Should I have gone to A&E?

[Moncoeur]

I have only recently been diagnosed with Paroxysmal AFib. I'm on beta blockers and blood thinners and awaiting investigations. My first appointment with cardiology is next week. I can't get to see my GP as there was an incident at the surgery and it remains closed until further notice. I am still having prolonged episodes and was in AFib all day Saturday through to Sunday night just gone. Should I have gone to A&E? I'm getting conflicting advice.

[jeanjeannie50]

It depends on how your AF is affecting you. If it makes you feel dreadful, gives you pain, nausea or feel as though you may faint, then yes get someone to take you to A&E, or better still dial the NHS111 no. for advice.

Do you know what your BP and heart rate are when you have your attacks?

Jean

[Moncoeur in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks for your reply Jean. I didn't think to take my BP but I will next time. This is all new to me and apart from feeling quite worried when it happens I don't feel I'll. I have no pain and no dizziness.

[Moncoeur]

And my resting heart rate was creeping up to 100 but didn't go past that this time.

[jeanjeannie50]

We are all worried when we are first diagnosed with AF. I guess that you are aware that a resting heart rate of 60-100 is considered normal? What isn't is if your heart is beating out of rhythm.

I've had AF for 16 years, wouldn't worry if my heart was at your rate and would only go to A&E if my rate was over say 120-130, been that way for several hours and was making me feel ill. Going to A&E usually involves sitting on a trolley for several hours, your heart rate going back to normal and you being sent home wondering why you bothered to go there.

By the way many of us live with constant AF, I have for the last two years. Try to stop worrying, so many of us live normal lives with AF and it's typically not considered to be life threatening.

It's good that you have a cardiology appointment this week.

Let us know how you get on please and here if you need to ask any questions.

Dr Sanjay Gupta who works at York Hospital, UK has made some excellent videos and put them on YouTube. He explains everything in a way we can easily understand. I would recommend you watching them. Will see if I can find you a link.

Jean

[Moncoeur in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you Jean. This is really helpful x

[jeanjeannie50]

Have a look at this:

youtube.com/watch?v=eJQUp8B...(Not working as expected?)