Here it comes

[Gertsen]

At the end of a quiet day at my office in the garden, there I was sitting listening to a nice piece of music when the dreaded AF struck out of the blue. I would just like to know triggers so I can avoid them. Anyhow 12 hours later is went as suddenly as it started. I like having my Kardia knowing how fas your BPM are and I have found when it goes down under 100 I am no longer aware of being in AF. I am odd for a long walk, wishing you all a sunny day. and Happy Easter to you all.🐣🐥🐣🐥

[Rellim296]

Hello Gertsen. I've no idea what sets AF off for me, but usually if I don't wake with it I will be OK all day. Not always!

There are lots of well known triggers but it's a very individual thing.

Yes, the recent fine weather has been a big treat!

[Hidden]

Hi Gertsen, it sounds like the Vagus Nerve to me. My guess is you have become stressed over a long or short period of time. The result is when you do have a relaxing time, the anti-stress system is still working hard and does not cut back promptly, as it has been over-stretched. Consequently, the heart is relaxed too much giving the AF chance to start.

I had this quite severely and couldn't even relax in the evening, so as soon as I felt that funny pre AF feeling I had to get up and do some light house chores.

Don't expect to cure this overnight but i suggest you cut down on stress on every front, do Mindfulness, meditation to include breathing exercises. Yoga, Qigong and prayer can also help as well as taking up a completely new hobby.

I am no expert just relating what I did which I think has been a big factor in keeping me AF free for 3 years but I am also on Flecainide and have made a lot of other diet/lifestyle changes. Hope something there helps.

[Plantwords]

Hi Gertsen,

Like others have suggested there is no one specific behaviour or stimulus that can be isolated in 99% of cases from what I have experienced with AF since 2009. I have been so chilled out and zap it happens; and, when you are blissfully enjoying your day with a smile on your face, why the heck did it happen? But, that is AF. I kept a journal for a year tracking every single episode against what I was doing, eating, thinking, etc., etc., before I had an episode and gave the journal to my EP. A few times I thought it was a particular food; then, a particular time of day, or, activity but as the weeks went by there was some 'other'/'maybe' explanation for my AF until I just gave up trying to figure it out, or, trying acupuncture, herbals, meditation (although mindfulness and Chi Gong are helpful to managing it), or anything specific. I truely believe the only solution for most AF that destroys quality of life is an ablation. That was my approach and I play it one day at a time. Take care.

Steven

[nwasyd1]

Hi Gerston.

As the others have mentioned trying to manage AF is way more art than science. My AF occurs pretty much always at night ie vagal AF. I try to manage my 'vagal tone' and conceptualise it as of as a wave - specifically I try to limit the peaks (adrenaline, flight or fight) and troughs (rest and digest), or at least not make them too extreme. Dr Sunjay Gupta has some good videos on this.

I've had some (self perceived) success with supplements - magnesium and potassium.

In general managing the end of day 'rest and digest' part of the cycle has the best impact for me. Eat light at night and minimum a couple of hours before going to bed. No stimulants from early afternoon on. Etc...

Having said that I've been on holiday for the past week, no stress and doing all the good stuff in terms of 'rest and digest' and I've had AF 4 nights in a row. .... so at the end of the day it's an unbelievably frustrating process.

When I was first diagnosed in 2010 I said to my doctor what is it and how do I fixed it. His response was "you have AF and if I could tell you how to fix it they would give me a noble prize"

BTW this forum is one of, if not the best, place I've found for quality information and feedback.

Best of luck. Nigel