Atrial Fibrillation / Flutter :: Warfarin Or Ablation?
I have been diagnosed with AF today after a phone call from the hospital to say I need another ECG which I am having on Monday I was taken into hospital in the early hours of Thursday morning after waking up with palpitations and rapid heart beat. I was sent home after having tests and was told my blood tests was clear including troponin. Then came the the phone call today saying I have AF and might have to go on Warfarin.
When I was ready to go home from the hospital I stood up and felt awful, I told the nurse I felt faint and had nausea, clammy, blurred vision and felt really weak....
My hearing was reduced so couldn't hear properly and could barely talk. I had my blood pressure taken and it was 80/40. When it settled down my temperature was 35 so then I felt cold. I stayed in the hospital for another 3 hours before I went home...
I would like to know how others cope on warfarin or if anyone had the ablation op. I was in the same hospital in June this year for 10 days with the same symptoms but AF wasn't mentioned to me then only ectopic beats. I would like to add I have been suffering with this for over 30 years. I am going to ask about the ablation I don't fancy being on Warfarin....
Has anyone had low blood pressure like I had with this condition?
Atrial Fibrillation / Flutter :: Take More Water With It!
We all know the benefits of drinking adequate amounts of water during the day and I have also read that sufferers of arrhythmias would benefit from this because water adds volume to the blood which makes it less " sticky" and makes it easier for the heart to pump.
I've upped my consumption to around 2.5 litres per day which I'm hoping will help with my atrial fibrillation. I will try anything to be normal again.
Atrial Fibrillation / Flutter :: AF And Alcohol
Just wondering what people's general opinions are? I was diagnosed with AF around 4 years ago and seem to have an episode every 12 months or so..
I don't consider myself to be a heavy drinker have had nights out though and drinking has never seemed to set off an episode.. However I do like a couple of drinks as a "nightcap" on a weekend as get up early for work during the week so like to relax a little at weekend.
However have seen people on here refer to "Holiday heart" and to say excessive drinking has sent them into AF.
My latest episode of AF started around 6 weeks ago and I am still having palpitations. Not being sure if some of my symptoms are actually been caused by new meds (another story another forum) I was feeling really down the other day after a particularly bad day with chest pain and palpitations and finding out the side effects of meds. So thought stuff it and had a drink to help me sleep.... I found it actually helped!! the palpitations stopped and the pain went felt the best I've done in weeks.
Now wondering if maybe some of it is stress? I am a known warrior If everything is going well I worry that something is going slap me round the face and spoil it all lol.
Sorry for long post I do tend to go on - just wondering if anyone else found Alcohol actually helps?
Atrial Fibrillation And Warfarin - Experiences?
I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation about a year ago and have been treated with Bisoprolol and Aspirin. This seems to be working for me but have been advised by my doctor to go onto warfarin as I am at medium risk of a stroke. I don't want to change anything at the moment whilst the present medication seems to be working because I have heard some negative reports of warfarin - not only the side effects of hair loss etc. and giving up various foods but also the fact that you have to tell your doctor about practically any changes in what you eat and where you go (holidays etc). This seems very restrictive. Could I please have your experiences of taking Warfarin.
View 4 RepliesAtrial Fibrillation / Flutter :: 185 Beat Per Minute
3 wks ago had to go to E.R. with extremely fast heart beat 185 beat per minute. I could not get it stopped with deep breathing, other things I have done in the past. I had eaten a big meal about 30 minutes before attack of A-Fib. I am on warfarin 5mg, metoprolol 50mg 2xday, kombiglyze 500mg for diabetes as well as Lisinopril-hctz amlodipine for Blood pressure., which is mostly well controlled. Sincer the episode I have been having regular flutters that I have stopped with rest or deep breathing. Cardiology put me on 100 mg of flecainide which drop my pulse rate to 38 and I couldn't even get up out of a chair and felt like I couldn't breathe. I then tried 50mg and had rapid heart beat. I don't think I can take it. What should I do in others opinion.
View 3 RepliesLungs Congestion Due To Atrial Fibrillation / Flutter
i've had AF for 4 years now but a recent X-ray showed lung congestion which they think is being caused by the heart. I also get excessive facial sweating - does anyone else suffer these symptoms. Also I am breathless going uphills and stairs which is a new development although I can walk miles on the flat.
When is AF just AF & not a heart attack?
General Surgery While Having Atrial Fibrillation / Flutter ?
I`m just wondering if anyone who has atrial fibrillation has had surgery of any kind and was it a problem at all?
View 31 RepliesAtrial Fibrillation - How Long? Bisoprolol And Warfarin
I had my first encounter with AF in September of 2013. I was put on Bisoprolol and Warfarin until I had a cardioversion in february the following year.
All has been well, until a few nights ago when I woke the morning after and found that I had gone back into AF.
I have been on a low dose of Bisoprolol (1.25mg) since the procedure. I also cut my alcohol intake to 2-3 drinks per week and kept exercising as I have always done.
I took myself to the local A&E department and was wired up which confirmed what I already knew. They didn't seem overly concerned that I was in AF and holding a heart rate of 80/90 bpm and told I was in controlled AF. I was then discharged and booked into my local GP later that morning.
The appointment didn't yield much movement apart from a referral to a specialist which would take approx 4 weeks.
He left me on my dose of Bisoprolol and told me to get back in touch if I felt any changes in the symptoms.
I have a feeling of been left in the dark, and as well as been quite worried that it all comes across a bit relaxed by the system when I myself am really worried!!!! Is it just me?
Has anybody felt similar?
Atrial Fibrillation / Flutter :: Taurine Works Wonders For Me
I have had a heart condition for 13 years now known as 1st and 2nd degree heart block. I have now started to suffer from Atrial Flutter and/or Atrial Fibrillation. A few months ago i bought some Taurine as i read it helps with the electrical functions of the heart. I have discovered that i can stop the flutter/fib in a matter of 10 mins by taking 3000mg of taurine. It has successfully stopped it on each occasion. Maybe try a lesser amount 1st then work up to the dose that works for you ? Please let me know if this has been of any help to you. It certainly has made the world of difference to me !
View 3 RepliesLifestyle And Diet Effects On Atrial Fibrillation / Flutter
I had AF for 2 years and 2 months before having a pulmonary vein ablation. I have always, when commenting on here stated my age, my lifestyle and about my diet. I notice that a lot of people here do not comment on these issues, so therefore others cannot make comparisons with their stories.
Maybe if people discuss more about these things, we could help one another, with comparisons. When we see cardiologists, they only look at our particular case and do not compare one person with another. Just a thought, maybe if we commented more on whether we have other underlying health problems that could contribute to AF., and whether our lifestyles and eating habits could be a contributing factor, we may better start to understand similar comparisons to one another's experiences with
Atrial Fibrillation / Flutter :: Can I Still Drink Alcohol? Lifestyle?
After experiencing some palpitations and breathlessness over the past week or so I went to see my GP. I had an ECG, was sent to A&E, admitted to hospital for further tests and diagnosed with AF. My heart rate was not particular fast.
I'm still in AF and have been given Bisoprolol to control my heart rate. I've had problems with palpitations and chest achiness for the past 2 years and have had numerous ECGs which have always been normal so this is a bit of a shock. I'm a bit confused as to what happens now really. I have got an apt with a consultant coming up, but does this mean my life style will have to change? How can I get back to normal heart rhythm? Can I still drink alcohol? I don’t drink a lot but enjoy a couple of glasses at the weekends and have some birthday parties coming up. Also, what about exercise? A month ago I was training for a charity cycle ride and was riding 20-25 miles a time. Where does this leave me? Since taking the Bisoprolol I have been getting headaches – will they subside in time?
Atrial Fibrillation / Flutter :: Amiodarone - Bad Side Effects - Dronedarone?
I've been on Bisoprolol 10mg for 3 months with no effect on my Paroxysmal AF episodes so was started on Digoxin, now at 187.5mcg also with minimal effect. My Cardiologist and GP are pushing me to take Amiodarone but reading stories of side effects I'm terrified. I live in NZ so don't have the choice of Dronedarone. Have others refused Amiodarone and if so what were they then put on? I feel backed into a corner with not many choices left.
View 20 RepliesAtrial Fibrillation Symptoms?
Diagnosed in January. Not constant and have felt fine for 2 weeks but today I am fluttering nearly all the time. I'm on warfarin and waiting to see a specialist. Had a heart scan and all is fine. Also lots of blood tests but there is no underlying cause. What are other people's symptoms? I'm 54.
Atrial Fibrillation - Flecainide For A-Fib?
Has anyone been prescribed flecainide for A-Fib.
I have not heard of this medication before and would like to discuss it with my doctor.
Atrial Fibrillation - Cardioversion Feedback?
on the 22nd of august this year i was admitted into hospital.after not being able to breathe spent six days in cardiac ward then sent home.i have stopped smoking also drinking,my meds are warfarin flecainide also bisoprolol, last couple of days i have struggled with my breathing all seems to point to the beater blocker(not sure),this is what i've found out.on the 10,th of this month i am down for the cardioversion asked the hospital if it does not work what are the next move no answer.also asked about work i am a self employed painter & decorator so can not afford time off,but my breathing is so poor i am at home no energy also tired all the time.if anyone out there can give me a glimmer of hope after the cardioversion ,that i can return to my trade and go back painting new houses,or look for a new career,my inr,s in the past week ranged from 1.4,then 2 then todays 3.1,i am new to this af felt fine upto the 22 of august since then i have felt like a old man i am 52,who thought i was fairly fit.
View 20 RepliesAmlodipine Causing Atrial Fibrillation?
Does anyone know whether there is anything in the literature that definitely shows amlodipine to be a definite cause of atrial fibrillation in some people? The list of side effects mentions heart arrhythmias/palpitations but I am looking for some evidence of a definite link with atrial fibrillation.
View 3 RepliesParoxysmal Atrial Fibrillation - My Experience
I am female and 61yrs old. My first experience of something not quite right namely PAF was in 1995 approx. 13 yrs ago. I had an unusual irregular thumping in my chest and felt quite faint. This came on just out of the blue in the Supermarket and felt so horrible I just had to lean over the trolley until it went off. It went away after a few minutes but did recur from time to time.
I went to the Dr's and was given an appointment to see a Consultant Cardiologist at my local hospital. They fitted me up with an early version Holter monitor that did not work too well. As a result they could not find anything unusual in my condition. I thought well what ever it is it will rear its ugly head again one day, perhaps then they will then know what is really wrong with me!
From then on the jumping & thumping in my chest went on and off. In Feb 2006 after a very stressful airport experience I awoke with a really bad jumping in my chest so bad I did not know what to do (I thought I was having a heart attack!) This went on for about 3 hours. My husband took me to the A & E where I waited for another 3 hours before I could get checked out, I thought I was going to die. They wired me up to an ECG machine where my pulse rate was 200 bpm. I was soon taken to another room where they injected me with some drug to slow my heart rate down. This was a rare experience as I felt my body go stiff for a few moments only. After that I was admitted for 5 days so they could keep an eye on me. I did feel much better after a couple of days however as they put me on 40mg Sotalol + Warfarin. I am convinced that the stress getting home from holiday triggered my episode.
In Sep 2007 I woke up one morning with a sharp pain in my chest which happened 3 times after each other. I was admitted again into hospital with a suspected heart attack. I had several tests done, Cardiac enzyme test, Holter monitor, Echocardiogram, Treadmill & Myoview scan. So all in all I had a very good M.O.T! End result NOT a heart attack just pain from AF.
I am now off the Warfarin (as I am considered low risk) and take 75mg of Aspirin & 120 mg Sotalol twice daily which suit me very well with no noticeable side effects. Having said that the other night I woke up at 4.am with bad AF wich lasted for just over an hour just as I was congratulating myself how well I have done now for 2 yrs! I tried everything to stop it Coughing, blowing into a bag & massaging one side of my neck but to no avail. The only thing that worries me now is that perhaps one day I will have to have an Ablation operation (it terrifies me!). The success rate is only about 70% so I will hang on until medical science has improved. I have been informed they will only do it on NHS up to the age of 70 so I have 9 years to think about it! I am now going to stop putting salt on my dinner and cut down on the alcohol to see if that will help me. I do drink decaffeinated coffee & tea.
Heart :: Symptoms Of Atrial Fibrillation...
I'm 27, male, generally healthy and skinny.
A while ago during my weekly tennis match, I felt a regular, but strong heartbeat in my chest. About 120-130 bpm which is normal due to the exercise, but I felt it really pounding in my chest as if I just had an very intensive workout or sprint done. It started already during the warm-up and lasted throughout the match. After I stopped sporting, this feeling stopped.
Because of this feeling, and my general paranoia regarding my heart, I kept measuring my heart rate (on neck artery) in between points. It was a stable rhythm all match, except for almost at the end I thought I felt 2 missed beats while I was measuring. No exact science here, but thought I felt it.
In the weeks before this, and after, I have not felt anything strange. No pounding heartbeats, except after a fast sprint or intensive moment.
For me to feel good again and confident about my (heart) health, I would like to know some things.
What could have caused those (stable) palpitations that day? Cafeine? Dehydration? Anything else?
And the last heart condition I'm trying to rule out is atrial fibrillation. Could that have been it? And might it be permanent? Whenever I measure my heart rate during the day it is stable and between 60-80 bpm. With atrial fibrillation it is impossible to have a low stable heart rate, not?
Bisoprolol :: Atrial Fibrillation And Extremely Tired
Was prescribed 5mg bisoprolol 5 days ago after admission to hospital with atrial fibrillation. It seems to be working in terms of getting the pulse under control, but I have been suffering really debilitating tiredness, to the point where I sometimes barely have the energy to walk from one room to another. The medics at the hospital told me that if I got "short of breath" then I should go back into hospital, but it isn't so much shortness of breath as feeling completely leaden, especially walking up stairs.
Something I don't understand is whether this is the effect of the drug, or the result of the underlying condition, ie that my heart has been working very inefficiently. (Why doesn't anybody tell us these things?). Degree of tiredness also seems to be influenced by things such as whether I have just slept or eaten, time of day, and anxiety/stress levels!
Does anyone else have any experiences they can share about this?