How long until Afib is usually considered dangerous?

My Afib is lasting since 5 in the morning, it's been 12 hours now, my heart rate is constantly 90s to 110s and the highest today was 130s.. I'm getting palpitations now, I've been to the hospital 5 times in a row and all they are saying is that it's normal.. and that the ecg and blood work shows nothing.. I don't know what to do anymore.. I'm very stressed aswell, the folks here do not want me to call 911 until I faint or otherwise

[jeanjeannie50]

As you may already know AF is an irregular heartbeat. So each beat can be erratic, often normal mixed with lots of extra beats. That is why when you check it, it's all over the place and the higher beats you're recording are the extra ones. It has been discovered that most healthy people have extra beats at times. Also anxiety can keep those abnormal beats coming. So sometimes when we go to hospital and feel safe the rate returns to normal. I'm not medically qualified, so can only guess from what you have said that this could be what's happening to you. Many people have discovered that slow deep breathing can return the beat to normal, so please give this a try. Also try to take your mind off what your heart is doing, watch something on TV, read a book or take a nap.

Some things can trigger the abnormal rate, such as caffeine, artificial additives in food and alcohol. Taking magnesium has helped many members here. I would urge you to Google York Cardiology on You Tube and watch some of the talks Dr Sanjay Gupta of York hospital in the UK has made. They are interesting and full of sensible information.

If you need any further advice, just ask here.

Jean

[jeanjeannie50]

I didn't answer your question, how long before AF becomes dangerous. The answer is it's never usually considered dangerous. Lots of people on this forum are in constant AF. I would only get help if it was making me feel dizzy, sick, faint or causing chest pain. Are you taking any pills and may I ask if you're aged over 60?

[Thomps95]

If you feel very unwell and faint - and your heart rate is extremely rapid, then you need to consider going to emergency. If you sense that your blood pressure is too low, try lying with your feet elevated. It really works! And if you start to come out of it - stay as still and calm as possible for at least 15-20 mins until it stabilizes.

[R1100S1]

Over 10 years for me and not considered dangerous

[Lizie-Loo2013]

Hello there. I’ve just come out of Af after 2 weeks of high/low heartbeat, tight chest and sometimes light head!

Although it really scares me, I do try and stay calm. Keep my mind off my crazy heart and potter around a bit or concentrate on reading.

It’s horrible playing the waiting game, but so relieved when it calms to n s r.

[tunybgur]

Hi,

Have you actually been diagnosed with Afib? Afib is a specific heart rhythm disorder, very common especially as we get older, not considered life threatening but does require some treatment normally with anti-coagulents.

You say you are very stressed, this will be releasing adrenaline into your bloodstream and your heart rate will naturally increase, a vicious cycle.

5am is an awful time to start worrying, everything seems to be so much worse early in the morning, you really must try and relax and see if this resolves the issue.

There are many natural relaxation techniques which you can try, slow deep breathing exercises are very effective, just search the web and follow some of the techniques there, also search relaxing music, there's lots on Youtube, it's very calming playing in the background, and avoid caffiene and energy drinks etc.

If none of this helps you must once again seek medical help, but stress and worry will exacerbate any heart condition.

Good luck and please don't worry.

[sirey]

Before my ablation my AF could last up to 25 hours. I was always under the impression that unless there was actual chest pain it was best not to go to hospital. I know it’s a horrible feeling, hope you soon revert to n.s.r. Do try and watch Dr Gupta from York he is so reassuring.

[BobD Volunteer]

generally speaking a rate of around 100 is not considered remotely dangerous as "normal is between 60 adn 100. If you have chest pain or fainting spells then get medical attention. otherwise learn all you can about AF and learn to relax and accept this is the new you.

Provided that you have been assessed for stroke risks and anticoagulated where necessary, AF is not considered dangerous or life reducing, only quality of life I'm afraid.

[Tryfan]

As mentioned by other members. Breathing LSD. Long slow deep. Through the nose and out of the nose. Avoid shallow mouth breathing. If you can on inhalation hold your breath and slowly exhale making if longer than the inhale.

[Goldfish7 in reply to Tryfan]

Don't know about the LSD - may speed up your heart rate and cause hallucinations!!!

[Tryfan in reply to Goldfish7]

It will, if you shallow breathe. My understanding is by slowing breathing you build up C02 which counter intuitively you need to stop getting light headed.

[Goldfish7 in reply to Tryfan]

Sorry Tryfan - I was just being silly about LSD as in the drug!! I do agree that slow breathing, Tai Chi breathing and Yoga circular breathing can really help.

[Tryfan in reply to Goldfish7]

Sorry I missed the pun. Must have my serious head on.

[Goldfish7 in reply to Tryfan]

Just didn't want you getting in trouble if we ended up with a lot of 'tripped out' hearties on the site!!!

[Barb1]

Please don't worry. I am in persistent AF with resting heart beat in the 90's going up to goodness knows what. If I get giddy whilst exercising or even after climbing the stairs then I know it is near 200, so I sit it out. Once or twice I have taken a 2.5mg bisoprolol if it hasn't calmed after 30 mins (I am on Nebivolol now.) I can get anxious, especially at night when I can feel the beats through my fingers and that makes it worse. I sit upright and have a fan on my face. Usually works. When all is back to 'normal,' I am hoping to have my 5th ablation. The last kept me AF free for 5 years.

[Gowers in reply to Barb1]

I have had 2 ablations & I don't at the moment think the last one - 3 months ago has worked. Cardiologist has said in his report he would be sceptical of doing another one.

I know quite a few on the forum have had more than one - how long have yours lasted please? I just wish there was a medication that could help cure it. But, we all react very differently to med's

[Barb1 in reply to Gowers]

Roughly, 6 mths, 18 months, 3 years, 5 years. There may be too much scarring to do another one but I would not hesitate as I am so symptomatic

[Heart1234Wisconsin]

While much of what folks have said here is useful, I am not sure they emphasized the risk of stroke with Afib. If you have afib you need to consider making sure you are taking anticoagulants. While afib itself won’t kill you, a stroke can , or at least seriously debilitate you. Check with your cardiologist. Do you have an electrophysiologist? Be good to get one.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Heart1234Wisconsin]

That's why I asked what age! No point saying much unless of a certain age.

[Thomas45]

I had paroxysmal AF for about twenty one years. Only admitted to hospital once, when I fainted, fell downstairs and knocked myself out. For the last 4 years I have had permanent AF, resting heart rate up to 110bpm. Only deemed to be dangerous once, during a full anaesthesia operation to remove my appendix, when my heart rate went over 200bpm. Paroxysmal AF feels awful. Try to rest. Make sure you're anti-coagulated under medical supervision. Try not to worry "What ifs".

[djmnet]

I'm persistent and have been for four months now with a resting rate between 85 and 110 or so (135-140 if I've been on the treadmill). It's not life threatening. Try to relax and not obsess over your heart rate, also deep breathing as others have suggested. If you can remove your anxiety about it, you will improve your life dramatically.

[Tony090575]

Try Blowing as if trying to blow a balloon up,or strain as if trying to go No 2. As this stimulates the VN and can help also ice cold water splashed on face and neck. Try head between knees and deep breathing.

[Singwell]

Hi, I've had PAF for just over 4 months. Suspect longer but undiagnosed. It's hard to believe that on its own it's not dangerous but my episodes last for hours. In my case, on the advice of my GP or in hospital (I've been twice but got through my most recent episode at home) I take a double dose of my arrythmia pills and that kicks me back in. As others say here, your heart rate will leap about. In my last episode it varied between 104 at the start to 144 when I got fed up after 14 hours of it. Do you have a general practitioner that you can call for advice? It sounds like you're in the US and I'm not sure how your system works. In my last episode I was able to call my GP in the morning to tell him I was in an episode. We both agreed hospital should be avoided! I asked him to call again at the end of the day as my heart rate was climbing and I didn't feel so good. That's when he advised me to take the double dose. Get your doctor to do some hand holding. That's what you pay them for. Good luck!