New diagnosis

[Scooby40]

Hi all

I've had a cardiac loop fitted as I'd experienced a few unexplained collapses. Cardiologist phoned to say my loop picked up an episode of af with a heart rate of 250 bpm. I've been put on low dose of beta blocker. Since the episode I've been really tired and not felt particularly well. Is this to be expected? Can't decide if the symptoms are physical or psychological? Any advice greatly received.

[Smarticus]

Hi, are you still in AF? for info a HR of 250 is not really 250, its because the pulse "swings" so rapidly a monitor cant pick up a true time period. Mine was anywhere between 50 and 250 according to these types of machines. Have they said they will complete any more tests ? ECG (electro and echo)? Take Care.

[Scooby40 in reply to Smarticus]

Hi, not in af at the moment. My cardiologist said it was beating that fast for 2 hours so I don't know? Had ecg and echo before I first saw the consultant and they were normal. Beta blockers make me feel awful and I'm so tired.

[Smarticus in reply to Scooby40]

So, disclaimer, im not a Dr. Have you noticed AF before? It is perfectly common to have AF and people live with it sometimes all their lives. You said you were collapsing, this tends to be due to low BP. Did you feel (this) tired prior to the betablockers? (They also lower BP) they do make you tired as a side effect.. but it could be a symptom of something else. Try and keep an eye on it yourself, buy a cheap cuff (upper arm) style BP monitor and keep a log. Hopefully you will get used to the BBs over time, but I would still monitor yourself for other episodes of AF, you will generally know when you are in AF. HTH

[Scooby40 in reply to Smarticus]

Hi, not noticed af before. I've felt tired since the episode but maybe this is psychosomatic? I've also been working a lot. Just had some holiday, started the beta blockers when I got back still so tired. I will take your advice and thank you.

[Scooby40 in reply to Scooby40]

Also the reason I had the loop in the first place because they thought the collapsing episodes might be due to syncope. Then the af was picked up by the loop.

[Sunnie2day]

Low dose beta blockers made THE difference for me - 1.25mg Bisoprolol+300mg aspirin every morning has truly been life-changing for me. I'm on the beta blocker for life owing to angina with normal coronaries+pericardial effusion my cardiologist calls stubborn but minimal. He said he's shocked the minimal effusion could cause pain but thinks my 'exceptionally strong heartbeat' aggravates the effusion thus causing pain, hence the beta blocker. Oh. My. Goodness - it's made all the difference!

That said, the first few months I was on the beta blocker were 'interesting' - couldn't wake up quickly in the morning (yes, well, still can't, actually) and was completely useless after 9pm. I can stay up later now but it did take a few months.

If your 'low-dose' is higher than my rock-bottom low dose, you might ask the prescribing doctor if your dosage can be lowered. If you take it in the morning, you may find switching to a night regime helpful - but be sure to talk with your medic before making any changes to your dosage or when you take it to be sure he/she approves. Some beta blocker dosages and when to take them are important to how the medication will work. Everyone is different, your medic may have told you to take it on a schedule for a reason. Mine said am/pm didn't matter as long as I took it at the same time every day, morning is better for me and I did get past the tiredness in about six weeks.

[Scooby40 in reply to Sunnie2day]

Thank you that really helps. My dose is double yours. I will ask if I can take it at night I think it will help. The fatigue is a killer and I work 12.5 hour shifts.

[not2worry]

My husband discovered he had AF during a cardiac rehab session. AF won’t kill you but it does make you feel incredibly fatigued. My husband has what I would call silent AF - he isn’t aware that his heart is racing. The cardiologist described it that it’s like you’re heart is running a marathon and you don’t even know it. Fatigue was the only symptom he experienced with AF. It was a blessing it was discovered.

Our cardiologist also school us on AF-he said there is no such thing as a little AF. AF is the leading cause of stroke. With AF blood can pool and form clots that can eventually lead to stroke. My husband was immediately put in a blood thinner to reduce this possibility and he will be on it for the rest of his life. Blood thinners don’t prevent AF. They just help reduce the odds of stroke.

Please consult you doctor on addressing your AF. There are a number of remedies to eliminate or control AF. Medications, CardioVersion, Ablation, PM.

Yours from Across the Pond

[Scooby40 in reply to not2worry]

Thank you I definitely need to speak to my Dr.