Weird phenomena after an AFIB attack 6 months ago.

[Kevin_]

Hi. I had a first time AFIB attack last September. My heart is getting better steadily after that attack as the first couple of months was horrible (my heart wanting to move back into irregular fast beat again, but never happened_. Recently though I seem to have a weird feeling in my chest/stomach usually early in the morning. It happens only once or twice a month. I feel weird in my upper chest (like having broken glass in it or stomach upset maybe but hard to explain) and then suddenly and for no reason my blood pressure rises to 160/100 and rising and once it passes 170 or 175 I start getting fast but regular heart beat (about 100) and all these lasts only a few minutes. First the weird feeling goes away by itself and my blood pressure comes down to normal (130 over 70) and heart beat back to normal too (about 60). All these started after my AFIB attack. My question is if anyone has a similar experience? and second question is this AFIB?

[BobD Volunteer]

Difficlut to say Kevin but AF is generally a progressive condition . One event is seldom the only event and the more you have it the more you will get it. If the HR is regular it probably isn't AF but AF is only one of a number of arrhythmias most of which though unpleasant are not instantly life threatening---even if they feel like it at the time.

What you describe may well be reflux which since it affects the vagus nerve which connects stomach . heart and other organs with the brain, can also affect the heart.

We are nit medically trained here, just experienced (most ) patients so best to discuss this with your treating medical team. You do not mention what drugs you are on for your AF but many of these can make us feel less than well themselves.

[Kevin_ in reply to BobD]

Thank you so much for the response Bob. Neither the cardiologist nor my family doctor knew much about this so that is why I decided to seek the advice of experienced patients. Doctors have only read about it in the textbooks or heard about AFIB related issues from their patients whereas experienced patients have actually gone through it in real life and may understand my feeling.

My cardiologist said one attack is not ground for ablation and he agreed with me that because I had cold/flu/cough medicine the day before the AFIB attack it is possible that it may have been an OTC induced attack and hence a once in a lifetime attack. I hope he is right as my heart is much better now except these weird phenomena that I described. I have had SVT (fast regular heart beat usually lasting 10 to 20 minutes) induced by heavy exercise once every few years since childhood but last September was my first fast and irregular attack lasting long 56 hours.

Some literature on AFIB say that if we keep our blood pressure and sugar normal and avoid stress and watch our diet and habits (avoid tobacco, alcohol and coffee and sugar) and eat healthy and keeping the weight in normal range (BMI < 22) and have no structural heart problems then AFIB may not be necessarily a progressive disease. Only time can tell in my case. A few even say an OTC induce attack may not happen again if we avoid what caused it once.

I am on Beta Blocker Metroprolol (I have been on it for years for my childhood SVT) and Apixaban (past 6 months) and Amplodipine (for my BP). My heart structure (sizes and valves) and functionalities are fine too based on recent ECG. I don't have any of the issues that I have read about AFIB (thank God) or heard from my Mum and older brother both diagnosed with AFIB last year just before I was.

[fallingtopieces in reply to Kevin_]

Kevin, to my knowledge I have only had one 90 minute AF attack, in 2012.

Had other bits and bobs in the shape of Very Short svt Runs and varying degrees of ectopics for a number of years.

However, barely anything to report since taking daily magnesium (>6 years)and no more AF.

Pat

[Kevin_ in reply to fallingtopieces]

That is great news Pat. Thanks for sharing. I am taking magnesium too among other things.

I remember that in the last two occasions when I had this strange phenomena I had a very cold glass of water early in the morning soon after waking up and on empty stomach. And I read that cold water could trigger AFIB so may be that was it. Literature mentions that alcohol, coffee, exercise as triggers of AFIB but rarely cold water.

Yes I read in recent articles that for those without structural problems (like enlarged left atrium or valvular issues) if they keep their BP and BS normal and weight and cholesterol down and live stress free life but be relatively active and avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption and quit smoking then AFIB indeed may be a one time event and may not progress into persistent or permanent one. . I hope my AFIB attack also be the one and only.

[fallingtopieces in reply to Kevin_]

Kevin, it WAS the cold water.

Don’t do that again and I think the AF will stay away.

My episode was from a swig of an icy slush drink from Costa on a hot day when I was thirsty(dehydrated) and on an empty stomach.

I actually felt the icy mass go down level with my heart then my heart began jumping about like mad.

I have made an effort to keep well hydrated since then.

After that episode I was quite scared to drink a cold drink or eat ice cream but I do now. I still wouldn’t drink a cold drink quickly but I do drink cold drinks- albeit the first sip slowly.

Pat

[LindaDaisy in reply to fallingtopieces]

I use the ice cold water manoeuvre to bring myself out of AF. Works sometimes.

[PhyllisK in reply to fallingtopieces]

I would like to try taking Magnesium but not sure which type, and what dosage? I would be grateful for your advice. Thank you. Phyl.

[fallingtopieces in reply to PhyllisK]

Phyl, I take magnesium citrate 4x 200mg a day. Any make as long as it’s the chalky tablet type. Somehow the capsules(cellulose shell with powder in) don’t behave in the same way for me.

They do have a laxative effect too so watch out. That’s actually helpful for me but not for everyone. Perhaps you could start by taking 2 a day(2x200mg) then increase that to see what you can manage to what’s referred to as ‘bowel tolerance’. This is no way excessive as some people take 3 times the dose I do.

I’d be so surprised if you don’t get a good result from it.

Good luck.

Pat

[PhyK in reply to fallingtopieces]

Pat, thank you for taking the time to reply to my message. I will try Magnesium Citrate at the dosage you have suggested. Fingers crossed!! Thank you once again. Phyl.

[10Snut]

Kevin not the Dr. but I would say it is related to AF. When bp and heart rate usually mirrors the lower number. so be safe and get it checked. god bless

[Kevin_ in reply to 10Snut]

Yes thanks. I found an articles that describes best my symptoms and I attached it below and yes it is AFIB. Right now it happens once a week and for a few minutes but my fear is that most articles say AFIB is progressive and that it will become more frequent and longer with time until eventually it will become persistent. Not sure I can rake it permanently. I am very fearful.

What having atrial fibrillation feels like

We asked people to describe what having atrial fibrillation (AF) feels like. Palpitations (a noticeably rapid, strong or irregular heart beat) and a fast pulse rate are key symptoms associated with AF. People described unpleasant, ‘alarming’ and sometimes very unexpected heart sensations. They spoke of their heart ‘beating very fast’, and their pulse ‘running very fast or very irregular’, using vivid language to convey how palpitations feel. They described a fluttering in the chest ‘like butterflies’