Who will manage my persistent atrial fibrillation?

Hi- I was diagnosed with AF about 6 months ago and I am happy to summarise my experiences to date. I found it important to chat with an electrocardiologist (a cardiologist specialising in abnormal heart rhythms) rather than a general cardiologist or a cardiologist whose speciality was in something other than arrhythmias. I am an AFibber who does not generally sense the arrhythmia and when diagnosed I was in AFib all the time like you. Being an asymptomatic and persistent AFibber, my electrocardiologist did not recommend that I had the cardioconversion though I know other cardiologists might as this is one of the many actively debated issues in AFib.

I also have hypertension and was put on beta blockers to slow my heart rate. We then chatted about stroke risk due to AFib and decided that I should start Warfarin to help prevent clot formation. For this, you need to have blood tests done every 4 weeks or so to have your INR measured to make sure your blood is in the correct therapeutic region (i.e. thin but not too thin).

Down the line, I will plan with my GP to be referred perhaps yearly for echocardiograms to check on ejection volume and atria size.

That is the quick summary. I hope that helped.

Hi I have had AF for nearly a year now but do not seem to of got many answers from the so called experts. How did you get referred to a electrocardiologist? was it on the NHS or private. I really feel I need to talk to someone.

My electrocardiologist was recommended to me by my GP. I first tried the NHS and ended talking to cardiologists. They were not cardiologists specialising in arrhythmias and hence I felt I was getting \"canned\" information. In essence, a diagnosis and treatment plan before you even enter the room for your first appointment. It is not surprising then that I did not feel they were listening to me. Hence, I went private and picked an electrocardiologist. My GP had a big book which was a directory of all the local hospitals in my area with the specialities of all the doctors listed. Also, you can go on to the web for BUPA and Nuffield to get a start. YEs, more expensive then the NHS but we had a length chat about ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, Warfarin, DC conversion, etc.

hi there,

There should be no need to go private. Just insist that your GP refer you to an electrocardiologist. Your problem is horrible but not uncommon, and there are many NHS ECs out there.

Mine in fact talked me [i:24f487803b]out[/i:24f487803b] of going private. He asked me whether I wanted people doing my ablation who had done thousands, or people who'd done 10-11. Naturally I wanted the team with the most experience, so I chose NHS. The only thing I would suggest if you can afford private, is that you have it done in an NHS hospital then ask to be moved to a private room. At least that way you get some sleep afterwards!

Good luck!