exhaustion upon activity

[Keibval]

I have been taking meds for Afib for the past 6 years , started on amiodarone (which started okay but increasingly affected my balance and caused a feeling of nausea ) ….was ablated and went on to flecanaide which has felt better but became out of rhythm on and off and have subsequently now been put back onto amiodorone .

However , the question I need answered is ……why , if and when my heart is actually beating in normal sinus ……do I still get REALLY breathless upon walking from my lounge to my bedroom (approx 18 feet ) ,?

I had hoped to be able to get back to skiing ……..feel really frustrated that I can’t even take a normal walk anymore …….consequently the weight is piling up ?

They did say I have a ‘ leaky ‘ valve but not enough to have surgery ……help ?

[10gingercats]

Do you have fluid around your heart or in your lungs?This can make people breathless.GP could detect this by listening to your heart and lungs.

[Keibval in reply to 10gingercats]

No ….have regular check ups with GP ……plus I have never smoked …

[Jalia]

I really think that this is a matter to be brought up with your GP . Some years ago when I had really bad breathlessness I was admitted with pulmonary oedema but not until after I had made a 'nuisance' of myself at docs surgery and eventually presented at A&E .

[Keibval in reply to Jalia]

I continuously mention my breathlessness and inability to walk more than a minutes distance ….

[Jalia in reply to Keibval]

I really don't know what to suggest then. I kept going back to my GP because I could barely walk a few yards and still he said my chest was clear. I was making terrible breathing noises in the night ...I thought it was cats fighting outside but my OH said it was my breathing !!When I went to AE I was told I had a degree of heart failure.. pulmonary oedema ...and was admitted for a few days and put on diuretics which solved matters.

[Singwell]

I agree re breathlessness- not something to put up with. Get your oxygen levels tested at your GP and I agree re kung examination.

[Keibval in reply to Singwell]

All my tests show nothing …….it’s as soon as I begin to put pressure onto my heart ie starting any kind of activity , that it’s as if my heart can’t keep pace with pumping the blood around efficiently enough to supply the muscles with the energy they need ! I have had a very active and energetic lifestyle until this all began ……our family called us the “ Duracell Bunnies”” as we were always ‘ on the go ‘ and up for all kinds a of challenges.

[Barb1]

I have this and nobody knows why. All tests have been negative. I thought the pacemaker would cure this but no.

[Keibval in reply to Barb1]

Oh my goodness , at least someone else who is experiencing the same thing …….isn’t it just ridiculous ? What are we to do ?🥵

[Barb1 in reply to Keibval]

I don't know. I've had to resort to seat bases exercise classes and many rests when walking and never uphill. I also limit walking upstairs. Weight gain continues and the heavier I get, the more breathless.

[Ppiman]

I suppose this is something that you really will need to ask your GP as it might well be specific to you but does the feeling go after a time and does your heart rate shoot up as a result? Have you checked your blood pressure before you get up?

I have a theory that these arrhythmias can sometimes reduce the heart output just enough to cause symptoms, or that the heart becomes a bit slow to react to demand for increased output. I don't get anything quite like you describe but do notice a need to breathe in more deeply when my heart is acting up and have a general feeling of less energy.

Steve

[Hatten28]

I am sorry to hear of your predicament, it can sympathise with as I have had this problem for years but ignored it as it was bearable, however a few months ago my breathing became worse, could not speak without taking huge gulp’s of air.I had often mentioned this breathlessness to my doctor and was prescribed all types of inhalers which were useless, but on this occasion she realised that I had fluid round the heart, was given Frusemide which very quickly sorted the problem.

I still get a bit breathless but to me it’s more like running out of steam, total lack of energy.

Also on a recent trip abroad I got very breathless again and my daughter said she thought I was having panic attacks, and I think she was correct I was panicking just thinking about would I cope, did deep breathing for a while and it passed.

Hope you get some respite soon.

Hatten

[KipperJohn]

I sympathise and know the feeling. In 2021 I had increased and longer episodes of AF and breathlessness on activity, having been comparatively AF free for about 4years after 2nd ablation. GP diagnosed fluid on the lungs. EP ruled out further ablation and flecainide due to left bundle branch block. An echocardiogram revealed I had left ventricle dysfunction with reduced ejection fraction, plus EP confirmed permanent AF after I failed to revert as I had normally done in the past. Referred to heart failure specialist and am on Bumetanide and Dapagliflozin for HF plus metoprolol, losartan and Apixaban. Still breathless but fluid retention under control. Awaiting appointment from local HF nursing team for further evaluation and possible more drugs. Have been advised potential candidate for CRT pacemaker. My best suggestion is try and see a good cardiologist asap. Best wishes.

[seasicksurf]

A friend of mine experienced this and went to AE. Came out next day with a stent. Blocked artery.