self help with Af attack

[jbriobarnsey]

When AF kicks off what to do before ambulance arrives ? When I first had an attack (before I was put on warfarin) the ambulance men gave me aspirin, trinitrate spray and an oxygen mask. Seems impossible to buy an oxygen mask anywhere!

[TheStand]

In the beginning (13 years ago) I worried a lot about what to do when it first started. I headed to the Hospital the first few times But after that I just sat back and rode it out. I guess it depends on your attack. At the hospital they are going to hook up an IV and after a while 1 to 4 hours of waiting to see if it will stop they will inject some Cardizem to try to convert you back to NSR. After the first few bills of $500 to $1000 I just rode the attacks out. Mine usually lasted about 6 to 8 hours and I always converted back to NSR on my own. I had 1 attack that was really bad and I went to the Hospital and my EP wanted an ECG so I went in to get it done while I was having an attack, other than those I have just stayed home and waited for it to be over.

Tim

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

The only time I ever went to the hospital was with my first episode of AF. I was there for 2 days as they figured out a tentative diagnosis. Both that doctor, and the women's heart expert I eventually consulted said that unless I was in AF for longer than 24 hours there was no need to go to the hospital. At the time I was taking aspirin but now I am taking Pradaxa so my doc said that even if it is longer than 24 hours I don't need to go to the hospital unless I am really uncomfortable. Thankfully in all these years I have only hit the 24 hour mark once. I have always (knock on wood) converted back to NSR on my own and while I feel tired and unhappy while I am in the abnormal rhythm I am not even short of breath unless I am exercising during an episode. Like Tim, I just try to hang out and wait till it is over.

[Hidden]

I have had very many attacks & 999 calls so speak with some experience! You are on warfarin so that is a big plus to start with . In the early days I sipped at cold water , tried blowing out with my nose pinched & mouth shut ( valsalva manoeuvre ) but quite honestly nothing worked for me . In no time at all the paramedics turned up . Just sit propped up & remember that however life threatening it might feel - & i know it does! - you are not going to die of AF.

[iris1205]

Me too, I sit it out now. they go ballistic here in the Emergency room, and I have to calm them down. My maximum is 12 hours, and the doctor says the same thing, go in before 48 hours, and if I am doing my 180+ bpm I would probably go in before 48h. So far, I managed my meds better than they did - once they were so poorly informed they wouldn't give me my Flecainide, which just prolonged the episode. I got that ECG though which led to the ablation!!!!