Sorry - I’m a bit confused...

[Abseil]

Sorry to ask. I just want confirmation of my understanding....

So, is AF just a fast HR (I thought that was tachycardia?) or is it a misfiring only? Should I be looking for a fast HR or a odd Heart trace, or both?

[Buffafly]

AF is usually (not always) a fast HR with NO rhythm. If there is a recognisable rhythm then it is some other kind of tachycardia. It is not always easy to recognise AF because a lot of ectopics can look odd on a trace and feel even more odd!

[Abseil in reply to Buffafly]

Thank you Buffafly. That’s helpful 😊

[Dawsonmackay]

It is classified as an irregular heartbeat.

[Abseil in reply to Dawsonmackay]

Thank you 😊

[jennydog]

I have what is described as " classic AF."

I have a rhythm problem but I do not have a rate problem.

[Hidden in reply to jennydog]

I can be having an AF episode with a heart rate of 75!

[Abseil in reply to Hidden]

Interesting - I had it the wrong way round and have only been concerned when the HR has been high. I’ve got a Kardia - it’s just arrived. It will help me identify what’s happening.

[Hidden in reply to Abseil]

I use an Apple Watch.

[Finvola in reply to Abseil]

Kardia is great - and there is a section in the app explaining the different arrhythmias.

[Finvola]

AF is a chaotic, irregular heartbeat which can be very fast or within normal limits. Tachycardia is the generic term used to describe fast - over 100 bpm - heart rate. So, if your AF is running at 130 bpm, then you are also tachycardic.

AF is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as frequent weeing, burping and bloating but runs of ectopics can feel like AF too, so it can be confusing.

Taking your pulse and learning the different rhythms can help you to confirm what your heart is doing.

[Abseil in reply to Finvola]

Thank you. There’s so much to understand!

[sotolol in reply to Abseil]

I have both. A box of monkeys in my chest punching their way out at different times whilst they run a marathon. When they at ED take my blood pressure it never registers. I think I’ll self combust one day or night. Deep joy.

[Abseil in reply to sotolol]

Oh boy! Please don’t! 👍

[sotolol in reply to Abseil]

💣😉

[Contra21 in reply to sotolol]

It cripples me how do you get through it

[Finvola in reply to Abseil]

Yes, it's a very steep learning curve at the beginning. The AFA website is great and there are downloadable leaflets on all heart rhythm subjects at

heartrhythmalliance.org/afa

If it's any consolation, after diagnosis, I thought everything I felt was AF - only later did I discover there were at least 4 different arrhythmias making themselves felt!

Any questions, just ask - someone is always around to answer.

[P0rtnahapp1e in reply to Finvola]

Great explanation. Once a teacher, always a teacher! 😀

[Contra21]

So how do you know of ive never had afib of im having it?

[beardy_chris in reply to Contra21]

The only certain way to know if you are in AF is with an ECG (or EKG) when the absence of a P wave is diagnostic. But, essentially, an irregular irregular heartbeat is pretty clear and obvious.

But, on a lighter note - I like this: youtube.com/watch?v=r9yUIDN...(Not working as expected?)