So after years of random ectopic beats (could be months apart) and a one-off 4 hour run of a heartbeat of 180bpm which was controlled by a tablet in hosp, I went to see the arrhythmia nurse specialist today who diagnosed me with AF (occasional). I’m relieved to know what it is but also a bit nervous. She said my heart scan showed an incredibly healthy heart which pumped extremely effectively. She asked if I did lots of exercise (which I do) and said that some athletes have this condition?! I am taking low dose beta blockers which work well. She even talked about discharging me. Again, I’m pleased but worried that she said risk of stroke when older (I’m 44) and have a healthy diet (love gin and wine though, lol). I’ve got to the bottom of it but not sure what to think. If I have another episode, she told me to take another beta blocker to help stop it. She told me to stay within my weight range and watch my blood pressure stays as it is. Any other advice?? It’s very common apparently and could be linked with peri menopause and anxiety....of which I think I have both. Xxx
Diagnosed with AF today...: So after... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Diagnosed with AF today...
AF makes us all more likely to have a stroke and this is increased by age, gender (being female) and things like blood pressure or diabetes. Yes as you age you may well need to start taking one or other of the anticoagaulants now available.
Paroxysmal AF is very common. here in UK an estimated 1.5 million people have it .
My best advice is to go to AF Association website and read till you drop as knowledge is power.
Thanks for your reply, BobD....I generally worry about health so I’m freaking out a little about the stroke risk. Saying that, my blood pressure is fine, I don’t have diabetes and I’m 44, so not in the age-risk factor. Being female doesn’t help then. I’m pleased that they said my heart was very healthy but worry about the future effect!
Julia
My best advice - exercise and weight is good - but the biggest contributing factor to ill health is inflammation - caused by stress.
Adopt a regular practice of Mindfulness, Meditation, Relaxation, Yoga or similar and stop worrying. The worry is your biggest threat and enjoy life and be very grateful you can go out and exercise. Stay in the moment - and like RosyG - ditch the gin! It doesn’t relax you as alcohol, after an initial relaxing affect, is a stimulant. Substitute a meditation class instead of the gin - social interaction and mixing with like minded people helps the feeling of being deprived and you will soon reap the benefits.
Try it and see.
Good advice which I’m going to action. Thanks so much. I had a phone call this evening from nurse to say that the new female cardiologist wants to MRI my heart (which I was told is healthy etc) before she discharges me. This has freaked me out as I don’t know why this is? I’m adopted so she said she wanted to also do it because they don’t know my family history. Also, because I’m young. The nurse and my gp thinks this af episode I had was just a one off. Why the heck the MRI then? I have terrible health anxiety because of this.
I completely understand your anxiety Julia as I too experience similar worries which in turn I worry about as I'm reminded that worry and stress can adversely affect health. I end up in a round of continuous anxiety. Like you, I like a glass of wine and a G and T. For years I was aware of occasional ectopic heart beats but dismissed them until being diagnosed with paroxysmal AF. After being on meds for the condition for 2 to 3 years I then had an ablation which was successful. Then, out of the blue, I had an episode earlier this year. On that occasion I'd gone to bed on a full stomach and had drunk insufficient fluid throughout the day. I've upped my intake of water and added in magnesium supplements (worth googling magnesium deficiency in relation to AF). So far so good apart from the odd short lived irregularities. I'm now working on reducing my alcohol intake, which although only moderate, I understand to be a possible trigger for some people. All the best.
Thanks, some excellent advice. I feel great in myself and haven’t even had a single ectopic for weeks. I went out after work a few nights ago and had wine...was fine also. However, when the AF (only ever had the one) took place, I was doing the keto diet (no carbs), training hard and also drinking too much diet coke. A very bad combo. I’m hoping it was that! As you said, I’ve upped my water intake and also eating recommended foods such as bananas, fish and avocados. I’m just worried why they want to do an mri after telling me my heart is structurally great (apart from a very small dilation in the upper right chamber, which they ignored).
It's harsh but I would bin the alcohol. Also caffeine!! it's with it to help delay long bouts of AF Your heart rate was very high so you must do all possible to avoid future episodes!!
Thanks, rosyG, for your reply. I’ve binned caffeine, no problem. I’m a secondary school teacher so look forward to my gin on the weekend. It calms me down, lol. I haven’t noticed it brings on ectopics/fast heart rate (I don’t get them often anyway). My hormones trigger them...when I was pregnant I noticed them in the beginning along with anxiety being a trigger. Laying on my left hand side also brings them on?!
I find lying on my left side is a no no too! and am still teaching but out of school! Alcohol is bad for AF so maybe some yoga at the weekend????!!! Read lots about AF and you will get an idea of how to manage things I have AF at night/ change of position etc and think it's vagal AF Ive found having a diet high in potassium stops a lot of episodes- also a magnesium supplement You'll find what suits you. Don't overtrain for athletics and no ready meals etc
Yes, I’d like to try Yoga. Lots of people I know talk about having rapid heart rate for no reason every now and again; I think more people have AF than we get to know about! I’m eating lots of bananas and avocados. Will do more research into food I think....I just hope it doesn’t get worse with age.
Hi Julia. There are lots of good things in your post. You sound like your af is not massively troublesome (I'm not minimising it though) and you are well able to cope with it. You have identified some triggers for you which will help you manage it and you've found this site early on which will help you understand about af, its effects and its treatment. That's all great.
Just for reassurance: I started very like you have. 15 years later I am still fine and lead a busy, normal and active life - a bit more af than initially, but no big interventions needed.
On stroke risk it helps to get your head around the statistics. You'll hear that we are 5 times more likely to have a stroke, which is startling at first hearing, but there is still a huge likelihood of you not having a stroke, and there are things you can do to affect those risks.
The thing that will help most is a positive attitude, and you seem to have that one sorted.
Thanks so much for your positive reply! I’ve just had a phone call from the arrhythmia nurse to say they want to
MRI my heart before discharging me?! She said the cardiologist is very thorough and wants to make sure. I’m panicking again now! Lol
I think you should accept that as a sign that you're being well looked after. It is a possibility that it is to help with planning around future treatment? For example, flecainide shouldn't be taken by people with structural issues with their heart.
At first everything will panic you, but after a few panics have turned out to be unfounded you'll become more and more relaxed and blasé about it all 
You are completely right. I’m a worrier, esp over health. I feel fantastic (physically) in myself apart from the worry, lol.
I worry because I'm not offered an MRI...
I think they only mri if they are concerned....that’s why I’m freaking out, lol. I over think everything! I was offered an mri in 2012 for pain in my side and it turned out to be a benign spinal cord tumour. Had it removed two days later and am fighting fit again but it has given me horrific health anxiety. It’s a pain in the backside (not literally though, lol)
Hi ! Got diagnosed age 51 like you did alot of exercise, high intensity stuff where I hit max heart rate, my advice would be to moderate the exercise I replaced some high intensity stuff with yoga and moderate aerobic exercise ! Also look at your magnesium levels as these can be low with AF ! If you have high stress levels then try to address that as well, meditation etc, any attacks I had were made worse by stress and poor sleep ! Dr Sanjay Gupta's you tube channel has a wealth of info as do two American sites by Dr John Day and Dr John Mandrola ! All the best !
Andy
Thanks so much for your detailed reply; much appreciated! Stress levels are very high....esp because of this, lol. They have now said they want to mri my heart before they discharge me because the new cardiologist is very thorough. I need to calm down, lol. Discharging me must be a good sign though, surely?
Your welcome, I wouldn't over worry about it I had an echo when first diagnosed and they said i had a slighty enlarged left ventricle (caused by high blood pressure, lost some weight and it went away ) so I have now been told to come back for a check up in 18 months. Feel fine on the tablets no side effects ! If your heart is a normal size outcomes are much better and you can keep it firmly at bay I dont feel it restricts my lifestyle in anyway, ironically alot of people on here are healthy as the AF forces them to address their lifestyle !
They said a small area around the edge was slightly dilated but didn’t seem bothered at all. Not sure what it meant but they didn’t mention it again. I had the echo but now MRI....I think so they can discharge me and say they had been thorough? I’m adopted so they also said because I don’t know my history of anything heart-related. Not sure what they would look for? I hate these things.
From what I've read on here no two hospitals are the same in terms of checks I had blood tests echo BP monitor ECG etc ! From the detail you have given I doubt you have anything to worry about !
Hi as Bob says do educate yourself about this condition. There is lots of info on this site. If you are on a regular med have you been referred to a cardiologist? Read more and think about options. I had a couple of episodes a year for about 5 years but wasn't on any medication. I then started getting more frequent (monthly) and was offered an ablation. Which to date (4months) has worked. You're right to look at life style. Especially managing stress - yoga is great if you find a relaxing class.
Where do you live? People here may have recommendations re who to see.
Amanda
AF is not nice but can be managed and doesn't need to affect your day to day life too much. I have had it since the age of 37 (26 years) and have had a few unpleasant episodes over the years. I am more susceptible when I have a virus and when I am very stressed or upset. Anxiety makes it worse though so I mostly try and forget about it. My advice would be to listen to your body and take care of it. If you feel tired then rest and if you feel anxious then find your own way of relaxing. And tell other people if you don't feel good as this is an invisible condition which isn't obvious to others unless you tell them. I am not on blood thinners either but don't have a problem with going on them if the need arises. Try not to worry and enjoy your life and don't let the bugger get you down!!!!!!
Thanks so much for your reply, Janette. Sensible advice which mentions anxiety....I have it by the bucket load atm because of this. After saying they want to discharge me, they now want to d an mri. I’m freaking over this now, lol. I need, like you said, the find my own way of relaxing and coping. My GP doesn’t even think it’s AF...he said a big panic as I had lots of ectopics together. Goodness knows.
I had the full works including an MRI. It's nothing to worry about but it's not particularly pleasant. I was told that it is to check the condition of the arteries as that is a factor in what, if any, medication they prescribe you, particularly Flecinide, as a pill in the pocket for when necessary. Regarding the anxiety, i know its awful and its an absolute trigger for me but walking helps and a nice massage every month and talking about any worries to good friends who will happily listen. And in my car I wack the music up and sing very badly. Great stress relief!! Good luck with everything and take care. X
hi Julia,
You must be 63 now??!! Do think about anti-coagulation, unless you have a bleeding risk from some condition, as you are at risk if still having AF. I know the guidance is 65 but one doesn't suddenly change over two years!!
Hi Julia, your story is very much similar to mine when I was first diagnosed. I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AF when I was 44 and at that time the episodes were quite sporadic with high heart rates so I was prescribed a beta blocker. For me it didn't prevent the episodes so I was eventually prescribed flecainide (after trying other meds) with a low dose beta blocker which worked for over 10 years and kept the AF away. I was also told I had a very healthy heart and low stroke risk. I was informed that eventually the medication would stop working as AF is usually a progressive condition. Fast forward 12 years and last October I reached that point! I had an ablation 3 months ago which seems to have worked (fingers crossed, early days!). Like you I have a stressful job (social worker) and have always loved to relax at weekend with a glass of my favourite red wine. I try to keep a healthy weight and enjoy walking and cycling. I have now resumed these activities and this week have enjoyed a couple of glasses of red wine with no problems. My advice is that you can still lead a relatively normal life (including the odd glass of wine!) if the AF is well controlled. Keep up with the healthy lifestyle and as previously advised, educate yourself about the condition. Drink plenty water to prevent dehydration which I found was also a trigger. I hope that sharing my experience has helped and wish you well for the future.
Hi Julia, I was diagnosed with PAF in March this year. I have only had 2 episodes - the first in early hours of morning which freaked me out and led to A&E visit, and the 2nd after a panic attack brought on by massive anxiety because of the PAF and its unpredictability!! Vicious circle. I took the bull by the horns and stopped drinking, cut out caffeine and dropped 2 stone in weight. So far so good. I am on Bisoprolol and Rivaroxiban but have not yet been referred to cardiologist as echo cardiogram showed a healthy heart, so am under GP care. I am under no illusion that AF begets AF, but am now much more comfortable in the knowledge that I am a bit more in control. This forum is invaluable. I refer to it every day. It helps to know you can ask anything, anytime, and someone will be there to guide and inspire. Still don't know for sure what triggered my attack initially, but I feel happier and healthier than I have for a while - long may it last 💕
Its *possible* that this was a so-called “lone episode” and you may not be troubled by AF for many years. I had an episode of AF at aged 39 and then had very little by way of AF until last year (I am now 64). The trajectory of AF cannot , however, be predicted.
Lifestyle changes should include maintaining normal weight and cutting alcohol to a low level (studies show that progression to persistent or permanent AF from PAF are more likely if you are overweight or consume even moderate levels of alcohol). Recent studies show that caffeine in moderate amounts doesn’t normally affect AF too much. Keep a diary to determine whether alcohol, stress, caffeine etc. are triggers for you ; there is a lot of variety between individuals. Exercise is important but not strenuous stuff like squash etc. Reduce stress generally if that is an issue.
Thanks for your thorough reply. My GP thinks it was a lone episode and maybe even caused by extreme panic because of a series of ectopics. I think the ectopics defo put it into the fast pace mode. Goodness knows. I had also had lots of caffeine and exercised hard that evening. They want to perform an MRI before discharging me...that’s worrying me now, lol!
Ultrasound scans produce a higher rate of false negatives than an MRI, i.e. they may miss things that an MRI will pick up. Unless you have been told specifically that the ultrasound scan has detected an abnormality, the MRI is almost certainly being performed just to make sure nothing has been missed. I’m fairly sure that they would have told you if they had picked something up on the ultrasound, but if you are not reassured you could ask them directly. It’s probably as well to be thoroughly checked out, although it is, of course, very stressful.
Thanks fo your reply...they said ultrasound was very good and my heart function was excellent. They did point out a slight dilation of the wall in the upper chamber but seemed to dismiss this as nothing. I’m going to phone and ask them today just for reassurance. I think it’s just to be thorough also....they cost a lot of money which is why I’m surprised they are doing one if all okay. It’s before they “discharge me” apparently. Hope they are not just telling me that.
Julia
Had my first consultation with the top electrophysiologist in Wisconsin yesterday. He just put a stethoscope on my chest and told his assistant "atypical flutter left atrium" which means left atrium instead of the usual right. I have to wear a WIFI monitor for a month which isn't inconvenient. He said come back in 6 months. If you have another event, just take 50mg beta blocker instead of 25 until you go back to normal. Don't go to emergency. Keep taking eliquis anti-coag for now. His diagnosis of the location of the problem and what it was, was done with a simple stethoscope and agreed with what it took the hospital 3 days to diagnose with tons of expensive equipment... It looks like it would need some more events before he would do an ablation... He reckons a left atrium job like mine would be 90 to 92% successful at the first ablation, rather than a 98% chance in the right atrium... The monitor receiver is the size of a cellphone and woke me up at 2am when it called home on the cellphone network. It beeped and the screen lit up...I will stick it under a pillow on the floor tonight ! Has to be within 10 feet ..Bluetooth wifi I reckon...
Thanks for your reply....yes, that’s amazing to find out with a stethoscope! What an experienced man. I’ve only had one episode and feel great, apart from worrying about what caused it and having another one. My GP even thinks it may not be AF but a massive panic attack brought on by a series of ectopics. Goodness knows. I hate all this.
An EKG trace will show what it is instantly...and a cheap blood pressure meter will have an AF indicator nowadays... Mine is a flutter so I dont get a light... I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1998 in Yorkshire. I have the specialists letter. My old Doc said it might not be and there are nerve-attacking germs that mimick it. I have had 2 small attacks in 20 years.. burning skin for a few weeks... Tricky business this health stuff...
I’ve just bought a meter. I feel ashamed that I’m moaning about this and you have MS...yes health is such a worry. I wish you well; a very good friend of mine has MS and she is an inspiration the way she deals with it.
Perhaps my old doc was right about it not been a death sentence in that my episodes have been slight over 20 years in comparison to some, but when you get the phone call and then a letter from a top specialist neurosurgeon saying "sorry', it sure takes you aback. Same with this atrial stuff, but it too is very slight compared to real ventricular heart disease so we will overcome it with a bit of ablation if necessary....Huge success rates with that stuff... But heck it is scary at first
Its hard to change habits especially those that you enjoy..if you live a nornal life and not as a hermit there will be stressful periods, times when you dont exercise, eat and drink to much..dont be to hard on yourself no one's going to give you a 100% guarantee if you live a perfect life you wont get Afib, or any other illness if only it were that simple
all things in moderation is the way forward IMO
Ive praticed yoga for 10+ years it didnt stop me getting Afib, I had my first episode after coming home from the gym..pushing myself to hard I believe 
You are right....living a restricted life is annoying. I have only had one episode and I am on beta blockers which may prevent another OR I may never have another without beta blockers. I feel physically great but mentally stressed with all this. They wAnt to do a final MRI before discharging me. I’m worried about that now! Lol
Be positive about the MRI...if an issue comes to light you have an opportunity to get it resolved..early diagnoses is key...I wish you well and good luck
Thanks so much, Roto. Best wishes to you too. My first was after the gym too. 🥴
Interesting...the cardiologist I saw when first diagnosed told me I had an athletic heart...I was more than surprised..dont consider myself athletic by any means..he said Afib is quite common among sporty people..?
Omg....exactly the same as me! That’s mad. They told me a heart like an endurance athlete?!
....and yes, sporty people had it.
I dont push myself now, Ive gone 180 degrees almost I dont see any reson in pushing myself into an early grave, some of the people i do yoga with are as fit as fleas and thin as pencils, there main exercise is yoga
I leave some classes wrecked and dripping like a tap depending on the instructor It can be really hard...
Unbelievable - your doctor knows nothing about sugar and dehydration causing Afib. In any case, since you are so young, try the following. This will keep it from happening again for quite a long time:
------------------------------------------
After 9 years of trying different foods and logging EVERYTHING I ate, I found sugar (and to a lesser degree, salt – i.e. dehydration) was triggering my Afib. Doctors don't want to hear this - there is no money in telling patients to eat less sugar. Each person has a different sugar threshold - and it changes as you get older, so you need to count every gram of sugar you eat every day (including natural sugars in fruits, etc.). My tolerance level was 190 grams of sugar per day 8 years ago, 85 grams a year and a half ago, and 60 grams today, so AFIB episodes are more frequent and last longer. If you keep your intake of sugar below your threshold level your AFIB will not happen again (easier said than done of course). It's not the food - it's the sugar (or salt - see below) IN the food that's causing your problems. Try it and you will see - should only take you 1 or 2 months of trial-and-error to find your threshold level. And for the record - ALL sugars are treated the same (honey, refined, agave, natural sugars in fruits, etc.). I successfully triggered AFIB by eating a bunch of plums and peaches one day just to test it out. In addition, I have noticed that moderate exercise (7-mile bike ride or 5-mile hike in the park) often puts my Afib heart back in to normal rhythm a couple hours later. Don’t know why – perhaps you burn off the excess sugars in your blood/muscles or sweat out excess salt??
Also, in addition to sugar, if you are dehydrated - this will trigger AFIB as well. It seems (but I have no proof of this) that a little uptick of salt in your blood is being treated the same as an uptick of sugar - both cause AFIB episodes. (I’m not a doctor – it may be the sugar in your muscles/organs and not in your blood, don’t know). In any case you have to keep hydrated, and not eat too much salt. The root problem is that our bodies are not processing sugar/salt properly and no doctor knows why, but the AFIB seems to be a symptom of this and not the primary problem, but medicine is not advanced enough to know the core reason that causes AFIB at this time. You can have a healthy heart and still have Afib – something inside us is triggering it when we eat too much sugar or get (even a little) dehydrated. Find out the core reason for this and you will be a millionaire and make the cover of Time Magazine! Good luck! - Rick Hyer
Wow! Very detailed and sensible advice...much appreciated. My GP thinks it may be just a one off after lots of caffeine and is not even sure I went into AFib. He thinks the series of ectopics brought on a panic attack. I can’t see how panic would increase my heart rate to 180 for a few hours though. Goodness knows. They are doing an mri before possibly discharging me. Very interesting about the sugar! I will defo monitor. Also, I will remain thoroughly hydrated. I am so upset about all this.
Don't underestimate the power of the brain. It can make you VERY sick, including mimicking a heart attack (increasing the heart rate is nothing for the brain). Keep the brain and stress under control, or it will control you.
- Rick.
Thanks so much Rick...and how right you are about the brain. An incredibly clever but sometimes cruel organ. Stress is my worst enemy; time to do something about it.
Julia
Thanks so much for your very caring, supportive and detailed replies; much appreciated. I’ve been asked to go for an MRI before they discharge me from their care. The new cardiologist is very thorough apparently. This is freaking me out now, lol. They said because I’m young and adopted (no family history) she wants to do this.
Hi Julia
I’ve had AF since I was 25 I’m 50 now but it was never confirmed until 5 years ago that’s what I’ve got. I take flecanide and Tildiem but was put on warfarin after having a tia 3 years ago, thankfully I’m ok and like many of us I’ve learnt to live with the AF. I know what triggers it within reason and although i get it most days I’m a builder and still manage ok. I’m booked for an ablation later this year as in my area there’s a 3-4 month wait. Exercise and a healthy lifestyle can really help AF.
Regards
Peter
Hi Julia,
My advice, never, ever give up.
AF is a fairly well understood electrophysiological condition, from an engineering point of view, a simple problem. I feel confident that among the variety of potential treatments, you will find a solution. Like you, I am fairly active. And I am happy to say that I have been free of the problem, without taking any medication, for about three years.
You may need to search hard, to find a suitable medico. I did not want to manage the condition but be rid of it. Fortunately, I came across a progressive cardiologist who helped me to achieve just that.
Best wishes
J (-:
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