Was this afib? Or something else?

[Janith]

I was exercising in the Forrest this morning … very hot day … but lots of shade … well, afib decided to pay me a visit … during my walk … that has never happened before … and l exercise daily … the episode only lasted about one hour … heart rate went up to 110 … irregular … l came home and it was still erratic … l took 1/2 sotalol and drank my v8 juice and it started to calm down and did return to NSR. Why did this happen? The only thing that l can think of is that l forgot to take my magnesium taurate this morning. Any ideas?

[bmandel]

I wish l new, then we could control AFib!I was going through some papers a boom AFib hit me lasted all day. I call my doctor he told me to double my Diltiazemd witch made a total to 360mg. This put in NSR In a matter of a few minutes . However it dropped my bp below 100 sometimes to 80/65 and lower. Right now I’m in NSR.

The plan now if I go back into AFib is to take daily 180 mg Diltiazem and take 30mg of Diliazem

every 6 hours until I go back to NSR, I also take 160mg of sotalol daily. This a test to see if the 30 mg will get me in NSR without dropping my blood pressure. Who knows what causes you to go into AFib and or aflutter. Hopefully some day they’ll find the cause. In the meantime It’s informative to see what others people are doing to get in normal rhythm.

[Janith in reply to bmandel]

Thank you so much. Every time it happens it a huge psychological setback … l haven’t had an episode in three months and just when l get comfortable thinking that l am fine … boom … it rears its ugly head.

[Padayn01 in reply to Janith]

Can I ask how high was your heart rate when you were exercising when AFIB kicked in?

[Janith in reply to Padayn01]

I don’t know, l never monitor it when l am exercising … l don’t think that it was that high … when l arrived home it was approximately 110-115 … and it didn’t last too long … was that afib? Or some other condition … l wonder?

[Padayn01 in reply to Janith]

AFIB come in all different forms of heat rates so I can’t say for sure but if your HR was at around 120bpm during exercise that’s a safe level of exercise the thing is with AF it must be one of the most frustrating conditions out there you could be doing the same thing over and over again with no problems and then bang it comes have you had an abalation?

[Janith in reply to Padayn01]

No l have not … my cardiologist brings that up on occasion but l just don’t want one … a last resort. Thank you!

[Morphus in reply to Janith]

Please have faith and get an ablation. It will change your life so positively. My sister waited years to do it and wishes everyday that she had done it long ago. It has given her a new life.

[Janith in reply to Morphus]

My afib isn’t overly disruptive because of it’s duration … it doesn’t last very long … however it does do a # to my head and my peace of mind … my cardiologist brings it up occasionally yet l feel so reluctant … should it worsen in any way whatsoever … l will do it. I am reluctant to travel … that’s the problem … plus covid … we cannot travel anyway with this covid and it’s Delta variant … thank you … your words give me food for thought.

[Diver2 in reply to Janith]

Ablation do not work for everyone.

[FancyPants54 in reply to Janith]

I'm sorry this happened to you. Could your electrolytes have dropped too low in the heat and exercise?

This is why I prefer being in persistent AF. That awful phycological shock has gone. I barely notice it and if it ramps up a bit it isn't that much of a problem.

[Janith in reply to FancyPants54]

I hadn’t thought about that … l bet that was the reason! I have to add some electrolytes to my water. Thank you!! I use something called Lyteshow (for the perfect balance of electrolytes). I forget to use it ! I just added some to my water bottle.

[FancyPants54 in reply to Janith]

It's more important when it's hot too. So give that a try.

[Smileyian in reply to Janith]

Yes. I had for 40 years prior 2 ablations

[BobD Volunteer]

From my own experience I would suggest lack of good hydration.

[Janith in reply to BobD]

I agree and l was really wet when l walked into the house. I tell you, it wasn’t easy walking up the hill to my home with that outdoor temperature and my husband is in Europe.

[CDreamer]

Hot day, exercise = dehydration would be my guess.

Exercise can be a trigger for some people so it is a good idea to monitor your HR. Also remember that AF can tend to be progressive, whatever you do. It’s a chronic condition and may come and go without rhyme or reason.

[Hidden]

See: medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

Two related causes which seem relevant given what you have described are:

1) Exercise. Low or moderate intensity exercise is generally considered good for a person with A-fib. However, a sudden increase in exercise or a workout that is too intense can trigger an A-fib attack. Getting overheated or dehydrated while exercising can also trigger attacks.

2) Dehydration. Lack of electrolytes in the blood associated with dehydration, especially potassium, can trigger A-fib symptoms. Dehydration occurs during exercise, hot weather, and illness that causes vomiting or diarrhea.

Another important consideration might be whether episodes have become more frequent recently.

[Janith in reply to Hidden]

Maybe they have become more frequent … but they last less than one hour … sometime one-half hour … maybe every three to six months apart. It always seems to be about stomach issues or something that l have eaten … l had a shrimp salad the night before for din. Bloated feeling.

[Singwell]

I definitely empathise with the sense of setback and disappointed when an AF episode appears after a lovely long gap! Comfort yourself with the knowledge that it went away quickly - that's a good sign. I exercise daily too - I can get my HR to around 110 without mishap though I only do it for short bursts. It does sound like a combo of heat, exertion and loss of electrolytes due to sweating will have done the job. Maybe a bit of extra anxiety that your husband is away too do you think? Give yourself a day or two of gentle walking and then allow yourself to relax back into life. I tell myself "AF has paid a visit. And that's now over. ".

[Janith in reply to Singwell]

So right on and very good advice.

[Alphakiwi]

How do you know it was irregular. It may have been palpitations.

[Janith in reply to Alphakiwi]

I took my blood pressure reading and it said irregular heartbeat see your doctor. Plus l am very symptomatic when it happens … there is no mistaking it … but it didn’t go into a scary range … it wasn’t over 115 and when l go onto the treadmill l get it up to that rate and when l stop it immediately returns to normal.

[seasicksurf]

Dehydration is a common trigger. Could’ve been that or some other random deal. Everyone is so different in terms of the triggers and their reactions. Keep your hydro flask handy—especially in the woods on hot days

[Janith in reply to seasicksurf]

I will!

[Kmm96]

Might be worth getting an apple 6 watch with an ekg so you can know for sure. You also can tell if it’s AFIB by feeling your pulse in your neck as you’ll have two small beats followed by a large one. Prior to my ablation I thought I knew my triggers, but AFIB would always get the best of me. A lot of AFIB occurs from inflammation in the body, or a trigger to your v nerve. I assume you’ve had all the blood work to rule out a thyroid issue or other autoimmune issue that causes AFIB bouts? Any type of digestive issues is a big trigger. The problem is there are so many triggers, it’s hard to pinpoint the culprit. Have you ever thought about ablation?

[Janith in reply to Kmm96]

I have thought about it but my inner voice is yelling at me NO NO NO!

[Diver2 in reply to Janith]

I’ve had 3 ablations and each caused additional flutters and other problems. None of the ablations worked for more than a few hours. Every time they do one they are burning spots in your heart. You are right to listen to your inner voice !

[Janith in reply to Diver2]

Oh thank you soooooo much … l will only go as far as a cardioversion … no way ablation … and you have confirmed my concerns! 😚

[Janith]

THANK YOU ALL … WHAT WOULD I DO WITHOUT YOU?

[rof182]

Prior to my ablation I ran a points system in my mind. Emotional stress, lack of sleeping and alcohol/ unhealthy food each contributing one point. 2 points in my case meant danger zone, triggering some extra rest.

[Ducky2003]

Mine kicks off at times when I'm asleep so it's like Russian bloomin roulette........ I'm happy to avoid exercise but cant avoid sleep. 😊.

[Janith]

I feel guilty when l don’t exercise … like today … my husband doesn’t think that l should exercise today because of what happened yesterday … but l feel pretty good … maybe l will do a few rounds in the house … big house … or maybe l will give my bod a full day of rest?