GP thinks AF but still undiagnosed and needing advice.

[Kezmaz]

Hi,

I am a 28 year old female currently under investigations with Cardiology. Not overweight but not overly active with an office job and family history of heart conditions.

I have had an ultrasound on my heart a few weeks ago which came back ‘normal findings’ and was given an Emron ECG event recorder for 4 weeks to use when I have a ‘funny episode’. I haven’t had the results back for this yet however most readings I took showed ‘irregular heart rate and deviating waveform’ (not sure what these actually mean) I’m no expert at reading an ECG but I could spot a definite extra heart beat popping up each time which would explain the odd thuds. Some of these readings were only in the 80-100s and some that showed up ‘Fast heart rate & deviating waveform’ were 130-140bmp, again with this extra beat in the mix - note that the fast beats I wasn’t doing anything at the time. Also what was noticed was that my T-wave was dropping.. does this mean Ischemia?

Symptom wise - mostly I will have a really bad episode while lying in bed, the ones where I feel I could just keel over. Starts by feeling disorientated and going hot for a short moment, then freezing cold, pins and needles all over, slight numbness, breathless in the sense that I don’t feel like my lungs have any air in them and trying to fill my lungs with deep breaths, the speed of breathing isn’t fast that I should be breathless.. heart rate suddenly spikes and then thudding out of my chest, can’t focus on anything and eyesight blurs, feel completely lifeless and weak to the point I can barely find the energy to talk, sick but never actually been sick.. this will last around half an hour and leave me feeling weak the next day. During the day I will generally just go lightheaded every time I move and my heart rate can go up to 120+ just from standing up after being sat for a short while, and generally breathless even with doing nothing.

Only findings so far are that they found was that my resting heart rate at my initial appointment I had Sinus Bradycardia at 54bpm and an ectopic beat was also found when I collected the event recorder.

I’m trying to not let this control my life at the moment but the not knowing is overwhelming, I’ve stopped smoking, avoiding salty foods, sweet foods, not having caffeine and making sure I’m drinking loads of water daily..

1. Wondering if anyone else has experienced the same kind of thing and if there’s any ideas at all what it could possibly be and/or what I can do to prevent this.

2. Does this sound like AF?

3. Would AF and Myocardial Ischemia show on an ultrasound?

My appointment isn’t for another 2 months so any advice in the meantime would really be appreciated.

Tia x

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi Kezmaz

Welcome.

I suggest you make an appointment with your GP and discuss your test results and how you are feeling with them.

I acknowledge how anxious you must be feeling but none of us here on the forum are able to give the advice that your GP can.

I hope you get the answers soon. The waiting not knowing is the hardest part.

Also there is the support group

Arrhythmia Alliance

heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/uk

The nurses on the BHF helpline are very helpful too.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Kezmaz in reply to Milkfairy]

I appreciate that thank you.

Yeah, the not knowing is definitely what’s holding me down right now. Trying to stay positive until my Cardiology appt x

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Kezmaz]

Uncertainty.....and lack of control.

The waiting with your mind going into overdrive of what ifs

Again talk to your GP or there are some really good apps. I use and I know others do this free app of meditation and relaxation techniques.

Mindfulness, yoga and Tai Chi are other helpful stratergies.

insighttimer.com/

[Gowers]

I had af diagnosed after having a heart reveal device fitted it can stay in place for up to 3years and is an accurate way of diagnosing heart conditions. When you feel anything unusual going on you just press a small device and it puts marker on the spot (similar to holter) Worth asking your cardiologist about this perhaps?

[Kanne87]

My partner suffers from breathlessness, sweating and tightness in chest. He thought he had a chest infection so went to the doctor who sent him for an ECG he was diagnosed straight away with AF a month later while waiting to meet for the first time with the cardiologist he caught flu and ended up in intensity care for a week on 90% oxygen and because of the infection he had an Afib episode and his heart rate was anything from 40bpm to 170bpm while lying in a hospital bed and they all said this was normal for someone with this condition. He goes to work every day still but crashes as soon as he comes home, constantly fatigued and suffers the same symptoms as before. Some days are good and some are bad. Currently waiting on a Cardiovasion to try and correct the irregular heartbeat which feels like it's taking a lifetime. He hasn't passed out or anything just tired. I don't know if this will help, I just thought I'd share his experience with being diagnosed with AFib.

[Ianc2]

Does he have an active, physical job?