Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

The anti-arrythmic drugs would help me for alitte while, but my a-fib always broke thru. I would call your doctor and ask him or her when they think you should go to the ER. I set up a plan with my EP. If my a-fib was accompanied by chest pain or faintness, I was to go to the ER ASAP. However, if I just was having an a-fib attack without the pain, I was to wait so many hours before I went in. So do call your doctor and see what he feels what is best for you. Good Luck! Wishing you well, and wishing you enough...

It's generally up to your doctor and yourself, but I've been told not to head to the ER until it's been 24... and I was once told by an ER not to call until 36 - and still, they left me for 48 until it stopped on its own. AFib is something you'll have to learn to live with, even when a drug works it may only work for a few months.

Find a way to get the help you need to get all of the little things done while you are in AFib. Because I'm not a significant clot risk, I'm OK to go for hours and hours. If you might toss a clot your doctor may not want to wait as long. There isn't too much an ER can do for you anyway.

The best idea is to ask your Dr.
I was told by mine not to head to the ER until the episode reached 12 hours. I have had one episode which lasted about 16 hours and was about to head in when it rectified itself.
Your Dr might have different advice for you though.

Now my doc said 24 hours....unless accompanied with breathing or pain.