A F

yes, that;s a point.
people who take this kind of medication are meant to carry a card or something to warn any medics, in case they have a funny turn when out.
same as for steroids.
also need to inform all HCPs, including dentist.

My DH started having episodes of an extremely rapid heart rate two years ago and they became more frequent so he is now on Beta Blockers and Rivaroxaban and has had no episodes of the rapid heart rate which frightened us both very much when it happened. His GP gave him the choice of Warfarin or Rivaroxaban so he chose the latter because he had heard adverse things about Warfarin. His podiatrist recently told him to be aware that there is no antidote for Rivaroxaban so he is always careful not to cut himself.

someone i know of developed AF after a near fatal episode of sepsis.
she had an echocardiogram and other tests, and saw a nurse specialist in haemophilia centre. they deal with more than that, but that's what it's called, somewhat alarmingly.
anyway the nurse there was very helpful and he explained that it would be wise for her to take rivaroxaban, so as to head off risk of stroke or heart attack.
she also takes something for high blood pressure, and many other medications as she has multiple morbidities and is mostly bed-bound.
she has been told to avoid stress, and when her family are lambasting her, as they often do, i've told her to say that medical advice is she must avoid stress, and just end the call.

My DH has it. He takes warfarin and beta blockers every day. Blood tests every couple of weeks to make sure his warfarin is doing it’s job. As long as he takes his meds as directed, it doesn’t really cause him a problem. I think anything to do with heart is scary when it’s first diagnosed but it’s better to know what you’re up against so you can deal with it more effectively.

You’ll need to make sure that you’re well informed as to the different blood thinners available. DH takes warfarin for which he has to have regular blood tests to make sure his levels are regulated. He also has to watch his diet to a certain extent as foods high in vitamin K can affect how warfarin works. He was offered one of the newer blood thinners - Apixaban - mainly because there are no regular blood tests needed and no adverse reactions from food. He decided to stick with warfarin, because in the event of a bleed, a measured dose of vitamin K is an antidote. There is no antidote with the newer medications and this was the deciding factor for him.

My DH has it. He was diagnosed at 55 and is on bisoprolol and apixoban. He initially had cardioversion which stopped it for a while but it came back as was expected. It doesn’t seem to cause him any problems at all.
He used to be a very good long distance runner for many years and AF is apparently quite common in endurance athletes later in life.

I was diagnosed 5 years ago and it took a while to settle down until they got the medication right.I was taken off bisoprolol (sp?)because it reduced my heart rate too much and am now on flecainide and warfarin which seem to suit. I think AF is quite a common problem.

I’m 74 and was diagnosed in May. I take Bisoprol and a blood thinner. I was having symptoms for months but just put it down to anxiety. I feel so much better now I’m on medication.

Thank you Grandma70s.

Whiff - Having a diagnosis can be a great comfort in itself. Once we know what we are up against we are more able to deal with what is going on. I wish you well.

Atrial Fibrillation. I have it, and I don’t notice it at all.

What is AF please? It sounds as if it has something to do with the heart, so I would be very interested to know ....

I too was diagnosed with this about 3 years ago, usual tests ECG etc and beta blockers, then nothing since. At the time my other half was in hospital with chest drain and following problems then came Covid so I guess I slipped through the net although I still get the pills and would be scared to stop taking them. I am 84 so you are sspring chicken ??? Don’t worry unnecessarily.