What is asymtomatic A Fib ?

[01maxdog]

I’ve flipped back into a Fib after 2 years free to be told I’m now asymptomatic . Before my ablation I was persistent , are there various levels of A Fib ? Have tried looking on google but it’s a nightmare ; so much to read . Ideas anyone please

[rosyG]

asymptomatic just means you don't have symptoms- often people don't know they are in AF and it is discovered by chance

[Clareowenpearcy]

I’m also classified as asymptomatic! 3 months after my last ablation I thought I was Afib free! Felt great(still do)however the 24 hr monitor requested by my EP before my 3 month check up recorded 31 episode of Afib. Although they only lasted seconds and I never felt anything . 😄

[Hidden]

Not sure it's always just one or the other.

I am (very) symptomatic but I know from experience that I have also had asymptomatic AF. I decided to discharge myself from the coronary ward because I couldn't feel any problem, but the monitor said otherwise so I had to stay in till they got me sorted.

[Ianc2]

I am also asymptomatic - I think there are various patterns of heartbeat activity which affect different people in different ways. I have discussed this with my cardiologist and looked at what can be done, as the part of my heart that kicks of the irregular pattern is difficult to get at and consequently carries distinct risks, which I find disinclined to take.

I can walk 10 miles without falling down in a heap. I am 72 and the main worry is a stroke. For that I take warfarin (because it can be instantly reversed in the event of a bleed). I have had various operations and repairs, which have worked for a while, and taken the dreaded amiodarone, which I am well pleased to be rid of.

So it is a conundrum. I am trying to follow the teachings of carneuny on this site. He has an interesting take on the whole process

[Emsysy]

I am similar to you lanc2. I rarely notice my permanent AF and can walk similar distances. I also play badminton. I have a leaky mitral valve which bothers me more as it affects the amount of oxygen which I need when execising.

You say that the effect of warfarin can be instantly reversed in the event of a bleed. Are you sure. How would this be done ?

This has been my main worry as I had a stomach ulcer some years ago and who knows if you have a week blood vessel in your head ! However, I would rather risk a bleed than a stroke; the former being I trust, the lesser of the 2 evils.

[Richard1945 in reply to Emsysy]

Just eat a piece of lettuce and the bleeding may be stopped (anything with Vitamin K). Warfarin (as all anti-coagulants) carry their own risks of hemorrhagic bleeding that can be lethal. First assess your risk of stroke (there is a calculation that can be quantified). Second if the calculation yields a statistically insignificant risk and you have collateral conditions, be careful before beginning anti-coagulant therapy. aFib is a risk factor but it is not the determining factor of incidence of stroke. People have strokes without having aFib. Watching TV the drug companies would have one believe that it is imperative to take an anti-coagulant. They make a pot full of money selling them and they wouldn't want the public to know that sixty-two to sixty-seven percent of those on those drugs suffer some sort of uncontrolled bleeding. Two of the anti-coagulants being hawked in the media have no antidote and can have catastrophic consequences. My experience with warfarin was not successful and it caused alimentary bleeding and bleeding in my eye which needed surgical intervention to correct. I ingested the drug for three weeks. Obviously my experience was extreme, but not unheard of. Unfortunately there are no tests to assess the sensibility of anti-coagulants before prescription. So it's a case of trial and error. I am asymptomatic as well. Have a care!

[Ianc2 in reply to Richard1945]

Hi Richard1945

my stroke risk was assessed at 3% without coagulation or 1% with coagulation. I tolerate warfarin well and understand that vitamin k injection will restore full clotting in the event of a bleed.

[Richard1945 in reply to Ianc2]

You make my point. Your stroke risk is statistically insignificant without anti-coagulant treatment. As long as you tolerate warfarin, that's fine. aFib is an additional risk, but it's not the prime risk of stroke. Of all of the anti-coagulants, warfarin is the easiest to control. It's just that it requires a significant amount of oversight (frequent trips to the labs) to monitor. Be well.

[01maxdog in reply to Richard1945]

Unfortunately I had a stroke 4 years ago, when I didn't know I had a Fib . I was on warfarin now on rivaroxaban but I'm having to go back now to warfarin for a TOE so I can have my third cardio version . Thanks for all the replies

[Spoiler in reply to 01maxdog]

I have had 9 DC cardioversions and 2 medication cardioversions. I am very symtomatic and it is disabling. I cannot imagine not having symptoms. My rate goes 140-160

[Mercurius]

I'm also asymptomatic. It was found by chance. I can do anything (cycling or other sport activity) without any problem. I don't feel nothing. Only the ECG can show, that I'm actually at afib. Sometimes better not to know about it, because psychically can disturb.