scared

[JulesMitch64]

Hi just had a Diagnosis of AF today and I’m devastated and so scared, my dad died of heart problems at 68🥲and my mum has had a valve replaced. Any advise as I feel I’m working myself up and probably making it worse 💔

[Wonky_heart]

I've had AF for over two years and, like you, I panicked in the beginning. My parents had both had heart issues, but they also led very unhealth lives so although there is a family history, I feel I can change how it affects me. From what I've found out, AF isn't the thing that really damages you, but it does make you more prone to strokes and I think heart failure. If the doctors think your stroke risk is high you'll be put on blood thinners to compensate for the risk. The way AF is treated seems to be either by the medicine route (lots of options) or having an ablation. Both can control the AF well, or not depending on the individual. A lot seems to be trial and error as to what works for each person. I've found some useful youtube videos by the York Cardiologist Sanjay Guypta (I may have spelt that wrong). I think the main thing is to realise that like many heart issues, it's a nudge to look after your whole health, eating habits, exercise, stress etc. I like to think I live with my AF rather than be dominated by it. I've learnt to listen to my body and take things slow at times and other times just go for it. Good luck

[Bumpitybump]

Hang on in there! I have AFib, following a valve replacement last July. Now on anticoagulants to prevent stroke. For me it is a really odd sensation at times but I am learning to keep calm, I found it challenging when my heart rate was erratic, now calming down thankfully 😅. I found it frightening at times, amazed when I heard that other people live with AFib all their lives. I am doing things to help calm my mind and manage any anxiety. I am heading for a Cardioversion which may or may not work but determined to find my way. Very best of luck. No such thing as a stupid question and lots of very supportive people on this forum, so if you have a query - ask away.

[Murderfan58]

Please don't worry I know that's hard to do. Have you been given an appointment to the AF clinic if not ask. They are wonderful I was put in Flecainide and Apixaban. Went to AF clinic once a week for a month then once every 2 weeks ,then once a month for a month . Each visit had ECG and blood tests plus long talk with the nurse . At my hospital the AF clinic is run by nurse practitioners but there is a consultant there. Saw a cardiologist who diagnosed Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and found I was born with small hole in the side of my heart between my heart and lungs . Miss heart beats and get palpitations and heart flutters ever now and then but just relax and soo over. I am 66 My brother had permanent atrial fibrillation and 2 stents in his heart his 65.

Our dad had first heart attack in 1995 but didn't know as he just had difficulty breathing had his second while on the ECG machine again he didn't feel it . He died in 2015 aged 80.

AF does mean it's an end to your life . But try and keep fit as it helps and cut out smoking or vaping if you do it eat healthy food. And try not to worry.

[Botolph in reply to Murderfan58]

I think you mean that AF DOESN’T mean it’s an end to your life.

[Murderfan58 in reply to Botolph]

Thanks I did mean doesn't . I preview before pressing but I still make mistakes . What my mind thinks I write and my finger types are 2 different things . 😱😱😱😱

[Botolph in reply to Murderfan58]

Or it might be, like my iPad, it will decide what it thinks I mean and will alter words I’ve written correctly. I was interested in your comment and find the most difficult bit about AF is ‘not worrying’.

[Murderfan58 in reply to Botolph]

It is difficult to not worry about anything ..It's our nature to worry . I always try and find a positive from a negative. I was having a back day the grief for my husband was overwhelming few months ago cried so much my chest hurt and my eyes wear stinging. There where 2 wood pigeons on my fence the male went to hop on the female and missed and landed on my lawn . He flew onto the fence and walked towards the female she looked at him and moved away he walked to her and she looked at him . In my mind I made her say are you kidding me you had one change and missed ,then she flew off. But it made me smile . Very silly I know but it's my way of coping

[Botolph in reply to Murderfan58]

Yes I think being outside in the garden is a good way to take our mind off things that are upsetting. Being widowed in your 40s must be really tough and I trust you have good friends around you. XX

[Murderfan58 in reply to Botolph]

It is what it is. I was a fool I thought I had to be brave for everyone only person I hurt was me. I tried not to show my grief in front of our children even though they were 20 and 16. To be honest I didn't share how I was feeling as I didn't know anyone my age who was widowed. Went to bereavement group my children wanted me to but it was useless they where 20-40 years older than and the woman running the course had done 12 week course and was married. Both the children left home 2 years later so I could stop going . They where nice people to be with but that's all. My best friend is a counsellor but I didn't need it as for me it wouldn't help and unless the person has been through the same thing they can't help as they don't understand how it feels or how it effects you physically and mentally. I had both parents and mother in law to look after until they died.

I didn't have a life until 2019 when I moved here I just existed. That's why I try and help people who's partners have died at any age and try to help adult children who are coping with a bereaved parent . Would never dream of trying to help a parent who's child has died as I only write about what I have experienced.

We all have life experiences that can help people. By writing about mine if I just help one person then it's worth me telling . I have had help with other things so I like to give back. But that's me .

[Bingofox007]

You’re right that panic and stress can worsen symptoms. I was diagnosed with PAF in 2022. I’ve had cancer twice but can honestly say the paf diagnosis scared me more at the time. Its just there in the back of my mind now. I have no brilliant advice for you other than read all the amazing advice and experience on here these amazing members have. It really helped me and we’re all here for you 24/7. Take care 🦊x

[Kbkk]

Easier said than done but try not to worry too much! It’s very difficult in the early days when first diagnosed……I would end up in such a panic everytime I had an attack but now I take a medication which has settled my heart rate and a tablet that stops the attack when it happens. The only thing that really calmed me down and made me stop stressing so much was watching Dr Sanjay Gupta (YORK CARDIOLOGY) as his videos are great. Massively helped me stop worrying about my ectopics and PAF. Lots of options out there for treating AF and it can take a while to find what’s best for you but it’s definitely something you can live with……it took over my life for the first year or so because I was so scared of it happening but I sorted myself out eventually…..with a little help from the lovely Dr Gupta! Very best wishes x

[islandbruno]

Hi Jules, feel for you but it's not something to be scared of. It's very common. I was diagnosed 13 months ago and have been learning to live with the ups and downs and the frustration of the waiting list for treatment (ablation). From everything I have read (and I have read a lot) and been told it isn't a sign of anything more sinister. Take the treatment and talk to your doctor/cardiologist about any concerns including side effects of the treatment and you will be fine.

[Survivor1952]

A family member died at 70 after a bypass op at 65, his wife passed at 100 after a similar op at about 70.

I had AVR, CABG and two stents at 70 and I was understandably nervous but the thought of being able to return to a normal life was a very powerful incentive to go ahead.

I’m now 72, go to the gym weekly and do an organised 5k run weekly.

Being nervous is normal, anyone who says they aren’t or weren’t is either a fool or a liar …

[Anothernewbie]

I know it is a silly thing to say, but please try not to worry - too much. I was diagnosed as having AF two months ago after a 22 hour episode. I had a 4 hour episode in March 2023 but by the time I had got to hospital and seen in A&E it had stopped, so it was not diagnosed then. I am now on bisoprolol and apixaban and only get 2-3 minute episodes in the night. I am due for an echo next week. Fingers crossed that will be it. Following this site I have come to realise that AF is far more common than I thought, and can be controlled.

Try not to get too panicky, and please stay away from Dr Google's non-hospital sites.

[Driver11]

In a way you are lucky as you have been diagnosed. There are 1000s living with it that don't know Now you have a diagnosis they can provide treatment

Good luck

[kkatz]

First of all can I suggest you join & post on the Atrial Fibrillation forum.Such a lot of experienced people on there and great sources of info You don't say what if any plan is in place.I notice from your profile you state apixiban so you must have had some progress.I have had Atrial fibrillation for 7 years and I am at the moment in normal sinus rhythm.

You need full investigations and a plan for treatment.

AF is now much more well known & well treated and things better all the time.They Allways say AF won't kill you but it needs treating.

I wasn't scared when I got my diagnosis at Arrythmia clinic but it was very well explained.I had already experienced heart problems tias etc but I did need to know the nature of the beast and what to expect.

Yes I did get a little scared when experiencing attacks but learned how to deal with them.We can all experience attacks of different intensity but there is a lot of help and advice out there.

[JulesMitch64 in reply to kkatz]

Thank you I only got my prescription yesterday when I got the diagnosis after an ECG, been referred to cardiology. As I’d have to go for blood tests. Suppose just a waiting game just trying to stay calm x

[kkatz in reply to JulesMitch64]

So how were you feeling to prompt ECG ?They do blood tests to rule out heart failure.When I switched from Paroxysmal ( periodic attacks ) to Persistent (all the time)my blood tests showed elevated levels that showed heart failure was possible. Now the thought of that scared me untill I did my research & found this was not so bad as it sounds . Instead of waiting 3 months (post COVID delays)for an echocardiogram I got one privately in a couple of weeks.£420.No signs HF.You still need docs referral so keeps them informed and insures progress.

As long as you are getting assessed & appropriate treatment don't worry.

If it affects your quality of life a lot push on that.

Good luck.Better the devil you know.

[CDreamer]

I’ve had AF for 20 years, take no meds other than anticoagulant, am fit and active.

AF is a problem with the electrics in our heart house, plumbing and structure are different issues. The specialist cardiologists are Electrophysiologists so if you can, it really helps to get a referral.

Stress is the biggest antagonist for AF and our health generally so suggest you look at anxiety reducing strategies.

Try the AF forum, as suggested, many people with very specialised knowledge.

[scout70]

I had AF diagnosed prior to an operation for something else and it scared the living daylights out of me the day the diagnosis arrived because I had absolutely no symptoms whatsoever and still don't. So I have an idea of how you are feeling. Trust me, the fear gradually subsides and my heart rate is pretty normal and I do all the exercises that I want and live an absolutely normal life on a couple of medications which seem to control everything perfectly. Like others on here have said, try to use relaxation methods on a regular basis but do not do that sort of thing too frequently because it simply keeps reminding you of the AF and you should be able to allow it to naturally sink into your background consciousness over the next six months or so.I too would recommend the AF corner of this website!

[momander]

Hi,

I have had 3 heart attacks and a double cabg last January. Heart disease runs in the female side of my family. I was like you in the beginning, I was petrified! but life goes on!! It has to!! maybe in a very different way, but it does go on. My situation was not caused by unhealthy living, bad eating habits, or lack of exercise. It was, as my cardiologist says " pure bad luck, as it is genetic" This condition can affect anyone. I would say to listen to your GP and cardiologist, take the medication, and try your very best to just live and be happy!!! easier said than done I know. You take good care ok

[Nfrunner]

I was diagnosed with paroxysmal Afib about 18 months ago and completely understand the anxiety you’re experiencing. It’s scary being told you have this condition but although it’s difficult, I have become far more relaxed about my episodes of Afib. I take Edoxaban and 1.25 Bisolporol daily which helps with symptoms. I have been a runner for over 35 years, never smoked, healthy weight and a pretty healthy diet but I think genetics are involved as my sister is also a sufferer (albeit with no symptoms). She was alerted to hers by her Apple Watch. My cardiologist encouraged me to carry on exercising as although it feels harder, it’s safe and keeping active is important. He actually said that Afib is fairly common in people who do endurance activity. I am on a waiting list for an ablation but I agree with many of the comments that the anxiety is the worst thing. I hope you are able to get reassurance from the comments here.

[Desertflowerchild]

My 94 year old mother has had AF for decades, and she has not lived a particularly healthy lifestyle, almost completely eschewing exercise as an adult. She is frail now, but not so much that she doesn't manage her own home. She has never suffered a stroke (has been on Coumadin all this time). Her mind is still amazing - she continues to have a better memory at age 94 than I have ever enjoyed in my life. When I am feeling anxious about my own AF diagnosis, it helps to remind myself of this.

[DonnaA]

Hiya, it doesn’t mean your life is over.

My dad has AFib, had it all of his life and he’s 94.