Af

It’s not heart failure, it’s heart arrhythmia 

I’ve looked a bit more into it, I can see where you’re coming from. AF can lead to heart failure long term and higher risk of stroke and pooling of blood, but it’s not heart failure per se 

What medications are you on ? Several of the AF ones can cause shortness of breath and tiredness. Bisoprolol is the favourite for that but amiodarone is even worse as it affects you for years after stopping it.

Hi Popeye

You said

how many of you with af can walk up any sort of gradeant big or small without gasping for breath if you answer I can then you ain't got af ..

This is simply not true. Sir Steve Redgrave and Paula Radcliffe both have AF and are, or were, world class athletes. I feel very sorry for you that AF affects you in this way but think that it should be recognised that many people can live with AF and exercise. Myself included. In fact my Cardiologist strongly recommended that I continue my sports when I was diagnosed. I think it’s a shame to blankly tell people ‘you ain’t got AF’ when I do and I can continue to be active. 

I think we we should support each other whatever form our AF takes.

Im with Mazza. I asked my cardiologist if I had heart failure. No was the reply. But, it can lead to cardiac complications if it persists untreated long term. If that happens, then I will deal with that too. Im going into my 5th year living with PAF. Some days I can take on stairs, hills, long walks etc with no problem. Other days, like right now infact, yes, breathless. Ive had to change lifestyle habits, eating and drinking habits, work and career due to AF, but in that too, Ive got past letting AF rule my life completely. Theres only one certainty from the second we take our first mortal breath - one of these fine days will be our last! AF is a totally pain in the derriere and some days are horrendous but LIFE is what we make of it. At least I know that Ive lived, been fortunate to have free medical support in the UK and Ive done my best to deal with AF as best I can. Its hard sometimes for sure but none of us should let it beat us totally.

Popeye,

I feel your pain. I’m sorry aFib has had such a negative effect on your life. It affects us all in different ways. I was diagnosed with new onset paroxysmal aFib in January of this year, have had one electric cardioversion and am now on Tikosyn and Eliquis.

However, I ride my bike 25-30 miles every day in Florida’s summer heat, my BP and HR are normal, and I rarely feel any symptoms of my aFib. I have been in constant NSR since beginning Tikosyn in May (knock on wood!) FWIW, I am a 69 year old male in otherwise good health.

Although you didn’t indicate which medications you were taking, I would highly recommend that you seek the services of a good EP who can assess your condition and get you on a treatment plan to give you relief from your current stressful perspective. AFib is manageable and many continue to live a relatively normal life with this condition. I think you will find forums like this can be a wonderful resource which can provide information and support.

I wish you improved health.

Patrick

It’s a highly individual thing. I had first afib episode last August following two months of extreme anxiety. And I had another seven episodes in the past whole year. I would say I had gone through hell. But my afib only happened exclusively when I was sleeping. I bet there’s something going on when I was asleep. I refused to take any med that doctors gave me and I was fired by some doctors because I didn’t go the route that they wanted me to go. I believe my body has its ability to heal. I eat very healthy, i treat sleep apnea with a mouthpiece, I exercise and lose weight. Now I can run 5 miles a day, drink dark roasted black coffee 32 oz straight, take long distance travel and vacation and also all kinds of activities that I used to do. I haven’t had afib for a few months by following this regime instead of monthly episodes before. I believe there’s something, to each different person, that the medical society has been overlooked. There’s no a fits all solution, but there’s something we can do.