Healthy ...run 4-6 miles everyday.

[Mommy56]

To say that I am frustrated is a minimal statement . I have always been active my whole life as a teenager as a cheerleader in college as a cheerleader than teaching aerobics powerwalking and now running 4-6 miles every day . About 19 years ago I had a very bad virus and it culminated in putting me in atrial fib. Ended up In CCU and was converted after various meds . Follow up echograms of heart showed absolutely no cardiac damage . I went on with my life and then two years later had a bout of afib which I converted myself (former CCU nurse). Then had a fab a couple years later and did the same thing converted myself by taking small dose of Ativan and resting The Ativan brought my heart rate down low enough for my sinus node to capture the rhythm .

And no more problems until about three years later went into afib while trying to suck a thick milkshake through a straw . Converted after about 11 hours . Six months after that which has now been 15 months ago I went into afib and could not convert myself . Since I was in it for over 48 hours I had a TEE and then a cardio version. They said I converted right away and I have been in sinus rhythm sense but occasionally will feel a PAC.

Have had stress test done numerous times and they said my heart is an absolutely perfect shape and they do not understand why I have these afib episodes except for the very distressing fact my father had afib. AFib has strong hereditary capabilities . That's just great since I eat so healthy and continue to run 4 to 6 miles daily . Never have ectopy while I'm running ! Have a wonderful cardiologist and EP. They do not seem concerned at all but just puzzled . Sometimes I just sit and wonder when the next bout will be and try to do whatever I can to not let that happen . I no longer drink thick liquids out of straws and I stay very well hydrated . All this to say that you can do the very best for your health and still have a gene that's been passed down that's going to predispose you to afib. Thanks dad!

[BobD Volunteer]

AF is almost always progressive so this scenario is not unknown. Also endurance athletes are more likely to get AF due to the strain they put on their hearts. Very many top athletes have it as well as fast jet (fighter ) pilots due to the strain they put on their hearts fighting G force. Echocardiograms etc will show no abnormalities as it is not the plumbing at fault rather the electrics. Add in a genetic predisposition and you seem to have aced all the factors.

[Mommy56 in reply to BobD]

The ECP I saw said that mileage I do is a non factor . He said no marathons but running like I do and distance I do is fine . I am also a former CCU nurse so I am all over a healthy diet and aerobic activity. My downfall is crappy genetics. Thanks for your response .