Missing beats

[Hammerboy]

Hi everyone, I'm 2 years post cryo ablation and on the list for a follow up RF ablation as I still have episodes occasionally.

Thankfully I don't suffer too much , with sometimes months between a short lived (up to 12 hours) self resolving episodes . I generally feel a little weak and trembly with a tummy upset and frequent trips to the loo. The next day I'm usually quite tired so take it easy but back to normal until the unpredictable next time .

My last episode was a month ago after 5 months AF free but in the last few days I've noticed something quite different going on .

On Friday I felt the usual symptoms of onset AF but my heart was beating normally other than around every 5 or 6 beats there would be a missing one .I felt a little nausea but nothing else other than the feeling of an adrenaline rush at the missing beat This continued for an hour with the missing beats almost exactly at the 6th beat .It self resolved after that and I was fine all day Saturday.

Last night exactly the same thing happened and must have resolved overnight as I'm back to normal .My blood pressure on both occasions was normal as was my oxygen levels but this is something completely new as my PR wasn't the usually chaotic type I normally experience in AF but regular in between the missing beats .

Is this something I should be concerned about or a progression of AF possibly ?

[BobD Volunteer]

Ectopic beats like this are not AFand for the most part are benign. There is a slow deep breathng exercsie we promote which often helps greatly.

What does stand out is that your events are linked to gastric problems and I would suggest that it is these causing them. Maybe a long hard look at diet to discover a link?

[Hammerboy in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob , I have considered this link especially as I've experienced stomach issues for many years along with well controlled mild asthma.I've been through most of the relevant tests including sigmoidoscopy and recently colonoscopy which revealed nothing out of the ordinary. I've had 3 endoscopy procedures over the years , the first 2 showing inflammation of the stomach which resulted in a daily dose of Lanzoprazol 30mg which has stopped most reflux issues

The 3rd and most recent in 2017 I had done after my gallbladder removal and they found bile in my stomach which had been causing my tummy pain .

I've read somewhere that GERD , which they have considered in my case, is linked to adult onset asthma and also

non proven links to AF where the vagus nerve is involved .

I'm no medical expert , it seems to make sense but is so difficult to understand where symptoms lie when looking at the cause . My stomach is tender generally but worse when in AF , my asthma is well controlled but steroid inhalers can encourage AF according to my GP.

I'm confused as to which condition I should be looking when seeking help from the GP ?

[Jalia]

During my very long AF history I've often had episodes such as you describe . In later years I've realised that these are ectopic beats and apparently usually quite harmless. I expect, like many of us, you are acutely tuned in to your hearts activities and possibly may not have been so aware in pre AF days?!

Good luck for your redo ablation. Hope you don't have to wait too long!

[Hammerboy in reply to Jalia]

Many thanks 😊

[ETHEL103]

Sounds like atrial ectopic that I started in Jan. Unfortunately they led on to a fib persistent in a couple of months. Best wishes.

[Hammerboy in reply to ETHEL103]

Thank you, hopefully not in my case 🙂

[Morzine]

I get these ectopics.....it’s unnerving but apparently harmless. I do feel bodily tired when they occur.

[Hammerboy in reply to Morzine]

Yes they are quite tiring 😴

[Jetcat]

Hi hammerboy, funny enough Iv woken with ectopics this morning and have them now as I message you. Iv had a good 3 month break from any AFIB or missed beats until this morning on waking.!! Iv suffered with these for years and years even before I was diagnosed with AFIB 8 years ago. I’m sure they’ll wear off so try not to worry about them too much. easier said than done I know.!! I haven’t a single clue why Iv got them today, slept well, not stressed, I’m at work and happy, feel fine. Everything rosey. Although I’m aware of any single missed beat Iv learnt not be alarmed by them, you’ll be fine. Best wishes.Ron.👍

[Hammerboy in reply to Jetcat]

Thanks Ron that's very reassuring .I've gotten used to how AF makes me feel and the symptoms are usually quite mild. I've learnt to mostly ignore them as It's been 4 years now and apart from the onset when my HR increases and I feel a bit strange I just take it easy and wait it out .If these latest issues are ectopics it's something I've not experienced so strongly before so I've made an appointment to see my GP next week . Hopefully as Bob says its something related to my digestive problems and can be helped with medication rather than a change in my AF

Many thanks for your reply

[Jetcat in reply to Hammerboy]

That’s good. And I’m sure you’ll get sorted. It’s a bit of pain in the exterior is this afib and missed beats club were in. We’ll get through it though mate.👍 take care and best wishes.Ron.