Hi all,
I was diagnosed with afib 3 years ago and have mentioned to several medics (cardiologists, arrhythmia nurses) that I occasionally had slight heart aches when exercising or stressed, but none of them seem concerned.
Afib does not seem to be related to heart pain - so I'm not sure whether the afib is causing the ache or if it may be angina? What do you think?
Many people suffer chest pain during AF events , especially if they try and exercise during them.
If it’s a very uncomfortable or painful squeezing feeling in your chest (like an over enthusiastic hug inside your chest especially when under physical or mental stress) you should push harder unless you have had appropriate tests such as bloods, angiogram or echocardiogram and those have shown your cardiovascular health is good. I have had a ‘heart attack’ during AF caused by coronary artery spasm because my heart couldn’t keep up but I generally get the pain at the base of my neck. Hope that helps ❤️🩹
I can't tell you Barny12, and suggest you don't take risks. If you are troubled, please do check again with a properly qualified medical professional. Can AFib cause chest pain? Yes it can and does. I tend to get it quite badly when I have tachycardia but in sinus rhythm. I can only describe it as feeling like that tight chest feeling you get ahead of a bad chest infection, rather than the sort of pain that seems to be associated with a heart attack. Possibly like angina pain though, but I've never experienced that as far as I know, so I can't be sure.But again, don't take risks if you are worried. Ask!
Thanks for that.
Whenever I've seen any cardios/nurses they almost always ask whether I've had any chest pain - when I say that I've had an aching heart on exercise/stress it is never mentioned again!?
When I was in hospital with a bad episode of AF they kept asking me if I had chest pain. I didn’t but I had pain in my neck and jaw which is angina but as I didn’t mention it it took years for me to realise what it was! Next time say ‘yes’!
I endorse that response!
Hi BarnyMy otherwise fit and healthy hill walking OH suddenly stopped running and hill walking a year ago, complaining of a tight chest, ache on gradients or with running. Of course, he didn’t do anything about it for 6 months, despite my nagging.
However, long story short, he is now being investigated for angina and is awaiting a ‘cardiac scan’ as apparently stress tests are passé these days.
IMO you should try to find out why you get that sensation of ache or pain and perhaps keep a record of when it happens and your activity?
I should think your husband's scan will likely include a pharmacologically induced "stress test". These are, I gather, far more effective than the treadmill / ECG tests of old.
Steve
Angina occurs when the heart muscle itself is short of oxygen supply either from blocked cardiac arteries or spasms of the same. AF is different as it isn't an issue with blockages or spasms - but it can temporarily reduce the heart's output, especially that of the left ventricle, which supplies the body, including the heart, with freshly oxygenated blood from the lungs.
In that respect, when it causes chest discomfort, I suppose it is a kind of mild angina. I've seen it called that on various web sites, too.
What I find odd is that, in my case, it isn't necessarily exercise related, stays for a long time and feels very physical (i.e. movement can worsen it). It also can occur without AF when I have tachycardia and palpitations, which I get far more often. It can also go into my back and left shoulder blade and create a "tingling" feeling. Often, it feels more like a gastric or diaphragm issue than heart related and I'm never sure it isn't.
As you say, doctors seem unphased and rather uninterested in it.
What a life!
Steve
Thanks for that, Steve. Have you had an angiogram or a stress test of either kind?
Yes I have, thanks. I had a stress MRI in 2019 when all this started with atrial flutter, then an annual echo. All is said to be well in that department. It seems to be the electrical side that is a bit awry. There must be a physical reason for that, too, but it seems to evade current technology (or interest) to find out what.
Steve
I've had quite a few bouts of afib and other irregular rhythms and have never had pain. If your heartrate is high during afib, it may not be a good idea to exercise. My understanding is that any type of chest pain should be investigated to rule out an MI.
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