Loud Speakers: Hello I attended a... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Loud Speakers

Marky54 profile image
20 Replies

Hello

I attended a wedding reception and when I got up to dance I could feel the bass was high and in my chest within 2 minutes I was in AF, this was the first time this has happened even though I have felt uncomfortable before.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Mark

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Marky54 profile image
Marky54
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20 Replies
BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

This is very interesting. The critical vibration period of the human body is 7 cycles a second and it is said that if you were to stand in front of a speaker at that frequency your insides would turn to mush and you would die. This is a very low frequency unlikely to be produced other than on purpose for scientific study although I understand that attempts were made many many years ago to develop a "death ray" along these lines. All very Boy's Own magazine circa 1930 ! (And no Carol I wasn't around back then LOl)

We are all different in the way we react to stimulii but I can tell you that I have had a similar experience at LakeSide Shopping centre in Essex many years ago. The tramping of feet along the upstairs galleries creates a slight bouncing movement of the floor at a very low frequency like soldiers marching in step over a bridge and this always made me feel ill. At that time I didn't know I had AF, just that I wanted to run as far from there as possible despite the ire of my wife who thought I was just being difficult about shopping. Never had any problem at Bluewater which presumably has a stronger less bouncy floor. Nobody else has ever been aware of the problem but since one of the things I use to do is to test race cars and engines maybe my senses are super-tuned to vibrations.

Bob

meadfoot profile image
meadfoot

Yes I have Mark. I attended a very loud booming, floor shaking music concert this summer and I was very aware of my heart reacting to it. I did not go into AF but I was definitely affected. I moved away from the scene and am in no doubt about the connection. It made me feel most weird and uncomfortable physically.

No idea about the science of it but given we are very complex beings there must be some reaction going on within which has caused this feeling. Either that or our sensitivity as AFers to our heart activity makes our bodies more attuned to any influences which could affect our NSR.

I read somewhere but dismissed it that if you go into AF and put your hand on the heart of someone in NSR then it can calm the AF episode and help return to NSR. (Not to be recommended going up to a member of the public in a supermarket and ask to feel their heart though lol).

I my case I would need someone beating a drum very loudly to a hearts beat to even consider it as nothing stops mine when it tips over into AFib.!!

Dee.

You have no idea how interesting I find this. One of my journalism tasks is writing features for a magazine on noise and of course health effects of noise is a growing field. I presume it's actually the vibration that's doing the harm... I live somewhere very quiet so I can't report any effects myself but I'll be fascinated to see how common it is! Maybe I'll be able to persuade the editor it's worth a feature (hope you're all up for being interviewed :D )

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply to

Read up about low frequency vibrations and the human body. No music is likely to get low enough to turn your insides to mush but it MUST affect some people. I'm not a sound engineer so can't tell you what frequency is the lowest hit by music and I bet there is a considerable margin but there is too much anecdotal evidence to dismiss the idea.

Bob

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Yes, I can understand what you are describing. Sometimes when I'm out I get a sensation like the ground beneath my feet is vibrating and it vibrates up to my heart. It usually happens if I'm sat at an outside restaurant table in a city. I hate the feeling and can't wait to get away.

Jean

fallingtopieces profile image
fallingtopieces

I've experienced the very same thing!

Just a couple of months after my big PAF episode in 2012, I went to a David Cassidy concert at Wembley(Yes, really! ) and was sure the excessively loud bass vibrations were going to set my heart off. They were going right through me from the floor. My husband was with me and he thought I was being over dramatic as he wasn't experiencing the same, but for me it was all consuming and not at all comfortable. I was going to leave but stuck it out and was fine.

Pat.

MammaCass profile image
MammaCass

Last Christmas, I was at a party and the bass line of a couple of songs made my heart wobble. So yes I understand what your saying

dedeottie profile image
dedeottie

I have had exactly the same experience. I went to a Tom Jones concert this year and during a couple of numbers the bass was very strong. I felt like it was totally connected to my heart beat and that any minute it would set off my A.F. I could almost visualise the battle between the flecanide and A.F. and luckily the flecanide won. I tell you it put me right off throwing my knickers at Tom! X

EngMac profile image
EngMac

I wonder if the low frequency generated by wind turbines would have the same effect. I have read that people who live close to them are affected in some way but when I read this I had no knowledge of AF or that low frequency sound may have a negative impact. Eatsalottie, your editor may be interested if you can find such a connection.

Hi Mark Yes , similar thing happened to me at sons wedding last year when bass is high.

Mamamarilyn profile image
Mamamarilyn

I can identify with previous comments. But what about voice noise in public places? I find that if I go into a busy shop or restaurant where the noise level is high, it feels as if my heart is turning to mush!

NanT profile image
NanT

Yes, my first episode occured after helping out at a worship band concert a couple of years ago. Very loud and strong beats.

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Your should hear my Son's RX7 Wankel with no silencers! That should carry a health warning! Even with silencers I can hear him coming home down the main drag as he drops a gear for the roundabout a mile away across the valley.

Bob

Dadog profile image
Dadog in reply toBobD

That Wankel will be noisy, Bob - but I bet it doesn't vibrate! Norton used it at one time, didn't they?

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply toDadog

Yes I think they raced one for a year or so back in the 80s. The Pentax sponsored RX7 driven by Tom Walkinshaw in BTCC in the early 80s used to hurt your ears when it went past. My Son's revs to 8000 when he is drifting it.

Bob

Dadog profile image
Dadog in reply toBobD

Music....!

Marky54 profile image
Marky54

Many thanks all

It seems I am not alone I will definitely avoid the loud bass

I could feel it before I went in the room then as soon as I went in I went straight into AF.

All my other episodes were started by physical activity

Thanks all very interesting

Marky

cyrilbarnes profile image
cyrilbarnes

BobD said that music will not get to a low enough frequency to upset your insides, but from my schooldays I seem to remember that two frequencies close together will interfere with each other and 'beat' at a frequency equal to the difference between them. So these lower frequencies could well be present to some extent, if the speakers are good enough to transmit them.

Sorry to be so technical!

Cyril

iris1205 profile image
iris1205

Yes! I went to a rehearsal for a ballet and after 15 minutes so wanted to leave due to the bass in the exquisite classical music in the studio. Yes, I agree anything that causes the chest/heart to resonate can be a trigger, it was for me!

ETFCfan profile image
ETFCfan

We go to live music at least twice a week and there is one particular local group where I always feel peculiar and yes the bass is very loud. Can’t describe it but it’s an uncomfortable feeling in my chest, I’m in permanent AF anyway so doesn’t start anything off. I’ve now bought good quality earplugs and make sure we don’t sit right in front of the speaker now.

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