it seems my AF has gone persistent now on day 15 with it 24/7 heart rate constantly going up to 150 just sitting in house, verapamil is taking it down a little to 90/110 but not always.
What is the chance of me self converting? I take everything magnesium, d-ribose taurine, vit C all the the B’s. I am also hypothyroid as well but hopefully under control.
The cardiologist as put me forward to see the EP for a possible ablation, goodness knows when that will be as waiting list is long. And I am worried about an ablation, on fb group some say thry have had 4 and worse thing thry did, others think it is great, I know we all differ. I tried flecainide it didn’t put me back in NSR and it worries me these heavy drugs I am not on it now.
just disappointed I suppose. I lost weight into normal range it made no difference am back up again so working on that, I don’t drink never have and cut out caffeine 2 yrs ago I am also plant based vegan, have cut out rubbish vegan food. Any help?
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Lilylui
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I was recently in persistent Afib for 12 days. I had been on flecainide 2x150mg and verapamil 2x80mg and gradually reduced the flecainide with the aim of stopping taking it. When I got down to 2x50mg I started getting some periods of NSR amongst the Afibs. I’ve been like this for a week now and aiming to discuss the next step with my cardio soon.
Firstly, are you on anticoagulants ? It sounds like you should be offered a dc cardioversion but if you are not anticoagulated that needs to be sorted first.
Do seek medical advice, even if it has to be 111. It is not good to be at a rate up to 150 at rest for 2 weeks. Do stress this to whoever you speak to and do not be fobbed off.
As to whether you will self convert, that would depend largely on whether your past history has shown this to be possible.
When I went to a@e they don’t offer them very often and they seemed happy for me to stay in AF just up the verapamil I can’t take beta blockers I always self converted before. Yes on apixiban
You need to be checked out with the current situation not stabilising. As for AF duration,I had 2 x 5 and 6 weeks worth which both eventually converted by itself to nsr. I was dithering about ablation ( flecanide wasn't stopping it as much) soon decided to go for it!
It is the best thing I have done,nsr except for 2 episodes on the beginning and 2 few days after stopping flecanide. Done last June!
I know it's not guaranteed forever and that everyone will have different experiences but I would do it again 💯
Please do ring 111 or your GP though and take it from there.
IMO 150 at rest is far too high. Personally, I would head off to A&E at that rate. The same happened to me (HR 149) and they gave me a CV there and then.
Mid Wales. I could be wrong but for AF it doesn't ever seem to have been on offer at my nearest A and E which is Hereford County Hospital. Maybe it's because I nearly always manage to hit either Friday night or weekend when blue lighted. Or COVID...
If you were in fast AF and were refractory to drugs treatment (like myself) then dc cardioversion is normally the next step. It's quite a common procedure providing you are anticoagulated. I've had it done all times of the day, even at midnight.
Yes. Chemical cardioversion is always tried first. DCCVs are not without risk. I've never had to ask .....just accepted that was the next step. I've had 24 over about 29/30 years.
But before cardioversion should be extensive tests done especially ECHO or MRI. As any abnormality in heart structure would STOP this procedure including ablation amd antiarhymn drugs.
Its so risky. After my stroke none of above and finally seeing a heart specialist public, she ordered an ECH, and ECG and 24-hr monitor.
Shr is also hypothyroidism like me but ca thyroid I have had a thyroidectomy and 12 right lymph nodes. (2 affected).
In the UK this is not normally done pre cardioversion. Certainly I never had any of those tests prior to my dccvs which , incidentally , were all 'emergency'. Providing the patient is anticoagulated this is not classed as a high risk procedure.
Not sure why they didn't do me. Because of stroke?
I remember stickies put on me and removed when trolley for me to get on for a carotid arteries scan which found the shadow on my thyroid.
Then immediately transferred to Kaitaia Hospital local hospital and never done again.
Until I went to a Heart Specialist and the tests I was never changed off Metoprolol which made me breathless with a H/R Day of 187! Pauses in the night.
Bisoprolol brought H/R down to 156 but not controlled. It was CCB Diltiazem introduced by a private H/Sp referred to by dr as public wasn't looking after me.
I wasn't on any meds before the stroke except B12 Solgar Sublingual nugget 2 days week.
I wouldn't it accept Lilly. They don't like it but sometimes you need to speak up for yourself. I've always gotten on great with my cardio but we had a difference of opinion during our last meeting. 130 at rest is still too high.
I didn’t even get to him last time it was a phone call, no ecg done either and I had told cardiologist that I was in AF 9 day stretches, it’s now 18 days now !
it was Abber last year I dont bother going now, it’s a lot nearer than Hereford to me, although I am under Hereford cardiology now, it’s like a lucky dip I find A@E depending what docs are on at the time.
I was sent home with Rapid and Persistent AF H/R Day avge 187 on Metoprolol
with no follow up. There in hospital Ca Thyroid was diagnosed and I had to say YES to a future biopsy. So I was internally referred. I had to fight action all the way.
I had the stroke dr an endocrinologist saying that I would need to wait 6 months but both the surgeon and anaesthetist argued a.s.a.p and won so I was operated with 2 anaesthetists in the room at 4 months post operative.
Caught in time even though it was papilliary cancer.
Whenever you want answers from the Heart Specialst I went to NZ Heart Foundation with dosage problrems. The nurse there knew my private H/Specialist so she rung him and also my Dr. It was a reduction in my Diltiazem dosage.
Otherwise the Dr has to refer you to the H/Specialist again. But time is of the essence and your Dr should act quickly.
Hi Lily, sorry to read this. Are you with Hereford cardiology? I recall you're in the pipeline for ablation - which would be done in Birmingham. I know ablation can he done for persistent AF as Dr Lencioni told me. My brother is in persistent AF which is why I'd asked.I agree with others that a rate of 150 BPM is not a good place to stay. My brother's regime keeps him under 100 when at rest. As it happens he doesn't suffer much with it now and is happy to stay on his higher dose of beta blockers.
You say your hypothyroidism is hopefully under control- having had to tread that route myself I'd definitely be getting my levels checked out again as a priority.
Perhaps a first step is to call your GP today - tell them.youre concerned -and then present at A and E. Do you go to Hereford for that? At least on a weekday in the day it shouldn't be too crazy. One thing Dr L told me - the more we have to go to A and E (especially if blue lighted - I was 3 times 😞) - the quicker you get through the list. This was during the pandemic however so may not be true now.
In any case, don't leave your heart for days at a time at this rate.
Hi, Wife went persistent for 2 weeks back in 2019 and then self reverted. This time shes been persistent since March. Switching to Nebivolol has helped lower the range of HR but still impacts QoL. Here in the wild west CV is offered and she's scheduled for that 22 Sept.
As another poster said, 150 is too high they need to change your meds.
Sorry to hear that , I’m talking on behalf of my husband as he had a stroke two months ago and can’t read, write or communicate thst well at the moment . He is also in Persistent AF , we don’t know how long for as his Apple Watch broke ages ago so hadn’t been checking . Can you feel your heart beating fast ? My husband didn’t feel a thing until I listened to his chest because he was feeling unwell , thinking it was his asthma , it was then I could hear is very fast heart beat 160+ , we went to A and E , they Jist gave him verapamil which he was on before his ablation in 2017 but sadly had the stroke two days later, I still don’t understand why he was given a zero on this scale they do for stroke risk , their reason for not giving him thinners when I asked why he hadn’t been given them . Hope you can get yours sorted because I know it can be very stressful . He is on beta blockers and digoxin which seems to have brought his blood pressure and heart rate down . He has been referred to arrhythmia clinic for either a cardio version or another ablation. It’s just playing the waiting game now .
So he wasn’t on any blood thinners (anticoagulants) when he had his stroke? I hope he makes a full recovery.
I can hear my heart rate in my ears but also feel when it’s high as well. I can’t take beta blockers but am upping my verapamil to bring heart rate more normal. I am awaiting referral to the EP still not sure about the ablation though but goodness knows how long the wait is though.
No he wasn’t put on anything after the ablation. He was put on digoxin as the consultant said verapamil doesn’t always help , not sure what she meant by that as she didn’t go into detail , so he was taken off of verapamil and ramprimil and changed to digoxin and bisoprolol and it seems to have done the trick keeping his blood pressure and heart rate at a near normal level so far. Has your heart rate improved at all from this morning ?
Hi Lily, sorry to hear that your AF is now persistent- I do hope it will revert to NSR again.
I’m a persistent gal, and went there within days of diagnosis nearly a year ago and been there since despite 2 CVs. Your resting HR does sound far too high and I’m sure they’ll be able to provide treatment to bring it back down. We get so good at adapting to our various ailments that it’s easy to go into “wait and see” mode when we should be getting immediate medical attention.
My resting HR averages around 60 over a 24 hrs period, if my iwatch is anything to go by. Aside from Apixaban I have previously been on propranolol (an old favourite of mine) and amiodorone which you definitely must avoid with pre-existing thyroid issue. (By the way, my mum in law had serious thyroid problems that were eventually sorted and was on propranolol to reduce HR. She lived to be an active and bright 100 year old!).
Please do seek medical help even if just for reassurance.
I have rang GP and cardiology dept not much joy sadly. Just told if I have chest pain to go a@e and one gp told 150 for a few weeks won’t hurt! So not sure anymore
Something very wrong here. 150bpm for a few weeks might be ok but equally it might not. I went into heart failure some years ago after less than 3. weeks @ 130 ish at rest . More recently cardiologist insisted I was admitted after failure to reduce my AF rate under 140 I was then dc cardioverted.
Once it was done to 130;they signed me out, I felt like I was in the way and asked what I should do, all I got was the meds will work you don’t need to come back. Unless have chest pain, too be honest it has put me off going back now.
My cardiologist was very concerned that my rate was 120 in persistent (mind you, I am 78!) and sent me to AF clinic to be booked for CV but by the time I got there I had reverted. That was at least two weeks so best wishes ❤️🩹
Sometimes you have to dig your heels in. It depends how you feel too. How DO you feel in yourself? Or is it the worry that's the problem? I know they go together. Let's hope that the additional dose is going to do the trick.
I have managed to get it down to 100 sitting but walking it’s up to 170 at times. I feel okay and trying not to get too anxious 21 days now and still in AF not sure how long it will be before I see the EP from Birmingham
I have sometimes called the cardiology department in Hereford, who organise the EP visits there from Birmingham. Is that where you'll be seeing him - Hereford? If you've had any kind of letter from Hereford cardiology and a hospital number, you could call.them.directly. I found them quite helpful.
Yes apparently he comes to Hereford once a month, when I rang the cardiologist office the secretary wasn’t helpful at all just said in between the cardio appointment then it’s up to gp, she would not even add it my notes !
I agree with our fellow posters. I would go to A & E with that fast heart rate. I am in persistent & take Apixaban, valsarten & bisoprolol 5mg once a day and my AF is well controlled. You may need help to bring down that heart rate even if it’s tablets.
I am fine. I was in paroxsysmal where you get horrible episodes which sometimes took me to A & E. This was over a 4yr period. I fainted & hit my head a year ago & went to A & E -my husband insisted he take me as I’d cut my head. At the time the AF went into persistent. I was kept in & they changed my tabs, put in a pacemaker (to stop my heart rate dropping below 60) but was told it wouldn’t stop the AF and I was followed up by Arrythmia nurse who said it was well controlled & wouldn’t affect my heart. Now I don’t know I have AF except some days I feel tired but live my life as normal. Hopefully your electrophysisist/cardiologist will sort you out. I’m just hoping things continue as they are. I consider myself to be extremely lucky. Please get yourself sorted out asap & be rid of all your uncertainty. Once persistent is controlled properly it seems it’s doesn’t cause heart damage etc.
Yes have increased it myself I did have a higher dose in 2021 so should be fine doing it. Rang GP he didn’t really have an answer but said try it, cardiology won’t speak or advise between appointments I tried twice now.
Hi hopefully you can revert naturally or with adjustment of meds.I was persistent for 2 years.I had a cardioversion after a year which lasted 9 days.They often use it as a test for suitability for ablation.I had my ablation 6 months ago and though I have had a few expected problems I have stayed in NSR.Although I am still having some excercise intolerance I am so glad I had it done & would happily have a second one.Things were so unpredictable in AFib and some days really bad.I am just hoping the chest infection I am starting with doesn't cause any problems.
Has your cardiologist mentioned having a cardioversion? Scheduling might be quicker for that than an ablation. I've had two and they did the trick at the time.
Are you in the UK? Here in the U SA I believe they would try a cardioversion. It is quick, can be pretty successful and done as an outpatient in an Emergency department. I can't imagine this heart rate for 2 weeks. Prayers for NSR.
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Does Flecainide Work for Persistent Afib
Upgraded from paroxysmal afib into persistent afib…. Deep joy!
