Weird AF

[reinaway]

Yesterday I had a weird AF attack where I was woken as usual at 1.30am with racing heart and prepared for the usual 10 to 12 hour episode that I usually suffer. I practiced deep breathing exercises I within 15 minutes my heart returned to NSR. However I still had all the symptoms that I usually suffer in an attack except the chest pain for the next 12 hours or so. I have just changed my beta blocker to Nebivolol from Bisoprolol and wonder if this could be why Also is it possible to have 'slow' AF?

[Hidden]

It is certainly possible to have slow AF though a fast rate is far more common.

I can't answer the betablocker query but maybe someone else will come up with an answer.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your thoughts. 😊

[Rubymurray25]

Hi, I have been practicing breathing exercises to control my PAF and stress attacks and am slowing getting there I believe, but it sounds like you managed it brilliantly yesterday having controlled it within 15 minutes. Not sure about the other issues but thanks for giving us hope with the breathing exercises and proof that they do make a difference. I am guessing your doctor would say the exchange of medications needs time to settle but I would check with them straightaway for reassurances. Good luck.

p.s I used to wake regularly and felt like I was going into some type of episode, in the end, I pushed the Dr. for a Sleep Apnea test after someone on this site suggested it; the test was positive and now being on Cpap I feel much better, so if you haven't been checked it would be worth it.

[Hidden in reply to Rubymurray25]

Yes I will have a word with my GP. It very well might be the change in medication. If it means that if future episodes are without the chest pain that's good news

[momist]

Hi reinaway . I wonder how you decided you had returned to NSR? If you were simply counting your pulse, then maybe 'slow AF' is what happened, and the successful impulses in your heart happened to form a semblance of rhythm, while there were out of sync, random Atrial triggers that did not result in a pulse? Somehow, I doubt it though. For me, Atrial Fibrillation is defined by random mis-timed triggers from the Atria causing erratic heartbeats, some of which give a pulse and some not, but which are essentially not in rhythm.

This is why I value my Kardia device, which lives on my phone case and is always with me, even in bed. Not that I have had anything similar happen to me, but at least I could catch the event if it should happen, and would have evidence of exactly what I had experienced.

I sincerely hope you are now feeling better, and I'm happy that the deep breathing helped. Well done!

[Hidden in reply to momist]

That is a possibility as I have only my pulse to go by thanks for your reply

[Amcech]

After starting carvidilol which controls my heart rate wonderfully and before starting flecanaide, my afib was slow. My heart rate would be in the 50's and my pulse was very irregular and quiet, difficult to feel my pulse in my wrist at times. my EP said slow af is possible when you're taking a rate control drug that works for you.

[Hidden in reply to Amcech]

Perhaps the Nebivolol is doing the trick for me then I'll keep you posted as to what happens 😊

[A-FIBBER333]

Hello there. May I ask what 'other' symptoms do you experience. Also, is your heart racing with a normal beat or is it racing but totally irregular? With regard to your chest pain, how would you describe this - tight or heavy pressure. Thanks.

[Hidden]

This might be a bit long winded but normally as I start an AF attack firstly I am woken in the early hours by my heart suddenly speeding up to between150 to180 beats per minute. It is erratic and can jump between 120 to 150 or higher in one beat. Also immediately I have to use the toilet and it feels as though I am losing my insides! Then the chest pain starts and comes in waves for the duration of the attack and is tight I do practice the deep breathing but it seldom works This is why when I managed to stop this last episode quickly I was amazed and wondered if it was down to the beta blocker change Thanks for your reply😊

[heartmatters1]

I experienced similar last night at almost the same time. I put it down to indigestion, as I was bringing up quite a bit of wind. Think it may have been caused by a heavy Sunday lunch (that will teach me ) I took some Gaviscon (other makes ready available) & I did some relaxation breathing & erratic heart settled quite quickly - thank goodness 😅

Best wishes Ally

[Hidden in reply to heartmatters1]

Which beta blocker are you on?

[heartmatters1 in reply to Hidden]

Not on a beta blocker. Have Flecainide as PIP if needed. On Apixaban only.