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It started as an "abnormal heartbeat" alert on my home BP machine. Would happen fairly frequently. When I would go to my PCP I would ask about it and he said probably nothing to worry about after poking and prodding. Was still happening after that so questioned him again at next meeting. Got a halter for 30 days and on the 27th day it picked up a 2 minute bout of AFib. Right away he's writing a script for Eliqus and mentioning a cardiologist.
Never had another recorded event since then roughly 5 years ago but now carry the word AFib on my charts and definitely froze my ability to change insurance plans on Medicare.
Had absolutely no symptoms when monitoring group called me at home when the event had a occured, was sitting at kitchen table reading a newspaper.
To this day the cardiologist has no real advice for me other than keep doing what you're doing.
With the advent of more and more devices and ways to monitor passively for AFib you will find more "events" no matter what there duration. The question they are left with is what to do with the results.
When you say "something isn't right" it also feeds into your anxiety of what you don't know and magnifies every little thing going on and enhances your thinking that something is not right.
Replies to "It started as an "abnormal heartbeat" alert on my home BP machine. Would happen fairly frequently...."
Sandw40,
Hello. I have had AFib since 2003 and used Eliquis since 2014. Also, received a pacemaker in 2016 which helped immensely.
Recommend if you want a big picture about AFib and a 5 step plan to consider improving quality of life with AFib and maybe putting it into remission, read "The AFib Cure". An excellent resource by two cardiologists/EP's: Drs. Day and Bunch.
All the best,
OUMike
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What you have revealed (thanks) says the following to me, a widely read and researched patient, but NOT a medical authority...no training whatsoever:
a. You are in the 'paroxysmal' stage of AF, if that is what your arrhythmia really is. That's good. It's early, and the most easily 'whacked' into submission...the most easily treated by an electrophysiologist. I'm guessing that you don't have many PACs (premature atrial contractions) because those are felt by everyone...a strong thump in the chest wall now and then. You say you are asymptomatic, so this is why I feel you have AF....atrial fibrillation. You'd be surprised how many have atrial flutter and/or fibrillation and literally have/had no idea;
b. In some ways, your cardio is right....if you aren't bothered unduly (except now you know and there is some considerable worry), then you should/could just live with it for now. My input, if it matters, is that when a person's heart fibrillates, there is a 6 times higher risk of stroke due to clots forming in the left atrial appendage, where blood circulates a bit less efficiently. So, your cardiologist might prescribe a DOAC (direct-acting oral anti-coagulant), two common ones being apixaban and rivaroxaban. You might discuss this potential risk if your cardiologist doesn't bring it up;
c. Finally, so this doesn't turn into a tome, AF is considered to be a 'progressive' disorder of the myocardium. It will get worse over time. For some patients, this process takes months, for others it takes years. Again, to reinforce, the best time to get it treated is BEFORE it proceeds to successive stages of the disorder (paroxysmal, persistent, long-standing persistent, and permanent). Again, discuss this with your cardio, and ask about a referral to an electrophysiologist for an assessment and consultation.