AF or something else?
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I was diagnosed with Angina in 2008. Managed by taking aspirin, a beta blocker and a statin, plus a GTN spray for attacks. In all that time it has been relatively stable. I can count the number of attacks on both hands, with the last one being over 2 years ago. I’m far fitter than I was when initially diagnosed and a good deal lighter, having lost over 4 stones. A couple of years ago, I had a period of about 3 weeks where I noticed some palpitations. There was no real pattern and usually went after a couple of minutes. Mentioned to my GP, but because of the intermittent nature not a great deal they could do. Fast forward to last month, palpitations return, but this time lasting longer, but still intermittent. Had an ECG last week, waiting for the results, am also going to be given a 24hr ECG to see if they can catch a reading during a palpitation episode. My younger brother has AF and after discussing with him, I’m not sure what I am experiencing is the same. He describes AF as feeling like his heart is fluttering, what I am experiencing is more like an increased heart rate.
My resting rate is usually between high 40’s to mid 50’s. During an episode it can go up to 110 or thereabouts. Obviously, I’m hoping my GP/specialist will be able to identify the issue, but I was wondering if anyone on here had anything similar and could give me any ideas what to expect.
Thanks for all positive responses.
I was diagnosed with Angina in 2008. Managed by taking aspirin, a beta blocker and a statin, plus a GTN spray for attacks. In all that time it has been relatively stable. I can count the number of attacks on both hands, with the last one being over 2 years ago. I’m far fitter than I was when initially diagnosed and a good deal lighter, having lost over 4 stones. A couple of years ago, I had a period of about 3 weeks where I noticed some palpitations. There was no real pattern and usually went after a couple of minutes. Mentioned to my GP, but because of the intermittent nature not a great deal they could do. Fast forward to last month, palpitations return, but this time lasting longer, but still intermittent. Had an ECG last week, waiting for the results, am also going to be given a 24hr ECG to see if they can catch a reading during a palpitation episode. My younger brother has AF and after discussing with him, I’m not sure what I am experiencing is the same. He describes AF as feeling like his heart is fluttering, what I am experiencing is more like an increased heart rate.
My resting rate is usually between high 40’s to mid 50’s. During an episode it can go up to 110 or thereabouts. Obviously, I’m hoping my GP/specialist will be able to identify the issue, but I was wondering if anyone on here had anything similar and could give me any ideas what to expect.
Thanks for all positive responses.
I have had AF for 10+ years. It affects people in different ways but mine is inconsistent heart rate which at times can feel like palpatations. AF is either permanent or can be periodical.
Your ECG will show it immediately if you are in AF; if you have an Apple watch it will show you [almost] immediately. My watch is boring as it weekly tells me I am in AF 100%. There are ways to deal with AF [like stopping and restarting your heart].
There are a number of reasons for the spike that you're feeling but no guarantee it is AF. It is really one for the consultant and tbh the GP should refer you sooner rather than later.
One disclaimer, I am not a medical professional and only relating my own experience(s)
Your ECG will show it immediately if you are in AF; if you have an Apple watch it will show you [almost] immediately. My watch is boring as it weekly tells me I am in AF 100%. There are ways to deal with AF [like stopping and restarting your heart].
There are a number of reasons for the spike that you're feeling but no guarantee it is AF. It is really one for the consultant and tbh the GP should refer you sooner rather than later.
One disclaimer, I am not a medical professional and only relating my own experience(s)
24hr 'tape' should show what's going on.
They can do longer recordings if necessary.
Your symptoms sound like either fast AF or a re-entry tachycardia.
You should probably be re-assessed by the cardiologists as they may be interested in doing angiography with a view to stenting.
Your GP can make the referral.
They can do longer recordings if necessary.
Your symptoms sound like either fast AF or a re-entry tachycardia.
You should probably be re-assessed by the cardiologists as they may be interested in doing angiography with a view to stenting.
Your GP can make the referral.
OIC said:
24hr 'tape' should show what's going on.
They can do longer recordings if necessary.
Your symptoms sound like either fast AF or a re-entry tachycardia.
You should probably be re-assessed by the cardiologists as they may be interested in doing angiography with a view to stenting.
Your GP can make the referral.
What on earth are you talking about? Why would they consider stents for an arrhythmia? They can do longer recordings if necessary.
Your symptoms sound like either fast AF or a re-entry tachycardia.
You should probably be re-assessed by the cardiologists as they may be interested in doing angiography with a view to stenting.
Your GP can make the referral.
HorseEngineer said:
OIC said:
24hr 'tape' should show what's going on.
They can do longer recordings if necessary.
Your symptoms sound like either fast AF or a re-entry tachycardia.
You should probably be re-assessed by the cardiologists as they may be interested in doing angiography with a view to stenting.
Your GP can make the referral.
What on earth are you talking about? Why would they consider stents for an arrhythmia? They can do longer recordings if necessary.
Your symptoms sound like either fast AF or a re-entry tachycardia.
You should probably be re-assessed by the cardiologists as they may be interested in doing angiography with a view to stenting.
Your GP can make the referral.
He's had angina for nearly 20 years.
The onset of an abnormal rhythm may indicate that his IHD has progressed and he would benefit from stenting, or at the very least, re-assessment by a cardiologist.
Nice 1st post btw.
If checking ongoing symptoms and a quick diagnosis is what you're after, you could buy a home ECG gadget:
https://store.alivecor.co.uk/products/kardiamobile...
It's driven by your phone and will give you a 30 second ECG. You can then pay a small fee (10$ iirc) and Kardia support will analyse the trace and send a report back to you in 24 hours or so. Or you could do a bit of googling and learn how to interpret the ECG, or at least learn how to recognise the symptoms you are looking for.
Good luck.
https://store.alivecor.co.uk/products/kardiamobile...
It's driven by your phone and will give you a 30 second ECG. You can then pay a small fee (10$ iirc) and Kardia support will analyse the trace and send a report back to you in 24 hours or so. Or you could do a bit of googling and learn how to interpret the ECG, or at least learn how to recognise the symptoms you are looking for.
Good luck.
Sounds like supraventricular tachycardia, which is what I have.
I originally had persistent AF, 2 cardioversions didn't work, then an ablation worked for 3mths, until it didn't. I now have a nice mixture of sometimes normal, sometimes AF, and sometimes tachycardia. Currently on Bisoprolol & something else to help maintain a rhythm, but I'll quite often have a resting rate of 100.
If medication can keep it at bay the cardiology team might be happy at that, if not you'll be looking at an ablation, which currently has a 12mth+ waiting list.
In terms of an ECG, for around £80 from Boots you can get yourself a Kardia Mobile device, it's a small ECG machine that links to your phone, you can then save ECG graphs to send onto your cardiologist, if needs be.
I originally had persistent AF, 2 cardioversions didn't work, then an ablation worked for 3mths, until it didn't. I now have a nice mixture of sometimes normal, sometimes AF, and sometimes tachycardia. Currently on Bisoprolol & something else to help maintain a rhythm, but I'll quite often have a resting rate of 100.
If medication can keep it at bay the cardiology team might be happy at that, if not you'll be looking at an ablation, which currently has a 12mth+ waiting list.
In terms of an ECG, for around £80 from Boots you can get yourself a Kardia Mobile device, it's a small ECG machine that links to your phone, you can then save ECG graphs to send onto your cardiologist, if needs be.
Afib with a regular fast heartbeat is called flutter, it's from an different part of the heart and often goes hand in hand with 'normal' AFIB. Ablation for flutter is 90% successful on a first go.
Afib is progressive AFAIC but the NHS won't give you an ablation until way too late (permanent damage).
I had an ablation for flutter and AFIB while they were still intermittent and never looked back. Its £20k for the ablation. If it effects you as deeply (psychologically) as it did me its a good bet.
Some people aren't bothered by it which changes the calculation.
Afib is progressive AFAIC but the NHS won't give you an ablation until way too late (permanent damage).
I had an ablation for flutter and AFIB while they were still intermittent and never looked back. Its £20k for the ablation. If it effects you as deeply (psychologically) as it did me its a good bet.
Some people aren't bothered by it which changes the calculation.
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