Unsure if this is a fib: Hi all, hope... - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

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Unsure if this is a fib

Goldenheart profile image
26 Replies

Hi all, hope everyones well as can be in these uncertain times. Twice recently,ive had weird symptoms,after a cold fizzy drink. Experienced what felt like a tight esophagul spasm,ive had these before. Aswell as very painful,tight chest pain,i felt an instant weak sensation,and a bit lightheaded. I took an alive cor reading,it showed a fib. But i felt no heart racing,or flutters. It lasted about half an hour. My last cardio appt was 14 month ago, and counting.......so just wondered is this familiar to anyone.

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Goldenheart profile image
Goldenheart
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26 Replies
Paulbounce profile image
Paulbounce

I haven't experienced what you mention. However if you have any chest pain it's better to contact a doctor asap.

You won't always feel a racing heart if you are in afib. It's certainly worth making another appointment with your cardio to check things out after 14 months.

If you have a pain in your chest I would suggest contacting the emergency services there and then. Maybe everything will be fine - don't risk it though and play safe.

Paul

Goldenheart profile image
Goldenheart in reply toPaulbounce

Thankyou for replying. I did contact my general gp,was told my appt will be significantly delayed,due to covid. I do have coronary artery spasms too, and arrythmias ,proof of which i have on my alive cor. I have used the emergency services,in the past, which im not keen on, ,episodes of spasms,or arythmias,usually abate by the time the dctrs see me in the emergency departments.

Padayn01 profile image
Padayn01 in reply toGoldenheart

Get it checked out anyway i went to A&E the other week as my ectopics were very bad so worth getting checked out especially any pain or dizziness occur

Padayn01 profile image
Padayn01

Stay away from fizzy drinks will be my first piece of advice especially if you have AFIB, you said you had these symptoms before?

Goldenheart profile image
Goldenheart in reply toPadayn01

Ive had painful nutcracker esophagul spasms,yes. But never had a weak sensation, or an a fib recording,during them.

I rather think it is all things to all people. When mine first kicked off in Jan 2010 I thought I was going down with flu. Then my blood pressure played up and by 4pm it was down to 76/50, my GP then had me admitted to A&E. So some 9 hours after going down with flu ( so to speak) I had an AF diagnosis.

John

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

Quite a few contributors have mentioned cold, fizzy drinks as a trigger for an AF episode. I think cold drinks may have a Brain Freeze type of affect on the ANS for some people.

I would be cautious in future with any cold, fizzy and/or sugary drinks, including beers.

Goldenheart profile image
Goldenheart in reply toCDreamer

Thanks for replying, whats the ANS stand for?

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply toGoldenheart

Sorry, Autonomic Nervous System - vagal AF is AF triggered by the vagus nerve which is part of the ANS and which runs very close to the heart and through the stomach which is why some people find they react to certain foods and drinks by going into AF.

Goldenheart profile image
Goldenheart in reply toCDreamer

Ah that makes sense,that explains the stress connection too. Thankyou.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply toGoldenheart

Exactly.

Sfhmgusa profile image
Sfhmgusa in reply toCDreamer

this sounds like a very spoiled brat comment but I avoid champagne now i think the combination of Cold & bubbles is a real trigger

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly in reply toSfhmgusa

😢

Ianc2 profile image
Ianc2 in reply toSfhmgusa

Tragic. Sack cloth and ashes for you. Get thee to a nunnery, Woe and triple woe.

Sfhmgusa profile image
Sfhmgusa in reply toIanc2

😂

in reply toIanc2

😵😵😵

Jonathan_C profile image
Jonathan_C

Hi - FWIW i recently was sure i was in a-fib and went to see my cardiologist. I am in South Africa. The a-fib was imagined, but simply knowing that has been a massive help in giving me the peace and confidence to do the things i want to do.'

I am very surprised that Covid is the reason you cant see your doctor as cardiac disease is a major co-morbidity for covid...such are the contradictions of this rather strange time we are living in.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply toJonathan_C

There is no clarity as to whether arrythmias is a major co-morbidity for COVID in the UK.

Access to regular out patient clinics is variable - dependant upon whether or not the doctor’s concerned will run a virtual or telephone conferencing for follow-up, the back-log, the resources available etc. My GP surgery is running more or less as per normal except we are triaged as to whether or not a telephone consultation or a face to face is consult is required. I just received a letter for my regular annual heart check-up which is usually done with the Practice Nurse and only referred to a doctor if something unusual is flagged up so all normal follow-ups and monitoring continue. It’s not only COVID related, there is also a shortage of GPs generally in UK which can mean some people have to wait for appointments anyway.

Jonathan_C profile image
Jonathan_C in reply toCDreamer

Apologies.

I should have clarified that heart conditions are BELIEVED to be a co-morbidity.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply toJonathan_C

I think cardiovascular conditions are considered a high risk for COVID but evidence for AF is still unclear.

Hallju profile image
Hallju in reply toCDreamer

I just talked to my cardiology department, and they explained that heart disease (covid related) is a “plumbing” issue, and A-fib is an “electrical “ issue (not covid related). I thought that was a great explanation.

Sewnknit profile image
Sewnknit in reply toHallju

Ha!

This is how I explain my and my dearly beloved issues.

Him - heart attacks fixed with a stent, me sitting on a ward waiting for a pacemaker.

Goldenheart profile image
Goldenheart in reply toJonathan_C

Hi , i also have coronary artery spasm aswell as arrythmias. Ive had very lengthy delays between my cardio appts long before the covid situation too.

Jishing profile image
Jishing

Hi,

My Af started after I ate a breakfast bowl that had icy cold blended fruit, this triggered chest pain, and I felt very weak and sweaty and resulted in the Afib not racing pulse but a completely irregular pulse. The cardiologist said as the oesophagus is close the atria the freezing type affect can trigger AF in some people.

TheProf profile image
TheProf

A few years ago my wife had a similar experience after drinking a slush drink. She doesn't have afib but did have an ablation in2003 for PSVT.

Goldenheart profile image
Goldenheart in reply toTheProf

Hi, thats interesting,,,i had an ablation for svt too, eleven years ago,could be connected.?

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