Other than being told I have atrib fib - I have no idea what it is other than an irregular heart beat. Nurse who told me this gave me no info whatever, but was made to feel I was seriously ill - in fact I wondered if I could die if I did anything wrong to my heart. Fortunately, I have met others who put my mind to rest that I would not die of this. But I have no idea what the symptoms are. But I have not done exercise really other than a bit of walking (if it has not been too wet - which it has) and consequently my hips and legs are getting a bit achey.
I know my father was diagnosed with an 'irregular heart beat’ a few years before he died. But I have no idea how it affected him. Is atrib fib hereditory?
I would be grateful for any info! (Hence my heading - clueless!)
Written by
indoorplant
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Excellent Bob. Best advice you can possibly give. Its scary when first known you have it , but education is paramount in understanding and living your best life with it
Yes, AF can certainly run in family's. My mum was diagnosed with it, my sister has it but prefers to call it palpitations, also a cousin.
Like you I knew nothing about the condition whatsoever when I was first diagnosed. Thinking it was something serious I paid to have an echocardiogram, that was a foolish move, but I convinced myself that if it was going to take 6 weeks to get one on the NHS that's what I had to do. Now 19 years later after having gone through many paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) attacks I'm much wiser.
The answer to your question about dying is, "No you are highly unlikely to die from having an irregular heart rate."
Finding this forum has been the biggest help of all.
I'll see if I can find you the link to info that can help put your mind at rest.
Hi Jean. I was interested in your comments about having an echocardiogram when you were first diagnosed. Do you think they aren’t really necessary for someone with AF? I have panicked, following my recent AF diagnosis and I paid £440 for an echocardiogram which appears to have told me nothing. I’m guessing my GP will understand it though. I thought I would need one so that I could have a private cardioversion. I have definitely wasted my money but I don’t really know what else to do. It’s so hard to see a GP and so I’m trying to sort myself out, without much success to be honest. I was very interested to read your comments though. Thank you.
No you haven't wasted your money. Were you offered one on the NHS as I was but I couldn't wait. Most echocardiograms turn out to be normal. They are certainly needed to give us reassurance all is well. I was told I had a slightly leaky mitral valve but it was no problem and as we age people often have them. My NHS appointment would have been two weeks later. From what I can recall I had to pay a consultant to look at the results as well. It was all a long time ago
Thanks Jean. I feel better about it now. At least I’ve had it done, I suppose. My heart must be ok ish if I can have a cardioversion I suppose. I really wish the NHS was better. Luckily, I have never been ill before so I think I was unaware of how much it is struggling. Ironically, I feel really well because I’ve made so many lifestyle changes so not all bad.
I am surprised you have had a cast iron diagnosis without someone doing an ECG and a Dr checking that you have it. Our surgery would get this done in about a fortnight so dont write yours off straightway. Whilst it's often a pain to get to see a Dr yiu might find that flagging a heart issue should expedite this.When you do get onboard they will prescribe various drugs, and likely refer you to a consultant for more tests and a view to a possible hospital intervention (a cardioversion or ablation). But hoover up the info on the website per BobDs note.
Thanks for your advice. I haven’t been lucky enough to be referred to see anyone on the NHS and I have only seen a GP once (I’m waiting for a second appointment). I paid to see an EP and have an echocardiogram recently but I was very disappointed that I came away knowing very little more than I knew previously. I’m paying for a cardioversion privately as there is almost a year’s wait to see someone on the NHS. Before this happens I have to take a different medication for three days prior to my procedure. I’m going to ask to be referred on the NHS as I think it’ll be worth the wait, having been disappointed by the private route. Thanks again for your help.
I didn’t realise that and it wasn’t offered. I’ll ask the GP when I go next week. No more private health for me. I wasn’t impressed at all but thanks for your advice
Are you in AF persistently? I ask, as if you are not in AF at the time you go in for your cardioversion, they will not obviously do it so I don't know how that work with what you will get billed for.As someone else suggested, see if the private EP can get you put on his/her NHS list.
To get the most out of a consultation with a cardiologist or EP they need some info to work on - how many episodes, how long, how fast, how often, symptoms during episode, ECG and echo. So having a consultation at the start of AF would probably be a waste of money as they couldn’t tell you much more than is in the free AF Association leaflet. The first advice you need is ‘Don’t Panic!’
It's highly unlikely you will die from afib. You may die with it but not from it. It is what it says on the tin - an irregular HB. There are many treatments that can help with the condition.
My advice? Don't be 'clueless' but research. A good starting point is the search engine at top of the page on HU.
You’ve had some really good answers. Just for background - I’ve had AF for about 20 years, Bob I believe longer and Jean for at least 10 years I know about. We haven’t died yet, despite lots of other bits falling off!
I’d also add that the worst of it is getting seen by a specialist and the right sort of cardiologist who specialises in arrhythmias. That is often the hardest part as GPs rarely know that much about AF so insist on being referred, it may take a while but once in the system life is usually much easier, certainly in my experience.
It sounds as though you are asymptomatic if you are asking what are the symptoms because those of us who are VERY symptomatic would envy you. Having said that, it is excellent it has been identified as those who are most of risk are those who do not know they have AF which brings a raised risk of stroke which is why first line treatment is always anticoagulant therapy to lower the risk. Has your GP or anyone else assessed you for anticoagulants? If not, start being extremely insistent with your GP.
Also know that the AFA have a helpline, as does the BHF if you need to speak to someone for information.
Keep reading, keep posting and asking questions as only way we learn.
There is lots of information that you can obtain from the Atrial Fibrillation Association. That’s how we found the private EP after the lowest dose of Bisoprolol proved too much for me to take daily and nothing else was offered! He introduced me to having a smart phone and Kardia and after I’d sent him a reading of my heart having an episode he sent a prescription for Flecainide for me to my surgery. Hope you find the information you want.
When I first had it, I too had no idea. However while in the Hospital at the time, they did an Echocardiogram. The technician let me look at the monitor, and showed me what it was. She said, " see, that is your Atria fluttering like a feather in the wind" That is what Afib is. I was also told by the Doctor at the time, " this in itself will not kill you" but then explained that while this is happening you are more at risk for stroke, because the blood pools and can develop clots. Which is why, you are usually put on blood thinners. At the time I was simply told to take daily Aspirin. That was twelve years, and I'm still kicking! Exercise if you can do it, helps a lot. Even if I have an outbreak, moderate walking usually terminates it. I do take a low dose of Flecainide twice daily as well. Due to my age, my German Cardiologist here, started me on Edoxoban 30mg instead of Aspirin. I am still feeling fine, and rarely ( fingers crossed ) have an episode.
Atrium Fibrillation is indeed an irregular Heart Beat.
Many do not need meds. Nut at your age the Dr might prescribe anti-co.agulants. Why because of the irregularity of blood getting around your heart, it does give you a risk of a blood clot.
A blood clot may clog up an artery.
Don't be surprised if you are given a prescription for an anti-co.agulant. It should be taken at about the same time daily.
If you have a procedure or operation you may be asked to stop it fr 3 cear days and start it days after.
I have flutter episodes (high regular rate) and my older brother presents with atrial fibrillation (irregular) and we are both doing just fine with the proper medications and lifestyle. Our mother who died years ago in very old age also had irregular heartbeats.
Certain genes may cause AF on their own, while other genes may play an epigenetic role which means certain lifestyles or the environment can cause changes that affect the way genes work. It's important to look after your health as best as possible. But overall there is not enough research to really give a definitive answer and it's complex. The answer for now is take care of your health as best as you can and not worry about it.
And most importantly it definitely does not mean just because a parent or grandparent has it you will too. There are many other health factors intermingled in it as well as aging itself.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
hearing heart beat with afib 
PETRIFIED to get the jabs with a-fib & SVTs
Home blood pressure monitor.
2 months post ablation, strange heart rhythm
