The HHT and Afib Athlete

Cardiac Ablation 2 I’d hoped to go into this one very fit, but in the event three bouts of AFib (and two DCCVs in the previous 50 days) on top of the ‘fatigue’ all through February put paid to that plan.   I was only given four days’ notice of this procedure, which meant only four days of worrying.   Due to Covid-19 restrictions, once again, Hubby dropped me off at Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge early on the morning of Monday 26 April 2021.   I was well prepared from the first time and so I took my tablet, mobile phone, glasses, books, water etc etc as well as my drugs and overnight stuff – just in case.   The new Papworth hospital looks like a spaceship and the facilities are second to none.   I had a private room with glass doors to keep the noise out, a window overlooking the centre courtyard and a private shower room.   For some reason, I had thought I would not be treated later in the day and settled down with a book that I couldn’t conce...

What happened next? So, these episodes of tachycardia seemed to get more frequent and sometimes I had to take 100 mcg flecainide (my PIP) to resolve them.   The idea of betablockers were mentioned at one time but I was against them as they made me feel so tired and sluggish last time. But had the Astra Zeneca Covid-19 jab on 2 nd March.   Just 10 hours later (1.30 am) I went into AFib.   Two doses of PIP.   By morning I asked my husband to drive me to A&E as I was very breathless with the slightest exertion.   I chose not to go to my local hospital and instead to drive the hour to Addenbrookes, the big teaching hospital in Cambridge.   I was wearily resigned to my fate this time. Addenbrookes were lovely and after reading through my extensive notes which I helpfully took along (as well as all my Electrocardiology letters and previous ECGs!) the A&E doctor was all in favour of an immediate cardioversion since chemical treatment had never w...