Atrial fibrillation

In 2017 I had high BP,and went to A&E with a pulse of 155, was given a bed in A&E and monitored, then given a shot of potassium into my tummy, and reverted on my own and sent home. I was then referred to the NOAC clinic and put on Edoxaban and bisoprolol Fumerate which I have continued to take to this day. Then after the AF a BRVO developed. BRVO is treated with an injection of Eylea into the eye every four weeks, and has stabilised but not reversed, but I'm told does not develop into macular degeneration. However,I have not seen a cardiologist in all that time-should I have done? I take my BP regularly, using 20mg Lisinopril and it is good, and as far as I know have not had a recurrence of the AF. People on the forum talk about their cardiologist as though they are seen regularly. The GP said a cardiologist couldn't do any more than he the GP does! Is he right? I do take the electrolytes each day to make sure I get the right minerals to help the sinus rhythm work as it should, but ought I to see someone ?

[Gumbie_Cat]

I was diagnosed with AFib last year, and was automatically referred to cardiology and received an appointment with an Electrophysiologist (EP).

It’s possible that your GP feels that your A Fib is well controlled with the Bisoprolol, and of course the really important thing is the NOAC for stroke prevention. A cardiologist can prescribe other drugs that help to control the rhythm of your heart, or recommend procedures such as ablation in some cases. You might also get other checks such as an echocardiogram.

The British Heart Foundation have a helpline, where you might get advice on all of this.

I had a similar eye condition in 2019 - before I was diagnosed with A Fib. Mine was a CRVO which had led to macular oedema. Those injections were scary to anticipate, but the effect was miraculous for me!

My A Fib has been more difficult to treat though. I got recurrent episodes despite the antiarrhythmic drugs, and it is now persistent. I had a catheter ablation - which so far doesn’t seem to have worked. At the moment I am on exactly the same as you - Bisoprolol and anticoagulant, but I am still in A Fib at a lower rate. I have another appointment soon to find out what’s next. I am not sure that I would want to put myself through too many other procedures - and it is another consideration as we get older. I am 68, but would possibly have a different view if I were older and with less troublesome A Fib.

All treatments for this are really for quality of life, once you are safely on anticoagulants. It does sound like you’re doing well.

You might find more answers on this forum -healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

Also, lots of information here, and access to another helpline here - heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

[Hidden in reply to Gumbie_Cat]

Thanks for your reassuring reply. I have looked at the sites you mention, but in honesty, the AF (prevention and management) is something to be lived with-I don't give it any thought tbh and those organisations seem to make it something one needs to be thinking about day after day-I'm 78 now and have better things to do than contemplate my various issues-I take the drugs to help me carry on and lead my life!

[Gumbie_Cat in reply to Hidden]

That’s true, if your AF is controlled and you can get on with life, that’s the main thing.

[Yellow26]

I’ve had AF for 14 yrs now, on medication for life but I do have the odd turn but not often, you can lead a normal life. Good luck and take care .