Detect AF: Know Your Pulse For Irregular Heartbeats

www.afa-international.org www.aa-international.orgwww.afa-international.org www.aa-international.org
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most
common heart rhythm disturbance
encountered by doctors.
It occurs when chaotic electrical activity
develops in the upper chambers or atria,
and completely takes over from the sinus
node. As a result, the atria no longer beat in
an organised way, and pump less efficiently.
The AV node will stop some of these very
rapid impulses from travelling to the
ventricles, but the ventricles will still beat
irregularly and possibly rapidly.
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What is Atrial Fibrillation (AF)?

• Palpitations
• Tiredness
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Blackouts (syncope)
• Chest pain or discomfort (angina)
• Sleep disturbance or insomnia
With AF, you may not have any symptoms at all.
Symptoms of AF

Risk factors for AF
• AF-related stroke:
This occurs because when a person is inAF, the atria (the top chambers of the heart) are fibrillating and not beating
in a co-ordinated way.The lack of sufficient contraction means that the blood in parts of the atria becomes stagnant
and can form clots.These clots can break off and travel anywhere in the body, but most worryingly, they can travel
to the brain and cause a stroke.
• Heart failure:
Having an uncontrolled heart rate for long periods of time (weeks or months) can damage the heart and you should
check with your doctor that your heart rate is controlled adequately. In extreme cases, often when the rate is very
fast or when it happens in a damaged heart, AF can cause heart failure, which means that the heart becomes weak,
as a result of the rapid rhythm.

There are many different tools available to help you to detect
AF:
• KnowYour Pulse
• 12-lead ECG
• Holter Monitor
• AliveCor Heart Monitor
• WatchBP Home Blood Pressure Monitor
Detect AF

Know Your Pulse
‘KnowingYour Pulse’ is one of the
easiest ways to detect a cardiac
arrhythmia. A cardiac arrhythmia is
caused by a heartbeat that is too fast,
too slow, or irregular. It is important to
‘KnowYour Pulse’.
Find out more:
www.atrialfibrillation.org.uk/campaign
s/knowyourpulse

At 40, we all have a one in
four chance of developing AF.
HavingAF means that you are five
times more likely to suffer from a
stroke than someone without AF.
Individual risk of stroke, however, will
be determined by several
contributory factors.
If you’ve been diagnosed with AF
please use this calculator to work out
a personal estimate of your stroke
risk: http://bit.ly/1hz3eVT
Protect AF

Correct AF
• Cardioversion
• Pacemakers
• Catheter or surgical ablation
• Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO)

Once a pacemaker has been implanted the atrioventricular node
can be knocked out permanently (destroyed) using a technique
known as ablation, leaving the pacemaker to take over the heart
rhythm completely to produce a comfortable regular rhythm at
the right rate.
Ablation of the AV node cannot be reversed so people who have
undergone this procedure are generally dependent on a
pacemaker for the rest of their lives. However, this need not be
a major worry as pacemakers are extremely reliable and are very
carefully tested and monitored.
Pace and Ablate

Medication for AF
• Anticoagulants
• Beta-blockers
• Digoxin
• Antiarrhythmics
• Pill in the pocket
• Rate-limiting Calcium Channel Blockers

Being diagnosed with AF, whether you or a loved one, can come as a big
shock and learning how to cope with the diagnosis and symptoms can be
difficult. However, there are many sources of information and support
that you can draw on.
• AF Association's website: www.afa.org.uk has a wealth of information
regarding AF as well as many publications to view and download
Support for AF
• CARE AF: www.careaf.org is a patient support
programme for people who have been diagnosed
with AF to ensure that you are informed about your
condition and give you all the information you need
to be fully prepared for your AF treatment journey.
You can also order a CARE AF pack and diary.

• AF Association helpline: please call 01789 867502 we are more than
happy to try to answer any queries or concerns you may have.
• Email advice: please email info@afa.org.uk with your query and we will
respond as soon as we can.
• HealthUnlocked: www.healthunlocked.com/afassociation is an online
forum with a growing community of people who haveAF or care for
someone with AF. It is a wonderful source of support and advice from a
patient perspective.
• Your clinicians: if you have any concerns regarding your AF or treatment
this should always be discussed with your GP or consultant - please do not
be afraid to ask. Many hospitals will also haveArrhythmia Nurses whom
you can speak to.
Support for AF

• Cognitive BehaviouralTherapy: CBT is a talking treatment directed at
the ways people respond to, and cope with, present difficulties.
Psychological reactions to symptoms range from panic to frustration to
depression. CBT addresses these thought processes and helps people to
adjust to a diagnosis of AF.The IAPT (ImprovingAccess to Psychological
Therapies) Service Directory has lists of services available in your area -
www.iapt.nhs.uk/services.
Support for AF
• Your local pharmacist: If you have a
specific query regarding your
medications i.e. interactions, your local
pharmacist may be able to offer further
advice.

More information
For more information, please read/download our patient information booklets:
www.atrialfibrillation.org.uk/publications/publications.html

Detect AF: Know Your Pulse For Irregular Heartbeats

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