A-fib with asthma.

[Snowgirl65]

I've discovered I may possible have seasonal, or allergic asthma. I see my doctor on Friday. Does anyone on the forum have asthma and do medications trigger a-fib episodes? Thanks for any responses.

[Tototcx]

Hi there, I have mild asthma which is controlled with a steroid inhaler which hasn't triggered my AF. But I have a salbutamol inhaler too which I won't use because it makes my heart a bit jumpy I think. Luckily I don't need it.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Tototcx]

Thanks so much for replying. I'll give this info to my doctor when I see him on Friday.

[Buffafly]

Yes, my asthma is moderate so I take a combi inhaler. The thing you have to remember is that asthma can be unexpectedly fatal whereas AF very rarely is, so if you need medication you should take it. Asthma trumps AF.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Buffafly]

I didn't know that, Buffafly. Thanks for the information. I'll be having a very in-depth talk with my doctor on Friday!

[Jonathan_C in reply to Snowgirl65]

I was going to say something similar, but Buffafly said it better. My cardiologist also says the risks of asthma meds triggering a-fib are so low compared to the risks of the damage asthma will cause, including cardiac risks, that its a non discussion. if you have asthma, do what you need to do to prevent it.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Jonathan_C]

Thanks for your reply and I'll take your advice.

[ILowe]

Several times cardiologists have tried to explain to me, but for some reason I do not remember the detail. There is an interaction between the asthma itself and the heart. Therefore it is very important to treat the asthma. I think there is a system of levels for asthma treatment, and doctors keep you on the lowest level as long as possible. Doctors say my own heart problems were probably made worse by my mild (and often under-treated) asthma.

[Buffafly in reply to ILowe]

That is what happened to my father. He developed COPD with the AF and the two conditions interacted.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to ILowe]

That's interesting information -- thanks for replying, ILowe.

[Adiepie]

I’ve been asthmatic all my life (now 63), diagnosed with PAF 8 years ago. Originally tried to treat this with my salbutamol inhaler (surprisingly didn’t work very well……). Two ablations later, I’m managing both really well. Tried to come off my preventor inhaler, as didn’t want to take all these meds, but that just made my astma worse….Now being a good boy, taking my seretide inhaler daily as well as my heart meds. Yes, salbutamol DOES make your heart go funny (fast and light beats), but being able to breathe trumps this! Talking to both cardiologist and asthma specialist reassured me that this was a short term affect only. Sorry for such a long post, hope it helps and good luck on Friday

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Adiepie]

Yours wasn't a long post at all -- and it really helped. Thanks so much, and also for your well wishes for Friday's appointment.

[Afibflipper]

I have AF & asthma - tend to find if I get asthma through chest infection it sets the AF off, even viral I know something is brewing by the HR and palpitations getting worse.

If you have allergies some antihistamines can affect you - I found Piriton gave me palpitations

If you take Ventolin (reliever Salbutamol) - if you are using it very frequently during attack that can raise the HR & make you feel bit shaky

Always check with pharmacist/GP before taking anything new

[Buffafly in reply to Afibflipper]

If you need salbutamol frequently you need a cortisone inhaler which reduces the need for the reliever, as Tototcx says.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Buffafly]

Thanks again.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Afibflipper]

Thanks, Afibflipper, I'll take your warning to heart.

[frazeej]

Beta blockers are a frequent rate medication for afib patients. These are contraindicated when asthma is present.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to frazeej]

Thanks for this info, frazeej.

[ILowe in reply to frazeej]

That is what I thought, and betablockers often are contraindicated with asthma. In mild asthma, probably the wording is "use with caution under specialist supervision". Last December the doctors had me in hospital, and each day they tweaked the package and saw what effect it had. They steadily increased the dosage of betablocker up to 5mg and saw that my asthma was no worse and was controllable with only Salbutamol.

[frazeej in reply to ILowe]

That's great!! All the beta blockers are a little different, some more "selective" than others. The trick (to get a little technical) is to keep the activity on the cardiac beta receptors, and minimize the effect on other types of beta receptors in the airways-blocking those receptors in the airway can lead to constriction of the airways, which you certainly don't want! Great news for you, they found the right "potion"!!

[Snowgirl65 in reply to ILowe]

Sounds like my doctors have their work cut out for them!