, AF is HORRIBLE
is horrible. It’s not common or a problem. It’s a whole new change in your life, but it doesn’t have to be a bad one. The biggest thing is for them to get it controlled as much as possible as far as events. They are never going to stop, but you may only have one once a year that’s why they keep changing meds. My doctors started with meds and then with an ablation they didn’t jump and run to cardioversions, etc. I never had one until right at the end where they were going to try one last medication before going to a pacemaker. I had an impressed on how much trauma the goes through each time it has a procedure. Think about how big your heart is and as strong as it not that strong to keep getting beaten up. Just with tachycardia I ended up with heart failure. That and the fact that the third ablation I had that was supposed to be so fabulous almost did in so I wouldn’t have been able to tell you this. My new PE said because of the scarring, he would not consider another ablation for why I ended up with a pacemaker. Best thing I ever had done.
maybe people are saying it’s no big deal trying to sugarcoat it for you, but it’s your body. You know how it feels although many of you must have a lot more pain or something ever had because once I learned about it and got over being afraid of it it’s not going to kill me most likely I find it annoying and makes you feel lousy and you can’t do things you want to do anymore. Actually, the last time I saw my PE before he moved away was that there’s really nothing. I cannot do that someone without heart trouble can do. My heart failure has reversed from 40s to 70s because of the pacemaker resting my heart so it could do what it needs to do the right way once again.
getting angry the way you are is only adding to your not something you want because there’s nothing you can do about having a fib. That being said do what your doctor tells you and if you don’t feel it’s right speak up if he ignores find another doctor I changed the first time only because I moved out of state. The second one turned out to be a nightmare, my third one because he moved out of state my next one I am going to that I have already chosen and started the ball rolling I feel is just as much of a diamond as the one that just moved away and that is so important to me.
they cannot cure a or you should know if you get a pacemaker you’re still gonna feel it. It’s not going to damage you like it was that’s the difference. You also should have less events and not as bad as they were. I see many people no longer. I am still on meds. I have no problem with that because I have been feeling so good the last two years. I will never give up my anticoagulant. I see people on here that I’m doing OK so far without. I hate to tell you this but the day that you aren’t doing OK could be the worst day of your life. It only takes one stroke. Unless you get a or something I don’t know about. You are never going to get my anticoagulant out of my hands.
I don’t know where you are in your treatment hopefully with a PE I hope you find your triggers at least major ones for eating too much because it was tasting too good or drinking too much even water FYI because filling yourself too much it doesn’t have to be alcohol, but alcohol is definitely not a for most of us. I will still have a glass of nice cold sangria once in a while, but after the first problem with it before the pacemaker, I did not touch it again and as far as over eating, I always take half home. Even when eating at home, my half of what I used to eat sometimes I want to continue, but I already know I am full. I can feel it and that one last mouthful could make me miserable all night. Very rich food can also trigger you. Thankfully, I’m not a big ice cream eater because anytime I have any of it the palpitations start. I am more of a milkshake drinker. It doesn’t matter that it also.
you need to try to get out of your head about do what it wants to do whenever it feels like doing it just try to picture it standing behind a big thick wall all by itself acting stupid. A fib is the one getting angry because it’s not hurting you it’s just annoying you. Try it it sounds silly, but I would rather laugh at it than be all scared and sit feeling lousy. It will go away again. You know that it’s a nasty little beast. But we can beat it in our heads.
In my case it's familial. My late father and my four sisters and I have /had PAF. My son had an ablation 20 years ago - he was a competition canoeist and white water rafter - he, and many of his fellow Club members were diagnosed by a fellow member, a cardiologist. When I was diagnosed my cardiologist told me that after older people, his second largest group of patients were canoeists and then other extreme athletes. I think there are mutiple causes at play in the condition.
my dad has it and aunts
Well done - what a lot of posts. So far as I know, no one knows what causes the atrium to lose its natural electrical conductivity in the ways it does. Age and inflammation from conditions like diabetes, sleep apnoea and hypertension are known precursors, but, again, not "causes". That is likely a combination of genetics and the environment.
Unless it's new, I have seen no solid evidence that alcohol drunk in normal amounts causes AF so I guess your doctor had some other issues with it. Binge drinking is different; that has been shown to trigger AF (although perhaps not cause it). I suppose that drinking alcohol might yet one day be shown to be generally unsound or worse, but till then, an occasional drink helps me unwind from this very stressful condition, far more safely and than, say, a tablet, in my view.
Let's hope the flecainide does the trick when AF starts. One thing I have found is that knowing and fully and deeply accepting that atrial issues, although they can make us feel like death is around the corner, it most certainly isn't. That is the nervous system "catastrophising" in a way only it knows how. No one dies directly of AF to my knowledge; what can be dangerous, and this is rare, are strokes from untreated coagulation problems, and ventricular / heart output issues that can lead to uncontrolled falls in blood pressure. Those who have this know about it and need rapid help when it happens.
Steve
I hope all these comments are correct as I feel I have a long journey ahead of me yet at 43 🥲
I hadn't seen your age and should have looked. But yes, the informations is gleaned from reading study after study, and talking to doctors (having spent twenty years of my life before I became a teacher in the pharmaceutical industry).
43 is young to have AF and I know less about why you have got it at that age (unless you have the "inflammatory" conditions I mentioned, or an obvious genetic predisposition). That is, except that I had multiple ectopic beats all my adult life and a cardiologist, famous although I didn't know that back then, checked me out thoroughly and told me that he hoped and believed the ectopic beats would stay as just that: harmless "missed" beats and palpitations. Well, they did - for forty years. I reached 66 before they turned into atrial flutter, and then atrial fibrillation. So my atrium had been misfiring for forty years before I got a "proper" arrhythmia. You reached 43. My elderly friend is 92 nearly and has had AF, permanently, for well over a decade and likely, silently, long before that. My son's colleague is still doing some teaching at 76 years of age and he has permanent AF and AFl (flutter).
So, yes, I think the chances are loaded with you and not against you, and that you'll be just fine.
Steve
I don’t have any of the usual characteristics but my dad has it. I do have postural orstatic hypotension - low blood pressure
Alcohol is not my friend! It can certainly trigger lots and lots of ectopics and for all I know it could have been slow AF. It’s not always easy to tell. I wasn’t much of a drinker when AF happened and never really have been. These days it can cause arrhythmia of some kind so I don’t think it’s very wise for me to consume alcohol. I’ll have some kombucha instead. Not that I think kombucha is this wonderful health promoting drink either. I think it’s a bit overhyped and its health benefits are probably pretty marginal. If any. But that’s my way of joining in. It’s either that or fizzy water, but these days there’s always going to be someone who relishes is saying “well actually… did you know that fizzy water … something something gloom and doom … something something toxic blah blah” etc etc. These days I just don’t have the energy to face assault charges! 😂
Poor you. I hope I never get to associate my drinking with AF as I would miss its most pleasurable de-stressing effect. A nice G&T or glass of French red is one of life's little pleasures! I have never tried "kambucha". It sounds weird but I have a feeling my daughter-in-law makes it!
Steve
YouTube, Sanjay Gupta in York, Good videos on all cardiology topics, AFIB, PVCs, etc.. Paroxysmal here too. Mg, low Ca, low carb, limited exercise, so far about the same frequency about 1 mo on average .25-3 mo range. The Mg did help my leg cramps. I have flecainide for PIP also, but have not used it yet. Did you take the first one under supervision? That is recommended here in US.
No they don’t supervise it 🙈and I suffer with low blood pressure
Your heart has been checked as having no areas of physical damage nor heart block, etc., hence your being prescribed flecainide. I think our arrhythmia specialists are the equal of any in the world so they get my trust.
I suppose it could be argued that private healthcare sometimes seeks profits in ways the NHS has no need to do and demands extra tests and hospital stays?
Steve
It *can* be triggered by any of those things your cardiologist mentioned, yes. So it’s worthwhile paying attention to those if it’s possible. Some of these triggers are impossible to avoid — infections and other illnesses are an inevitable part of life. Alcohol can be avoided or minimised, if you choose. Sometimes AF happens for no apparent reason. Some people drive themselves crazy playing at food detective. I personally do not, because AF is always going to happen 2 or 6 or 12 or however many hours after you have eaten, and how can anyone realistically decide which ingredient of which dish? If it happens every time after consuming something, perhaps there could be a trigger for one individual and I wouldn’t argue with that. Stress management is good for everyone, AF or not. It’s a matter of finding what works for you.
it’s hard to know which it is, but I tend to better if I eat and drink earlier.
Update following Cardiology appointment
You tube- York Cardiology
Update to ‘Waiting List’ post - cardiology appointment 
Cardiology appointment 
