First episode of AF

Hi Folks,

Firstly, here’s what NICE think of Kardia or AliveCor as it’s known in the UK … actually to save interference from the virtual moderator, Google for “AliveCor Heart Monitor and AliveECG app (Kardia Mobile) for detecting atrial fibrillation”.

Secondly, I’ve just been catching up on the flow of thought on this thread over the weekend and I’ve come to the conclusion that things have got to change for me.

As I’ve said before since, although I’m aware of occasional palpitations and if I bother to check my pulse an irregular rhythm, I have just taken my tablets and ignored the whole thing. However, because of my medical history, i.e. reduced lung capacity, compromised diaphragm, wonky aortic valve (now replaced with a prosthetic one) and for the last nine years a very sedentary life style (I used to commute to London for 5 sometimes 6 hours a day, sit at a computer screen all day, “relax” (read as: “do very little”) at the weekends), it was no surprise to me that my energy level was low and any attempt to be “too” physical resulted in having to breathe hard. I am putting this sad state of affairs down to being physically unfit … but maybe not just that! Maybe, my AF is having a greater impact than I’m aware of.

I’m not yet sure what I’m going to do about this.

I’m retired now so obviously there is no excuse for not getting fit, although exercise for the sake of it alone I find noisome. I like walking and have a great interest in the natural world but going for a long walk and gazing at this wonderful world won’t necessarily exercise my cardiovascular system enough. Obviously I will have to be careful not to overstress my system but I need to devise some exercise regime that I will enjoy doing and that will have the desired effect on my fitness. I used to cycle each day but with me I need it to be more than just for exercise. In the past it was 8 miles to work and then home again or just spending time with a friend as we pootled around the countryside putting the world to rights. I’m not a competitive person at all, so that’s not likely to spur me on. I’m happy with who I am, I don’t need to prove to myself that I’m better than someone else… but then am I happy with what I am? I’d like to be able to be as physical as the occasion demands when I feel like it without getting hopelessly out of breath. As I say things have got to change but it needs to be a permanent change for the better not just something I struggle through for some short term gain.

As for diet I’m not overly fat; my BMI is at the top end of the green band, so I could do with bringing that down a bit but I have no idea what my visceral fat level is like. Obviously exercise will help there but maybe I should explore the effects of my diet on my AF … but if I have to give up cheese then I might opt for euthanasia, they don’t call me Ben Gunn for nothing … Treasure Island ... he had a cheese fixation.  (No slight intended on those folk who suffer in life way worse than I do.)

There are other factors though, like more detailed guidance/further input from the medical profession might be appropriate. Is my medication appropriate? Would ablation be beneficial? Do I still have permanent AF? I don’t know the answer to these and more questions. The last time I was called in by my cardiologist or had any review of my AF situation was, well, I’m not sure but it must be over 4 years ago maybe 5. I think it’s time I started to learn more about AF, to purchase an AliveCor and to arrange an appointment with my cardiologist or better still one that gives me the impression that she/he has some interest in my long term health, in short to be more proactive... I was in my professional life, why not now in my personal life!

Sorry for the long read. In hindsight it seems a bit self-indulgent but there it is, it helped me to formulate some loose plans at least.

Best wishes to all.

Phil

Hmm ..... I wonder why?

I prepare my inputs using Word so I do have a copy of it ... there were no URLs but it did mention using a search engine ...  if my above post does not appear within 24hours I'll tweak it a bit.