Hello,
Just a question please. I have just experienced an episode of AF lasting fifteen hours during which my BP was extremely high and pulse rate all over the place up to 145. I am on Bisoprolol and Flecainide. My pulse rate is usually very low 50 to 60 plus. My question is has anyone experienced a sudden drop near fainting sensation when converting back to NSR?
Many thanks .
Uni 96.
Not personally but often reported here. Usually caused by a short pause in heart beat as you go into NSR.
I have read on this forum of people having that experience, but not had it myself. Others will hopefully be along soon to advise you. I've had the feeing of passing out, but not been aware that it was to do with my heart rate changing.
Jean
Thank you Jean , that’s very reassuring to know.
I haven’t experienced this and am not medically qualified, but I was told by a cardiologist that going into and coming out of PAF are potentially the most dangerous stages of PAF. So I’m guessing it’s possible that something like this could happen.
~Hi Samazeuilh - interesting comment for the Cardiologist to make - did he/she quantify & or qualify that statement as to why?
I asked him whether PAF was less dangerous than permanent AF, expecting that he would say it was. However, he said it was no less dangerous and that going into PAF or coming out of it was particularly dangerous. He didn’t explain why, but I think it’s something to do with the increased risk of clotting at those points.
When I went into A&E on my second persistent episode of AF I was given flecainide to try and push me back into rhythm. I was hooked up to a HR monitor and while a nurse was checking my BP I felt like I was falling asleep. My wife was with me and her and the nurse saw the HR monitor flatline for a brief period while I was rebooted
Yes! I've had it happen several times and only found out what it was by asking on here, as you are doing.
It's sometimes known as a 'reversion pause'. Really horrible when you don't know what's happening! It used to happen for me after longish episodes and if I needed to take an extra 150mg Flecainide as PiP to stop the episode. (As per medical advice). I'd suddenly get very hot - go red in the face and neck - start panting and the room would spin. I'd lie down flat with a near black out. We caught the switch to NSR on my Kardiamobile once when I got my husband to it in time. He saw me convert.
Apparently our heart stops momentarily as it switches from the chaotic AF pattern to NSR. The whole event last a few minutes only. How long our heart stops? I don't know- only a few seconds I imagine. See what others say. I think you can read about it on Google. Think of it as a chemical cardioversion. If you don't like it, or feel worried about it, ask your cardiologist or EP for advice. Maybe if you're able to stop the episode earlier you might avoid it.
I just did q Google search; dont frighten yourself with all the research articles! If you didn't black out I wouldn't be too concerned but this post from our own forum might give more info. It's 2 years old healthunlocked.com/afassoci...
I had this once out of the many times I have self reverted from an episode.It happened 3 or 4 times over a day before it eventually did revert, it made me nervous of moving about the house in case I did faint.
It was a horrible feeling, like looking down a black hole and buzzing in your head.
Was a bit worrying at the time as I didn’t know what was happening.
I looked it up later and it seems it’s your heart pausing as it tries to go back into normal rhythm.
Usually I will just realise I feel better and have stopped “puffing my breath” like I do when I’m in afib, check on my kardia and it’s normal again thank goodness.
I have heard though if it had kept happening I would have to have it checked out as it can mean that a pacemaker is needed if your pauses are too long.
Hi. I have had a number of blackouts on conversion to NSR. Always when the episode was more than 12 hours. It is caused by a prolonged pause between the AF stopping and the sinus node “waking up”. My EP eventually switched me from rate control to rhythmControl which has worked. The EP thinks this may be the start of sino-atrial disease (sick sinus syndrome ). You should talk to your EP or cardiologist. Best wishes.
I get this and on three occasions this year I have fainted, once the fog clears I feel fine, definitely happens going from AF to NSR.I have had quite mild PAF for over 12 years, treated with flecanide and bisoprolol successfully until 18 months ago when episodes returned.
After many requests to cardiologist I am seeing - telephone appointment - an E P in two weeks to discuss treatment.
Hi uni,I have/had PAF and had my first episode of this sort when being given IV flecainide nearly 2 years ago. I then started getting them frequently and it was always when I was converting back into sinus. They felt horrible.I managed to capture some on my Kardia and my Cardiologist said they were sinus pauses. He thought that they were probably as a result of both the PAF and the meds ( I was on flecainide and bisoprolol too and had a resting HR of around 55) but said I might need a pacemaker in the future. Anyway,I had an ablation in October last year and they have gone completely. Stopped all my meds about 2 months after the ablation and apart from some infrequent runs of tachycardia I am AF free. My rest HR is now around 65 which feels fine.Hopefully,that’s me sorted.
Yes I was getting it quite often and had a pacemaker fitted last month. Havent had it since!
This was happening to me too seven years ago. I had a pacemaker fitted and it has never happened since
Thank you all for replying. I reckon I will get an appt with my Cardiologist who I haven’t seen for 3 or 4 years, well pre Covid . I did take an extra Flecainide . My pulse is never regular even when in NSR ( for me). So a pacemaker kind of makes sense I suppose. What would I do without you all?
Prior to a ablation 4 years ago I often experienced "fainting experiences" when converting back in to NSR. When I asked my cardiologist about it he said it was normal. That seemed scary to just hear his reply. Fortunately, I don't experience this anymore.( So far). What I would worry about is that you haven't seen your cardiologist for over 3 years! Plus you pulse is never regular. Something , maybe you ought to address.
I used to get this and then actually did start passing out. I had a pacemaker fitted and have not had any problems since.
I read this when you posted, and remembered others mentioning it. The same thing just happened to me. I was sitting typing - then came over horribly woozy, and glad I was sitting. Then thought ‘that’s a steady pulse’. Hurrah! How exciting is a steady pulse?
Yes indeed it is certainly a relief when NSR returns, but the near fainting and buzzing in head a very strange sensation!!
Hi yes had this 3 wks ago went into slow AF for about 30 hrs just after my tea I sat down and felt myself getting a little lightheaded it felt like someone flicked a switch immediately I new I was back in NSR checked my pulse it confirmed it .
I often have a 'hot flush' and feel faint when going into and out of an episode of PAF, I put it down to an alteration in blood flow. I seem to get a variety of odd feelings but just accept them as part of the condition now.
Hi UniI'm on the same two meds as you and have the same issue you described in your original post. Firstly - hope you're doing OK? May I ask how things went, if you got different treatment? Thank you! 😊
Dizziness feeling when in NSR?
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NSR...out of the blue!!
Self converting to nsr 
