Article for those with Paroxysmal vagally mediated AF

[secondtry]

This 'personal experience' article afibbers.org/victor2.html is still probably the best I have seen for those it is relevant to.

[BobD Volunteer]

Very interesting article but I would take issue with the comment that vagally mediated AF is only a small percentage of cases. Admitted he does go on to say elsewhere that there is no statistic available on this.

My observations as a long time volunteer would suggest that a much greater number of people present with an indication that their AF may well be vagally mediated.

I think the problem is that until a few years ago many doctors would not accept that it existed although about nine years ago two eminent UK EPs both separately told me that AF was more likely "when the vagal tone was low. "

[opal11uk in reply to BobD]

Ok, have to admit I do not know what Vagal A/F - I have Paroxysmal A/F (diagnosed as such Vagal was never discussed)

[secondtry in reply to opal11uk]

Yes, the Vagus Nerve is unlikely to be discussed with your standard heart medics. I believe my AF is 'vagally mediated' Lone (i.e. everything else is OK) Paroxysmal AF because stress was a big factor in my life when it started (now thankfully sorted) and because twice I have started or nearly started AF simply by revisiting old sites where AF had occurred i.e. just a message via the Vagus Nerve to the heart.

[opal11uk in reply to BobD]

I have and always have had heartburn/reflux etc.etc., wonder if that has anything to do with my A/F, never thought about it before.

[secondtry in reply to opal11uk]

I had reflux before the AF started.

[opal11uk in reply to secondtry]

interesting.....

[Mercurius]

I have also Coumel type aFib. These kind guys, like me are bardycard. The bradycardia is the sign of elevated, continuous vagal activity. The phenomenon is characteristic for professional high endurance athletes (cyclists, runners, swimmers) and high endurance amateurs (triathlon, marathon etc). One suggestion for Coumel type afibbers is the detraining. A pause in the training for several month results in shift of the heart rate from the bradycardia to the normal rhythm. The pause might eliminate or at least decrease the number afib events. I'm not sure, that the vagal afib is rare. Rather it is often totally asymptotic, therefore it is usually not diagnosed. Asymptotic afibs usual catched by chance by routine ECG check.

Don't mess the vagal afib with the vagally triggered afib. I animal experiments simultaneous stimulation of the nervus vagus and sympathicus provocates afib. Bloated stomach initiate an increase in vagal activity. This would drop the heart rate and the blood pressure as well. The blood pressure regulation counteracts the increased vagal activity by increasing the sympathetic activity that triggers the onset of the afib.