I have reached the age of 70 and suddenly I have been struck with atrial fibrillation. I say it is suddenly but on reflection I may have previously had it intermittently for short periods without it having any noticeable effect on me.
There is no ignoring it now. I know when I have it. I feel different. I can feel my heart beating irregularly. It throbs in my ears. And it seems it beats high in my chest. I have a metallic taste in my mouth. My stomach feels full. I have a cold feeling in my chest. I feel as if I have electrical currents arcing backwards and forwards across my chest. My whole upper body pulsates with Adrenalin. When your heart rate ramps up to 150 there is no mistaking it. Its impossible to sleep or to even relax. I went to the Benalla Hospital where they attached me to a machine that immediately started clanging a warning bell. As I had not really ever been unwell before I was not surprisingly concerned. I thought I was having a heart attack. I have been to the hospital 4 times and have been admitted twice. I have been prescribed beta blockers and this has slowed my heart rate down to an acceptable rate but it has not stopped the irregular beat. My heart has three times reverted to a proper beat and I know immediately when it does. My body seems to relax. I cannot feel my heart beating. It goes back to beating deep in my chest. Of course I then feel invulnerable. But after a few days the Atrial Fibrillation returns. I seem to have it permanently now. According to the internet Atrial Fibrillation is quite common and I have to accept the fact that I will have to live with it. It is not life threatening.
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February 2024
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