Heart Problems

Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation – So, I’ve just got out of hospital diagnosed with this. I felt a bit knackered on my Friday commute and things didn’t feel right yesterday or this morning so I went in to A&E. Essentially my heart is not beating regularly. Usual causes are thyroid, electrolyte imbalance or heart attack but I’ve been cleared of all these. So, I’m on warfarin to stop strokes and may have to have an electric shock in a few weeks to get my heart beating regularly. Currently I can be at 50 and then 10 seconds later at 150 bpm.

What really annoys me though is that I had a pulmonary embolism just over a year ago that stopped me riding for a few months. I have strict no cycling orders until my heart rhythm returns.

Anybody had experience of this. Preferably positive stories for a (seemingly fit), annoyed 44 year old??

You need to speak to ton.

Ton has a LOT of experience of this!

I’ve had suspected PAF for several years but it never happened enough to capture it on ECG and the consultant didn’t seem that concerned so I let it go. Last year it started happening on about 50% of rides so the hospital has started investigation again. Last weekend I had 48hr ECG but couldn’t set it off, so it’s a ramp test next. I’ve had Flu this weekend and which set on the PAF for about 12hrs which was the longest ever.
A friend in the bike club has had the catheter ablation for AF a few years back which was successful.

Ton had permanent AF which I believe is now sorted.

howarthp, feel for you mate
proper bastard this when you have kept active all your like.

i am now af free (touch wood) for the 1st time in 5 years. it has been a long old slog, 2 cardioversions, both failed, 2 atrial ablations, both failed, and open heart surgary last september, which worked.
But i was in permenant af from the start, i never went back into normal rhythm.
i was on warfarin from day one, and beta blockers, riding to start with was not possible. i was blacking out with any efforts.
i resorted to buying a ebike with pedal assist to keep me out on the trails. it worked. i got a bit stronger, and went on a very strict diet.
i gave up the ebike after 2 years, and went to a tourer, and just rode slowly but for a long time. i vowed to not stop riding no matter what. even took up doing uplifts.
my cardiologist thought i was gonna be stuck in af for life, so last september i went in for a procedure to remove a sack on the heart where a stroke can start form. a precautionary procedure.
while i was in surgery he found a hole in a valve which was stopping all the other things they had tried from working.
he fixed the problem, but had to crack my chest to do so.
i was back on my bike within 3 weeks, and went touring at 5 weeks.
i am slow still, lost all my strength. a combination of the illness and 5 years older may be to blame.

one thing tho, never stop trying to get it sorted.
if you are not happy, ask to see someone more specialized.
feel free to ask me owt you want mate.

Positive stories?

Ok, I’m 41 and was diagnosed with exactly what you have when I was 25. I felt at the time like I had been given a death sentence and it took me a long while to come to terms with it.

HOWEVER…

6/7 years ago I had RF oblation and am now considered cured. I got my life back and can cycle, run and do stupid things and have done since the op. Be positive, it can be fixed. Ton did it, I did it, you can do it.

howarthp

all the best mate

Ton

I could see that you were getting fitter but didn’t know the full story. Glad its sorted

Thanks all. I need to get my head around it

This is an example about what is good with STW. Best wishes to everyone, some great determination shown over the years makes me feel very humble

So, after three cardioversions and some other excitement over the last few months I’m in hospital having just had an ablation – fingers crossed it works and I can cycle once again.

Thanks to Ton for the initial moral support!!

Excellent news! Best of luck.

Which hospital? If it’s Papworth, I’ll pop by with grapes or something.

Anyway, fingers crossed for you here. Just be brave when they want to get rid of the haematoma…

Hammersmith Hospital. Grapes always welcome (will ignore haematoma for as long as possible….)

If people are feeling sorry fit me can they answer my gearing/wheel question on the Tripster thread 😉

No!! Do not ignore it. Get it done as soon as possible, otherwise it hurts more!

Won’t be able to make it down to the smoke to bring grapes, sorry, but really glad you had the Op. Keep us all posted on how you get on in the next couple of days.

And yes, it will itch when the hair grows back.

Perfect timing – doc came over and I asked about the haematoma. I don’t have one. He explained it and, given the location and what they would have to do, I’m ******* ecstatic!!

howarthp……..fingers crossed for you mate. hope you stay in rhythm.

nice things ablations……keep still 😀

Long shot but you haven’t started taking any meds you’ve not had before have you?
I ask because a few years ago I bought some Loratadine (hayfever tablets) from the chemist, 5 days later I was in A&E with my heart racing all over the place often getting up to 200+ BPM! A cardioversion sorted me out and I’ve been fine since. I’m also now extra careful not to go anywhere near Loratadine based medication.

All the best, get well soon, keep positive.