Atrial Fibrillation

[Tubaplayer1]

Diagnosed Xmas 2024 - saw GP 30/12 and on beta blockers - seeing cardiologist end January. Brother also has condition. Am very fit so do not know what caused it. Waiting on appointment - feel quite anxious and worried about impact on lifestyle. Have a 12 year old son and 4 year old granddaughter and want to be well for them!

[RF260]

Hi, I was diagnosed by GP in September '24, think I'd had it for a couple months so probably had it for 6 months now. Do you know if it comes and goes (paroxysmal) or all the time (persistent) ? After September I had 24 hour holter (to check heart rate) and an echocardiogram (to check condition of the heart). Then in December I was added to the cardioversion waiting list and appointment through for mid Feb.

But...on 1st Jan I began taking Amiodarone (lots of chat on here about it) and my heart has gone back into normal sinus rhythm so the cardioversion as it stands won't be necessary. Further down the line I may have an ablation (again lots of chat on here).So your cardiologist may talk to you about medication and/or procedures. No one seems to know what brings on AF , I have seen age, genetics or just bad luck mentioned.

I have a 5 year old grandson who I'm desperate to see grow up , I adore him and think he quite likes me ..

As long as you are on the right meds that's providing protection against anything bad then take it from there.

Getting used to the meds and getting your head around a "heart condition" have been the most challenging things for me.

Good luck with cardiologist..

[Tubaplayer1 in reply to RF260]

Thanks for that - it is persistent- I am on Bisoprorol but that just seems to keep heart rate lower but not as low as it was before the AF. Interesting about your medication - will discuss with the cardiologist!!

[sandandkev]

You should have echogram and ecg to know reason,seeing a cardiologist is great as can answer questions,I wrote all my questions down as was diagnosed with permanent AF and that was wrong!!

[Simon_P]

Hi Tubaplayer1 I to was diagnosed with AFib on 13th December and put on Bisoprolol. I've since had a 24hr ECG and Echocariogram which has shown a heart fraction of 35% and so put on Candesartan and Dapagliflozin which has really helped, the constant chest ache has now gone. It seems like we are both on a similar journey stay in touch.

[Tubaplayer1 in reply to Simon_P]

Thanks for getting in touch - will let you know how I get on with the cardiologist!!

[Simon_P in reply to Tubaplayer1]

Please do I've got my cardiologist appointment on 3rd Feb. I've been taking it easy since December but starting back to work tomorrow. All the best with your cardiologist

[Choccie55]

I have SVT which is also a heart rhythm issue. The cardiologist will probably suggest continuing with medication or opting for an ablation which potentially can cure AFib. I’d go for the ablation - there’s likely to be about a year’s waiting list. Unfortunately my ablation failed because an area was too near the AV node to ablate safely. I was on Bisoprolol but now take Flecainide alongside which is working really well keeping my heart in sinus rhythm. I see my cardiologist for a follow up this week. Make a list of questions to ask and good luck!

[Loveex in reply to Choccie55]

Reading your reply as I have also recently been diagnosed with SVT, offered ablation or a pacemaker. No idea what to go for but it sounds as if ablation depends on where the problem is? I was put on Bisoprolol for several weeks but taken off as even the lowest dose made my heart rate too low. I also see cardiologist this week so any advice on questions I need to ask would be appreciated.

[Choccie55 in reply to Loveex]

Ablation is the only way of getting rid of SVT completely so I would take that route first. Unfortunately they don’t really know exactly where your extra pathway is until they go in. You will have an electrophysiology study in the first half of the procedure which maps the electrical pathways in your heart. Once they find the area they will ablate it. They will then try to trigger the arrhythmia. If successful they shouldn’t be able to. Unfortunately, mine kept triggering so they did some more mapping and found an area too near the AV node to ablate safely without risk of a permanent pacemaker. I was just unlucky but my SVT is Atrial Tachycardia which is harder to treat. They tested Flecainide on me during the procedure and my SVT responded well so I was prescribed that after a CT scan to check I didn’t have coronary artery disease. My heart is much calmer and I’ve not had an episode since I’ve been on it. I would talk to your cardiologist about ablation and the success rate in your case. Also ask about taking Flecainide in the meantime as it’s been a game changer for me. I had to wait about 8 months on the ablation waiting list. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions.

[Loveex in reply to Choccie55]

Thank you, that has helped.