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Living with Atrial Fibrillation: What are Your Experiences?
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (155)Comment receiving replies
Hi,
I’m relatively new to having afib. What am I supposed to do during an afib event? An event will usually last for a few hours with my heart rate up around 130 bpm or so. Should I carry on as normal? Is there a heart rate threshold that above it I should seek medical attention?
Replies to "Hi, I’m relatively new to having afib. What am I supposed to do during an afib..."
I would consult with a cardiologist. With afib, you have an increased risk of stroke as the blood is not pumped efficiently out of the artria. There is also potential for heart damage over time. There are meds that work great for some folks. The response below regarding 160 as when to seek medical assistance might be okay if your cardiologist recommends it, but a visit to a cardiologist would be my recommendation.
I had afib for a number of years that was well controlled by meds; then I needed an ablation. ...lots of info on ablations on this site.
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Hi. My husband is 62 and started having Afib events about 8 years ago. The first 2 times he had Afib, he went to our local emergency department and was cardioverted. ( his normal heart rate was about 55 or 60; in Afib it went up to 180. ) The third time he had Aviv he stayed home and it resolved after several hours as he rested and relaxed. Our doctor told us some people live in Afib, and carry on as usual. My husband suggested you could seek medical attention at 160 or higher, if you're comfortable. Always ask your doctor.