just diagnosed with AF, shocked but in hindsight I think I’ve had it a long time. Mainly breathlessness and minor fatigue.

various or best type of treatment please

[Crgj]

As all will say don't panic, that will make it worse, there's plenty of treatments/medicines out there which can help and get you back to your normal lifestyle, this forum is brilliant and will put your mind at ease, I was the same when I was first diagnosed but now am at ease with it..

[Hidden in reply to Crgj]

Hello Crgj

Many thanks for your advice, I think already I’m in the right place. I’ll see what the docs recommend, I’m pretty cool with it at the moment as it seems I have few indicators, only out of breath.

Cheers

[NLGA in reply to Hidden]

that’s same as me breathing issues pretty heavy at times

[Vince1001]

007,

You're in the right place. Others may comment but here's my pennyworth.

How was the Afib diagnosed? Unclear in your Bio. Others have similar thoughts on Covid booster being to blame for Afib.

Assume that you have a meeting set up with cardiologist, ideally electrophysiologist who are experts in arrhythmia.

Best to check out your Chads2 Vasc score re. stroke risk. May have to be on anti- coagulants (incorrectly called blood thinners) depending on the score. Lots of calcs on the internet.

[Hidden in reply to Vince1001]

Hi Vince

Good to hear from you and your advice is very welcome. I had a medical as part of a job interview, the doc picked it up on a pulse check then got me on a 6 point ECG.

I’m hoping anti coagulation will sort it/manage it. I’ve been looking at binge drinking habits, my hydration or lack of it. I’ve upped my water intake drastically to what it was, I will keep you posted

Cheers

[CDreamer in reply to Hidden]

Binge drinking is something to avoid as it will aggravate further episodes and cause scarring on the heart. Keep up the hydration and electrolytes balance.

Lifestyle factors are IMHO the first thing to look at :- Stress, Sleep, Breath work, Nutrition and exercise and should be lines of treatment - after assessment for anticoagulation - which by the way is not a treatment for AF but a prophalactic treatment to reduce the risk of AF induced stroke.

May I suggest that you visit the AFA website and read as much as you can heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

[jeanjeannie50]

Having had AF for almost18 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 in the middle of the night 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 and 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!

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!

4. When sitting watching tv make sure you don't slouch, or become so absorbed in what your watching that you unwittingly do shallow breathing. If you do your heart will protest. Try not to wear anything tight around your waist as this could push the organs inside your stomach upwards against your heart. Also try not to have large meals as they bulge out the stomach and your heart wont be happy with it encroaching on its space, especially when you’re sitting.

5. Try supplementing with magnesium (I use glycinate from YourSupplements). 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 check these days.

Any questions (and we always say that there's no such thing as a daft one), then please ask.

What medication are you taking?

Jean

[Hidden in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean

Thanks for your excellent advice. I’m still a learner, very early on the journey. I see a specialist doctor tomorrow who I’m hoping will give me some options for treatment. I’m not too worried, I’ve always be active and apart from minor breathlessness I feel ok.

I will keep you posted

Kind regards

[secondtry]

The Covid booster may well have exacerbated an existing AF problem; that was the reason why I didn't have any of the mRNA jabs. My brother developed AF after a jab.

You have already taken the two most important steps....make an appointment with a cardiologist/EP and start searching on this Forum.

From personal experience, I would favour taking action on all fronts initially and then scale back changes after you have stopped all episodes and feel you have good Quality of Life.

[NLGA in reply to secondtry]

I never had a problem to the booster jab

[NLGA]

I am not having anymore I k ow it’s a risk but the issues since the last one have pretty much stopped my life in its tracks I can’t put up with breathing/ gasping for air 50 per cent of the time I do any physical exercise

[Auriculaire]

Quit binge drinking ! Many here stop alcohol altogether. Try to reduce stress as much as possible. No over exercising . Avoid big meals especially in the evening. Do not expect medication to allow you to continue with bad lifestyle habits.

[Hidden in reply to Auriculaire]

Thanks for the sound advice, sometimes you just need to be told. I have significantly increased with my Covid lockdown measures, crazy when I look back.

It’s going to stop I promise

Kind regards

[DawnTX in reply to Auriculaire]

I am curious about the binge drinking, because alcohol was not mentioned, but hydration was. Is it alcohol that you spoke of or just thirsty all of the time? I am a type two diabetic, but under control however whether because of meds or ? I find I was needing much more water. I could call that binge drinking as well because I could down several bottles of water in the same time. To the point I had no room to drink anymore. Yes, I know you really can drink too much water, however, trust me, my bladder made sure it didn’t stay very long.

[Auriculaire in reply to DawnTX]

Binge drinking is too much alcohol! There is a well known phenomenon " holiday heart" of afib attacks being induced by drinking more than usual in one sitting. Some people find any amount of alcohol sets off their afib.

[Hidden in reply to Auriculaire]

I think sharing 2 bottles of red with a close friend a few weeks ago could have tipped me over, just a thought

[DawnTX in reply to Hidden]

depending on how long it took that could be easy to do and depending on how large the glass was 😱 that being said the most I’ve ever had is a couple of glasses at dinner, but when you were talking and laughing or snacking at Cetera things can get away from you

[DawnTX in reply to Auriculaire]

I am aware of how it is usually meant, but I wanted to be sure because alcohol was not mentioned, and I don’t assume anything. I am one of the people you mention that it does not matter the amount. A mouthful of white wine was able to trigger me and my favorite sangria anything to excess can be called a binge including watching TV programs, so never assume anything is my motto

[Hidden in reply to DawnTX]

I’m thinking more about large lockdown Vodca &Ts etc. No off switch when having a good time. I’m stopping all that serious stuff and will have a few light beers instead

[DawnTX in reply to Hidden]

Unfortunately, for me, it does not take a large amount of alcohol to trigger afib. Again for me, it was the things I took for granted like having a glass of sangria with a Mexican dinner and our local restaurant. It took a second time for me to realize why that and not taken half home as far as the food was knocking me to my knees before we got to the car. I had not been sure if you meant alcohol or just drinking a lot of water, etc. I’m not sure which medication it was where I could not stop drinking water. I was so thirsty and unquenched.

All I can say is either you will have bad enough episodes, or you will just deal with it or stop. This evidently is your personal battle. I wish you well. Over the past 2 1/2 years I have discovered triggers that I no longer can touch because I just don’t want to feel that badly.

[Auriculaire in reply to Hidden]

You would be better sticking to no more than one drink at a time and that a small one! Better for general health as well.

[Geoffa1]

Sounds familiar.And so the journey begins.

My experience tells me, two years post successful ablation, if you have diagnosed AF best plan for the path to an ablation. There are things to happen on the way, more a delaying ruse because of the cost to governments, that are part of the process!!

Initially I think I was in denial and hoped meds, and some life style modifications would see me right. Yes they helped.

I liken AF to a worn tyre on your car, you can drive less, drive slower, brake less and worst pray you don't have a blow out and kill yourself. Yep you still need a new tyre.

It is beatable with minimal change to your life. For me the biggest adjustment was cutting way back on a good red.

[Hidden in reply to Geoffa1]

Hello Geoffa1

Thanks for the wise words. Like others I thought I was invincible drinking and eating whatever I like. I’m normally fit and active but in hindsight the huge lockdown alcohol spirit measures seemed great at the time so I’ve stopped doing that. I’ve also started to drink more water as I know I’ve been dehydrated for a long time. I fancy the ,jump start’ which I hope could be a quick fix. Anyway I’ll keep you updated

Kind regards

[kocoach]

Hello 007cedar, I have had afib for 35+ years now and my suggestion is to find a good EP and do what they suggest you do, remember they're the experts in this field and will always tell you right. Also tell them everything that is on your mind whether it's fears, outlook, medicines, anything you're apprehensive about. When I was first diagnosed with afib while in the hospital I went into afib with my EP present and I grabbed his hand and told him I felt I was going to die. Thank GOD it was only my fear and anxiety but from then on he knew how concerned I was about this problem and tried to keep me from getting these feelings again. After 35 years I still get the same feelings when my heart goes into afib but because all the information I've gotten from ER Drs. and EPs, I'm able to just let them slide. We are our worst cause for the way we react to situations, and always remember; GOD is in control of it and whatever happens it's HIS will. Have a Blessed Day!

[Hidden in reply to kocoach]

Thanks so much for the kind words, it’s still all new and scary but not at all incapacitating just yet. Think when I get on my treatment journey should be good

Kind regards

[DawnTX in reply to Hidden]

We all have good days and bad. Some people are very lucky and they slide into almost normal. That being said remain positive, because well, the first treatment may not work the second month. My first two years I was lucky and with two oblations I had a break from a fib for the most part. no one knows how your body is going to respond to what treatment you get. There is nothing normal about a fib other than it’s not normal. If you get a break, appreciate it and enjoy it. I had 3 1/2 weeks of a break after my first cardioversion and it was heaven. Be good to yourself.

[ozziebob]

Your Bio doesn't mention your age, but it seems the older population have a high incidence of Vitamin D deficiency.

And Vitamin D is well known for reducing inflammation throughout the body, including the heart, and therefore part of the aetiology of AF for some. Read my Bio and you will see my story re Vitamin D.

So I would ask your GP to test for possible deficiencies, especially for Vitamin D deficiency.

And here's some recent research that shows the importance of keeping Vitamin D levels above the current conservative (out-of-date?) NICE recommendations ...

medscape.com/viewarticle/98...

You might need to join Medscape to read the article, but it's free, and I've had no follow-on issues after joining.

Highly recommended reading.

Good luck in your research.

[Hidden in reply to ozziebob]

Thanks Ozziebob, very good info on vitamin D, I will follow up. I’m 62 so no spring chicken but young enough to think I was invincible. This has been a wake up for me, I have abused the body with binge drinking and not drinking enough water to compensate. That’s going to change too

Kind regards

[DawnTX in reply to Hidden]

It is what is in your head and feeling invincible, can be OK to appoint. Lol for years I’ve been staying on 35 in my head. When a fib came along and kicked my butt, my body said oh no, you’re not 35 because suddenly I felt like 135. It is a rude awakening, I know. As of the other day starting to feel better I might be able to slip to 50 lol although I still want to be 35 ha ha. A friend called the other night and teased me that he did not believe I had my surgery. He said my voice sounds so strong and he had not hurt me like that for a long time. It’s nice to know it’s not all in my head. Attitude plays a big part with a fib. I told someone here that I picture a fib like a little monster that is on a commercial here for Mucinex.an OTC cough controller 🤑. I have had my bad times believe me but you sound like you want to really try and help yourself and that’s awesome

[DawnTX in reply to ozziebob]

I think you have told me this, and I forgot. I have had vitamin D3 deficiency for years regardless of what I take or eat. I was down to about 12 per a number. I’m probably due for a general work up from my primary. I am going to mention it to him. Right now I can take absolutely nothing other than prescribed meds and Co Q 10 and Tumeric. I asked my EP. They will not suggest it, but I worded it. Did he have any problem with me taking it. He told me he did not, and it may make me feel better. I asked about turmeric for general body pain. He was also fine with that although he stated there has been nothing proven that it is helpful. It is nice to have a younger doctor with an open mind. Right now I am keeping anything that does not belong in my body out of it, so that if I develop any issues, those will not be a part of the question of why I am going to read the rest of what you posted. Thank you for sharing.

[ozziebob in reply to DawnTX]

I was intending to remind you to follow up on the low Vit D numbers you previously reported, but I was waiting, with you, for your pacemaker and ablation to settle.

Remember low vitamin D would have negative effects re inflammation and AF and all health conditions, as the research article indicates. I cannot believe you will be an exception to this.

And your level of 12 would be a deficiency in both measurement systems, ng/mL or nmol/L.

And remember ...

1 ng/mL = 2.5 nmol/L.

When you can, please get your Vit D level tested. I won't rest until I know your level is much higher.

Bob

[DawnTX in reply to ozziebob]

I am actually going to try to see my primary on Monday and ask if he could check it. I don’t know what’s going on. I woke with a heart rate of 90 I am set for 80. I know it anticipates if I am being active but I wasn’t I had just woken not even out of bed. It’s been like that all day and even now I can feel my heart pounding. I’m very concerned, obviously debating whether or not to call the clinic

[DawnTX in reply to ozziebob]

I will also check on the measurement. Thank you for caring.

[Hidden]

I had all the jobs and never had any problems either. I was just remarking to my husband the other day that after i got each jab my heart actually felt calmer.

[DawnTX]

We are all so different. My first ablation was good for about six months my second a year and a half along with meds. For the past year and a half I have lived in misery, wondering why I was even still here. It wasn’t for lack of trying, including to cardioversions and several changes in meds, including dosage. My body was rejecting everything. Monday it will be two weeks since my pacemaker was connected, as well as the first relief I have had in over a year and a half. A fib is not just a fib plus we have lovely little a flutter that often gets thrown in there as well. It may take time for them to somewhat figure out what’s going on with you. There is no cure, and there are no hard and fast answers.

[Hidden in reply to DawnTX]

Many thanks for the info Dawn, yes I feel I’m at the start of a long journey

Kind regards

[DawnTX in reply to Hidden]

As you can tell here it is not an easy one and it is for a lifetime. That being said, doesn’t mean it can’t get better. I just started my new journey almost 2 weeks ago now which shocks me to see it’s been that long already My journey is hopefully relief and living without a fib events. I just got a pacemaker. That being said the a fib didn’t go anywhere it’s just being ignored because of the AV node ablation. I also still have a typical flutter. I have felt it a couple of times, but no big deal. I also had a few palpitations which have stopped.

So we all have journeys that are different from each other. I chose this road when offered because I wanted quality of life back and I don’t want to wait any longer. 🙏🏻 Right now it seems to be working great and I feel better every day. It can be overwhelming I realized I feel a little bit like a freak lol knowing this thing is in me never did this ever cross my mind in the past. Then again, this is the first doctor that has been honest with me and didn’t try to just catch me up. If everything continues to be as good as it is, I wish everyone with a fib well and hopefully an opportunity like I have been given. Before the surgery my doctor said it could be life changing but let’s all remember life changes, and a heartbeat. That’s how we got here.

my silly saying is “how do you eat an elephant “one bite at a time and a fib has been my elephant

[DawnTX]

Are you on any meds yet? Some meds add to the breathlessness, but you sound like me with my a fib. When we say breathless, we don’t mean just a little I don’t think it is more than that. It’s just hard to put into words and yes fatigue dizziness I have had it’s so bad walking down the hallway at the right side of my vision seems to black out for a second. I just dealt with that for almost a year and a half with other things as well such as crushing chest pain. As far as I’m concerned, the feelings of a fib are very much like those of a heart attack , except they keep going whereas a heart attack will put you to the hospital most of the time. I don’t think anyone on here doesn’t understand what you are feeling physically right now and it’s scary because there is no cure only relief. I just got a pacemaker, but only my AV node ablation is keeping a fib away from me. It is still there being ugly. The good thing is my heart now listens to the pacemaker instead, I still have a typical flutter because nothing helps that. Flutter never bothered me like a fib did and in time hopefully it won’t bother me at all. It’s a long journey with a fib. It took me a while for them to really diagnose it, even though they were pretty sure that’s what I had blacked out from. I had a heart loop recorder implanted in case you didn’t know, an EKG can only pick up a fib if you are having an event. this is a great site to learn from and when you have questions, there are so many good people here who will try to answer. Just remember if it’s serious you can ask but you need to talk to your doctor because all of us are different in someway when it comes to a fib and other ways.