RVR ??

[7164]

Do we all get RVR when we go into Afib?

That is the worst bit!! Feels like a basketball game in my chest.

Still learning 😊

[JaneFinn]

Hi 7164, still learning here too 😊

I only learnt what RVR meant after seeing it on my hospital discharge letter a few weeks back, and looking it up! I think it means rapid ventricular rate (or response) - and basically means what I’ve always just called “fast AF”?

Many of us do have fast AF (mine has so far always been around 180-190 bpm when in PAF) but others have AF that’s slower, either naturally or through medication. To be able to live with AF for any sustained length of time, my understanding is that the ventricular rate needs to be below 100. So we are given meds like beta-blockers to try to reduce the rate. And other treatment to try to put us back into sinus rhythm! What meds are you on?

I agree, I find the fast rate the most debilitating (and unpleasant!) thing... xx

[7164 in reply to JaneFinn]

Hi Jane

I’m on 3.75 mg of bisoprosol.

My cardiologist also put me on Digoxin but I could not tolerate it.

Have you found a way to stop it quickly? Can you just push through it?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to 7164]

Sorry but for the most part it stops when it wants to not when you want it to.

[JaneFinn in reply to 7164]

Ah my cardiologist is talking about putting me on digoxin - I’m reluctant, though I probably should do some research rather than make a knee jerk decision!

Like Bob says, I personally have never found any trick to stopping the AF. I keep meaning to read up on vagal manoeuvres, because there are people on here who have tried certain actions that have flipped them back into Sinus rhythm. (I imagine if you do a search for ‘vagal manoeuvres’ on here you might get some things to try.)

Also I recall several posts where people list what has helped them - such as breathing exercises, going to sleep etc. You could have a search & read and see if any appeal to you to try

The truth is that different things work for different people, and even those things that work once often don’t work another time!

For me, and I think some others, it does feel like when I’m about to go into AF (if I’m awake at the time), there’s a brief window of opportunity where the heart is revving itself to go into AF and I might be able to prevent it. It starts firing off irregularly- and if I stand up straight, relax all my body as much as possible, breathe deeply, stroll around, then AF may be averted. But not always. (And I may just be kidding myself I have any control over it at all 😆)

You ask if I can just push through? Because my rate is 180-190 I don’t feel up to doing anything at all - I can walk slowly to the loo (as you know, that’s an essential in AF!) but otherwise just sit or ideally lie down. I take an extra bisoprolol as instructed (I can’t take rhythm control meds) and try to sleep through it - listen to an audiobook, listen to a recording of a heartbeat in normal sinus rhythm - and hope and pray when I wake up the AF will be over. If it’s not, and the rate is still that high, then my instructions are to go to A&E, which I very much want to avoid!!

How long have your episodes been lasting? &What have you been advised to do? Xx

[7164 in reply to JaneFinn]

Hi Jane

My episodes last about 4 or 5 hrs. I tend to take another bisoprolol and lie down. Because I get a tight chest my gp had told me to go to A &E and they hook me up. I would rather not go.

Stress weight and wine got me here so they are going out and I hope the Afib might go too 🤞

[doodle68]

Hi 7164 I have a rapid heart rate when in P-AF , I haven't found a way to bring an episode to an end. I did once try drinking ice cold water very fast and the episode stopped shortly afterwards but I haven't been able to repeat this in subsiquent episodes so guess it it was just a coincidence the first time.

I have tried just about everything to terminate an episode and have come to the conclusion it is best to accept it and get through it as calmly as possible with relaxation and breathing techniques. I think maybe relaxing and staying calm does at least help the heart to cope by getting a maximum of oxygen in and out of the lungs.

[7164 in reply to doodle68]

Doodle

Thank you

At this stage all info helps

Rod

[doodle68]

Hi John wise or not I try to sleep through at least part of my long episodes (8-15hours) . With a dog to take out I can't just go to bed straight away when an episode starts but I do so when I can and so far when I wake in the morning the P-AF has gone.

[Barny12]

Is RVR the same as atrial flutter?

[7164 in reply to Barny12]

Barney

No I don’t think so

Bobs the man to ask 😊

[Hidden in reply to Barny12]

No

[Primetime165]

No. I don't.

[clemsonwebdesign]

RVR every time. Straight to the ER for a cardioversion. Rates between 140-180. Afib free now for 4 months since my first ablation. Praying for 4 more. I cant tolerate the rvr one bit. If i cant get cardioverted or they admit me, morphine is the only thing that helps me relax. Afib with rvr is torture!

[7164 in reply to clemsonwebdesign]

So true

Very scary👎

Rod

[Deb1838]

Sorry what is rvr

[7164 in reply to Deb1838]

Deb

Rapid Venticular Response

[Deb1838 in reply to 7164]

Oh thank you

[Coco51]

Deep 7/ 11 breathing with visualisation helps. Doesn't always stop it- I agree with others who say that. But it definitely lowers my heart rate probably by calming the sense of panic I get. I can bring the HR down in AF from 140 to 80-90 - 100. Still AF but slower which is manageable. Sometimes this stops it if I start it soon enough.