Sudden deep breaths

[ETFCfan]

This isn’t really a problem as it doesn’t bother me but I’m just curious. I’m in persistent AF and waiting for my third ablation. Since being in AF five years ago I do great big breaths which are involuntary. I did one while I was having an echo and was asked about it and told to tell the consultant but forgot! I’m doing it more at the moment and wonder if anyone knows anything about it?

[BobD Volunteer]

No but slow deep breathing is an excellent way of calming the vagus system and helping with AF so maybe you body knows more than you think

[ETFCfan in reply to BobD]

Thanks for replying Bob, I wondered that too as it’s such a huge deep sigh much bigger than I can do when I try.

[pottypete1]

Something like this wakes me at night and I need to calmly breath away to make things better.

As Bob says slow breathing really works.

Pete

[ETFCfan in reply to pottypete1]

Thanks Pete, I think my normal breathing is probably too shallow, I must try to deep breathe more.

[Tryfan]

Please try box breathing. At night before sleep and in the daytime when you remember. Start all in and out through the nose. Though some may say pursed exhalation through the mouth is better. Thats as if you were trying to whistle. See what you find best.

Inhale count (start with 4) hold for 4 exhale gently slowly for 5, dont inhale for 4. Then repeat. Once practised increase each repetition by 1 ie in for 5 etc. Slows everything down.

[ETFCfan in reply to Tryfan]

Thank you very much, I’ll give it a try.