Increased Arrythmia Events

[Spinaki]

Hello all – I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation in my 40’s (I’m 58 now) as well as a leaking heart valve and a bicuspid one also. I consider myself to be pretty active and healthy. My heart went into arrythmia around 4 weeks ago while on holiday in Greece and the episode lasted around 6 hours – it wasn’t nice! I’ve not had an episode like that for a long, long time and since then I have noticed some slight chest pain that comes and goes but nothing severe. Also, since then, I have been having short and noticeable arrythmia events on a daily basis lasting for anything up to around 20 seconds or so. Again, this used to happen maybe once every couple of months or so. Obviously this has left me a little bit washed out and concerned also. I have managed to book an appointment with my cardiologist at the end of the month. Should I be seeking help from my GP prior to seeing my cardiologist? I’m taking 2.5mg of Bisoprolol currently……

Many thanks for your help 😊

[Dimelza66]

Hello, I don't know if this will help you at all, but your situation sounds the same as mine was. Frequent arrhythmia, leaking valve, starting to feel short pains, rather disconcerting. Fit and healthy but being more aware of my heart far too frequently. But since my valve was repaired I'm totally unaware of my heart, no arrhythmia, no premature contractions, no pain! I almost left it too late to repair the valve (I'm 58) and it was touch and go whether it was too bad to repair. So I'd say if it needs doing don't delay. Apart from more medicine the GP can't really do much of three problem is the leaking valve. Hope it turns out well

[Spinaki in reply to Dimelza66]

Thanks for this. Ablation was mentioned as a potential last year but my symptoms were so few and far between it remained as something as a possibility in the future if things got worse. The leaky valve wasn't really discussed perhaps because the leak is slight. I think that any change of symptoms is a little scary but thanks again for taking the time to respond to me. Glad to hear that you're doing well though.

Were you seen through the NHS or privately? Which hospital is your cardiologist based in?

[Dimelza66 in reply to Spinaki]

Privately. Actually my operation was done in Spain. From seeing the cardiologist it was 12 days until my operation. Six days in hospital. Amazing! Hope they can settle your heart. I know it is disconcerting.

[Spinaki in reply to Dimelza66]

That's fantastic. Are you Spanish? My son, who is British, lives in Spain and pays into private Spanish health insurance which is incredibly cheap. He says that the health care he has received over there has been brilliant!

[Dimelza66 in reply to Spinaki]

I am British, I have seen British cardiologists over the years and all we're very good and all have the same diagnosis and my only alternative was surgery. We chose not to wait for NHS surgery once my heart started hurting. I'm so glad I did! Since surgery my bp has also dropped immediately from 135+/90 to below 120/below 80. Once I finish my warfarin in 2 weeks I won't be taking any medication!!Really hope it's a happy story for you too