Length of episodes

[trixie100]

Does anyone know why a f episodes differ in length sometimes mine last for days other times just hours ?

[BobD Volunteer]

Because they can. AF is a mongrel condition with few commonalities between patients.

[Spangle14]

It is a real mystery! To my knowledge, I have had four episodes - the first lasted about 2.5 hours and reverted to sinus rhythm without intervention, though I had been taken to A&E. The second lasted about 6 hours and was brought back to sinus rythmn with beta lockers and magnesium (again in A&E). The other two were detected on my Kardia monitor at home and were very short-lived, no more than 10m or so. I may have had other episodes that I simply haven't been aware of - 3 of the episodes were obvious to me. Not sure that that really helps you but it probably gives you some idea of its strange behaviour!

[Paulbounce]

Sorry Trixie - but it's one of those things were not one size fits all. Afib can last for minutes / days / months / years / life.

I don't know what med's you are on. I'm on flec (which works wonders at the moment) and at the first sign I take my extra dose.

May I also suggest learning the correct breathing exercises (regardless of if you are on med's or not) as this can really help to settle your heart - nothing is lost by doing this.

I think it's very good news you revert back to sinus though. Even if it takes a few days it shows you are getting back on track.

Good luck.

Paul

[Karendeena in reply to Paulbounce]

I can set a clock by my episodes, when one starts I feel the all too familiar flutter, then 'bang heart goes off on one, all over the place and galloping along. I get grumpy, moody, sweaty and know I have to put up with it for 24 hours, almost to the hour! I'm on sotalol twice per day and I thought I had cracked it! Going for the ablation as hope to get some life back!

[Griffin9 in reply to Karendeena]

That sounds familiar. Around 11:30 pm to 1:30 am knock knock, then we're off. 5 hours of lying on my back then, it fizzles out, I turn over and go to sleep.

[Spud12345 in reply to Griffin9]

Sounds like me. Vagal a fib. Don’t eat late and lay on your left side and…

[Spud12345 in reply to Paulbounce]

What is the correct breathing method??

[Paulbounce in reply to Spud12345]

There are few Spud. Normally slow contolled breathing - may I suggust though you Goolge this one and find out what best what works for you.

Paul

[Griffin9]

I've just joined the forum. So far I haven't had any meds or treatment as my AF was occurring about once a month and wasn't recorded until last month despite having 2 heart monitors fitted in 2 years.

My AF can occur at any time, although it usually happens every 4 weeks. It has always started in the evenings and the rapid beating usually lasts 5 hours. So in some ways, it's very predictable, but it can also start up in between and sometimes fizzles out after an hour or two.

[Karendeena in reply to Griffin9]

Hiya, I am surprised you are not on any meds at the very least a blood thinner to reduce your risk of stroke. Are you under a cardiologist or EP?

[Griffin9 in reply to Karendeena]

Hi, now that I have a proper disagnosis, my Cardiologist has recommended blood thinners, a beta blocker and something to control rhythm. I'm waiting for my doctor to issue the prescription, although she said I need to go to a hemotology clinic to get the treatment signed off. Once I've started taking the medication, I will book in for a 24 hour heart monitor.

It's taken a while, but I feel like the past month has answered my concerns and I'm getting somewhere.

[Karendeena in reply to Griffin9]

Hey Griffin, push it along as quick as you can! I first had an episode over 2 years ago which I put down to stress. Nothing then that I am aware of until June last year when it kicked off when I was in the garden in the heat. Then again in July and August which put me into hospital twice with overnight stays. I had a barrage of tests, x rays, bloods and finally echocardiogram to look more closely at the heart ❤ I was diagnosed with lone paroxysmal afib with no reason/structural problem with my heart. As I had insurance that paid for a consultation I took myself off to see an EP who gave me the facts to consider. His words...."This is very common and not life-threatening in itself , however you are 5 times more likely to have a stroke and the episodes will probably become more frequent and last longer until it becomes persistent. To tackle it now he put me on sotalol 40mg twice daily, apixaban for blood thinner to help prevent stroke. He gave me 80% success rate from ablation if done whilst in early stages, once the disease progresses to being persistent the success rate goes down to 60%. He is a top EP and known over the world so I think I will take his advice and go for the ablation. I am seeing him again on 8th Feb so will let you know.

The quicker you get on meds the safer you will be from this annoying condition.

[Spud12345 in reply to Griffin9]

My afib happens every 4 weeks also. I’m trying hormone replacement at 59 years old-plant based no soy

[Aus19]

This is a very good question, trixie100. I wish I had an answer. Some people speak of AF episodes being "triggered" (by alcohol, coffee, stress, etc), but mine have no triggers at all. Like you, sometimes my episodes are lengthy, other times they resolve quite quickly - without any explanation (my medication is the same every day). It's a mysterious condition, unfortunately.

[Griffin9 in reply to Aus19]

I used to keep a food diary as I thought it was caffeine, alcohol, msg etc, but there was no connection. I could get quite drunk and have no symptoms and on other occasions have a few drinks and have symptons. Food doesn't seem to be a factor for me either. I gave up trying to find a trigger. I know roughly when to expect an episode by the length of time since the last one.

[Singwell]

I've never self converted, always needed medication. Possibly I might convert if I stuck it out but my pattern is to go up and down in BPM with a general rising trend which continues 14+ hours by which time I've had enough of it. I now take extra pill in the pocket and can get back into NSR between 1-2.5 hours.

[NannyNooNoo]

My OH seems to have a pattern - 3 days in AF, followed by 6 days in SR! Never managed to find a trigger, but always has an upset tummy when flipping either way! Waiting for a 2nd ablation.

[planetiowa]

As you'll see everyone's AF is different. For me, an episode will last about 7-8 hours before ending on its own if I don't do anything. However, if I go for a run and bring my heart rate up for a period of time, I am able to self-convert almost 100% of the time. For others, this won't work at all.