How long have you had Afib?

[31WithAfib]

I was just curious if anyone here has had Afib for 20 years or more. I was diagnosed at 31 so I was wondering what I have to look forward to... I was converted at 31. I am now 35 and have only had minor issues since. Nothing that has sent me to the hospital. If you don’t mind sharing how long have you had Afib and how did your symptoms progress with each decade... Thanks in advance!

[Ianc2]

Mine started at about 55 and was treated by a variety of pills. It slowly got worse. When I was 69 I had valve surgery followed by an ablation at age 70, which worked for about a year. I have been offered another ablation which has a 30% chance of damage because it is in a difficult area to get at. I am now 75 so the risk/benefit is not in my favour.

I regard it as a bad if I can't get 10.000 steps or more in every day. In your shoes I would avoid refined foods e.g. white flour, cakes, pastries, and avoid sugar like poison. Follow the Mediterranean diet, take steady exercise and keep your waist at half your height and enjoy life - there is a great world out there. Moderation in all things is the motto

[Hidden]

Hi, I see you are from the USA so your treatment arrangements are likely to be very different to those in the UK. Are you aware of what might have caused you to have AF at a relatively young age. Very often, younger folk who are passionate about various forms of extreme sports succumb to AF and it can also happen if they make bad choices about lifestyle options. I’m not medically trained, so I can only share personal views and opinions but because AF is what we call a “mongrel” condition it is virtually impossible to say how your condition is likely to evolve. The important things to consider is that AF is generally known to be a progressive condition in that episodes become more frequent and at some stage, may even become permanent unless there is some form of medical intervention. Although that will sound like a grim outlook, provided the AF is controlled with either medication or invasive treatments, most go on to live long and relatively normal lives.

Very often, for younger patients, it is suggested that the sooner they have treatment (catheter ablation) the more effective it is likely to be but this really has to be discussed with an EP (Electrophysiologist) because this is totally dependant on the overall condition and circumstances of the patient. Whilst a catheter ablation is not without risk, it is a relatively low level of risk, especially for a young and fit individual. Because your condition appears to have remained fairly stable for 5 years, I guess there may be every chance that this could continue especially if you follow good lifestyle advice but it is only a guess.

I appreciate this is not addressing your direct question but I anticipate that there may not be that many members who have been in your situation but those who have, I’m sure will share their experiences so hope you get the answers you are seeking.......l

[pottypete1]

I was 42 when I first had AF. I am now 73 and not a lot changed until I had a series of ablations between 2009 & 2017 that whilst not curing me (there isn’t a cure as such) improved my quality of life.

We however all different so it is unwise to compare one story with another.

Quite honestly if I had what you called “minor issues “ over a period of 4 years I would be over the moon.

Keep safe.

Pete

[CDreamer]

Diagnosed in 2007 aged 57 but probably had AF for a good 4-5 years before diagnosis with only occasional but very symptomatic episodes but as I wasn’t in a position to seek medical attention when those episodes happened, I didn’t seek medical advice until 2006 but took a good 12 months to get diagnosis as I always self converted before I could get an ECG.

Did the gamut of drugs which made me feel a lot worse, ablation 2013 & 2014. Gap of 3 years with no AF then gradually returned until it was daily.

Went down Pace & Ablate Route in 2018 but PM seemed to work ver well for me & stopped all but 2 episodes, both when I had serious chest infections.

I now get the odd lump & bump, ectopic & few minutes of tachycardia but nothing to speak of.

AF is a very diverse condition, as others have said and everyone’s journey is individual but there are some underlying conditions and lifestyle choices which if treated, can stop AF whilst others do all the right things, have no other conditions & are still plagued by the beast.

Hopefully you will stay AF free but be aware that as you age ie: into your 60’s there is a chance it may return so do all you can to stay well, fit and well nourished now so you reduce your risk.

Best wishes & hope that helped.

[Hidden]

Hi there,I was 65 when AF mugged me. I am now 76. Once I identified the trigger of my AF was food which caused the following symptoms; massive and painful bloating, intestinal gurgling, burping and diahorrea ( which caused my GP to have me blood tested for IBS and Coeliac Disease, which came back all clear on both counts) I consulted a Nutritionist ( Dietician) who initially prescribed a course of Probiotics, then advised me to go gluten and wheat free. To which I have added oats and a wide range of foods including many veggies. My overall AF health has improved and my last two serious AF events were in Feb 2018 and April 2015. However, I have had several runs/bouts of very fast heart rate events but these didn't last long. My major healthcare issues these days are osteoarthritis in both shoulders, particularly the left. I might add that at the time of diagnosis I was already taking statins and high BP medication. My cardiac consultant then added to the party bag, Bisoprolol ( for heart rate control) and Warfarin (Coumadin) as my anticoagulant. I am still on this medication in exactly the same doses as originally prescribed.

Hope this helps.

John

[Buffafly]

I’ve had it diagnosed for 20 years, I have ‘runs’ of AF usually as a result of an aggravating factor such as a virus, better since I had an ablation 5 years ago. I think people always used to have it from a youngish age but it wasn’t diagnosed because doctors thought it was a condition of old age.

[Kaz747]

I was diagnosed with SVT nearly 5 years ago after ankle surgery (age 51). Then 2 1/2 years ago (age 54) I was diagnosed with Atrial Flutter and a few months later with Atrial Fibrillation. Doctors said the pain of my injury and the anaesthetist/surgery may have triggered the arrhythmias but there would have been an underlying propensity. It’s likely that the preeclampsia I had with both my pregnancies is linked to my current heart issues plus genetics. A high profile preventative cardiologist here is Australia often says the best thing you can do to prevent heart problems is to choose your parents well.

[Hidden]

My serious problems with arrhythmia started when I was 55 (now 68). First a 2 week long bout of PVCs, than Atrial Fibrillation which would usually come at night and last till 9-10 o'clock in the morning. Despite very frequent bouts of AF at night (with mild symptoms), no medication, no ablation, no cardioversion until now and hope it stays so... Both, father and mother, with arrhythmia. First bout of arrhythmia (not diagnosed, most probably sinus tachycardia, lasting couple of hours) at about 17 of age. Second bout (maybe ventricular tachycardia, lasting for a day) at about 47, what was the sign that my older age will be with more arrhythmia.

If a person is prone to arrhythmia (there are maybe 20 kinds of them or more), than any of these may come any moment in the life, without any rules. Even more, it is possible to have two different types of arrhythmia active at the same time (officially reported). Keeping an eye on physical exertion and keeping the weight low (say max. BMI 25) will be of much help to all people with arrhythmia problems.

[opal11uk]

I have had it now for over 20 years, first time I ended up in hospital and then did not have another 'episode\ for about a year, after that it became a regular visitor, not for long periods of time but it was there, I had a good cardiologist and she medicated me, I would take one drug which in itself lasted about a year and then the condition would over ride the medication until I had almost tried them all over a period of years. I had a very stressful job and my cardio told me that this in itself, the stress, exascerbated the P/A/F. I had avoided any talk of ablation but then in 2000 the A/F gave me a stroke, I was hospitalised for 2 weeks but fully recovered apart from loss of using my vast vocabulary lol, however it forced me to retire at the age of 56 but II was grateful to still be here. I was put on anti coagulant, Warfarin, and meds were changed, condition persisted until 3 Years ago I had an unsuccessful ablation which made me worse if anything although subtly changed it and I was fitted with a Pacemaker. This has been a success, I still take drugs but my A/F is a thing of the distant past, I now for the first time enjoy a good quality of life without it. Yes, I know I am not drug free, I still take an anticoagulant and 2 different drugs each day but weighing it up its worth it. Things in the medical field are constantly changing so new procedures and medications may be on the horizon. My advice to you is to try and lead as stress free a life as you can, exercise but moderately, stay off the alcohol and take light rather than heavy meals and watch your weight, in other words lead a healthy lifestyle, at 77 I do know what I am talking about lol

[MalJam]

Artificial sweeteners and MSG was the cause for my Afib. Worth a try.

[Pita]

I was first diagnosed in 81 with AF whilst hooked up complaining of chest pain and palpitations in A&E, I was given no medication at that time. I started medication in 2000, which seemed to help, AF then started to get worse persistent I also had SVT and Flutter to throw in the mix, I had 2 RF Ablations in 2011, 6 months apart, then a duel pacemaker fitted in 2012, I was getting long pauses of around 9secs longest was 11 secs and low heart rate, that is why I had the pacemaker fitted.

I am still on medication including anti-coag, ans still get af and svt abiet only short runs but getting more frequent now. I have already been told by 2 consultants that I will not be able to have anymore ablations. I do have heart disease, also have angina and micro vascular dysfunction

[sdweller]

I also developed afib young, in my mid-30's. For me it is hereditary/familial as my Dad and his Mom also had/have it. I had my first ablation in 2006 at the Ckleveland Clinic, was wonderful for 15 years, but not it';s come back a bit and had my 2nd ablation this year, so far so good. The good news for you is there are more options for you now than I had, and more coming. They are much better at ablations also, and better techniques coming soon. You have alot of hope, and in my humble opinion, you have a very good chance of fixing your afib IF you spend the time and effort to find a good EP and utilize the better ablation techniques available.

[DawnTX]

I have had it at least two years that I am aware of. That is when I first blacked out and hit the floor and blacked out again and hit the floor. It started with an abnormal EKG. Catheterization did not show why it only showed I had no blockages etc. it took eight months for them to figure out I had a fib and it’s because I had a loop recorder planted. Within two weeks they had the answer and I was in almost permanent a fib. The past year has been hell. I was under some serious stress just before it kicked in being so bad. It has been continuous pretty much especially since my procedure the end of April which was an aggressive one. As I write you I am exhausted and laying down and can barely walk across the room. Not sure what’s next but also as I lay here I can feel my heart and it has an ache feeling each time it beats. Six weeks after the procedure I was NSR according to my doctor but even getting into his office building I thought I was gonna fall down and die because I could not breathe and walk. I have had pericarditis three times once after each procedure. I never thought about dying from this I didn’t think a fib was a big deal but now I think I’m scared. I had high hopes. I can’t imagine going 20 years feeling the way I am right now you are a trooper