Living with Atrial Fibrillation: What are Your Experiences?

Thanks for sharing. Is he on any medications that help the AFib? I feel palpitations much of the time. While it’s not painful, it can be uncomfortable and distracting.

My husband has been in AFib for over 2 years. He had 2 ablations and was cardioverted numerous times. He is on medication and lives a somewhat normal life.

There are several beta blockers many doctors prescribe for Afib. One should have a complete electrocardiogram.
The process is quite simple. The cardiologist can show you your beating heart on the computer and measure the sizes of the atrium and/or ventricles. My atrium was slightly enlarged, but not out of the range of normal.

I have a modest case, meaning I never a problem with excessive heartbeating. I have been taking Pradaxa and Atenolon now since 2015. As most know, cardioversion (shock treatment) is often done to "set" the heart rate back to normal. Then, the most often option is the ablation process. Lots of subjective analysis with your doctor and best to seek more than one opinion. If you are near several of the best..like Mayo or Cleveland Clinic..do use their services in lieu of the doctor who refers you to another doctor in the "association".

Thanks so much for the encouraging words. I’ve been taking Metoprolol for a number of years to control my blood pressure. The AFib came on suddenly for no apparent reason but seems to be here to stay. Your experience with cardioversion seems to be common.

Hello
I have Afib and did have the conversion which did work-for a while!
It got me into a normal rythm but only lasted 4 months.
My heart racing was the reason I found out I had Afib. My family doctor sent me to the ER but first prescribed a beta blocker. In the ER my pulse had come down but was 168 beats per minute
I saw the cardio doctor and was put on warferen but eventually it was changed to Eliquis 20mg
What is important is yearly echocardiogram's It's been around 12 years and each yearly echo returns with little change which is good.
Afib can effect the heart so it is very important to do the checking.
So now I am on Eliquis and a beta blocker for my BP and racing heart. Metoperlol is the name of the beta blocker.
Yes you and I can live a long life as long as we take the medication plus try and be healthy.
I use a machine in the gym. I am 71
I still can have ablation but at my age and the fact that my symptoms are well controlled, I choose not to.
if it gets worse I will think about it.
BTW each person is different and Afib might also have degree's of "Bad and good"

Glen