Treating persistent AFib

[Faughdog]

persistent afib

[BobD Volunteer]

What exacty is your question?

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Faughdog and welcome to our forum.

Having had AF for 17 years, three ablations and numerous cardioversions my advice to people who have just been diagnosed with AF is the following:

1. You are most unlikely to die from AF. I used to think that the way my heart bounced around I would surely be found dead next day. Still here though!

2. Changing your diet to a more plant based one, avoiding any foods containing artificial additives, not allowing yourself to become dehydrated, cutting back on sugar, alcohol and caffeine, also losing weight (if it's needed) will all have a beneficial effect on your AF. Artificial sweeteners were a sure trigger for my attacks. How I wish I'd known all of this before having any of my ablations. Would I have listened if anyone had told me? Probably not, because I believed ablations would cure me - three didn't! They have helped some people though and my AF now is not so severe.

3. This is a hard one, but looking at gadgets that show your pulse and AF will make you anxious and anxiety feeds AF. I was obsessed with what my heart was doing for about the first ten+ years of my AF journey and my attacks were so debilitating I'd end up in a hospital ward, it has taken me a long time to take my mind off this subject and get on with living. The less I think about it, the better I feel. Now I used to feel cross with people who suggested I stop looking at my pulse rate machines, I thought that their AF couldn't be as bad as mine and they didn't understand how poorly attacks made some of us feel. I would get cross with anyone who said they could still go on holiday and carry-on life as normal. They made me feel evil, by not understanding how ill I felt! In our minds AF is only as bad as we have experienced, for some attacks are mild for others they're more severe.

4. Make sure you don't slouch, or unwittingly do shallow breathing. If you do your heart will protest.

5. Supplement with magnesium (I use glycinate from YourSupplements and also take vitamins B12, D3, C and zinc). I feel really well and there's nothing I can't do now, despite being in constant low-rate AF. Or at least I think I am, I don't tend check these days.

Jean

[mav7 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

4. Make sure you don't slouch, or unwittingly do shallow breathing. If you do your heart will protest.

Excellent reply, jean !

Pls expand on item 4. Meaning don't exert yourself ? Thx !

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to mav7]

Hmm don't know about that. Sometimes I've exerted myself and gone back into sinus rhythm e.g. cutting the front lawn. Felt sorry for myself doing it when in AF, but not long after pulse went back to normal rate and that happened several times. The only time I'd say don't exert yourself is after having a cardioversion.

[mav7 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I meant what did you mean by “slouch” and “shallow breathing” ?

[MummyLuv in reply to mav7]

slouch is a U.K. word for sitting with bad posture, hunched over. Shallow breathing is when you are not taking deep enough breaths.

[mav7 in reply to MummyLuv]

Thx !

Same in US, I was just unsure of context with AFib.

[Ronnieboy in reply to jeanjeannie50]

To be honest Jean I do all the things you say don't do and I don't get a flicker of a miss heart beat,can AF go away on its own? I do get a lot of fresh air and exercise though.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Ronnieboy]

Good to hear Ronnie. I sometimes become aware that if I'm concentrating on something I can start breathing in a shallow manner and my heart will start making stronger beats, it immediately makes me sit up straight and I can nip AF in the bud. We are all so different and what helps one person may not help another. I can only speak about what helps me.

Fresh air and exercise will keep your lungs stronger than someone who sits at home all the time.

Has your AF gone away? Have you had an ablation?

Jean

[Ronnieboy in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I've had 1 attack in 2009 after which I had a diagnosis of AF but I've not really had anything since apart from a few palpitations .I was put on bisoprolol 2.5 and rivaroxaban 20mg,ive ditched the bisoprolol because my heart rate is low as it is at 45 resting.Still I've learnt a lot about the condition from people like yourself and a few more very learned people on here.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Ronnieboy]

All sounding very promising for you. Long may that last.

Jean

[Snowgirl65 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Can I add as well that when in bed, I sometimes find myself in a fetal position which causes my heart to palpitate. When I realize this, I straighten up again.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Snowgirl65]

You would think that would be a natural position for us wouldn't you, but I guess it may press the heart against other internal organs.

[Jetcat in reply to jeanjeannie50]

great advice jean, 👍x

[GrannyE in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Very sensible advice Jean. I have been pretty well doing most of what you advise. I have also added in no gluten as well as no dairy as well as minimal sugar but that is just me and my personal journey. I am now sometimes in normal sinus which is a great improvement. I find that if I do too much I become breathless and have to stop. I do limit what I do if my body is already under stress i.e. vaccinations. They always have a dreadful effect on me, and if I have an infection I am careful to rest - again that is suits me. Everyone is different.

[GrannyE in reply to GrannyE]

P.S. Doing the above has brought my bp down to acceptable levels without taking the prescribed candesartan. This is a big bonus.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to GrannyE]

I did a spell of being gluten free, until the novelty wore off (probably for about 6-9 months). I always have lactose free milk at home.

[GrannyE in reply to jeanjeannie50]

various members of our family find they are also better off gluten free. It is probably all in the genes

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to GrannyE]

Could well be, nothing surprises me these days.

[MummyLuv]

in addition to what’s been said the routes to managing your afib could be

- lifestyle changes

- medication

- ablation (cryo/RF)

- mini maze/hybrid procedures

Not sure what you were going to ask though.

[Belle11]

Hi Faughdog, can you tell us any more about your persistent AF? Like - how long have you been in persistent AF? And are there plans for a cardioversion to see if you can be put back in normal rhythm? Or if you've had cardioversions, are you being offered an ablation?

I was in persistent AF for 9 months in 2019, had a cardioversion in Jan 2020, and with some changes in diet and a beta blocker, have been in normal rhythm ever since as far as I know.

Look forward to hearing more about your AF situation.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Welcome

You can have RAPID OR SLOW AF. AF atrial Fibrillation means you have an irregular heartbeat.

You may feel it or not. I don't as my ribcage was been described as 'BAD'. I guess the radiographist means right ribs in and left out so my heart has been pushed left.

If you have symptoms like sweating and no energy CONTROL of your rapid persistent H/R is a must.

There are BB beta-blockers and CCB Calcium Channel Blockers which could regulate your rapid heart beat. At rest it should be below 100.

Also BP may need regulating and these two above and others like diuretics etc may be given.

Your well being is important.

The cause can be 'genetic, mine caused by undiagnosed thyroid cancer (found on a carotid arteries scan)

Some folks it could be over doing activity

Some folks it could be food, allergy or COVID disease has been mentioned.

Chances are you should have:

ECG

Echo of Heart

Treadmill test

I cant have a Cardiversion or Ablation because of an enlarged left ventricle chamber.

I read that Pacemakers within two years will regulate your heart differently at night to day.

My heart is not rapid at night .. @ 47 average.

Day was avge 186 on Metropolol with horrid symptoms of breathlessness and fatigue.

So it is important to have an excellent Heart Specialist and I found the best who got my H/R controlled was a Private Chinese Dr.

Waiting through Public is OK but if you want fast action after you hsave the above tests go Private with recommendations.

I was diagnosed with an Embolic Stroke (Ischaemic) in Sept 2019. No follow up which looking back the Dr should do. In 2021 I saw DHB H/Specialist who changed me from Metroprolol to Bisoprolol but H/R remained 156 avg with H/R at rest 120s. Private special ..we settled @ CCB Diltiazem 120mg AM 2.5 Bisoprolol PM.

CONTROLLED. 123/72. 77-88 H/R DAY. 47 H/R NIGHT.

I need to keep an observation of above as if I revert (it happens with thyroid problems (mine is out) I need to take away CCB. On 180mg my H/R went down 105 H/Beats in 2 Hrs!

Also importantly you will be assessed for AF forming blood clots which could form a clot to stroke - having a med called anti-co.agulant. I take PRADAXA 110mg x twice day.

Beware of your meds as you need to stay organised on a daily routine to prevent forgetting or taking more than you should.

In NZ so I have a St Johns Home Alarm. As a necklace and attached to my watch strap a Medic-Alert list of diagnosis.

Take care, I was angry how there was no followup. ManageYourHealth in NZ is important to me. Test results are put on your RESULT list and writing a note to DR is great.

cheers JOY 73. (NZ)