Blackouts.

[Bob0000]

I was diagnosed with AF in June of 2006 when I was hospitalized twice in two weeks with a pulse rate varying between 90 and 180. Was then proscribed with flecainide, beta blockers and warfarin which has controlled my AF well. About two months ago I started to feel as though I would faint after comming out of an episode of AF. Yesterday my Wife called an ambulance after I blackout lasting about 2 minutes. The paramedic came, checked me thoroughly and found my obs were fine. Does anyone else have this problem and I am finding the very scary as is my wife. Does anyone have any advice or have this sort of problem?

[Fletch1]

A year after being diagnosed with AF, I experienced a 5 day series of mini blackouts but blamed it on the only hot weather in July this year. Eventually taken into hospital with low pulse rate and fluctuating BP and three weeks after they had steadied (Dr said "agreed with each other"), pacemaker was fitted . No mini blackouts since. If my heart goes mad, feel pacemaker kick in and though I can't say I am as well as I was before AF, I am certainly functioning tho' more tired and breathless than I was. However, since I am 81, must expect some disadvantages, I suppose.

[Bob0000 in reply to Fletch1]

Thanks for telling me your situation. I I'm due to see the chap who deals with heart conditions next week and value your comments.

[Buffafly]

If you read a couple of my posts you will find a similar situation described by several people, with varying solutions. It might be good idea to see what might be offered.

[Hidden]

You might find an adjustment in your meds will make a difference especially if the beta blockers are causing low blood pressure. Just a thought.

[Susiebelle]

Hi - last March I had a blackout after a strenuous walk.

Told my EP - he took me off flecainide and lowered dose of bisoporal.

He also told me to stop driving - according to DVLA guidelines.

This meant I had to walk more - good job that was Spring - summer. This was good for me to walk more & further - ensuring I did at least 30k a week.

Iwas allowed to drive again in July.

The symptoms I had leading up to the blackout were ( I thought it was a sip in blood pressure) a slowing of heart beat rate combined with the rhythm control ended up with me having a syncope .

Had an ablation procedure for atrial flutter ( I have AF too ) medication changed from bisoporal to sotalol - which I do need to talk to EP about - not so much'get & go'.

Make sure you see your EP.

Stay well.

[jackmccready]

What may be happening is that when the heart switches from AF back to sinus rhythm the heart's normal pacemaker (sinus node) can take a little time to kick back in creating a "sinus pause". This is relatively unusual.

The symptoms can be extremely alarming and is one of the most unpleasant ones in AF. The danger is you can injure yourself with these collapses but the heart will always restart. You obviously need to discuss this with your cardiologist (preferably an electrophysiologist).

The options are with a pacemaker which will kick in when the heart stops with the switch to SR but you will still continue to get AF attacks. The other is with an ablation: no AF means no pauses with AF termination. I have had several patients do very well with ablation in this situation who have then avoided having a pacemaker.

[Patricia1]

I had a pacemaker installed last year for presyncope when reverting to sinus rhythm from AF and have been fine since

[Reena09 in reply to Patricia1]

Hi Patricia - hope you are well. Were you having regular episodes of blackouts? I had one the other week when I think i reverted from AF into Sinus.

[Patricia1 in reply to Reena09]

Hello Reena - I never had any total blackouts just presyncope which is a feeling of going to faint but not actually doing so. Frightening enough but not as bad as total blackouts. If you are having total blackouts I think you would be offered a pacemaker and I would advise an appointment with a consultant as soon as possible. Best wishes, Patricia

[dmac4646]

I have had some bad episodes of this and we have concluded that its the combination of Flec and the beta blocker - particularly if you have upped the dose on either.

[Reena09 in reply to dmac4646]

Hi there - how are you now? I’m also on 150mg flec per day and 2.5mg bisoprolol. I had an episode of passing out and would be interested to hear your thoughts