Hi I'm New to this but have a 6 yr history of Atrial Fibrillation and Flutter.

[BasG]

I have had 3 ablations and a Pulmonary Vein Isolation. Maintained on Digoxin and Bisoprolol and Warfarin. Have had ups and downs with various admissions due to very high irregular heart rate. Last one didn't respond to medication and therefore had a Cardio Avert which put me back into a sinus rhythm. I think that this recent episode was triggered by using a faulty petrol driven multi tool - hedge trimmer, strimmer and brush cutter/chain saw. My son in law also used it for 2 minutes and his hands were numb. I know that gyms have warnings about people using their equipment if there is a vibration element. I read the handbook thoroughly and in particular the section on vibration testing etc. There was no advice not to use this machine if you had a heart condition and only if you had an indwelling metallic device (?pace maker)

The tool is now on test - I have looked at other handbooks for drills and breakers etc and can find little guidance around this. I know that people suffer with white finger as a result of vibration for example panel beaters. There is only a mention of changes to blood flow in an obscure American journal.

Has anyone out there had a similar experience or is aware of any other possible triggers for AF caused by machine tools?

The manufacturers are taking this seriously and have asked for more information and my cardiologist has not come across this before.

Thanks BASG

[BobD Volunteer]

Since AF is an electrical problem I really don't understand how vibration could trigger it but then you have to accept that if you have AF then anything can be a trigger--- or nothing at all. You have it so it happens.

I know of people who claim that their mobile phones. kept in a shirt pocket have been the cause of their AF but this is a new one on me. I build race car engines and use a multitude of air and electrical devices both impact and rotary and other than cramp after several hours of polishing ports have never had a problem with my heart. Spark plug leads are a different matter. OUCH!

[PeterWh in reply to BobD]

Having quite a lot of experience on construction sites I can assure you that vibrations and shocks can go right through someone and give them a shock even if 100% healthy. I have some experience with cars and that level is nowhere near as severe.

I know through the forum the person who said about phone in shirt pocket being a possible cause. For about 5 years in the late 90s / early 00s I too kept my phone in my shirt pocket. Those early phones certainly gave out far more signals and created electric fields than current day ones. The difference in the EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) standards and hence electric field emissions and signals between the early 90s and today are a quantum difference. Like AF this is a relatively new area of science and knowledge.

[PeterWh]

As a matter of good practice any tool that is vibrating or percussioning could induce AF or other arrythmia. My personal view is that this could be caused by one or more of a number of factors such as the vibration, adrenaline, percussion, noise, etc.

Not surprised at all that neither EP nor manufacturers were aware or have a answer. The understanding of AF is new in the medical arena and still developing.

When discussing work aspects with EP his initial view was no problem with AF and people can't discriminate. However although AF was covered by the disability discrimination act and is covered by its 2010 successor you can stop someone with a medical condition like AF or many disabilities from going onto a construction site if their presence could become a danger to themselves or to any other people in sure and that could include ambulance staff. They could after all be fine one moment and then 10 secs later be starting an AF attack or event.