Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Chris Y

Chris first had symptoms of paroxysmal AF ten years ago, which gradually worsened. However, AF was not detected on an ECG until after Chris had a TIA two years ago. Chris takes warfarin, flecainide, bisoprolol and simvastatin. He exercises regularly.

  • Background

    Chris lives with his wife and is a retired social housing manager. They have three grown-up children. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 64
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Marianne

    Marianne first had symptoms twenty years ago, but it was a few years later that AF was diagnosed. She has tried a number of different medications but always experienced side effects. She takes warfarin and candesartan, and is due to have an ablation soon.

  • Background

    Marianne is retired from her work in the charity sector. She has one grown up daughter. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 72
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Nuala

    Diagnosed with AF 12 years ago, Nuala had unsuccessful cardioversions, a pulmonary vein isolation plus an ablation to regulate her heart rhythm before accepting AF as part of her life. Alongside a healthy diet and exercise, she takes digoxin, sotalol and warfarin.

  • Background

    Nuala worked as an NHS manager before retiring to set up her own training business. She is married with five adult children. Ethnic background/nationality: White N Irish.

  • Age at interview 60
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Raymond

    Raymond was diagnosed with AF 12 years ago and prescribed digoxin, bisoprolol, and warfarin. A pacemaker was fitted 4 years later after episodes of passing out. He has had no further problems. He eats a healthy diet and does not smoke or drink.

  • Background

    Raymond is a retired electrical engineer. He is married with four children. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 78
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Gail

    Gail first felt unwell 18 years ago, and then had occasional episodes of AF. Her symptoms got more frequent and troubling 3 years ago. Flecainide and bisoprolol gave her side effects. Gail has had 2 ablations (the second successful) and takes warfarin.

  • Background

    Gail is a retired GP and counsellor. She is married with two grown up children. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 62
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Suzy

    Suzy had palpitations intermittently for years, but was diagnosed recently when her symptoms worsened. She tried bisoprolol and flecainide but experienced side effects. An ablation was successful and she is now feeling well, and is not taking any medication.

  • Background

    Suzy is a self-employed cognitive behaviour therapist and is in a relationship. Ethnic background/nationality: White German.

  • Age at interview 49
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • David Y

    David was diagnosed with atrial flutter and later developed atrial fibrillation. He has had two cardioversions and a cardio ablation. He currently takes aspirin (but will shortly return to warfarin), plus atorvastatin, bisoprolol, and an ace inhibitor.

  • Background

    David is a civil engineer and works as a delivery and compliance manager within the communications industry. He lives with his wife and has two grown-up children. Ethnic background/nationality: White...

  • Age at interview 67
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Martin

    Martin's sister has AF so he was aware of the symptoms when he experienced them himself. He saw his GP and was later diagnosed with AF at the hospital. Martin takes aspirin and sotalol, and will shortly start taking ramipril for raised blood pressure.

  • Background

    Martin is a retired university lecturer and lives with his wife. He has five grown up children. Ethnic background/nationality: White.

  • Age at interview 73
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Geoff

    After having food poisoning, Geoff developed IBS, which is thought to have possibly triggered his AF. He was unwell for ten years, has had four ablations, cardioversions and numerous medications. He is now feeling much better and regaining his confidence.

  • Background

    Geoff works part time as a Finance Director and lives with his wife. He has two grown up children. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 69
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Dot

    Dot has had symptoms of paroxysmal AF for ten years. She was on atenolol and aspirin and her AF was stable. A health check at work suggested her medication needed changing but this made Dot's AF worse. She is now back on atenolol and takes warfarin.

  • Background

    Dot works full time as an academic with management responsibilities in a university. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 64
  • Sex/Gender Female