AFib or Panic

[lolita14]

Cannot tell the difference and I'm concerned.

Have had these attacks for almost two years and usually when I'm asleep.

[doodle68]

Hello lolita welcome. Sorry I am a bit confused, if you are asleep how do you know anything is happening does it wake you up.

Afib is characterised by an irregularity pulse, it can also be faster than normal but not always.

If you check your pulse during an episode of AF it will feel irregular and chaotic.

Panic can make your heart beat faster and your pulse race part of the natural 'fight or flight' response but you pulse although fast should have a regular beat.

There are other arrhythmias that produce a fast but regular pulse. Have you spoken to a Doctor.

Scroll down the page here to hear an example of a regular pulse and one in AF...

bhf.org.uk/heart-health/con...

AF can cause panic attacks so you can have both things at once.

[lolita14 in reply to doodle68]

Thank you for your reply "doodle68"..I'm new to this.

Yes! these episodes wake me up. I take my blood pressure and look at the heart rate - latter no higher than 70; usually.

I have never checked my pulse during an episode..thought it was the same as heart rate, no?

I may have both; AFib and Panic.

Yes! I have seen an electrophysiologist....he doesn't know! and I've read doctors sometimes cannot tell!!!

I also suffer from sleep apnea which seems to complicate things. I wear a mask but since I also suffer from insomnia,,,,,,wow that is also a problem!

Your mail is helpful Thanks again.

[Tracyt in reply to lolita14]

Definitely check your pulse, it's a massive indicator on knowing if you're in AF or not.

Anxiety can bring on ectopic heart beats, which I sometimes suffer from. Had an ablation nearly 2 years ago and kept thinking it was coming back, Dr said it was anxiety induced. Night is always worse as we are inactive and so sense it more.

Fingers crossed,

Tracy

[CDreamer]

If you are in AF then your pulse will be irregular. Monitors may show a number but in AF your heart will go slow....fast.....pause.....fast, fast fast - monitor will only give you an average. Everyone experiences it differently but for me it feels as though my heart is trying to thump its' way out of my chest.

[Dodie117]

There is a machine called Kardia which tells you if the beat is AF. It costs about £100 but you can then show the results to your EP. Can be helpful for diagnosis and for peace of mind.

[lolita14 in reply to Dodie117]

Wow! expensive machine!!! but it would give me peace of mind!! Thanks. I'm in Canada but will look into this,