Atrial Fibrillation [edited at OP's request]

Anyone who is on blood thinners, but is going to refuse a transfusion in the event of losing a lot of blood (such as Jehovah's Witnesses) is given Warfarin, which can be counteracted with vitamin K in an emergency, rather than Apixipan.

An elderly relative in this position needed blood thinners What was concerning was that because she is in general very fit (all that walking round the doors) she is very seldom at the GPs, and had never actually mentioned her religious affiliations to them, so until I phoned them about her and mentioned it in passing, they had no idea. They could then prescribe Warfarin.

So it is a good idea to tell your GP about other aspects of your life than purely medical ones.

After reading Pammie’s posts about bleeding danger from Apixipan and similar drugs, compared with warfarin, I did some quick research. It seems that a number of trials (published in medical journals) have concluded that Apixipan is better than warfarin in preventing stroke in people with AF and there is also less risk of bleeding.

I found reading the research results reassuring as I’m on Apixipan - warfarin was never suggested by cardiologist.

AmberSpyglass

Is there a particular diet that’s good for AF, or certain things to eat or avoid at all costs?

It is suggested there is a relationship between high carb consumption and AF and changing to decaffeinated coffee worked for my DH.

It sounds as if you have had excellent care Whiff. Nobody has mentioned an AF clinic to my DH, it sounds a good idea and would have taken away a lot of the anxiety his episodes have caused us both. He has had a heart monitor for 24 hours and an echocardiogram but very little feedback or advice.

My cardiologist (not the grumpy old guy) is a great fan of Keto.

Is there a particular diet that’s good for AF, or certain things to eat or avoid at all costs?

Luckygirl3

I am on Rivaroxaban. No blood tests needed.

But all of the newer blood thinners can causing haemorrhage and if/when they do, they require hospital treatment. My point is that while Warfarin does require regular testing, the results are quickly communicated and the dosage reduced or increased as necessary and if there is a bleed, vitamin K is usually enough to correct it. With drugs like Apixaban, Edoxiban and Rivaroxaban there is no antidote, and GP’s don’t seem to be explaining that to patients because the focus is on getting them off Warfarin to reduce the costs incurred by regular blood tests.

I've had AF ( many on the family have it) for many years now. I was unaware of it, because I was so used to the swooping birds and flapping fish in my chest that it seemed normal. Normal BP 90/60, resting pulse 45. Sotalol and warfarin, switched to rivaroxaban for convenience. The worst part of the whole thing was the first 3 years of Sotalol, hefty dose, which absolutely flattened me. Cardiologist told me I was being dramatic. Now on 25% of that original dose, and everything is great. I still spend 3-4 hours a day in the garden, doing heavy work, eat keto, sleep like a baby. A few flips daily, but nothing much else. It's really all fine, just don't worry. Take your blood thinners and lead a sensible life.

Mynixe I know some people same as you who either have type 2 diabetes or very high cholesterol. Unfortunately our bodies are a complete mystery and will do what they want. 18 months ago I had recurring UTIs and kidney infections for 8 months had 16 courses of antibiotics. Saw a urologist who thought I just had a very bad infection that took a while to go. Had ultrasound on my bladder and kidneys everything was normal. But a nurse gave me a good tip. When using the toilet make sure your knees and hips are the same height that way you empty your bladder completely.

I have an ease toilet which is higher than a normal one. So use the step I have for my grandson's to use. Not had an infection nearly 2 years .

Even with AF or PAF exercise is a must but do it gently. There should be a exercise program in your local area for people with heart problems.

Your GP surgery or hospital will be able to tell you. ?

Again, thanks all for the advice and encouragement. I’m particularly miffed as I was also diagnosed with type two diabetes in Feb. I am 5’4, weigh 9 and a half stone, teetotal, non smoker, drink no caffeinated drinks whatsoever, low carb (and hardly any sugar) and exercise regularly. Go to bed at 10 each night.

I’m at a loss to see what else I can do to help myself - I’m already living a pretty anti social life (see above!) A trigger for me is running upstairs quickly so I guess I will be cutting down on that too

Mynixe has your GP referred you to the AF clinic at your hospital if not make sure you are.

Last year I was back and forth to A&E with my heart going out of control and missing heart beats. But everytime I was out on ECG machine it was back to normal . But August last year I woke with it going crackers phoned 111 who arranged for an ambulance and phoned my daughter she came quickly and we cancelled the ambulance. Because it was before 6am was put straight on the ECG machine . The nurse did the test twice and said don't move I was in AF. Put on a monitor all day. And after talking to the A&E doctor he said he would put in urgent referral to cardiology and the AF clinic. This was a Saturday.

Had a phone call from AF clinic on the Sunday to go clinic Thursday was put straight on Apixaban and a tablet to regulate my heart beats. They told
I be seen every week for a month and then every 2 weeks for a month and monthly until they where happy with me. The second week they took me of the tablet to regulate my heart beat as they found out it was interfering with another tablet I was on so was put on Flecainide.

I was diagnosed with Paroxysmal Atrial fibrillation (PAF) . Week after seeing the nurse at AF clinic saw cardiologist.

Everytime I went to AF clinic had blood tests and ECG.

Had echocardiogram ,24 hr heart monitor and had MRI on my heart which lasted just over 90 mins.

Was discharged into my GPs care in May.

The AF clinic is nurse run but a consultant is in the department if any queries come up. The AF clinic I attended operated 7 days a week .

So you need a referral to the AF clinic asap. Hope this has helped.

DH developed it because of his chemotherapy. His was controlled by drugs and blood thinners. SiL developed it after he had serious kidney and heart problems. He's had several cardioversions and at least two ablations but nothing has worked permanently. He's been told that a pacemaker would be a last resort.

My DH (79) has had it for about two years now. In his case he suffered episodes of a very rapid heart rate, sometimes over 200 BPM for long periods of time. It is very worrying when it happens and he now takes Beta Blockers and a blood thinner but still suffered from episodes until we changed to decaffeinated coffee about three months ago and until yesterday when he had a rapid heart rate for about 15 minutes he hadn’t had an episode. After doing some research he also found that cutting down on wine and carbs helped control the frequency of episodes. It seems to be in his paternal family as his two paternal aunts and one cousin have it, in the case of his cousin she has episodes of an exceptionally slow heart rate and had to have a pacemaker fitted. He is on Rivaroxoban but until his podiatrist told him he didn’t know there is no antidote so he is extra careful not to cut himself. As Pammiel has pointed out it is best to be aware of this and I do feel his GP should have mentioned it and if she had he may have opted for Warfarin. As others have said you can learn to live with it and the more you can find out about it the better.

Thanks Elegran I have done so.

Such was my anxiety earlier that my spelling went out of the window and I didn’t even notice!

Mynxie Can I suggest that you ask GN to change the title of this thread to say "Atrial Fibrillation", because it is nothing to do with your arteries? The easiest way to contact them is to report your own starting post to them, and tell them in the report why you have done that.

I am on Rivaroxaban. No blood tests needed.

I was moved from warfarin to apixiban. Warfarin needs regular blood tests and in my case, frequent changes of dose. Apixiban evidently corrects itself
I’m in permanent AF but rarely get palpitations

The British Heart Foundation also produce a very informative magazine , which is available online or in the post.

Yep - me too - I have just got used to it. It happens now and again. If it is just a dodgy rhythm I just wait for it to stop - if the rate is very fast as well, I ring for advice.

Sometimes I can abort it by several things: coughing strongly, pretending I am pushing out a 20 pound baby (make sure your bladder is empty first!), splashing cold water on my face.

I take a blood thinner and a tiny dose of beta blocker. It does not trouble me much really - I have got so used to it.

My partner has had AF for thirty years and my mum for ten years. They are both on blood thinners and beta blockers. As I think others have pointed out, the main fear is not a heart attack, it’s a blood clot, which can cause stroke - hence the blood thinners. If you take your meds as prescribed you should be fine. I would also like to make a point regarding blood thinners. The modern ones like Edoxiban and Apixaban don’t require monitoring, unlike Warfarin, for which regular INR monitoring blood tests are necessary. However, should there be a bleeding episode, there is no antidote to the newer drugs, whereas the effects of Warfarin can be reversed with Vitamin K under medical supervision. I have experienced the effects of both - my mum was taking Apixaban and had to be admitted to hospital for treatment and monitoring after a rectal bleed caused by the drug. My partner, who takes Warfarin, had a bleed after an antibiotic reacted with Warfarin and caused a haemorrhage. After an infusion of Vitamin K at A&E, he was fine. My partner has taken Warfarin for years, and was offered a switch to one of the newer drugs but refused after the possible consequences were explained to him. I’m not wishing to be alarmist, because I don’t think these occurrences are commonplace - just wanted to make people aware if they weren’t already.

I've had AF for approximately 12 years now. Initially prescribed apixiban and a beta blocker but was later also given flecanide which is called "the pill in the pocket". Flecanide did the trick, and I haven't had an episode of AF for over 7 years. I just keep taking the tablets. Apixiban and Flecanide twice daily and the beta blocker once daily.

Hello Mynxie I was diagnosed five years ago with atrial fibrillation, substantial heart failure, coronary heart disease, unstable angina and leaking heart valves. I take Amlodipine Besylate, Apixaban, Bisoprolol, Isosorbide Mononitrate, Simvastatin. Glyceryl Trinitrate Spray when required. Also this coronary problem causes congestion in my lungs at times so I've been prescribed Fostair Nexthailer. At the beginning I found BHF very helpful.
I hope you are feeling a bit reassured after reading the posts. I wish you well.

Thanks all. Hope this thread has helped others newly diagnosed as much as it’s helped me!

I have had AF for more than ten years but have not had symptoms for many years now.It took a while to stabilise the condition but I now take flecainide with a blood thinner. Beta blockers lowered my pulse too much and I was nearly prescribed a pacemaker. It is a condition that can be well controlled and normal life can resume. No need to panic.?

DH has had it for many years, following an electric shock. Cardio version didn’t work several times, so he lives with it, taking warfarin and betablockers.