pretty much as the title of the topic how breathless do you feel and is it only when your heart beat is high
I have AF but can have a high heart 120/150 beat without being breathless other times it can be 80/90 ish and i breathless so much so I can’t function
A lot of things seem to cause breathlessness. I had it a lot when I had fluid around my heart and in my lungs but not as other times.Once i had meds. to deal with the fluid then the breathlessness disappeared.It is certainly something which needs to be addressed. Do not put up with breathelessness. A cardio. or even your GP can probably get to the bottom of it.
I only get breathless when I'm walking with my daughter or sister - they both walk fast! I used to too. On my own I take it fairly easy. I live at the top of a very steep hill which involves going up lots of steps and hills.
same here mine all walk too fast!
Are you saying you're breathless with a HR of 80-90 while in normal rhythm? If so, you might need a workup that might including looking over your medications, testing for anemia, pulmonary function tests and cardio testing. I'd start with your gp and go from there.
Had similar problems after Covid, but seem to be resolving now.
Jim
hi Jim
My issues all started post covid 6 weeks after yes I seem to get breathless at times when the heart rate isn’t that high
For me, it was, and still is, a frustrating experience, but if you're concerned, start with your gp and take it from there. There can be multiple causes for shortness of breath and a good gp should be able to rule out (or in) some of them with a physical exam as well as going over your medical history.
Jim
yes they keep pointing at asthma but this isn’t the same plus I blow 650-800 on the peak flow this feels like you have had your head under water and your lungs need oxygen at its worse
My exhale is fine, I felt a restriction with the inhale. I believe the term they use is "air hunger". I assume they've done a chest xray? If not, try and get one right away. if things do not resolve at a certain point, A CT scan should also be part of the workup, considering it was post Covid. So much they don't know about Covid but it can temporarily restrict the lungs. Of course, you also have to rule out heart issues. Not a lot of fun.
Jim
hi Jim
I have had a chest x ray on the lungs a X-ray focused on the heart , a CT on the lungs and a echo
Nothing with the heart just mild valve regurgitation and EF low side of normal . Lungs all ok
But the breathlessness has me gasping at times yet one day I can walk 5 miles then another I just about make it upstairs then need a sit down to control the breathing
Sounds like you've had a better work up then me so far. What about your medications? Anything new or something old that could be causing your shortness of breath? Could it be de-conditioning from Covid? Of maybe just one of those Covid after effects that may not show up anywhere. I assume you've been tested for anemia? Again, very frustrating, I know. FWIW my breathing seems to be getting a little better these days after 8 months where it was not so good. Don't know if it's time or the fact I'm starting to get into better condition with a treadmill walking program.
when I have a day when I’m a little breathless I find a walk helps to but on my bad days I couldn’t even think about walking the other day I just about got around the supermarket with little stops . Then within 2 days I’m walking 6 miles with not problems
It’s like a valve being open then nearly closed
I still think it’s all covid related somehow
Similar stuff here. OK on the treadmill and then breathing feels constricted driving the car or lying around. How long since you had Covid? Covid is insidious and yet people look at you funny for wearing a mask. Do you ever get it just getting out of bed or bending down?
Jim
it’s 10 months now since covid my first appointment with the GP was 5/6 weeks post covid
I get breathless getting out of the bath and drying myself often not so much getting out of bed
Hi again
Breathless on EXERTION.
That's heart related to oxygen not getting around the body fast enough.
Caused by Af.
cheri JOY 74. (NZ)
that’s what the doctor said I was concerned I had /have two things going on
If you're in afib, I can understand shortness of breath being related to the heart beating fast and irregular. However, if you're not in afib for at least a couple of weeks, I don't see how that would affect you being out of breath during exertion except if you are de-conditioned. My shortness of breath was when I was out of afib for some time.
Hi Jim
It could be the medication Metroprolol as it was with me....
or
an enlarged chamber but I wouldn't call it breathless but STOP
to get the oxygen throughout body Dr says. I have enlarged L Chamber.
Mine comes with up hills or mowing longer grass which I call exertion.
But the Auckland Specialist said I had a soft Systolic Heart Murmur.
The DHB tried to blame being on Thyroxine re Thyroid Cancer.
Yes, an ECHO would be great for ....
cheri JOY (NZ). 74
I can't breathe with those masks on! Their terrible imo!
I don't like wearing a mask either but I still do in many situations. Fact is I probably got Covid (and resulting shortness of breath) from someone who did not wear a mask.
Jim
I wear a mask not that I like it but I’m sure I got covid I. The supermarket with non Mack wearing public
In the US, masking is becoming fewer and far between. I've read that some states are even lifting masking requirements in medical facilities and hospitals. In the State of the Union address, I only noticed one member of Congress wearing a mask. It was Bernie Sanders, age 81. So much for protecting the elderly and vunerable. LOL.
Jim
I had that as I came round from my ablation. Echo next day showed fluid around the heart. I am thinking that a fast heart rate may be helping to shift fluid but slow is allowing it to build up. Before my ablation I had a HR in the low fifties when not in AF and I had been desperately trying to lose weight because I had a big tummy - turned out it was all fluid so I lost weight practically overnight!
So excess fluid was causing both your shortness of breath and a distended abdomen? Could you explain what they think was causing the fluid build up and how it was resolved. Thanks. My abdomen has also been distended but was written off as post covid IBS.
Jim
It was the medication I took before my ablation making my circulation sluggish. Nothing was done about the pericardial effusion which was small. I had one previously when I had a virus, that was my first episode of AF. So not surprising if Covid caused something like that. I sometimes felt suddenly that my breathing was restricted for months after Covid.
So your shortness of breath and distended abdomen resolve by themselves? How long did it take? What was the medication you referred to?
How did they know about fluid? I also have distended tummy and enlarged atrium
The fluid around the heart was seen on the post procedure echocardiogram. The general fluid was evident from weight gain and then sudden loss after withdrawal of meds and ablation which resulted in speeded up heart rate. I was taking a combo of Propafenone and diltiazem which slowed my heart too much when not in AF.
One other thing. If you haven't had your ferritin checked, maybe have it done. It's not always checked, especially if your hemoglobin is normal. My ferritin has been low post Covid with normal hemoglobin. They tell me that should not cause shortness of breath, but I have read otherwise. Let me know if you do and we can compare notes.
Jim
not had that checked Jim
To be honest it’s a new one in me but will definitely ask the question of the GP
Neil
Yeah, have the ferritin checked, simple enough to do. If low with normal hemoglobin, then we'll both be in the same "WTF is going on" club. I plan to see a hematologist soon for an IV iron infusion. Tried oral iron but did not agree with my stomach at all.
I have iron tabs here to take as I thought my tiredness may be related . Not got around to it yet what with the meds plus Cod liver ,wheatgerm b12 D etc etc I can’t face another tablet or vit
I wouldn't go popping iron tabs unless your hemoglobin or ferritin are low. You should also get tested for vit b12.
You may be getting enough iron in your diet but it’s how your body stores and distributes it that is important which is why you need a blodd test first. I’ve raised my B12 levels and notice more energy and less breathless.
I would add B12 levels and FBC. I take meds which eat my platelets so I have to be really careful not to get anameia .
Your post caught my attention.( I just also had my response disappear so I hope you dont get twice. ) I also take meds, they are purposely to lower platelets and I take appixaban.. My level of hemoglobin is below acceptable range. and am now anemic. I am very concerned about this. I get breathless and I think its appixaban and I think this must also be lowering my iron levels. I take iron and vitamins and nothing happens. I am going to start taking them 4 hours away from appixaban to see if there is any change.. I have been reading that when and how you take is important, certain foods also.block absorption.
Apixaban is suspect in developing anemia but it’s a lot better than alternatives such as Rivaroxaban or Wafarin as far as I can tell.
I also take immune suppressants so my haemoglobin distribution levels are permanently either borderline or below normal ranges because of these meds rather than Apixaban. I make enough platelets it’s just they get eaten up by the meds which I take to suppress the immune response but unfortunately has the same affect on red blood cells so although I ensure I have a healthy diet and B12 is always high, makes little difference to available ferritin - which is what is important.
Only a blood test can tell you available ferritin - which is what is important. Nothing much one can do in my case as I need to take the meds to manage an over active immune response so I made the decision to continue to take Apixaban as my Chads score is 4 so there is overall benefit to risk factor. It’s manageable.
Thanks for getting back. I also think Apixaban is the best blood thinner to take. I just noticed the timing of when I started taking it and my hemoglobin being so low, iron levels are a part of this, and breathlessness. Thank you for your interesting note on ferritin. Several years ago my iron stores disappeared and then my family doctor left her practice because of sickness The doctors I see seem to now just look at hemoglobin, but I did ask for a test with ferritin and will be getting a paper to get this test. I think I will take some extra b12 . I am going to pursue this. The hematologist whom I saw a few days ago for my 6 mos check up didnt say anything about my hemoglobin levels and I just saw the results after the fact on line. yet the hospital admitted me in Sept for a viral infection and one of the things was the really low hemoglobin. The best of luck to you. and thanks again
When I was taking Bisoprolol I couldn’t walk up the stairs and in AF couldn’t walk.
When i stopped taking Bisoprolol I could function in AF (mostly as long as my BP didn’t bottom) until my HR exceeded 150. AF on its own doesn’t always cause breathlessness but as others have mentioned, many other things contribute and do.
The only times I get breathless now is walking up any incline.
see I was breathless with a high heart beat 178 when I went to hospital after previous days of breathlessness so I don’t think it’s down to the Bisoprolol yet the cardio doctor has said I don’t have heart failure and tne CT scan said my lungs were fine
Having read through your thread it does seem there is no obvious cause and it may be that COVID is somehow the cause but I suggest that you look at the way you breathe. I learned a lot from reading a book called Breath by James Nestor and conversations between Nestor and Patrick McKeown on YouTube.
All I can say is I have tried to follow their methods and breath exercises and found them beneficial and my breathing is better. I had COVID with pneumonia back in Oct 21 and had several bouts of pneumonia since - a tiny bit of scarring on the lungs.
Best wishes
thank you
I totally get the breathing method can help but I’m talking about gasping like a fish out of water not a bit of difficulty
What is your peak flow when that happens? I think it would be worth putting a question on the asthma and lung foundation forums.
Try breathing in then blowing out through pursed lips. My father, who had COPD, taught me that. It stops CO2 building up.
when it hits me it’s like a fish out of water gasping for air it’s beyond the breathing technique’s
How low do your SATS go?
oxygen level at hospital on Friday was 99
My peak flow at home 670-800
Oxygen level. Both your levels are fantastic, wish mine were so good. If they are the same when you are having an episode of breathlessness it’s a complete mystery, hope it gets solved
I get so breathless when having an episode of PAF and they now lasts for 4 or 5 days (that extended to 10 days while taking flecainide ) sometimes it makes speech difficult . When not in PAF, ectopic beats also cause a similar level of breathlessness.
I also have asthma with a standard PF meter reading of 350 (I am 74) but the breathlessness is not lung related it feels different.
For the first time in 3 months I have had 4 whole days with no AF or ectopic and no breathlessness and what a joy it was, I was able to get some jobs done in the garden until the beast returned last night along with the breathlessness.
My EP is aware of the breathlessness , I had it when attending a recent arrhythmia clinic and he was not concerned. I am now on an 8 month waiting list for an ablation.
it’s funny you say that my cardio doctor didn’t seemed concerned yesterday about the breathing more about the AF that was the only focus yet they breathing is my worry
It always puzzles me.I can do excercise classes for an hour . Circuit for oldies.Shows as aerobics mainly and some anaerobics for a small part.No breathlessness.Same with bowls.
Inclines give me major problems and outdoor walks used to be fine on the flat but a problem now with these as the weather cold.
I remember the last time I had afib which was ages ago I fekt as if I wasn’t getting enough air.
But I live in a ski resort everything is uphill and I’m fine on flat but on uphill I’m breathless and heavy legged…..
Your breathlessness sounds exactly like my husband’s. Since last May he has had PAF and ectopics. It was thought he’d had myocarditis in April until he had an MRI in December that showed he’d had a MINOCA. He never gets very rapid HR and is only in actual AF for short periods. Since all other tests (echo, EV, blood results) are normal the cardiologist has said to improve fitness and hopefully will settle down. However his experience of having his ‘breath stolen’ is very debilitating. The spells last typically 4 days and he can do very little without being breathless (on inspiration) and developing chest pain that doesn’t respond to GTN but resolves quickly with rest. Kardia reports NSR but it’s possible to see erratic beats and he feels his heart pounding. Then suddenly he knows the episode is over and he can walk normally etc. When he’s in actual AF (hasn’t had since getting Covid in December) he says the breathlessness is the same. But it didn’t start with Covid - these breathless episodes have been happening right since last summer and have resulted in us cancelling holidays at the last minute.
Super supportive GP and an appointment next week - but she and the cardiologist EP are somewhat baffled it seems.
I might be a good idea to have it all checked out. Case in point, is that I had a strange "asthma-related" seasonal allergy episode in early October, even though I don't have asthma, which caused extreme breathing problems. My GP gave me a steroid inhaler which triggered the worst a-fib attack of my life, necessitating a 2-day hospital stay, and eventually leading a couple months later to my third ablation. Which gets me to the point -- that my heart was probably the cause in the first place, and not allergies back in October. My breathing now is better than it's been in years. I sure hope you find answers.
Hi
I was breathless on Metroprolol . It dos not suit me
nor does it control my H/R.Also 2 x 2 seconds pauses at night. I was banned.
Ange H/R day 187.
Changed to Bisoprolol no Breathlessness. But only dropped to 156. Still not
controlled.
Above sweating excessively.
Went to Private Specialist and put on CCB Diltiazem 180 and dropped 104 H/R.
Now kept on 120ng Diltiazem AM and Bisoprolol 2.5mg at night.
Controlled 123/70. H/R day 77-88 at day 47 night always maintained.
Exertion not breathlessness is apparent throuout. It stops me as 0 2 is inter rupted around my body. Due to an increased size in Venticle Chamber.Disallowed any ablation.
For you is it the medication.
Or H/R is not in control - under 100.
Or enlargement of your heart
or more than 1 of the above.
The heart gets enlarged through rapid heart beats.
cheri Joy. 74. (NZ)
can they heart reduce in time again
Sorry.
The heart gets enlarged through being left with rapid H/R long term.
I would need to ask my specialist if my heart will ever return to normal
in size.
Also every night my H/R is 47.
But I think that I had AF well before it was diagnosed by a year perhaps and
not on amy medication.
cheri JOY
that’s my theory with mine it was with me for a while
Being SOB is not good. My afib episodes have always had high heart rates, and SOB. I always contacted paramedics, who transported me by ambulance to nearest ER. If you have someone who can drive you, fine, but do not attempt to drive yourself. I've never been able to have afib reversed by meds, so had to wait a couple of hours for cardioversion.
Was always breathless when in AF. Pace and Ablate end of last year. Still breathless. Pacemaker checked, chest x-Ray, echocardiogram. Still waiting!
I am breathless most of the time. It gets much worse when I have obvious palpitations.
This post caught my attention, after reading many on this forum. I was diagnosed with AF last July but erratic heartbeat symptoms had been around for best part of 15 years.. Bare with me as I suspect my heart story goes beyond AF but is still under investigation.
My problems started with not being able to stand up for long periods, or I would pass out and hit the deck. Having Epilepsy since a child, that was my first suspicion but my Neurologist referred me for some cardio tests, including Tilt table, Stress test treadmill, 7 day heart monitor, 3 day blood pressure monitor. Blood pressure appeared normal according to GP. Neuro said the other symptoms did not appear to be Epilepsy related but sounded like syncope events and would get a cardiologist to investigate the test results further but no follow up/referral was received, you could tell it had them puzzled, especially as I was still in my 30s at the time.
After many lifestyle adjustments.. symptoms had been getting worse as I was getting that little bit older, and heartbeat was even more erratic. Sitting could be 50/70 then suddenly 90/110 and if I started walking it would be up to 140/150, max I saw was 200 but not for long. Basic movement should not cause such a jump, even triple a rate in some cases, most days it would easily double and was just all over the place.
Fast forward to last year.. Breathlessness and cool sensations in the chest started to develop more, extra fatigue, and pain in the shoulder blades which I just thought was a separate issue.. So reluctantly called 111 and an ambulance arrived within 40 mins and took me into A&E where AF was diagnosed which I suspect I'd had for many years.
My GP surgery has been very good at trying to stabilise the heart rate, put me on 10mg Bisoprolol, 20mg Rivaroxaban, and 125mg Digoxin, and had plenty blood tests along the way. But after numerous ECG's the rate is still too high for them so was referred for an Echocardiogram and Cardiologist appointment, which are due any day now.
Apologies for the long reply, just had to explain how I got to this point. I get breathless when I eat many days, which I think is crazy. I've never smoked, haven't drank in years, not diabetic, but do have a fair few other health issues and am still in my late 40s.
I get breathless in certain circumstances, but it usually settles down within a few minutes. The circumstances which would lead to breathlessness would be:
When I have the dog - a husky outside in the morning for her constitutional and she doesn't want to come in again, so I have to drag her in
When same dog gets excited about another animal or person coming past or even a bird fluttering about in the tree- she's particularly bad with the dog next door, but thankfully that dog is mostly penned in at the back of the house. She gets overexcited and I have difficulty controlling her. When we get into the house again it takes me a minute to be able to talk again.
Walking any distance.
Getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom - that used to happen to me as a child, but I didn't think anything of it.
Vacuuming or brushing a floor.
Doing something, eg. cleaning a saucepan , that needs a lot of effort.
From reading the other posts in this thread, I don't think it's as serious as other posters have experienced. It's not bad to the point of struggling to breathe. I just exhale a lot for a few minutes when it happens.
Gillian
AF with a slow heart rate
Coping with AF
AF do it sends the nervous system into over also? 
How you know if you are in AF, sinus rhythm or having ectopics? 
how to cope with af
