Worrying

[Ginnik]

I feel my Prox. AF has changed over the last 6 months. It now last most of the day being in and out of AF and the periods when I’m not in it I have a resting heart rate of around 100.  Just as I go back into Sinus rhythm I feel really ill as though I’m going to black out and start to lose my focus for a few seconds.  When I do an ECG (via Apple Watch) straight after this feeling, I’m back in normal sinus rhythm again

Has anybody else had this experience and is it normal or something to be worried about?

I find this very scary.

[Gumbie_Cat]

I had that just once, last year - felt really woozy then went back into rhythm. Other times I didn’t notice or reverted overnight. Mine turned persistent later last year though, so haven’t had this for a while.

It is scary, but does happen as the heart pauses as it ‘resets’. I think the most worrying thing would be if you were out or driving for instance.

[Poochmom in reply to Gumbie_Cat]

that happened to me once when I was driving. Scary as heck. I had to pull over because I was afraid I would pass out. Yikes!

[mjames1]

Apple Watch is a great device, but unless you know how to read the ekg's themselves, better to double check with an ep and email the ekg, as opposed to relying on Apple's analysis. If you're truly going in and out of afib, sounds like you need a better strategy, be it a medication change, including the addition of a daily anti-arrythmic, like flecainde. Ablation is another option. Once afib changes and gets out of control, and it can happen very quickly, you really want to contact your ep right away and come up with a new strategy.

Jim

[BobD Volunteer]

Some people suffer like this yes but to be honest you need to discuss with your EP and consider a different medication plan (which you do not tell us about) to improve your QOL (quality of life) .

[Ginnik in reply to BobD]

thank you for your reply. I am on flecainide x 300mg (max) 2.50mg bisoprolol. I’ve had 2 unsuccessful ablations and have been discussing with my EP going down the pace and ablate route. He seems quite dismissive when discussing this blacking out problem. Thank you once again in taking the time to reply.

[Tommyboy21]

Yeah. I do. Sometimes I want to drop to my knees or grab for something. My paf has also progressed lately from not even diagnosed episodes a couple times a year to daily. Really stiff neck as well.

[doodle68]

Hi Ginnik I have had this a number of times including yesterday, it is horrible . My P-AF has also changed in the last months from 20 hours once a week to 3 or 4 whole days of P-AF a week. I feel breathless with hot sweats and ill most of the time, I am losing interest in doing things.

I got a puppy last October and have to get up at 6am and take her out and walk her during the day , good job I got her or I would be tempted to stay in bed .

I am waiting for an Ablation.

[President2012]

I have experienced similar. Actually blacked out a number of times. My EP told me I was having a prolonged pause on conversion to NSR. He put me on Donedarone last year which stopped that from happening. I now have Bradycardia and will probably need a pacemaker soon. You need to talk to to your EP. Good luck

[oliviab9]

Hi sane thing has started happening to me it is really frightening . I saw EP privately and he explained it as being a pause when the heart is trying to get back into sinus rhythm . I am on flecainide 50 mg Bd , he feels now is time for abalation as he thinks I may have atrial flutter but can’t be sure . I have had PAF for 5 years and last three events have been like this , thankfully nothing for past 6 months .

[Weren in reply to oliviab9]

What is PAF?

[oliviab9 in reply to Weren]

paroxysmal atrial fibrillation .

[Weren in reply to oliviab9]

Thank you 🙂

[Clarrie]

I used to feel as though I was going to black out when reverting to normal sinus rhythm and then eventually did start blacking out.. I had a pacemaker fitted and now do not notice when I revert to NSR.

[Auriculaire]

I have had dizzy spells when reverting go NSR but luckily no blacking out.

[Ossie7]

Hello , I had a 13 second pause when I was chemically cardioverted in hospital with a flecanide infusion . I blacked out and it was very frightening but I was in the right place . I have never had it when I’ve converted from AF to sinus rhythm ‘ naturally ‘ .

[MWIC]

glad you’ve written this (not that you’ve had it) I occasionally get this - 5 second wave in head which I can only describe as feeling like I’m gonna pass out (but never actually have) - but whenever I have this my heart rate then skyrockets - highest so far was 192 but it’s that feeling that I hate most- I’ve also discovered that whilst I always thought I could feel it there are times when I’m oblivious to it and can’t feel anything amiss- got a Kardiamobile device and have had HR up to 170 and was shocked as had no idea - but the rhythm was regular not erratic as it is at other times so what would cause my HR to rise to this level - If this ain’t AFib what is it?? also when I’d get an episode previously once it stopped it was gone, would never get it again that day or the next - now I have had a few weeks where it comes and goes then comes again in the same day - up and down all day - Waiting for an appt to come through to see a cardiologist - no idea what’s happening at the moment