Sudden Increase in Atrial Fibrillation Episodes

[Spinaki]

I’m a 58 year old with a history of a bicuspid aortic valve with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Over the last 3 weeks my arrythmia instances have become a daily event (they used to be once every couple of months or so) and I have noticed an increased frequency in the evening especially after eating. Events can last up to around 6 hours and just recently I’ve ended up in A&E because it was so bad although the rhythm normalised and wasn’t caught through an ECG so I was sent home. The only medication I take is 2.5mg Bisoprolol which I have taken for around 18 years. I have been referred to an electrophysiologist to see if I would be suitable for ablation and the appointment has been escalated to March.

The thing is, I don’t understand the significant increase in events. Is this something I should be worried about and should I be speaking to my GP about this to seek further advice. Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated because I’m not sure what to do next.

Many thanks for your help

[Wonky_heart]

Unfortunately no answer for why you've had the increase, but just to say I'm having the exact same issue. Had AF for the past four years sporadically and now it's nearly every day, the longest episode was 34 hours (I spoke to my GP who said she wouldn't decide about whether I should go to hosp. so suggested I phone the cardiac nurse, who said I should contact the GP....so I sat at home). AF is exceedingly frustrating, I think of it as my wild child in my chest. It seems to have no logic as to when and how long it will kick off and because I live an hour from the hosp, it usually stops by the time I get there and get seen.

I think you're having the right treatment by seeing an EP who will then decide the best thing to do. I'm currently on a 50 week waiting list for an ablation, currently on week 17 so I'm considering going privately. The long wait is a sign of just how common AF is and how many others are affected. Good luck with your appointment in March.

[Spinaki in reply to Wonky_heart]

Thanks for your reply and I'm sorry you're having similar issues....absolute nightmare! Have you looked into costs of private ablation?

[Wonky_heart in reply to Spinaki]

Yes. I had an atrial flutter ablation privately 18 months ago because at that time our local NHS cardiology dept was completely dysfunctional and despite having a blocked LAD (for which I paid for a stent privately) they discharged me with no follow up for the angina or flutter. The ablation isn't cheap, but having sold our house we're in a position to go forward with this. I'm speaking to the EP privately (the same one I see on the NHS) in two weeks so I'll see what he says. For me, if I was asymptomatic I would happily wait for 50 weeks, but I'm a carer for my disabled daughter and I'm now very restricted in what I can do because of the dizziness and extreme exhaustion caused by my heart's wild child erratic behaviour. Some people are fortunate that they can carry on having AF and manage their days ok, but mine impacts not only on my days but also the safety of my daughter.

[devonian186]

Are you able to backtrack 3 weeks to determine if anything significant has changed?

What you eat or drink? Change of job. Change in relationships. New phone, new server, new computer? New cleaning products?

[Spinaki in reply to devonian186]

Hi - absolutely nothing!

[Canary49]

I don’t know how much help I can be but hopefully this will provide some reassurance for you. I’m 71 and was on a daily dose of 10mg bisoporal after being diagnosed with AF and blocked arteries.

I had an ablation in September (24) and I feel considerably better. Much easier walking up slopes/hills than before when I was quite breathless. In a letter, my consultant says there’s also been improvement to the condition of my arteries.

Wishing you good luck!

[Spinaki in reply to Canary49]

Thanks for your message and I'm glad you are feeling better. How long did you wait for your ablation once they decided you were suitable?

[Canary49]

I got a call from consulant in June (24) to say my pacemaker wasn't pacing the heart as well as it should and he felt an ablation would help. I had the ablation in early September.

Since then, a check with the pacing team has shown it's working at almost 100 per cent.

[Spinaki in reply to Canary49]

That's excellent news. I saw my cardiologist today and he's signed me up for ablation (5 month wait but I was surprised it would be so soon). He's also given me some Flecainide tablets only to take if arrythmia is out of control so assume that's good also

[Canary49]

Excellent. I hope it goes really well for you