Is this AFib? Background: 67 year old white male never smoked, never used drugs, reasonable weight, active and exercise routinely. Only medication is lowest dose of Rosuvastatin (Crestor) The only bad thing is I am a heavy caffeine drinker. (Coke)
I've read the symptoms, and I do not have shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pains or dizziness. I'm writing because recently, just as I am falling asleep, or waking from sleep, (these would often be naps in a recliner) I sense a panicked feeling and I feel a very rapid almost vibration in my chest. As this is happening, when I check my pulse, by either radial pulse, at the carotid artery, or my blood pressure machine, my pulse is normal. This is the only time I feel them, and it doesn't last long. If I am up and walking around or sitting at the computer it never happens. My blood pressure is consistently 120/80, pulse 80 or so, and my blood pressure monitor has an AFib warning light that does not complain. So I guess my question is, because I've read to check your pulse and AFib will be a rapid pulse, what would cause this rapid vibration, if it's not my pulse? Thanks for any insight.
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Hi - AF is an irregular pulse, not a rapid pulse - that’s tachycardia. You can have fast AF - HR in excess of 120, or slow AF with a pulse in 50-60’s.
Some people can be in AF and not know they are because they feel nothing. The people who feel something are often those with Paroxysmal AF ie: it comes and goes. Those people in persistent or permanent AF are normally the people who are Asymptomatic.
The only way of confirming AF is by ECG. You can buy a small mobile device called a Kardia which will diagnose AF which will be accepted by most medics these day but other devices such as iWatch or other smart watches will also pick up AF and do a whole lot other but they are much more expensive.
You might keep a note of your normal resting rate and record what your HR is when you feel the flutters. The sense of panic and vibration in the chest (horrible feeling) is often reported here but to me suggests some vagal influence as you say you only get it when in reclining position? Suggest you research ANS - Autonomic Nervous System, Vagal AF and how to improve vagal tone - things like Chanting, Humming, Singing, Cold Showers or dips, Yoga/Tai Chi exercises or any other that activity which teaches breath work. Also check out Breath by James Nesbitt and The Oxygen Advantage by Patrick McKeown, experts in the importance of breathing well and good health.
Coke is probably the WORST thing you could drink, as is any soda drinks, especially cold for triggering a vagal reaction. Cut the Coke and see if it goes away. Stick to plain water and ensure you stay well hydrated.
Hope some of that helps.
PS - it’s not always the caffeine per se - I drink coffee - but things like sugars or Aspartame and other artificial sweetners, especially Glucose made from Corn Starch and the small amount of cocaine from the cocoa leaves in Coke which are far more harmful, especially to the ANS and the heart.
Thank you for the prompt and in depth reply. You are correct that this happens when I am reclined. I will stop drinking Coke and look into this Autonomic Nervous System and Vagal AF you mention. I have been keeping a log for several months in my BP machine, which is how I can say my resting is 120/80 P80. My heart was fluttering this morning until I stood up and moved around. I then checked my BP, and after resting for 20 minutes it was reading 121/82 P92. Now, that pulse is higher than I quoted as my typical, but I should note that I am coming off a week of the flu, COVID, FluRona? Or just a bad cold. I am dehydrated and was on a HBP decongestant as of yesterday. Nevertheless, the fluttering has been going on for a while. I asked this question now because I am going to a Caribbean Island next week, and was looking for some confidence that I can carry my luggage through the airports or walk on the beach. I never have shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, so it sounds like I'm okay once I wake up and my heart slows down. Meanwhile, I will take it easy and make an appointment with my cardiologist. I'm sure he won't be able to see me before I get home. I should have mentioned I have had 2 stress tests in my life. 10 and 20 years ago and both times he saw no concerns.
So the only thing I can't be sure of is exactly how fast my heart is racing while I sleep. I do not currently have a Kardia and I'm an Android guy so Apple Watch is out, but I'll look into a device. My wife has a FitBit that detects HR which I will borrow tonight, but does not log it anywhere. I would have to look when I feel it. From what I read over 190 is definitely a concern? Thank you again for your reply. If my cardiologist finds anything I'll report it here as I have made this thread public for all to read. Maybe it will help others.
I had had a lot of diet coke before my first episode of AF I would stop most of the caffeine as, if you haven't had an irregular pulse, you have time to avert this!! I stopped alll caffeine after that and subsequent episode haven't been nearly as vigorous so it does have a big effect
Cut the coke first - fizzy caffeine drinks & even worse when cold are a complete No No for vagally mediated AF. Your description of naps suggests to me you should check for sleep apnoea.
If you were on AFib, a fit bit won't count heart rate properly. When I was in a fib at 165 my wifes fit bit said 75! Similarly blood pressure machines don't count properly, my omron m6 will indicate arrhythmia but the rate is also very much lower than reality.
Yes I can do that in fact I wore my wife's FirBit and my pulse would be around 80 while I was feeling the fluttering, not matching the feeling I had for sure. It's interesting to note that all I have to do is get up and walk around, or even sit up straight, and it goes away. I usually check my BP at this point, and it does not indicate AF and my BP is 120/80 or lower, and pulse around 80, like the FitBit indicated.
The carbon dioxide, or the large volume of liquid, from drinking carbonated liquids will physically push your stomach higher to press on your diaphragm; from there it can touch the base of the heart and create a kind of "echo chamber" effect that makes the heartbeat more prominent to you; also, it can cause palpitations and, in prone individuals, arrhythmias.
There's little evidence that the caffeine is of concern, but the sugar (if there is any) might be.
I agree that you should get yourself checked for Sleep Apnoea. You may be waking as a result of stopping breathing. The very fact that you feel it necessary to have naps may also point to this.I also agree with the comments about fizzy pop. That stuff is bad for you on so many levels.
When I had afib, heart rate was always above 100, usually low 120s-130s and bp would be low 100s, like 105/60. Your bp monitor you're relying of for info may not be accurate. I don't know what's going on with you, but would suggest you have cardiologist check it out.
It is though., I checked it against my wife's FitBit and also simply took my pulse manually. My pulse is absolutely not anywhere near the feeling I have.
It sounds like you should get a consult with a doctor, first your GP, but it wouldn't hurt to see a cardiologist. There are many tests to see what is going on with you.
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