Hi all,
I was just wondering if there was a particular time others on this forum went into AF?
Mine seems to be more often than not at night, and I've woken several times in the morning in AF.
Just wondered what others experiences were. Also, if night/morning is the case with the majority, why?
Thanks all,
Nige
For me it seems to depend on the drugs I am taking.
When taking Sotalol (for a year and a half) 60% of my episodes came during the night.
Now I am taking dysopyramide they generally come during the day.
That said there is no given, the best way I can see to avoid an episode is to take my meds on time all the time. If I am late, that can trigger me. Today 30 minutes late taking my mid morning pills, boom, AF came.
Pretty certain if I was on time, it wouldnt have happened.
I have also developed a habbit of sleeping on my right side, as sleeping on my left or on my back seemed to kick me off. Fortunately my nights seem to be AF free these days.
Just wish my days were the same!
It seems Nige AF rears it's ugly head whenever the mood strikes - as my cardiologist observed - "AF could occur walking out of his surgery to the taxi rank or it could happen lying in a hammock, while holidaying in the Bahamas! It seems AF episodes are a pretty hit'n'miss affair, but as has been mentioned in this forum - no two Afibbers are alike. Do your Af attacks wake you from sleep? All best to you.
Hi. My AF can occur at any time. While exerting myself physically or just totally relaxing, AF can rear it's ugly head. Totally agree with you about lying on your right side,I turn the other way and I can bring AF on. Usually a good night's sleep will fix my AF.
I've found that, too!
Fair to say mine can be at any time although nighttime is almost a constant, shown during a recent 48 monitor. Cardio couldn't offer a reason other than my main trigger is anxiety or stress which is linked to waking at 3 in the morning with a fluttering and thumping heart
I only usually get about three or four episodes a year, but they are almost always at night, just after turning over to go to sleep. Most of the time I am able to sleep while the heart is still jumping around, and it is often still in af in the morning. My episodes last around 10 - 12 hours.
Hi Nige,
An interesting question! After an initial AF attack two years ago (which was a big surprise to say the least!) and an overnight stay in hospital I was put on Sotalol and things have settled down somewhat.
My last AF attacks were back in late summer/autumn of last year, were usually short - 30 - 60 minutes and usually woke me in the early hours of the morning. Whether there was any connection I'm not sure but they were usually preceded by a nightmare. I usually found that trying to relax by doing breathing exercises usually helped.
Since then I have been AF free which I find puzzling but I'm not complaining. I hope things settle down for you too as being woken at night by AF isn't pleasant.
As has been said many times we are all different and AF is a real mongrel condition. Some people find that their AF is vagally mediated meaning that it can be triggered by the vagus nerve. This means that it can be brought on by digestive problems, large meals, late at night etc . It also means that AF can be more likely to occur, as Prof Schilling once told me, "when the vagal tone is low." This means when activity within this longest nerve on the body is light, i.e. when sleeping or resting. Other people my not have this influence so can have events at any time. Interestingly it is generally often considered that vagally mediated AF patients should not take beta blockers as these can exacerbate the problem.
Bob
My paroxysmal AF can start at any time, but only happens when I'm sitting still or in bed. It has never ever started when I've been out walking or doing some form of exercise. I try to not to sit for long periods now as I feel this is a trigger.
Once my heart starts racing it can go on for minutes, weeks or months. Recently, as soon as it starts I try a breathing technique to calm it and that sometimes works. If not I take a tablet (Flecainide which is newly prescribed) and for the last few months I've been able to control it this way. I've had AF for many years, probably coming up to 10 diagnosed, but looking back I feel I had it long before then.
Jean
Look up vagal AF- mine is this type at present ( may progress to both types)- vagal Af classically starts when you sleep/wak and nervous system changes and also when vagus nerve is stimulated- heavy meals, change of body position
How would we know if we have vagal AF.
I am confused, my ablation discharge notes and my EP mentioned I had good vagal response during my ablation, never really thought to ask him to expand on it as he said that it was a positive point on success stats.
Although controlled by drugs at the moment, without them my arrhythmia occurs all the time. But it is worse after eating too much (and that means just a normal sized meal), when lying on my left and maybe my back, and if I drink alcohol or too much caffeine. I'm probably at my best standing and/or doing some physical work.
Koll
I am now in my 2nd run of persistent AF having had PAF for 13 years. 99% of episodes have started whilst sleeping or by turning onto my left side. I wonder how you tell if it is vagally mediated?
Brenda
I am aware of AF symptoms most of the time but am more aware of palpitations and chest discomfort when I wake up during the night. My symptoms during the day were recently exacerbated during and several weeks after having had the flu. I don't know if the viral infection placed extra strain on the heart and made my symptoms worse? I am beginning to feel better now - thank goodness!
if your af is coming on at night get yourself checked out for sleep apnoea it is a common cause for arythmia in the night. I did and my af went down to aprox once a year from every 3 months i'm now off of all meds with the blessing of my cardiologist also don't eat late and all the usuals cut sugar and caffeine out completely if you can...
Good to hear you don't get attacks of Af so often . How did they cure your sleep apnoea?
I have a c pap machine which basically is a mask over my nose at night with forced air to keep my airway open. it's a bit odd at first but the improvement was imeasurable.
Thanks, Jo! I did wonder - it's one of those chicken and egg things. But, yes, it's more likely that the AF triggers the nightmare. Hopefully, we'll both stay nightmare free! Many thanks for replying.
Thanks everyone for your replies. I'm going to do a bit more research on sleep apnea too, but I don't stop breathing in my sleep so not sure on that one. Thanks all, anyway
Nige
Yes, me too.
Atrial Fibrilations are always at night between midnight and 2am. They wake me 45 mins to an hour after falling asleep and I can't sleep again till they stop. I only get them a few times a year. I think I suffer more from Atrial Flutter which I think happens at lots of varied times and is more subtle and diffcult to pick up.
This post has really helped me, if I turn on my left it will almost always trigger AF. It seems a natural position for me, so I often wake just after droppjng off and sure enough I am on my left side with AF. Sleepless nights and stress will also be triggers. If AF is really bad for a long time at night, I take an extra half beta bloker, and that does the trick, but I cleared that with doctor before doing it. Otherwise, I lead a very busy life, but I do get missed and extra beats during the day, which can make me feel rough. I try to spread very busy days, following one with a slower day, but not always possible. Being out and about helps.
Just about every time I have AF it is triggered when I’m asleep.
I don’t know why but my wife has said for a long time that I occasionally stop breathing when I’m asleep. Not sure if that is connected to triggering AF.
Experience when AF is triggered 
Asymptomatic AF
How do you feel when in AF?
