AF

Heart health and blood vessels
1

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 Warferin.

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 could'nt 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 warferin 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 was'nt 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 Warferin....

Has anyone had low blood pressure like I had with this condition?            

2

Hi and after 30 years I would think it is now time to get you sorted! I collapsed last year and it was found that I had a hole in my heart that I know nothing about. This was repaired but then I got A.F pretty bad. Guys Hospital booked me in for the ablation in June just gone which wasnt very pleasant but am now much better and have no problems. I take asprin rather than Warfarin and also bisoprol and a couple of others. I do get tired but am back dancing and working so hope that you too will be much better soon

3

I am 53 Y/O and have been in chronic AFIB for 25 years and have had 2 unsuccessful abalations in 2004,2006. I think you may have a very good shot of returning and staying in NSR since you are not in AFIB all the time.You will have to go on warafin before the procedure and for atleast 3 months after it along with other anti-arrythmia meds. If you are worried about warafin for dietary reasons (green vegtables) just make sure you eat the same amount daily so your INR doesn't go crazy. My efraction rate is normal so I am on a baby aspirin and verapamil ( blood pressure/ rate control). If no new great procedures for AFIB come up in the next 17 years I will also go on warafin or something similar at that time. Good luck and I'm feeling you have a great shot of returning to NSR

4

Hi Audrey, thank you for your reply. Glad to hear you are feeling better after the Ablation. I can't wait to feel better again if they let me have it done. I have been feeling awful for years. I will ask if I can have aspirin instead of warferin. I tried bisoprolol but It made me breathless.

5

Hi m72561 Sorry to hear the ablations did'nt work, it must be frustrating for you. I get more of the palpitations than the rapid heartbeat, I can also hear my heart pounding in my left ear which is annoying.  Athough, when I was taken into hospital yesterday I could'nt feel my pulse it was too fast. I get fed up of it now and want an end to it. Hope you are right that I have a good chance about staying in NSR.      

6

I actually do very well in AFIB and still play  2 man beach volleyball with guys half my age. I guess I've been in it so long it's my normal. I know people in your situation who are AFIB free 5 years later after thier 1st abalation. I also try to folow a very good diet get plenty of rest and really have no complaints except that it would be nice if I were in NSR to see if It would make any difference.

7

I'm ok on warfarin at 10mg. I need a high dose to keep INR 2-3. It is important you don't get a clot as it could cause a stroke. I am meeting cardilologist (electrophysiologist) in January to discuss ablation. I have atrial fibrillation and dilated cardiomyopathy. I am 45 and get tired easy and get dizzy. Be careful not to stand up too quickly. I believe ablation is around 70% successful and sometimes needs a second attempt. I am on digoxin (digitalis) for rate control and  sometimes I get so much flutter I need to lay down as it makes me weak. i am looking forward to the ablation so I can get some energy and get a job. Good luck Merryl.

8

Good to hear you can still play volleyball, I am afraid to move sometimes when my heart is playing up. Dont know what it is like to feel normal anymore. I will be overjoyed to get rid of the symptoms if it ever happens. 

9

My dad is 86 and has been in AFIB for the last 20 years,his lungs were damaged when taking amoridine and was said to be in congestive heart failure. He had a knee replacement and there were times in the last 5 years where his health was very frail. He change his diet cutting out all sugars and anything white (pasta,processed foods,breads ect) and is doing amazingly well.He can sail again and do yard work. AFIB is not a death sentence and I believe diet can make it much more managable. I am in better shape now than I was 10 years ago. I can play beach volleyball for hours and enjoy any activities I want with no restrictions. Please try these changes and you will see results

10

Hi, glad to hear you are doing well on warfarin, this is all new to me if I need to be on it as I don't know anything about it. I also get tired easy with the symptoms, and feel dizzy at times. I just hope they will offer the ablation, I will ask anyway. How do you cope with the cardiomyopathy as well as the AF? It is bad enough having the AF. My flutters can last all day on and off and I can't do much until they stop. 

Good luck with the cardiologist and hope you get the ablation done soon. 

11

I'm 79 years old have had PAFib for about 10 years and have taken Warfarin for this time. Downside with Warfarin is the regular INR checks, bruising with the slightest knock and extensive bleeding after nicks with my razor. The upside is that it prevents strokes which is a pretty big upside. My PAF episodes are self terminating after on average 24 hours and I tolerate them fairly well which is why have not gone for ablation, particularly at my age.

12

Hi, Thank you for your reply. It is the bleeding that I worry about. So it seems the warfarin does'nt get rid of the symptoms. Just wondered if I need to have a tooth out would the gums bleed more on warfarin.  I think I have a lot to learn about this. 

13

Hi, yes I suffer with low blood pressure during these episodes, when it first started (earlier this year) they suggested warfarin which I refused. Two weeks ago I had ablation in Harefield, early days yet but I feel a lot better. Ablation was a bit uncomfortable but the end result is good.

Peter

14

I had a very difficult extraction of an obstinate tooth last year when on warfarin. I needed stitches in my gum and the cavity had to be plugged but bleeding was no more that usual.

 

15

Thank you.

16

 I will ask if I can have the ablation when I go to the hospital on Monday for the ECG. I would rather go through that than take warfarin. Glad to hear you are feeling better, it gives me some hope.

Thank you  

17

Merryl you don't have to worry too much about bleeding wih warfarin. If you cut yourself or have a tooth extraction you will need stitching. If you become over anticoagulated they will stop warfarin or give you vitamin K. That is why you have to be careful eating too many green vegetables as vit K is an antidote to warfarin. Just keep your appointments at the clinic to monitor your INR. If you bang yourself or fall over you may find you bruise more easily, otherwise warfarin is not too much to worry about. Avoid cranberry juice.

18

Thank you for the tips. I will know tomorrow after the ECG if I need to go on wafarin or not.

19

Hello Meryl, just to let you know my case. I was in PAF., from June 2012

until I had ablation in July 2014, which had to be aborted after three

hours as there was an equipment malfunction, but my EP.,told me he

had mapped the rogue electrical potentials and the he would get me

back within a month. He kept his word, as I was back exactly 28 days

later. Before I went for ablation I had been on Adizem 120mg, once a

day and aspirin 75mg once a day. My EP., didn't put me on any blood

thinners, pre ablation, I was only taking my aspirin until the day of my

ablation, then they gave me an intravenous blood anti-coagulation,

when I was in the cath lab. After the ablation my EP., said he would

put me on warfirin for 3 months. I asked him if he could possibly give

me another anti-coagulant, as I didn't want to be going for blood tests

every 2 weeks. He said ok., and put me on Apixaban 5mg., one, twice

daily. I have been completely AF., free now since ablation which was

done on the 21st August. I go back to cardio clinic this Friday

28th Nov., for a bubble echocardiogram, to confirm that the puncture

penetration that they did from the right atria, into the left atria, to access

two pulmonary veins, has healed. If the test is successful, which I

assume it will be, then I will be off Apixaban. My status post ablation

was, I'm 66 years old, same weight now as when I was 20 years old,

have been into extreme fitness for 20 + years, do not smoke, drink very

moderately, eat quite a healthy diet, minimal sat., fat, no sugar, decaf

tea & coffee. Also I do not have any other cardio pulmonary issues.

I think my fitness level is the reason I have been on least medication.

I can only praise my EP., and all his team at Manchester Royal

Infirmary for my successful outcome. One of my EP's team, told me pre

ablation , "if anyone can do a successful ablation Sam can, Sam being

Dr. S. Muhlyadeen. So gratefull to Sam, his team and all the cardio ward

nurses at MRI.

My story, good luck Meryl

John

20

Sorry, my status was meant to say pre-ablation.

John