Palpitations

[ObiDyer]

Hi Been in permanent AF since February with only occasional palpitations but recently they have become more frequent and noticeable (in chest and at rhs of neck) Is this indicative of anything?

[BobD Volunteer]

Palpitations is a term which just means a person is aware of their heart beating.

If you really are in permanent AF you need to be able to check your wrist pulse and count the rate. If it is regular then you are not in AF but may be getting ectopic beats which often feel worse than AF.

[gsd01]

AF became permanent for me just over a year ago. I do have periods of more or less palpitations. I can sometimes go for several days without feeling anything but other times will have noticeable palpitations all day. I take regular ECG readings. For me on the days with palpitations the ECG's show far more PVC's within the AF trace so I think this makes it more noticeable.

[Ppiman]

Ectopic or premature beats is what you are feeling, I should think; these are when the heart beats too soon after the previous beat, but then compensates for this by delaying the next beat which arrives with a "thump" as the valves close. They can precipitate AF but, in your case, accompany AF. A few of these occur in almost everyone, even children, and are known to be harmless; in people with other arrhythmias, they can be more frequent, sometimes coming in twos, threes or long runs.

Steve

[BlueINR]

You probably should see your doc to determine if it really is afib or another irregular rhythm. While afib is not a fatal arrhythmia, it can turn into one. I think it's best for you to get it looked at ASAP.