ectopics with the cold weather

[LouBrig]

I have lone AF diagnosed 4-years ago. A successful isolation of Pulmonary Veins through an Ablation, however a second unsuccessful Ablation as AF had moved to near the Sinus Node. I now have Flecanide as a PIP strategy.

Over recent weeks as I’ve left a warm building to go out in to the cold I’ve started to experience something I’ve never had before. It feels like a huge ectopic beat, chest discomfort, blood rushing to my head causing lightheadedness, breathlessness and my thighs feel weak. It stops me in my tracks and I have to wait a few seconds to catch my breath. It lasts a short period of time but my heart feels as though it’s a short burst of AF.

Does anyone else have such an experience and how do you avoid/ deal with it? I wasn’t sure if it’s quite common.

[CDreamer]

Your symptom description reminds me of cold water shock - how cold is cold? If so it is a bodily reaction to the cold. I have to be very careful these days in cold weather so wrap up with lots of layers and most important have your mouth covered with a scarf or even a mask - see if that helps. Control your breathing and your mind.

I note you asked about sparkling water as a trigger so you may have a very reactive autonomic system.

I haven’t experienced this but then done a lot of cold water immersion in my time!

[LouBrig in reply to CDreamer]

Many thanks for responding and inparticular the comment about a responsive autonomic system. I’ll try the scarf around my mouth. I’ve dropped the sparkling water by the way x

[CDreamer in reply to LouBrig]

let me know if it works

[listerines]

I have had a crap load of ectopics over the years and never felt like that, however everyone different. However, when I feel like i am having a run of afib even a short burst it generally is afib. Any way to catch what you are feeling on a wearable? May give you a clear idea of what is happening. Keep safe

[LouBrig in reply to listerines]

Thank you. I too have had plenty of ectopics over recent years but nothing like this. I can only assume it’s the cold moist air in the U.K.

[secondtry]

Could be Vagus Nerve, definitely try what options you have to introduce cold air slowly and as CDreamer says scarf over mouth; I have a thin buff which is very effective.

[LouBrig in reply to secondtry]

thank you

[Auriculaire]

I have had an attack of afib start on poking my head out of a window and breathing in cold air! I now follow CDreamers advice and wrap my scarf round my nose and mouth if it is very cold.