Hi there, im hoping for some help. Im popping over from the thyroid uk forum, as I am a 36 year old woman who was diagnosed with Hashimotos 3 years ago. Medication and blood results currently stable.
I have always suffered a lot of ectopic beats, particularly in times of stress and anxiety (I have a rather, at times, crippling anxiety disorder. However this last week they have been a lot worse. So bad, in fact, that I decided to invest in the FibriCheck app, primarily for reassurance. I should make it clear here that I have contacted my GP and am on the list for a ‘tape’ or holter monitor.
The FibriCheck app did at first give me reassurance - although my readings were irregular probably at least half of the time, they were amber, mild irregularities like frequent ectopic beats and bigeminy episodes. My heart rate is rarely fast, although has seen an increase of around 5bpm to resting heart rate since this began.
In the last week I have had a few, red readings on the app that have been reviewed as possible AFib. These are usually immediately followed by readings of frequent ectopics, Altho can occasionally get to red readings in a row.
This has made me really anxious and I think I am stuck in a viscious circle. I guess my big question to you guys, the experts, is, does it sound like AFib? Or just lots and lots of ectopics.
I’m really worried about it and know that waiting lists are at an all time high, so I guess I’m looking for a hand hold whilst I wait.
Just to add that even in these supposed AFib episodes, my heart rate is usually only around 85 and is almost never elevated, except once when I was having a panic attack. My resting is usually 62-64 but at the moment is 69-70.
Any information, advise or kind words you could give would be greatly appreciate. Many thanks
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HashisKate
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First of all Afib and ectopics are often initiated by stress, so managing your anxiety is important. How you might be able to do that can vary a lot from person to person and I assume you're already seeing your GP about it. It could be talking therapy, excercise, mindfulness etc. that could work for you.
Some people who have AFib episodes find that the episodes are preceeded by ectopics, so it could be that you may see some Afib occasionaly in your monitoring. Don't be alarmed by that.
As you say, many people see this as a vicious circle which in itself increases anxiety and so on.
A good thing to do is to read through some of the patient literature available on the AFA website. Understanding what Afib is and how it can be managed may help you feel better.
Feel free to ask any questions, you'll find a lot of support here. Most of us can appreciate what you're going through.
Thanks for your reply, that’s really kind. I’m hoping that I don’t have AF, and that FibriCheck was giving a false positive due to so many ectopics, but I know that it’s really impossible for anyone to tell me that. I guess being so young and having two young children, I just really don’t want the additional worry.
I’ve had pretty much every treatment available on the nhs for my anxiety - think I’m just broken - but will keep plowing on and trying everything I can.
I’m a 35 year old with a 1 year old child and a wife that’s expecting in 4 months. And I’m in permanent Afib. Due to a congenital heart condition. My advice to you would be don’t over think it and even god forbid you are diagnosed with it I promise you it’s not the end of the world and you will be able to cope with it. At first it might be hard to accept it but you will eventually just accept it and believe me it’s not as bad as it may feel and don’t read too much on it and rely more on doctors. There is lots of false information online that will just add more to your anxiety and feed you afib because it’s a vicious cycle. Take it one day at a time and like I said if god forbid you are diagnosed with it it will be a little hard at fist with acceptance but just remember god loves you because he notified you of it because some people have it and don’t even know they do and that’s when it becomes dangerous and there is hundred of possible treatment you can still live a healthy lifestyle.
Have you thought of buying a Kardia machine. Very small and only about £20. Think this will help to ease your anxiety if it shows you aren’t in Afib. If it shows you are then don’t worry because there are always various treatments to help you. Good luck.
I get similar to you as well as occasional AF with a lowish rate (85-120). To me, my long runs of ectopic beats feel quite similar to my AF, which is a feeling of slight breathlessness, and odd chest feelings, and fatigue. My cardiologist recently told me not to worry about them, only about the AF.
My guess is that that you are experiencing palpitations (i.e. ectopic beats - probably the more common PVCs or perhaps PACs); both are rarely of any consequence, but PACs originate near the four pulmonary veins where AF does, so there can be a connection. Both are made worse by anxiety and poor sleep (I struggle with insomnia); also, drinking and smoking can aggravate the condition. I'm not sure about thyroid issues, but it wouldn't surprise me if that wasn't related. Both can be very troublesome, though, and sometimes are treated.
The Fibricheck could easily be fooled by multiple ectopic beats since they can fool other devices, as I have found out. Your monitor will, hopefully, resolve all this once and for all, although, as happened with me, the two weeks I was on it were rather calm weeks for my heart!
I haven't used the FibriCheck application. Most users swear by the Kardia, which has 1 and 6 lead models (at different prices) made by Alivecor. The 1-lead cardia can now be found for just $50 plus postage on Ebay. It is supported in many countries (Greece unfortunately not) and links to their App, which is free to download.
Being in Greece, I purchased the WIWE single lead ECG monitor for 120 EUR or so.
Having said that, AFib should only be diagnosed by a medically qualified professional on a 12-lead ECG machine or a holter monitor, so you must do that first to be sure.
As stated that’s already on the cards, was just hoping for some advice in the meantime as waiting lists are long it’ll likely be months before I get a monitor. Thanks
Kate, if you have AF to add to your Hashimoto's, then out of your three conditions, in my opinion anxiety is far and away the worst! My wife has suffered with anxiety and my AF is a walk in the park by comparison!
You shouldn't be so worried about having AF. It's a very manageable condition which on its own does not shorten your life.
There are several ways to treat it, and even those who have permanent AF, once they have their medication right, live quite happily with it.
You will be assessed for your risk of stroke, which is likely at your age to be very low unless you have other conditions such as diabetes or a history of heart attack or stroke, and possibly prescribed an anti-coagulant.
My strong advice is to stop fretting about it - after all, there are far worse things your doctor can tell you than "you have AF!"
I always compare myself to the people every day who are told they have a very serious and potentially terminal condition which must be treated aggressively in a way that will in itself make them very ill. How they wish they just had AF!!
Have you tried magnesium supplementation? I take these for general heart support and to help with vit D absorption but have found that they have helped enormously with anxiety. I used to get anxiety attacks for no reason and they have stopped since taking the magnesium.
I would say don't be impatient. I reckon it was at least 2/3 months after starting regular supplementation before I noticed that my anxiety had gone away! But then it is often harder to notice an absence of something.
Thanks, I live in hope and will keep taking! 😊😊 I’ve had all talk therapies the NHS can offer me & tried an SSRI etc in the past. Will definitely pay for long term therapy but can’t manage it financially at the moment. I’ve had anxiety as far back as I can remember and am desperate to be ‘cured’. I will definitely keep going with the magnesium as it does help with other IBS / Hypothyroid issues too. Thanks for reminding me 😊
I do supplement vitamin D all year round as mine has run low in the past 👍🏻
I am not medically qualified but I have read that thyroid conditions and AF are correlated. AF doesn't have to be fast-sometimes mine is only 85bpm. I usually have ectopics prior to AF as do many people-the ectopics normally increase in frequency and strength prior to the AF. In your case you will probably have to undergo extensive investigation. It is possible that an adjustment to your thyroid medication will resolve the problem. You might also be luck and find that you have just had a few isolated episodes which resolve on modifying lifestyle factors: top priority would be to address any weight issues and drastically cut alcohol.
Thank you. Hopefully I won’t wait too long for the holter monitor. I’ve drastically cut alcohol and am only just slightly overweight. Also only have one coffee a day. Hopefuly some answers soon
By way of an update in case anyone may find this thread useful in the future: I paid the £22.99 upgrade to FibriCheck for the premium package. This means that every abnormal reading is reviewed by a doctor. (Essential package only gives you the algorithm result). I have now had 3 ‘possible Afib’ readings identified by the algorithm which are then downgraded to ‘frequent ectopics’ when reviewed by doctor. So I guess it is an algorithm issue. However, these ectopics are every beat, and on and off (more on) every day for the last week. I’m going to contact my GP again on Monday as they did say to get back in touch if they worsened.
Perhaps atrial tachycardia? A gentleman in this forum found out he had that and not Afib according to his Dr who was about to do an ablation. The Dr rechecked his files before the procedure and he told the man it was atrial tachycardia and not Afib. Apparently the two are very similar in symptoms. The man didn't need ablation but instead was kept on medication. Ask questions of your Dr. I too have bad anxiety and it can really get the palpitations to increase. Good luck. Hope you find out for sure what is happening.Take care and be safe.
I’d be surprised as I rarely have a heart rate above the normal levels, but I am going to try and speak to my GP tomorrow. I feel quite beside myself honestly, nauseous and can’t eat. Hard to know where the heart issue stops and the anxiety begins and vice versa. Best wishes
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