AFib? Please read my story

[Zanewbut]

Hi I'm 35 male and was an athlete, that was before I started get all the symptoms of AFIB. Im still waiting to see a cardiologist (it's taking foreva. Think it's because I'm young and fit) Iv done alot of research and iv come to terms with I possibly have AFib. I still gym 3 times a week but if I gym to hard I pay for it with heart palpitations, chest pain, pressure in chest. It's definitely messed with my metal health as I can't run anymore because it feels like I go straight into AFib. Weights are fine. But I have to watch myself. I feel like my heart is out of rythem more than its in rythem. Can anyone relate? I know my body and listen to my body. It almost tells me to rest or if I over do it. Also could anyone tell me what test or procedure best finds out if you have AFib. I feel for all of you who have this problem, its a very lonely thing to go through and I feel no many people understand. Thanks

[sassy59]

Hi Zanewbut, sorry to hear of all your problems. I discovered I had Afib when I went to A&E because my heart felt it was having a disco in my chest. An ECG was done and Afib pronounced. I’ve never been referred to a cardiologist and just take my blood pressure meds along with Riveroxaban as an anti coagulant. Luckily I’m in normal sinus rhythm generally but am aware that can change at any time.

I think my Afib is connected to my Vegus nerve (digestion etc.) but have never discussed this with anyone. You need to see someone soon to know where you stand and I hope you get that much needed appointment.

[Avatel]

Hi zanewbutI guess its a shock to have AFIB at a fairly young age. Try not to worry, as its fairly common here for people to have had AFIB for 20 or 30 years. You will probably learn to get it under control and lead a near to normal life. You will be spending a lot of time reading blogs like this, as unfortunately getting seen by a specialist is near impossible. I have never seen mine, only cardiac nurses.

Been private a few times

Good luck

[Zanewbut in reply to Avatel]

Thanks for the positive vibes. Do my symptoms sound like AFib to you?

[Avatel in reply to Zanewbut]

Obviously I'm no expert but heart jumping around sounds like afib. I changed my life style, gave up the booze and late nights etc and have almost got afib under control.

[Zanewbut in reply to Avatel]

Yep iv also been doing all the right things and slight improvement. Im just well aware now is a time to be as healthy I can be.

[Jpot34]

Zane, an Electrophysiologist is who you want to see. Wearing a Holter monitor for a week or so should decide whether you have AFIB or something else. IMHO, the mini-maze procedure is the way to go if you have AFIB at your young age.

[Zanewbut in reply to Jpot34]

Thanks. How did they find out you had AFib?

[Jpot34 in reply to Zanewbut]

2 emergency room visits. EKG told the story.

[secondtry]

The toughest thing will be to give up training whilst you take a deep dive into your AF studies here and elsewhere. Book a prompt private appointment with a recommended cardiologist to speed up the process. Come back to this Forum for Step 2, lots of advice always available from many far more knowledgeable than me.

[Zanewbut in reply to secondtry]

Giving up training is not an option for me my metal health will suffer if I do that. I have stoped running but weights I feel like I can do. I do pay for it, normally a day or 2 later and then feel like I'm in AFib for like 3 days or so which suxs. Getting a diagnosis is what I'm wanting so Im going private. But does it sound like AFib symptoms to you? Thanks

[Auriculaire in reply to Zanewbut]

You need to seriously consider what is best for you. If training sets off your afib then you need to cut it back or take up some more gentle form of exercise. If you are addicted to training to the point that mentally you cannot do without it then that is something that you need to address just as you would address drug addiction or alcoholism. Continuing with an activity that is putting a strain on your heart is asking for worse problems in the future. You could invest in a Kardia device which would tell you whether you were in afib or not whilst you are waiting to see a consultant. These are easy to use and are reasonably priced.

[secondtry in reply to Zanewbut]

Then I can only suggest something different eg cycling or something that requires an initial steep learning curve to wean you off the need to push yourself to get relief.

Totally understand, my own daughter has found cycling long distances is good for her mental health and takes her bike wherever she goes abroad on holiday!

[Tryfan]

Please read replies to Fondant on today's list of contributors.You have answered in some ways your own question.

My Cardiologist who I was fortunately able to meet socially after he retired said. He wished he had a £5 for every marathon runner, long distant competitive cyclist, gym weight addict, I also add fighter pilot, he'd be richer than he already is.

It's unfortunately our bodies way of saying too much. Why some and not others is the question and the mystery.

[pusillanimous]

My cardiologist told me that his second largest group of patients (after the elderly and familial) is extreme athletes. My own son, who was a competitive canoeist, International white water rafter ,and keen mountain bike rider, had an ablation 16 years ago at the age of 36 (he was diagnosed by a fellow canoeist who is a cardiologist), He had to travel from Durban to Cape Town as there was no EP here. He has been free of any problems or symptoms ever since and carries on with his sporting activities, but not so intensively, has regular checks and is fine. A number of his canoeing friends have Afib, apparently it goes with the sport. I have familial Afib but that does not appear to manifest in us in later life, he is aware of that.

[Czech_Mate]

Hi thereYes, so difficult to get your head around. I'm slightly older than you at 66 but have always enjoyed good health and fitness and suddenly the ticker starts playing up.

The mental side of it is difficult: the uncertainty of what exactly the problem is, being unsure how much I should be doing, mourning the partial loss of such an important part of your life, feeling that other folk don't understand.

At my age it's not easy but I think I would have been much more difficult at a younger age. Gradually you will get to grips with it. People here will understand what you are going through.

I will give you no medical advice, I am not qualified for that; but I can tell you that you will feel up and down. Come here and have a chat, we understand these feelings.

Cheers

[Zanewbut in reply to Czech_Mate]

Thanks mate, yes it is hard to explain how I feel to other people, and I'm sure some think it's in my head which I find even for frustrating. I just want to know what I can and can't do. Also just want I diagnosis.

[Rw12]

I had my first afib episode in my mid 20’s during a run. My heart went haywire and felt like it was jumping all over the place. Not the skipped beats feeling but literally chaotic beats. I had to stop and lie down because I felt like I would pass out. Long story short, I was finally diagnosed when the episodes got much much worse and increased to daily. I had an ablation almost 3 years ago and it was the best decision. I’m not completely afib free, it shows up during intense exercises including weightlifting. If you have afib you can still work out, even intensely, but understand your body. I have an Apple Watch and it identifies when I’m in afib correctly 95% of the time.

[Zanewbut in reply to Rw12]

Thanks for your story mate, yes I'm going to get a good fitness watch, I would love to be able to run again

[seasicksurf]

Get a Kardia—as people mentioned above. If you have afib it is very important to be on an anticoagulant to reduce stroke risk. I had PAF for 5-6 years after being a Workoutaholic for decades. Thoracic pressure (lifting, straining, irregular breathing) was my trigger.

[ozziebob]

Yes, buy a Kardia 6L. I have no interest in AliveCor the manufacturers. Easy to use with a smartphone plus the free App.. Android or Apple. The 6L is best because it uses Bluetooth communication between the device and your phone, and this is more reliable than the earlier model. Delivery is very quick (a few days at most, but quicker if you choose), and you can record your own ECGs and store them on your phone as PDFs when you are having an "event" at home or in the gym. This will determine/diagnose "possible AF" if appropriate. And you do need these ECGs to get the AF diagnosis from a medical expert, unless you are in AF when with your GP or in a hospital.

Good luck my friend.

[Zanewbut in reply to ozziebob]

Thank you!

[BlueINR]

I think an EKG can usually diagnose afib. I can tell when I am in afib as my heart rate will be 125 or higher, and blood pressure is on the low side, like 109/72. Those are my clues. They may not be yours.

As for the rest of what's going on with you, I'd suggest you see your cardiologist. Chest pain and/or pressure are not normal and need to be looked into.

[Nigel2000]

Lots of good suggestions below. You could also get an Iwatch or one of the cardia devices. I’m pretty sure I had my first afib episodes in my late 30s. I’ve always been a runner, serious hiker, horseback rider, etc. it didn’t become a problem till my very late 50s when the episodes became more frequent and debilitating. THAT’s when I first went to cardiologist. You want to see a cardiologist who is an electrophysiologist (an EP).

[Afib_girl]

Once you see an ep you will get it sorted out… I’m also young and a used to exercise everyday… I had to give up running for awhile but once I got on medication I’ve been ok a little slower that usual but I can run again

[Tobeatornottobeat]

I'm in the same boat. 63 years old, lifelong tennis player. I have played 4 and 5 hour competative singles matches hundreds of times over the years with no issues. 2 years ago I started getting dizzy occasionally when playing over 3 hours or more. Bought a kardia, says possible afib quite often, even when I'm not working out. I've never had any health problems before. I read about all of these athletes dying and am very worried, afraid to do what I love the most, play tennis and pickleball. I've had 3 Moderna shots and am hoping that's not what is causing this. No afib in my family. I never tested positive for covid. My wife and my mom both got it and I was very exposed, but never got it. I will be seeing a cardiologist soon. Any thoughts while I wait for my appointment?