Afib and migraine aura without headache

[Jmc43]

I had an ablation almost two years ago. In the month or so after the ablation, I had migraine without aura 3 or 4 times, and read that this happens to some, and that it goes away. And it did but not entirely…which was not surprising as I had had occasional migraine aura without headache since I was in my 40’s (now 78).

And I had not irregularities or afib until the last month. Now something odd has happened. Three or four times I have had short episodes of Afib and/or arrhythmia happening between 1-2 am. I take a PIP and do deep breathing and things return to sinus rhythm. The pulse never gets high, last time stayed in the 60’s.

Plus on two occasions as I was having the arrhythmia or afib, I had migraine without aura at the same time.

So two questions: 1) Is there some kind of link between Afib and migraine aura and 2) Isn’t it odd to have this at a particular time when it occurs? (Probably happened 4 times in the last month.) I should add that I have a glass or wine or two, but for all the time except the last month, that seemed fine. Maybe I have developed a greater sensitivity to wine now??

Look forward to any responses, always find this community supportive and informative.

[BobD Volunteer]

Migraine with aura, or aura without the pain is a common side effect of ablation caused by the transeptal puncture to get from right to left atria. Once the puncture has healed, usualy within two weeks this stops.

To the best of my knowledge there is no established link between AF and migraine. I used to get a lot of migraines in the late seventies early eighties which I blamed on stress as I was doing two jobs and working 16 hours a day. (I was not diagnosed with AF till 2004 and had no symptoms till mid nineties). Apart from post ablation I did have daily aura for a week about two years ago for no apparent reason. Things happen.

I'd drop the vino if I were you.

[Jmc43 in reply to BobD]

“Things happen’. 😅. Marvelous understatement. Love it. Agree about the aura without migraines, had them before, then not, then they returned. Who knows. Still testing the vino contribution to arrhythmia. It appears I can have one modest glass…with that or no wine, I sleep better and perhaps that in turn means no palpitations.

[Tickerprobs]

Hi there J …I’ve had Migraine (mainly aura) for donkeys years and long long before Afib came on the scene. Just in recent months, I’ve had a couple of changes in medication and around that time suffered with several bouts of migraine aura each day. I was quite concerned at the frequency of the episodes but that has now subsided and I think I’m back to my “normal” self. I’m almost certain that medicine changes were to blame. but who knows. I think it’s sometimes human nature to delve too deeply into “cause and symptoms”… DON’T YOU. ❓

[Jmc43 in reply to Tickerprobs]

I do indeed. I know I have a tendency to take pay too much attention to heart rhythm issues, perhaps measure too much, etc. A friend recently told me he had found out from a routine pacemaker check that he had been in afib for 3 months and didn’t know it. I was amazed…I can feel minor changes in heart beats. I have to get beyond that.

[Tickerprobs in reply to Jmc43]

Yes J… From being a child, I’ve always been aware of my heart beat. I can’t understand how others aren’t aware but we’re all different ‼️‼️‼️