Nurse Q&A session now open - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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Nurse Q&A session now open

5 years ago•9 Replies

Hi everyone 😊

I’m a Senior Cardiac Nurse at the BHF, here to answer your questions for the next hour.

Our theme for this session is arrhythmias, so we’d like to focus on this topic as much as possible. Please do pop your questions in the comments below and I’ll do my best to help!

Before we start, please avoid posting the real names of the doctors or nurses treating you, or specific hospital teams. We may close this thread at any time if we feel the conversation isn’t in keeping with the ethos of the community – here’s a reminder of our community guidelines healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

If your question doesn’t get answered today, please do email hearthelpline@bhf.org.uk. You can also call our heart helpline on 0300 330 3311, weekdays 9am - 5pm, Saturdays 10am - 4pm.

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Barbara_BHF

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9 Replies

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Calliope1535 years ago

After an ablation do patients have to continue on daily meds? (Asking for a friend I am a stent, valve and graft person!)

Barbara_BHF• in reply toCalliope1535 years ago

Dear Calliope153,

Thank you for posting the question on behalf of your friend. Depending on the success of the procedure, their doctor will discuss with them stopping some of their medication. However, it's important to note that an ablation doesn't usually work immediately and for some people it can take anything between 8-10weeks to find out if the procedure has been successful. I would recommend that you friend keeps an eye out for a follow-up cardiology appointment where this will be discussed. However, if they do not hear back from their cardiologist after this period of time then it might be worth making contact with them to find out the next steps Re; medication.

I hope this will be useful for your friend.

Many thanks

Barbara

Calliope153• in reply toBarbara_BHF5 years ago

Thank you so much for this informative reply - I will tell him.

lettingoffsteam5 years ago

I was diagnosed by a consultant as having occasional atrial arrhythmia but he said not atrial fibrillation as it is 'a difference of degree'.What degree does it have to get to to be classed as af and is there anything I can do to help myself?I do monitor my pulse etc. and I have bought a mini ECG machine on his recommendation but he has discharged me for now so I'm wondering what I need to be aware of.

Barbara_BHF• in reply tolettingoffsteam5 years ago

Hello Lettingoffsteam,

Thank you for posting your question.

Different cardiologists have different ways of explaining test results to their patients. I cannot comment on his statement as I do not know the entire context of his explanation. However, saying you have atrial arrhythmia would mean that the heart's conduction system which sends out electrical impulses might be doing so in a different way and not necessarily following the normal pattern.

If your cardiologist has discharged you for now, this might mean that you may not require any treatment or intervention at the moment but would have to monitor your symptoms and report back to them if you notice any worsening.

I would recommend that in the mean time try and minimise or avoid energy drinks or other beverages that contain caffeine as these can also trigger arrhythmias. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with your GP if you have any concerns regarding symptoms.

I hope this has been of some help.

Best wishes

Barbara

lettingoffsteam• in reply toBarbara_BHF5 years ago

Thank you Barbara.

bantam125 years ago

If it's not to late can i please ask if stopping Apixaban for 48 hours before surgery and at least 72 hours after is safe to do ?

The 48 hours before I'm ok with as I've done it before but added to the 3 or more days after is bothering me.

BHFnurse_JulieBHF Nurse• in reply tobantam125 years ago

Hi this is Julie a BHF cardiac nurse.

Normally if you are hospitalised after surgery your regular anticoagulation medication will be replaced with heparin injections (subcutaneous or just under the skin) or an IV heparin infusion. This is because, depending on the type and length of surgery, you may not be eating and drinking normally for a few days.

I would suggest chatting this through further at your pre-operative assessment appointment or with the surgeon or your cardiologist via a call or email.

Wishing you all the best.

Julie

bantam12• in reply toBHFnurse_Julie5 years ago

The surgeon is hoping to do a laparoscopic cholecystectomy op in which case it will be day case but high risk of open op as I've had abdo ops before so I might be staying in, I'm just not comfortable being sent home with the risk of stroke while I'm off the Apixaban. This has all been arranged as urgent so not had the chance to think things through, I'll email the secretary.

Thanks for your advice 🙂