Appointment with A Fib Nurse

[fmdidgad]

Hello, can you help me please? I have an appointment with an A Fib Nurse at the hospital tomorrow and don't know what to expect or ask - any suggestions please? Previous History: In the last 10 months have had to phone for emergency help with rapid palpatations, racing heart, chest pain etc three times. The first time, symptoms resolved after around an one and a half hours . The second time, I was taken to A&E but ECG etc didn't show anything (so it was thought I'd had a panic attack!). The third time, I admitted myself to A&E and my symptoms were recorded; silly high pulse rate 150-170, breathlessness, disorientated, BUT my b/p lowered considerably! A&E were amazing and I was given Bisoporol - my heart rate came down almost immediately. A week later, when I spoke with my GP, I was prescribed Bisoporol to take in the am. All has been good since apart from a number of sporadic episodes of fluttering/missing heart beats but I have no energy and still have chest pain and really low mood. What should I expect from the A Fib Nurse appointment at hospital tomorrow eg. just a chat or should I expect tests?

[jeanjeannie50]

Welcome to the forum, feel free to ask any questions and know that we always say that there's no such thing as a daft one.

What you have described is typical AF.

When I go to see my AF nurse I always have an ECG as soon as I arrive and also have my height and weight checked. She looks at the ECG to see what my heart is doing. Then she'll ask how I am and may adjust my medication.

If you haven't already had one she/he may book you for an ultrasound of your heart. It's all routine.

Jean

[fmdidgad in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you for your prompt reply Jean - so much appreciated. Unfortunately, ECGs/Ultrasounds in the past have never shown anything! I was beginning to think it was in my head and I was being paranoid but the symptoms were/are real. The only time it was properly detected was when I was having an episode and admitted myself to A&E. Luckily, one of the two previous times, I took "snap shots" of my b/p monitor recordings of high pulse and low blood pressure. Unless I'm having an episode, ECG/ultrasounds look "normal". It's so frustrating because I feel awful; absolutely zero energy, low mood, daily chest pain in varying degrees, breathlessness. Would it be usual for the A Fib nurse to suggest finding the "cause". Bisoporol is managing the symptoms quite well but I've no idea why/where the underlying problem is. Any help appreciated ... thank you

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to fmdidgad]

I'm afraid AF is just one of those things that hit us for no reason at all. Many of us who have paroxysmal AF (it comes and goes) understand how annoying it is when seeing a specialist or AF nurse our heart rates will often look perfect and we usually feel pretty good on that day ourselves. It's sods law! Next day it can strike us again.

I will post here some tips on keeping AF at bay that I've learnt over the years.

Having had AF for 18 years, three ablations (where they go up through your groin to burn or freeze the inside of the heart where the rogue pulses often come from) and numerous cardioversions (electric shock to put the heart back into it's correct rhythm) my advice to everyone diagnosed with AF is the following:

1. Be Aware you are most unlikely to die from Atrial Fibrillation (AF). I used to think that the way my heart bounced around I would surely be found dead next day. Still here though!

2. Changing your diet to a more plant based one, avoiding any foods containing artificial additives, not allowing yourself to become dehydrated, cutting back on sugar, alcohol and caffeine, also losing weight (if it's needed) will all have a beneficial effect on your AF. Artificial sweeteners were a sure trigger for my attacks. How I wish I'd known all of this before having any of my ablations. Would I have listened if anyone had told me? Probably not, because I believed ablations would cure me - three didn't! They have helped some people though and my AF now is not so severe.

3. This is a hard one, but looking at gadgets that show your pulse and AF will make you anxious and anxiety feeds AF. I was obsessed with what my heart was doing for about the first ten+ years of my AF journey and my attacks were so debilitating I'd end up in a hospital ward, it has taken me a long time to take my mind off this subject and get on with living. The less I think about it, the better I feel. Now I used to feel cross with people who suggested I stop looking at my pulse rate machines, I thought that their AF couldn't be as bad as mine and they didn't understand how poorly attacks made some of us feel. I would get cross with anyone who said they could still go on holiday and carry on life as normal. They made me feel evil, by not understanding how ill I felt! In our minds AF is only as bad as we have experienced, for some attacks are mild for others they're more severe.

4. Make sure you don't slouch, or unwittingly do shallow breathing while watching tv or if you're online. If you do your heart will protest. Also avoid tight clothing around your waist.

5. Try supplementing with magnesium, any type except oxide (I use glycinate from YourSupplements and also take taurine, zinc, vitamin B complex, D3, K2 & C). I feel fine and there's little I can't do now, despite being in constant low rate AF. Or at least I think I am, I don't check these days.

6. If over 60 I would make sure that you’re taking an anticoagulant to prevent blood clots forming and causing a stroke. Note that they do not thin the blood in any way, just stop it from clotting so quickly. You should not notice any major difference in the way you bleed.

Hope this info will help you.

Jean

[fmdidgad in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Again, much appreciate your advice and help Jean. Are you ok? Do you feel/know your A Fib is managed the best it can be?

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to fmdidgad]

I feel better now than I have for years and there's nothing I can't do.

[jeanjeannie50]

Your AF nurse may suggest a blood test too, if you haven't had one for a while.

[kkatz]

At my first visit to Arrhythmia nurse 2017 they did ECG ,took weight & hight,blood tests & organized echo ,stress test & 24 Heart monitor even though I had been diagnosed in A & E .Saying that on my 3 months post ablation check up I expected some tests but they chatted to me first & didn't bother.However I have been in touch with Arrhythmia nurses throughout & do monitor myself.

I should imagine however they will do the tests on a 1st visit.

I wish you well & hope you get the correct diagnosis & treatment.Often only a 24 HR or even longer will show the beastIe called AFib as he hides.

[Beatle45]

I have paroxysmal Afib ( amongst other things unfortunately) . In March I had a Medtronic Link Recorder fitted. It’s a little device about the size of a large paper clip that is implanted under your skin just above your heart. It records everything 24/7 and sends the information to the cardiac investigation unit while you sleep via a device they give you to keep beside your bed. I don’t worry about episodes any more as I know I will be contacted if necessary. Anyway I hope your Afib nurse has helped you. Good Luck.