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Over 40,000 people in Ireland have a dangerous heart rhythm disorder they don't know about

Only 2 per cent of us believe Atrial Fibrillation is a serious condition, yet it’s responsible for about 30 per cent of strokes.

EVER HEARD OF Atrial Fibrillation? Well, you’re in good company. Three-quarters of us haven’t, according to the Irish Heart Foundation.

The condition is the most common form of heart rhythm disorder, according to the IHF, and the charity’s secured the services of former Munster and Ireland rugby stalwart Frankie Sheahan to help educate the public on the risks associated with it.

The disorder usually has no symptoms, so most people don’t know they have it. However, warning signs can include palpitations, tiredness and shortness of breath. It’s more common as people get older, and it’s estimated more than 40,000 people over 50 years old in Ireland suffer from it; most are unaware.

Diagnosed at the age of 30, Sheahan’s sporting career was thriving until he started having difficulty breathing and feeling like his heart was fluttering.

“I could feel my heart pounding and it was hard to get my breath but my immediate thought was, it will pass so get on with it,” the former hooker said.

“I didn’t want anything to interrupt my rugby career so I was very secretive about it despite having a lot of anxiety about it.”

He says the condition got worse over the next few years “as did my performances,” and after he sustained a serious neck injury at around the same time, Sheahan decided something had to change.

“Dr Gerry Fahy subsequently did a very successful ablation procedure and in hindsight, I wish I’d spoken out about my heart sooner because after the operation, I was better than ever before.”

The IHF launched a new radio awareness campaign yesterday to stress the importance of regular pulse checks to detect the condition, which causes around one in three strokes in Ireland.

The charity’s also providing a step-by-step guide for adults on how to take their own pulse at its website.

According to IHF Medical Director Dr Angie Brown “The recommended normal heart rate is between 60 and 100 heartbeats per minute but some people can have heart rates over 100″.

“You should see your doctor if you have a persistent heart rate above 120 beats per minute or below 40 beats per minute.”

Check out IrishHeart.ie for more >

Related: What overeating does to your body

Read: Frankie Sheahan column: stop blaming the ref

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21 Comments
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    Mute Tim Higgins
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    Nov 26th 2013, 8:58 AM

    I should be ok, my wife says I have no heart?

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    Mute Tnka Tanzy
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    Nov 26th 2013, 9:54 AM

    Ha ha made me laugh, and im sure ur wife was joking ;)

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    Mute Glen Hoddle
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    Nov 26th 2013, 7:32 AM

    I had AF – and had it sorted by cardioversion; this is a mild electric shock to the heart, whilst under general anesthetic for about five minutes. Its not intrusive and I walked home after a couple of hours.

    This procedure puts the heart’s rhythm back on track – and I felt a lot better soon after. However, I am no doctor!

    You should ask him/her to do a cardiograph – this shows up the problem very clearly, even for a layman. For example, jumpy/jagged lines on the graph – showing the irregular heart rhythm.

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    Mute Woof
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    Nov 26th 2013, 9:13 AM

    Glad you got sorted Glen, but just for anyone who’s interested, on an ECG, an irregular heart beat shows up as an apparent “missing” beat in a string of normal looking ones or perhaps an extra one sometimes. Generally Atrial Fibrillation is diagnosed by the lack of a “P wave”. A p wave is the part of a regular heartbeat which shows the aria contracting. As the atria aren’t contracting properly (or at all) in A.Fib., the P wave is absent.

    Normally the presence of squiggly type lines in an otherwise healthy person are just movement or interference in the contacts on the ECG leads.

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    Mute theScorePsychiatrist
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    Nov 26th 2013, 3:11 PM

    I had a very similar experience Glen. Woke up one monday morning with an acute shortness of breath, I’m only 43 years old, knew something wasn’t right so went straight to my GP. He sent me over to Beaumont Hospital and I ended up in the Coronory Unit for the next 6 days. They had to “shock” my heart back into a normal rhythm. Luckily they had the foresight to give me an angiogram as well as my Father and his side of my family have all suffered heart attacks. During the angiogram they discovered one of my arteries was blocked and they fixed this by putting a “stent” into it. I am ok now, just have to take 3 tablets a day and watch my diet. I have given up alcohol altogether as this was a contributing factor to the AF.

    Best of luck with your recovery.

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    Mute Glen Hoddle
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    Nov 26th 2013, 4:06 PM

    Thanks tSP. But my painless cardioversion was some years ago and no problems since (TG). I just have an ECG every year to make sure the AF hasn’t returned – which it can, easily, depending on diet, lifestyle, alcohol intake, stress etc.

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    Mute James Murphy
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    Nov 26th 2013, 7:27 AM

    Well that’s me checking my heart rate for the rest of the morning.

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    Mute Frances Cody
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    Nov 26th 2013, 7:31 AM

    Me too

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    Mute John Buckley
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    Nov 26th 2013, 9:03 AM

    Had something similar to this since my early teens, took it easy whenever palpitations started. Doctor told me i’d grow out of it as it was a hormonal thing, just told me to relax and breathe deeply whenever it started happening and in fairness it always worked, after about 60-90 seconds heart rate returned to normal, didnt gradually slow down to normal but just instantly went from racing to relaxed in a heartbeat (literally)! Years later into my 20′s it was still happening every few (6-8) weeks when training or playing matches so I decided to get it checked out properly. Had some tests and done and had a device hooked up to my chest for 24 hours while I went about my business. Nothing happened in that 24 hours so the following day the hospital said they couldn’t find anything wrong with me and sent me on my way!

    Be grand they said.

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    Mute micheal285
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    Nov 26th 2013, 10:05 AM

    I have an ectopic beat which is something similar I think : a Beta Blocker sorted it out alto I still get the odd flutter especially after eating : something’s make it worse such as coffee, alcohol, stress and Nasal Spray : was prescribed Nasal Spray and my poor heart nearly left my chest 185bpm taut I was for the clay

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    Mute Catherine Sims
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    Nov 26th 2013, 10:22 AM

    AF was a contributing factor in my fathers recent stroke. Always better to get it checked out.

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    Mute anton de buitlear
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    Nov 26th 2013, 7:58 AM

    Is the instant heart rate app on my phone half aright .folks

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    Mute participate_ie
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    Nov 26th 2013, 8:33 AM

    If you suffer from atrial fibrillation, try staying away from decongestants containing pseudoephedrine (for instance Sudafed) and orange-coloured citrus fruit (oranges, mandarins, clementines etc (or any products made from them (orange juice, candied peel, sweets etc). Worked for me :)

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    Mute David Kelly
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    Nov 26th 2013, 12:40 PM

    If you suffer from atrial fibrillation : get checked out by a cardiologist a.s.a.p. and do not put it off as something minor.

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    Mute Sean Hyland
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    Nov 26th 2013, 12:44 PM

    Have it myself for a few years. I think I got it from marathon running. Started with what I thought was a racing heart after a few drinks. The version I have is called paroxysmal atrial fibrillation as it kicks in every now and again. It came to a head 3 years ago with fainting episodes and hospitalisation. Glad to say a tablet twice a day has it under control and I’m back running 6k 3 times a week.

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    Mute Joe Gantly
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    Nov 26th 2013, 12:46 PM

    I had AF, an incorrect diagnosis by a locum doctor said I might have an allergy but fortunately went to Beaumont Hospital for an ECG and was in High Dependency Intensive Care ward 30 minutes later. My only symptom was being out of breath too easily. If you even suspect you might have this, go for an ECG as soon as you can, in the great majority of cases life continues as normal after a good specialist advises on medication or procedures needed.

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    Mute micheal285
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    Nov 26th 2013, 2:15 PM

    Yep get it checked out b4 it checks u out . My Father and all his Brothers had heart disease ; my Da had a massive heart attack at 53 ; he pulled tru but needed by pass surgery then Bowel Cancer came and took him in 5 mths. Both my siblings older than me have had stents put in and both had mild strokes and they’re not near 60 yet. If u even feel a niggle get it checked ; anyway ur GP knowing family history shud be keeping an eye on ya ; I’ve had an Angiogram and all was clear so my GP has me well medicated to keep it that way but I’m vigilant myself

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    Mute Ross Keogh
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    Nov 26th 2013, 1:04 PM

    I was told as a child that I had a silent heart murmur , told again by around the age of 12 that it was gone/ I had grown out if it …that was a previous doctor who’s no linger around…

    Now I’m sweating it after reading this article , really bloody worried… Thanks journal !

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    Mute Steve Rice
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    Nov 26th 2013, 1:44 PM

    My father has it since the age of 39. He’s 67 now and has lived a normal life with the aid of a tablet a day to regulate things. I’m showing signs of it now so it can be hereditary. I’ve been ignoring it for too long. Going to get it checked now after reading this. Especially knowing that modern medicine has ways of improving it without regular medication.

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    Mute Louise Ryan
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    Nov 28th 2013, 10:56 AM

    I developed AF at 29 with no warning. I literally woke up one morning with it. Rushed to hospital and was kept in for a week. Medication sorted it that time. A week later back in again same issue. Walking from the kitchen to sitting room left me feeling like I would pass out. Back to hospital to be put on daily medication. Unable to work unable to mind my kids. After spending the summer in and out of hospital I eventually saw a doctor who decided given my age an ablation was the way to go. 2 years later it’s done it’s job but still on meds and will be for a long time. Very frightening time. Had a 6 and 2 year old at the time and was worried I wouldn’t be around to see them grow up.

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    Mute thomas the tank
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    Nov 26th 2013, 7:33 PM

    How much does a ECG cost or what’s the cost of the test?i don’t have a medical card and to be honest unless I’m on the brink of death I cannot afford to see a doctor at the moment,I am worried about the pain in my chest though so I will get it checked if it gets worse

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