AF

[Bigspark]

Hello I am new here and today feeling scared, in my profile you will read my journey so far. At present I am constantly worried as my heart, when relaxing is normally about 65-70 and did occasionally skip a beat, since the last attack it is the minimum 90, and flutters and skips beats all the time and I am also a little breathless which I have never been before. As I was discharged from the cardio team after my initial diagnosis and now have to be referred by my GP back to them it will be some time before I see a specialist I feel I am in a bad place at present. Is there anything I can do to help myself. Sorry not sure really what I’m trying to say really needing reassurance.

[Spangle14]

Hi Big spark.Sorry to hear that you're feeling so scared and really hope (and am sure that you will) get some reassurance here 🤞

Were you diagnosed with Afib - I'm guessing you were. If so, you will get to know that this condition can be very different for us and we can experience it in so many different ways. That said, rapid and banging heartbeats and flutterings are common symptoms, but there are so many different triggers for people, various underlying conditions that can cause Afib and it really can affect us all so differently. Your resting heart rate does seem a bit on the high side but it is under 100bpm and your anxiety could be adding to it.

Are you on any meds? I am assuming you are. Sadly, it is the norm to wait quite some time for a follow-up cardio appointment, especially in these challenging times. Do try to speak with your GP about any concerns or questions you have in the meantime. Also, you could try to find out if you can speak with an arrhythmia nurse at your hospital's cardio department, though this might only be possible once you're in their system - worth asking your GP about it, though, or phoning your referral hospital to ask if you can speak with the arrhythmia team.

Good luck with your journey and try to stay as calm as possible - easier said than done, I know! The heart reacts to our emotions and being anxious can exacerbate any problems that we already have. This site and its members is a mine of information, so allow yourself the time to look at some of the posts that seem relevant to you - I often find that that can lead to other posts, which I have found really helpful. You are not alone ❤️

[Bigspark in reply to Spangle14]

Thank you, some of the worry is that in 2017 they discharged me from the cardio team, so going through doctors again to be referred and I am sure it will be a long time before an appointment

[scm21]

hi, I know with the diagnosis the first thing that happens is you become anxious and worried but this site is definitely helpful there are lots of people that are going through similar or the same things as you and the support is 24/7. with breathlessness try to drink lots of water and take lots of breaks or sit down when you're feeling like that. I've found that with a heart issue it makes you feel quite lonely because even when u have friends and family around they just don't understand the imminent worry that you feel. as long as you're under the care of a cardiologist you are definitely in the right set of hands. if you're feeling scared try to stay away from Dr Google as that tends to lead your mind to all sorts of places and it's mostly inaccurate. as spangle said there is a lot of genuine reliable information on this site and a lot of people to reassure you. feel free to message anytime if you're feeling low, all the best

[Bigspark in reply to scm21]

Thank you will try to stay calm!