Vagal af

[Primetime165]

Can anyone tell me how vagal af is diagnosed. My cardiologist did not suggest there were different kinds of AF. Now that I know the medication used is different I would like to know which type I have. Currently I am taking Nebivalol and apixaban.

[BobD Volunteer]

Ah yes that old sore. The problem is that many doctors know so little about AF and that includes many cardiologists.

The vagus nerve is the main neural super highway which connects the brain to heart stomach and other organs. When out of synch it can cause all sorts of issues such as digestive problems and heart rhythm problems. It is thought that it may be a trigger for AFin some people

(NOTE you need to have a predisposition for AF in order for a trigger to bring it on.)

If your AF usually starts after food or when you are resting (i e sleeping) then it may be termed vagally medicated. In such cases beta blockers may not be the right drug since they slow everything down which is likely to trigger the AF.

It is not a case of diagnosing Vagal AF as it is AF full stop, merely triggered by the vagus nerve. Many EPs even do not recognise it as anything different. If one's treatment exacerbates the condition then change the treatment is the general rule.

Hope than helps.

Bob

[Primetime165 in reply to BobD]

Thanks BobD. Not sure which I have. I am well controlled but I know af is not far away- flutters and ectopics here and there on most days.I was on the 2 5 diet but found that on fast days I had more heart disturbance so had to stop.

[doodle68]

Hi Primetime welcome.

After reading up on the subject I thought 'some' of my episodes of P-AF were vagal induced because they were triggered by swallowing food or began the moment I awoke. When I mentioned this to the young GP I saw she clearly didn't know what I was talking about. I told the arrhythmia nurse about it too when she took my details to relay to a cardiologist in another room and she didn't comment or make any mention of them in my notes.

Like you I was prescribed Apixaban and the beta blocker Nebivolol and it seems to have helped after a period of time as my episodes of P-AF have reduced in frequency so maybe see how it works for you and if there is no change go back to the doctor.

[Hidden]

Not sure that many Cardios or EPs consider it important to characterise the type of AF, though that is not to say that it is not helpful for us individuallly.

The names suggested to you last time you posted about this, include Malcolm Kendrick and I believe Chris Kresser who seem to have interesting blogs.

The link below is to a short description of vagal AF

richardbogle.com/blog/vagal...