Posted , 7 users are following.
How long will I expect before I see a consultant?
NW England
Recently diagnosed.
I see members talk about being in AF and out.
Excuse my ignorance but how do I know whether I am
in or out 
Some days I seem better than others.
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0 likes, 26 replies
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BJStar3 ron_08501
Posted
ron_08501 BJStar3
Posted
Thanks for the quick reply.
I am experiencing one: I get breathless. It comes and goes but walking has become
ibit of a problem at times.
My GP diagnosed me but a recent hospital stay for a chest infection showed up
that I had a heart ticking slightly fast. (My sister has a heart that runs a bit slow).
I suspect it is going to take best part of a year in the UK before I see a consultant.
cardiac_congo ron_08501
Posted
ron_08501 cardiac_congo
Posted
"Holter"
What is that?
cardiac_congo ron_08501
Posted
Its the monitor that the cardiac physiologist would issue to you. Its a small box, bit bigger than a pager, attached to you with two stickers with connector leads to the box. It is set either to read non stop for 24 hrs, or, if you need it for longer you "activate" it when you feel an episode coming on and note on a diary sheet time, activity etc. Then the cardiac physiologist downloads it and it shows your heartrate and pulse - bit like a mini ecg. Gives them a clearer idea of whats going on in the background, especially if you aren't aware of your symptoms generally.
derek76 ron_08501
Posted
It is worth paying to see an EP initially as if treatment is needed he can put you on his NHS list. Most people know if they are in AF as their heart rate will be fast and uneven.
patrick45945 ron_08501
Posted
Hey Ron,
It sounds like your referral system in the UK is a bit different than ours here in the US. I was diagnosed during a routine new patient visit with a new GP. I had no symptoms, but as soon as she checked my heart and pulse, she had me put in a wheelchair and wheeled next door to a hospital ER where I was admitted with “new onset aFib”.
I met my new cardiologist, an EP, that evening who recommended the electric cardioversion which was performed on Monday, so I was kept in hospital for the weekend until my procedure on Monday which was successful, and I was released a few hours later feeling fine with the ticker in normal rhythm.
Again, to answer your question, I had no symptoms before the diagnosis and was advised that there was no way to tell how long I had been in aFib before my diagnosis. I was looking forward to my daily 30 mile bike ride after my GP appointment and grabbing a grouper sandwich and pint of stout to kick off the weekend but instead found myself in the ER.😵
Looking back, I had been having some slight dizzy spells but attributed that to the blood pressure meds my previous GP had been changing trying to lower my BP. FWIW, since the procedure and prescription for blood thinners, my BP is normal.
Lastly, there are devices available that will detect aFib. You can search this forum for “Kardia Mobile unit” and “KardiaBand” for more info.
Best to you going forward!
Patrick
Hotrodda ron_08501
Posted
ron_08501 Hotrodda
Posted
ron_08501
Posted
BampaOwl ron_08501
Posted
PAF symptoms vary from one individual to another, and even from time to time for one individual. The most reliable method of detection I used was with a fairly cheap Boots BP monitor, which also measures Heart Rate and has a symbol to show "irregularity". When I am in AF, my BP goes down, my HR goes up, and is irregular.
But hopefully I am now permanently out of AF following ablation.
Can't remember how long it took me to see a cardio (Scotland). Not too long IIRC, but I had collapsed and was taken into casualty at my first attack (never happened since).
ron_08501
Posted
ron_08501
Posted
I seem to have the atrial fibrillation without any symptoms.
They found it while I was in hospital with a chest infection.
They told me I had it.
saw the nurse yesterday as a outpatient.
Sems my GP is going to treat my AF.
He's already started me on tabs re blood thnners a beta blocker etc
ron_08501
Posted
I should add that I get breathless (which is a symptom of AF) but it can be also
a symptom of my COPD.
The plot thickens.
Also at the moment struggling on a twisted ankle so there is another source for being
breathless as I stagger down the street.
BampaOwl ron_08501
Posted
I get breathless too (walking up long/steep hills etc), but it seems that that is down to recently-diagnosed COP - not the same as COPD.
Your GP treatment looks fine to me. Different Beta Blockers have different effects on different patients. Sotalol suited me.
Main symptom of my AF, which usually came on overnight, was feeling week and generally rough in the morning - sometimes I just had to sit down for a couple of hours. Also, a tendency to pee frequently in the night. (Though I have prostate trouble which can have this effect too.)
Sorry if I sound like a medical encyclopedia! I have rheumatoid arthritis too! (I'm 71, and actually feel quite well at present ...)
Alan
ron_08501 BampaOwl
Posted
Thanks for that information Bampa.
appreciate the post.
Medical encyclopedia is fine by me.
🙂