Waking up with A Fib

[Chicos]

Has anyone else woken up with AFib? I have PAF and have had very few episodes however this is the 3rd time in a year.

Thanks

[Polly159]

Yes - especially if I've gone over on to my left side. Sometimes, though, I also fall asleep in the middle of an episode and waken up afib-free - though unfortunately not always or if Afib-free, can start up again fairly soon. Does what it likes, really. Re 'more episodes' - as many folk have said 'Afib begets Afib', (or as cardiologists seem to like to say 'your heart likes being in afib' - never quite understood that one???) so episodes can increase in frequency.

[Slim2018 in reply to Polly159]

Your heart likes being in Afib...never heard that before. Does the heart not know who the boss is?

[Hidden in reply to Slim2018]

My EP told me the same. The heart despite working hard 24/7 is lazy.

If it could be in AF it would love to.

[Polly159 in reply to Slim2018]

Who's boss? Always a problem!

[Slim2018]

Everytine I had flutter (once) and fibrillation (four times) since August 2018 it has always been when asleep between 12.30 am and 1.00 am. My consultant reckons I have a strong slow beating heart at night (good thing) but it means that the irregular beats essentially break through between the slow beats. Didn’t happen from October 2018 to August 2019, then wham three times within a month. Bummer but the Flecainide seems to be doing the trick.

[Jalia]

This has happened to me so many times over the years that I have lost count. In fact my most persistent bouts started this way.

Having recently announced that I have been AF free for 18 months I woke up at 6 am on Tuesday in A/ flutter at 135bpm......still going strong 5 days later in spite of upping my antiarrhythmic drug on advice of AE ......

[sotolol]

All my episodes have woken me up about 2am-4am. On the good side A&E is less busy. Having an echo soon and holter then consultant. Bored now 😑 Happy days.

[Hidden]

Yes. Most of my PAF is at night. This means it is very likely to be vagal AF. I find that not eating or drinking for about 3 hours before bed, taking medication (Sotalol in my case) very late and, above all, unwinding for several hours before bed helps considerably. It doesn’t make any difference whether I sleep on my right or left side.

[sotolol in reply to Hidden]

You sound like me. I am on sotalol as well. I do Su Doku before bed to try to switch my thoughts off. On sertraline too as had a rough few years of grieving. I’ll try the not drinking before bed as I drink lots of water and tea 🤶🏻😩

[LouBrig]

My episodes only ever wake me up in sleep. Allegedly Vagal induced. So I avoid stress if I can, no caffeine or alcohol and limit dark chocolate. I’ve been searching for 3 years to identify my triggers but not a clue!

[sotolol in reply to LouBrig]

I seem to hold my breath a lot during the day. I know I’m mental

[LouBrig in reply to sotolol]

Not sure I understand your reply?

[sotolol in reply to LouBrig]

I seem to hold my breath when I concentrate. Also when I’m stressed. I’m doing more breathing exercises to be aware to fill my lungs not just do diaphragm shallow breaths.

[sotolol in reply to LouBrig]

Hope that explains my text. Sorry.

[pottypete1]

I tracked my AF for over a year.

The results were that during that period 56% of the episodes started on waking in the morning.

It might be linked with sleep apnea. Do the test (readily available online)and see what your score is.

Pete

[sotolol]

Ok well when you do let me know. Lol

[Goose33483]

I find when it happens in the middle of the night it’s caused by dehydration. Take magnesium and water, water, water!!!!

[sotolol in reply to Goose33483]

I have a jug full of water everyday. Also a bottle when I go to bed as mouth gets so dry with drugs. I been taking magnesium for years for my bones to start with now heart. As it’s been said on here before AF IS A MONGREL I think it’s like sadness it comes and finds you. 👻

[goldey]

I usually never feel my AFib -- but three times when I was woken up suddenly while taking a nap in my recliner I work up with an episode. But it settled down in less than 5 minutes. My recliner only reclines a few degrees, I am almost straight up. I always wondered if the heart acts a little differently when we sleep practically upright rather than when laying down.

[cpalmermn]

Lots of reasons Afib comes in our sleep. Unbalances of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Vagal tone. Etc. Do your episodes self-terminate? Mine started at 1x per year became more often to 4x per week, so finally had ablation a couple weeks ago. The storm seems to be calmed so far..

[Magson]

I recorded every episode of AF for over 3 years. 110 episodes. 90% started around 2.00am. Bisopropol didn't help. Slowed the heart down. Now I don't record them because I am AF free after ablation last November. Bisopropol and fleicanide have gone. Happy days! But I am not taking everything for granted. AF filled me with a sense of dread over many years. Very glad to be AF free.

[HiloHairy]

Always in the middle of the night after having eaten a salty meal in a restaurant that evening.

[Hidden]

Yes, it has often woken me up but I take my flecainide (and bisoprolol on occasions) and episodes rarely last more than two hours and often less so I can get back to sleep again!

[Madscientist16]

If you often wake in AF, please consider having a sleep study. Sleep apnea and AF can be related. Treatment of sleep apnea can reduce the frequency and severity of AF episodes.

[sotolol in reply to Madscientist16]

Having an echo tomorrow then holter in a few weeks. Hopefully I’ll get more questions answered. I think they are fed up of me going to ED. It’s been a while since last check up. I’m older so it must of got worse.

[checkmypulse]

80% of my AF episodes occurred during the night, ie went to sleep in SR and woke at usual time in AF. I have read this could be Vagal AF but AF also used to come and go with exercise, stress and the the predicable cause, a beer, just a shandy! Being only 8 stone medics said SA was not possible but EP pursued issue and I was told I had moderate SA for which I have a CPAP. 2 Ablations and 3.5 years free of AF so far.

[Lahodges10]

My worst episodes are always in the night. No idea why. I also have PAF.

[Madscientist16 in reply to Lahodges10]

You should find out if you have sleep apnea too.