Afib episode---has anyone experienced... - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

31,295 members36,959 posts

Afib episode---has anyone experienced this?

midtownjay profile image
30 Replies

Just recovering from covid

In great athletic shape

47, workout regularly, eat clean for the most part, don't drink regularly, don't smoke, not on any pills

Got my blood test for heart health and it's clear

I do get occassional ectopics and paroxysmal Afib episodes much less if I'm stressed, underslept, exhausted( I have a lot on the go--day job, 2 side hustles and go out a lot for walks, to the gym, to record content as also am a vlogger)

Anyways I'm coming off tail end of covid and I had worked out hard and after 15 minutes

I was just sitting and my heart went out of sync, into an erratic, irregular beat, I could feel it in my throat

I just breathed deeply and I was back in sinus rythm. Total time was maybe 7 seconds

It also happend yesterday when I was sitting, after a meal, deep in my thoughts and my heart did the same but it was only for 3 seconds

Good news. it never happens when I'm active or mindful or in a calm state.

I don't get it regularly ....few times per year then it's gone and I'm back in normal rhythm

No other systems like I don't have any chest pain, don't feel faint, don't feel chest pressure

I think it's just my mind that's the culprit(when I'm emotional, stressed, thinking about something with deep feeling, I'm more prone to them), or a vagus irritation caused by eating a meal or could be caused by my body still being exhausted fighting off the covid infection

I'm okay now

I also ate like 10 packs of halls so maybe they have some stimulants

Anyways , based on the chads test, I don't have any of those factors so not going to get on drugs for anti blood coagulation

I eat natural blood thinning spices anyways(cinnamon, ginger, etc)

ANyways wanted to know if any of you experience these paroxysmal episodes and that's it

or is everyone here in persistent Afib

I'm not going to worry about it or see a Doc for now

Obviously if it becomes consistent, I'll have it checked out

Written by
midtownjay profile image
midtownjay
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
30 Replies
jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Welcome to the forum Jay.

Even people with what are classed as having normal hearts have little runs of extra or reduced beats. Let's hope you are one of them, it certainly sounds like it.

A few months ago I had covid and pneumonia at the same, my heart went berserk and I was kept in a covid ward for 4 days. I wonder if your extra beats were because of Covid. Or have you had them before that.

What's the longest session of abnormal beats you've had?

Jean

midtownjay profile image
midtownjay in reply to jeanjeannie50

3 years ago when I had flu, I did something stupid I went to gym, jiu jutsu martial arts training, and went to party and drank I had no fever. I had pafib on off whole dayThese are not just extra beats those are ectopics but where you feel your heart is beating erratically, out of rhythm. Have you experienced that or only ectopics? I think good diet, stress management, excercise is key

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply to midtownjay

Beware over exercise is a known cause of AF. Middle aged iron man enthusiasts are prime candidates as are fighter pilots. (fighting G forces) Everything in moderation and listen to your body.

AussieHeart profile image
AussieHeart in reply to BobD

Never laughed so hard … I was a middle-aged “wannabe” iron WOman enthusiast who now hopes the horrendous cryoablation works forever. Why specialists can’t admit food is also a trigger is beyond my understanding as aged cheese, all chocolate, processed deli meats and the big one dehydration were behind most of my episodes. Currently building up strength after losing 9kgs in less than a year to AFIB issues to regain some semblance of fitness but three-months post ablation off ALL meds :-)

My original diagnosis in Jan 2010 (a 65 year old inactive bus driver) was paroxysmal AF. It troubled me for the first 18 months or so till I realised food was the trigger. Medication and a different diet brought the demon to heel - eventually - these days I might get a couple of mild events per year. This year has been best ever, only one incident that put me off work. ( now a 78 year old inactive part time bus driver).

John

midtownjay profile image
midtownjay in reply to

God bless. Afib even persistent is not a death sentence as long as you understand triggers, and keep healthy, mindful, low stress, etc.

Crumble2 profile image
Crumble2

menthol is known to trigger afib in some people and maybe 10 packets of Halls is a lot 😊 I like Halls myself but keep it to one packet a day at the most as it has triggered episodes in the past.

Silky57 profile image
Silky57

Hi Midtown, I had my first and only AFib episode immediately post Covid, with mild exertion (walking uphill). Captured on iWatch but, like you, it resolved in less than a minute. Again, like you, no other risk factors, only previous ectopics. I’m absolutely convinced Covid was the trigger. No episodes since - 6 weeks now. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for both you and I that we stay settled in SR. I am now formally diagnosed as having AFib though.

midtownjay profile image
midtownjay in reply to Silky57

That's great yeah Talked to docFlu triggered it..stress

Not heart disease

No history or blood test evidence of it in me or parents.

I can workout like ufc fighter, nor break a breath

I'll let thos one pass

I know some people immediately call doc, go to Er , get on meds. Not me

I had a 5x horrible vout 4 years ago.

Stress, flu, working out during it, plus drinking caused ot. Haven't had it like thar since. Also I had covid, and worn out. The day after had a less longe bout as i was recovering. Thanks for the advice but I'll monitor it for now abd if it comes back with no yriggers to blame I'll dlsee a doc. Wish you good health

Mugsy15 profile image
Mugsy15

Triggers for arrythmias vary person to person, but two that seem to affect the majority of sufferers are dehydration and sweeteners, especially artificial ones.

Your lifestyle makes you a prime candidate for dehydration; only you know whether you hydrate adequately but I find most people underestimate the amount of water lost through sweating, or make the mistake of thinking energy drinks will replace their fluids. The aim should be to drink enough plain water to keep your urine looking like white wine and never like Lucozade.

As for eating ten packets of sweets packed with artificial sweeteners.... what???

If I was asked how to deliberately induce arrythmia, that's what I'd suggest!!

MikeThePike profile image
MikeThePike

I wouldn't downplay it. Truth is you don't really know why those incidents are happening so it's best to get them checked out by a cardiologist. Better to be safe than later sorry.

midtownjay profile image
midtownjay in reply to MikeThePike

Talked to docFlu triggered it..stress

Not heart disease

No history or blood test evidence of it in me or parents.

I can workout like ufc fighter, nor break a breath

I'll let thos one pass

I know some people immediately call doc, go to Er , get on meds. Not me

I had a 5x horrible vout 4 years ago.

Stress, flu, working out during it, plus drinking caused ot. Haven't had it like thar since. Also I had covid, and worn out. The day after had a less longer bootas I was recovering. So i know its covid/exhaustion/halls related. Thanks for the advice but I'll monitor it for now abd if it comes back with no yriggers to blame I'll dlsee a doc. Wish you good health

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire

It is very silly to work out vigorously when in the middle of or recovering from an infection. The body needs rest in order to mend itself not extra stress so nothing more than short moderately paced walks should be undertaken.

I have occasional bouts that kept getting more frequent. Been like this since for as long as I can remember and I am now 73.

I started out much you describe. I have always wondered about chemicals in food and around us as I don’t process chemicals out of my system as fast as others.

Then one of my tests revealed a prolapsed Mitro valve and I was on medication to take the pressure off the valve, but that never made sense because my blood pressure was very low to start with. After being on that medication for 12 years I have a horrible attack of what I later learned was Afib. I was running in the agility ring with one of my dogs when it happened.

Tests were run again, this time I was told I didn’t have a prolapased valve but I had prolapsed syndrome. I thought the Dr was making that up. But I find that is a real condition and perhaps it is Vagal Afib, I don’t know.

Afib started to show up more and more almost weekly as I got older.

Recently had an echo and once again it is showing a prolapsed mitro valve. I am back on blood pressure meds, because this time I do have higher BP as I got older.

I have always kept up the moderate excercise, and tried to eat good. But when you discuss this stuff with a DR. They just look at you like you have two heads. The other thing is low blood sugar which I have, nothing is discussed regarding that either.

I suggest reading some of Dr. Gundry’s books in which in goes into the causes of inflammation in the body which can and will affect the heart as well. He goes into lectins as a source of inflammation which are in foods we have been told are healthy. (Wrong)

Covid and all the Covid vaccines create the same heart inflammation by the way. All the info seems to be hidden away from the populations. I just feel like we are left on our own to figure out what is the best way to stay healthy because everything is pushing all of us to eat lousy, eat the wrong things, etc.

All the best,

Tomred profile image
Tomred

sounds like the way afib started on me approx 30 years ago, then it steadily built up, hope that wont be the case for you . happy new year

midtownjay profile image
midtownjay in reply to Tomred

Talked to docFlu triggered it..stress

Not heart disease

No history or blood test evidence of it in me or parents.

I can workout like ufc fighter, nor break a breath

I'll let thos one pass

I know some people immediately call doc, go to Er , get on meds. Not me

I had a 5x horrible vout 4 years ago.

Stress, flu, working out during it, plus drinking caused ot. Haven't had it like thar since. Also I had covid, and worn out. The day after had a less longer bootas I was recovering. So i know its covid tekated. Thanks for the advice but I'll monitor it for now abd if it comes back with no yriggers to blame I'll dlsee a doc. Wish you good health

Dadtoalad23 profile image
Dadtoalad23

I’d say get a diagnosis and definitely don’t wait. Don’t take any fobbing off from the GP get diagnosed properly. If it’s nothing to worry about have that diagnosis. I waited and put it off accepted when the GP looked at a fit active 40+ year old not over weight person and told me “not to worry” on and off for maybe five or more years.

Now I’m in persistent AF with some related issues. Also was told not to worry about my slightly high cholesterol and now also have moderate artery disease in a major artery. My advice is you feel something is slightly off and different for the past don’t stop until everything is ruled out.

If my Af was treated when I first noticed it 7 years ago and my cholesterol also 7 years ago I wouldn’t be here now with persistent AF and heart disease.

midtownjay profile image
midtownjay in reply to Dadtoalad23

Talked to docFlu triggered it..stress

Not heart disease

No history or blood test evidence of it in me or parents.

I can workout like ufc fighter, nor break a breath

I'll let thos one pass

I know some people immediately call doc, go to Er , get on meds. Not me

I had a 5x horrible vout 4 years ago.

Stress, flu, working out during it, plus drinking caused ot. Haven't had it like thar since. Also I had covid, and worn out. The day after had a less longer bootas I was recovering. Thanks for the advice but I'll monitor it for now abd if it comes back with no yriggers to blame I'll dlsee a doc. Wish you good health

Dadtoalad23 profile image
Dadtoalad23 in reply to midtownjay

good luck and good health man 🙏🏽

midtownjay profile image
midtownjay in reply to Dadtoalad23

God bless. Happy new year

Mrscjj profile image
Mrscjj

I had paroxysmal af after my 3rd covid booster in November 2021 and also had covid in April 2020 as I worked in the nhs on a covid ward. I had 2 episodes when I ended up in A&E from November and fingers crossed none since but I am on a blood thinner. Also aged 63.

midtownjay profile image
midtownjay in reply to Mrscjj

Didvyou do a Chad's test to conclude you need blood thinners?

Mrscjj profile image
Mrscjj

my chad score was 2. Blood pressure was slightly up but cardiologist wanted it below 135/80. You can throw clots off when your heart is not beating correctly so recommended endoxaban.

midtownjay profile image
midtownjay in reply to Mrscjj

Ok. Anyway afib is liveable and not a death sentence, even if persistent with right lifestyle, diet, meds. You'll be fine. Ty for trying to help me out.

Tomred profile image
Tomred

10 packs of Halls , did you stay in bathroom throughout.... surely a trigger.

midtownjay profile image
midtownjay in reply to Tomred

Yeah I'm realizing that for me triggers are aspartame or cough meds in excessWorking out when sick

Salt, caffeine too much

Emotional stress.

I was eating them halls like candy

Why they got to make them so delicious?

I

Caffeine

1290Duke profile image
1290Duke

Hi there, you described my own experience almost exactly. First episode in March 22, got to hospital and after ECG diagnosis they gave me a single pill, by the time I got back from x-ray dept I was back in normal rhythm.

Since then I've had maybe 10 or 12 mini episodes just as you described. I can be sitting there doing nothing in particular and I feel my heart rate suddenly start to increase rapidly. I'm able to terminate it with a swift deep breath with a slow breath out. Lasts no more than two or three seconds. I'm working hard at trying to keep it at that level of severity for as long as I can.

Silky57 profile image
Silky57 in reply to 1290Duke

Just out of interest, can I ask if you are medicated?

1290Duke profile image
1290Duke in reply to Silky57

Daily 120mg Diltiazem

midtownjay profile image
midtownjay in reply to 1290Duke

Yeah my heart rate doesn't increase it goes off rhythm and speeds up. Like a fish out of water or like a flip flop and I feel it in my throat. I don't get SVT or heart rate speeding up really. For me it's more like an irregular heart beat. However I always timed these with stress, flu, sickness, eating halls, triggers, caffeine and also those with underlying heart problems ventriculat hypertrophy, mitral value issues, high BP. obesity will tend to go into chronic AF but I read/head fro mDr Sanjay Gupta on youtube that if you are not having these then you have less chance of it advancing. So I'll just monitor it. Thanks.

You may also like...

Stress and afib episodes

stress a trigger for afib episodes? I have paroxysmal afib and normally my episodes have been...

Anyone that has been diagnosed in their 20s/30s with afib?

and he got recently diagnosed with paroxysmal afib. He had episodes quite often, about 1-2 times a...

Afib episode after eating

triggers for my afib. Managed 4 months without an episode, but this is really weird.....my afib...

Eating after starting an Afib Episode?

into Afib, would you still eat it? Or eat a snack if hungry? Have you perchance found that eating...

when to go to hospital with an afib episode

its 6am and I'm still in an afib episode with average heart rate 175 on my kardia since 4.30am....