Could Potholes be the answer......? - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

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Could Potholes be the answer......?

CDreamer profile image
19 Replies

I’ve been in and out of AF for the past week whilst we have been travelling, not unusual for me as you know. Yesterday morning I awoke and was very symptomatic so we decided to cut short our trip to family with 2 very active young grandchildren as I was unable to join in the activities. During home on non motorway roads around Surrey we hit a deep pothole at about 40mph. To say it was a shock was an understatement! We were the 5th car to hit and the line as the line of roadside cars occupying the lay-by evidenced, all looking anxiously at their car wheels and undersides. We limped on, slowly as we were between villages and no space for us to stop. At the next village we stopped, completely flat tyre, no spare (3 week old Mazda3 Bob). Called for help and then deciding no point fretting about it - made for the pub 100 yards away and ate a hearty lunch.

It wasn’t until we got back home my husband said to me - you know you have been so much better since we hit that pothole - no AF & no Mg!

Hard on the car though!

💕 to you all

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CDreamer profile image
CDreamer
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19 Replies
WendyWu20 profile image
WendyWu20

Must have been a similar jolt to the body as on the occasion when I gave an almighty sneeze... and instantly sneezed myself out of AF!

I have to admit to trying 'fake' sneezes ever since, in an attempt to replicate the effects haha :o)

Finvola profile image
Finvola

I knew there was a reason for potholes!!

Whatever works . . . sorry you missed the family visit.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply to Finvola

No I didn’t - we had 3 days there I just wanted to go home.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Hi CD - I've often wondered whether walking and the constant thud of your feet hitting the ground could put the heart back in to normal sinus rhythm.

Potholes, well yes, any thud (mini cardioversion isn't it) even though they're not as strong as an electrical cardioversion given at a hospital could possibly do it too.

Jean

secondtry profile image
secondtry in reply to jeanjeannie50

Yes, I think it does Jean. Part of my AF lifestyle is to do a brisk walk x2 per day for 1 mile+ and when I think back to when I got AF the first thing my body was telling me was go for a brisk walk.

Peddling profile image
Peddling

I live in Surrey...there are more pot holes than road in my area. I shall give them more respect in future.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply to Peddling

The roads were dreadful and it was like a slalam course, ours are bad here in Devon as we have more roads than any other county but I think you have such heavy traffic. My son said he lost a wheel a few weeks ago - similar incident.

Hertbeat321 profile image
Hertbeat321

Well as a cardiac nurse who also taught, CPR and ecg’s one if the earliest forms of self helps, for a irregular or ventricular fast rhythm, was noted in farmers, they would a) hold on to the electric fence, or b) go and fire their shot gun, I suppose up in the air,

Those stories were presumably told when that trick maybe didn’t work anymore and they casually told the doc, oh I usually do this but it ain’t working anymore,

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply to Hertbeat321

Priceless! Good old farmers!

Finvola profile image
Finvola in reply to Hertbeat321

Tough cookies, farmers!

secondtry profile image
secondtry

It may be the adrenaline from the shock rather than the bump itself that does the trick??

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply to secondtry

I have had AF stopped by a Chiro adjustment so I think it could have been either or both. It was written somewhat tongue in cheek.

secondtry profile image
secondtry in reply to CDreamer

Of course, I wasn't awake when I responded!

FWIW my wife and I think a bang on the chest caused my AF. I tripped over while running and I landed heavily on my chest but beyond a few grazes didnt think anything was wrong - ‘cept my running speed and stamina went downill after which I put down to age ( i’m 65 now). but it seems my running issues were maybe caused by the underlying and as then undiagnosed AF. so maybe a big thump could cause the opposite and create NSR!

consul profile image
consul

You came out a winner. I would call it a hole-in-one.

Dadog profile image
Dadog

I'm in Surrey and surrounded by pot holes - but none are deep enough to give a decent jolt. If I could find CDDreamer's special one, I would drive over it with gusto! Could be worth a tyre or two to get back into NSR!

wilsond profile image
wilsond

Always a silver lining! Hope car recovers too!

seasider18 profile image
seasider18

They have a team of three who were featured on South East News going round Eastbourne who get 45 minutes per pothole. At that rate they will never make much of an impression on the situation. They did one outside our building but not the double one near it. The thumps start early morning while it is still dark as drivers cannot see them. At that time delivery trucks and refuse collection services are starting up and their big trucks do a double thump.

secondtry profile image
secondtry

Yes, I agree. The analogy that was mentioned along time ago was that if the main drummer goes quiet it lets the pack of little drummers all to start up. I certainly feel that I need to keep active during the day and am better for it.

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