Hello - I have been advised to come here for guidance and support by some facebook groups. My partner Dimitris (44yrs old) was experiencing dizzy spells and after a visit to our GP was admitted to Hospital where he was told he had AF. His heartrate was irregular, very high to very low. He was put on different meds to try to stabilize - and also blood thinners. He spent 10 days in hospital and has now been discharged. We didn't have a very good experience at the hospital MRI (we live in Manchester) - very little info and engagement from anyone, doctors etc - he didn't actually get to see the cardiologist at all! What little info we did get indicated that there was confusion and contradicting information on his meds so it was frustrating. It's also been a scary experience, for Dimitris and for me too as we try to get our heads round everything. He's back at home now - on Diltiazem 180mg and Rivaroxaban 20mg - but still feeling dizzy.....although we are both trying to be positive and get on with things. This is more of an introuction really - just to say hello. Looking forward to connecting with any folk here that have any advice/info or similar experiences, I'm particularly interested to hear from anyone who has been on or is currently on these same medications? Thanks in advance for any replies.
My partner has Atrial Fibrillation - British Heart Fou...
My partner has Atrial Fibrillation
Yes, it can be quite a shock, particularly at Dimitris' age. I was fortunate to get plenty of warning as my valve disease is genetic and it affected my sister well before me.
I also have social anxiety so hospital is always a pretty rough experience for me. But I've been in enough now that I'm getting better at it. 😆
There's also a list on HealthUnlocked specifically for AF (healthunlocked.com/afassoci..., though the condition gets lots of discussion on this list as well.
Good luck! (And as they say around these parts, welcome to the club no one wanted to join.)
Sorry to hear of your husbands health issues. Try the healthunlocked atrial fibrillation forum. Lots of help to be found on there specifically around your husbands condition. Best wishes.
Hi, again welcome to the club we don't want to be in..I'm 64 and was diagnosed with AFib by GP 3 months ago, it was all a bit low key, I said I'm feeling s**t, she checked me over , found irregular heartbeat, confirmed with ECG and agreed to refer me to cardiology (I'd had a "small" heart attack a few months earlier). I'm fatigued and dizzy.I've since had a 24 hour holter monitor and echocardiogram and have appointment in December to discuss. I'm hoping to be offered Cardioversion to hopefully get heartbeat back in rhythm , trouble is for most that's a temporary fix and maybe thereafter ablation. Lots of discussion on here about those procedures.
I guess you need to engage with GP, discuss symptoms, meds etc and discuss potential referral to cardiology, at 64 I want to be fixed as can't tolerate this level of fatigue, your partner at 44 will (if he's like me) want to explore all avenues to manage the A fib be that through meds or one of the procedures I mentioned.
It is tough but stay positive and hopefully he gets sorted asap even if that requires some patience..
Ring the nurse helpline as I know rivaroxaban is blood thinners and diltiazem is to help with blood flow,is he still in af
Diltiazem is a Calcium Channel Blocker. It helps to stabilise (mostly slow down) heartrate. Usually, the first drug prescribed is Bisoprolol, a beta blocker. Bisoprolol can leave some people feeling like they're wading through treacle and I blame it for making me depressed. I'd say he's on the better drug there!
AF is a shock and seems really serious but people don't die directly of it. It just messes with your head! I would echo @meadfoot's advice - look at the AF forum on HealthUnlocked and look at the AFAssociation website - knowledge is power!
My AF journey began in my late 20s. I completely get the shock factor aspect, the confusion and the lack of info at points. Especially if your contact is through A and E. There is much more advice and guidance available now than there was when I was first diagnosed 20 years ago. There are also many more treatment options. And lots of reasons to be hopeful.
I'd give BHF helpline a call if you have specific questions and things that you are left unsure of. They are generally pretty helpful.
Wishing you both well 🌸
unfortunately lack of information and lack of cardiologist input seems fairly par for the course.Check MRI resources/ facilities see if there is cardio rehab or HF nurse section ..phone them and say you’re unsure of what you should or shouldn’t be doing….Ive found to get anything done you have to be a little proactive
The AF forum on healthunlocked is run by the AF Association and is excellent. It should be your first port of call. Lots of useful info and support.
I have paroxysmal AF (occasional bouts of racing irregular heart). Because I have a low normal heart rate I wasn’t given a beta-blocker as many people are. Diltiazem was given because it treats my high blood pressure and also is an anti-arrhythmic. Anticoagulants are given to reduce the risk of stroke (which is higher if you have AF).
I’m still as active as I was before AF. Golf and running even in my seventies.
Sorry for the delay replying - just wanted to say a big thank you to all of you for your replies and support - I'm still getting to grips with this forum (and AF!!) and will have lots more questions....thank you!!!!
ICD has shocked. What now? 
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