ectopics

[Blueflags]

Good morning everyone,

I have AF and MAT (multi focal atrial tachycardia) My question is this!

I am having trouble sustaining a conversation with anyone for any length of time and also laughing is an issue.

The issue is that talking or laughing makes me feel breathless and sometimes I have pre-syncope as well. I don’t seem to have enough energy and it seems as if I’m not getting enough air in my lungs, I have mentioned this to my consultant and he dismissed it out of hand and said he didn’t think it was heart related!! My GP thinks it may be due to stress and anxiety but didn’t do any tests just said go for counselling!

So does anyone else ever have any such symptoms! It does seem odd but just wondered what to do.

Thanks all

[CDreamer]

Beta blockers could be one explanation - another could be your breathing. Are you a mouth breather?

[Blueflags in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you for your reply, it’s good to know that I’m not going mad and there are others with the same issue, that’s why I think this site is so good Yes, I tend to breath quite a lot through my mouth, I feel quite congested breathing through my nose and quite a tight chest,

[CDreamer in reply to Blueflags]

That can be helped by adopting certain breathing exercise. If you can learn to breath through your nose it will help a lot. You may find this video of interest

youtu.be/mBqGS-vEIs0(Not working as expected?)

[Ppiman]

I have the same, and especially a couple of years ago when I was doing a lot of online tuition. It is disconcerting and weird, but there we are. I think if you were monitoring your heart while this happened it would show a slightly increased pulse and perhaps palpitations. If you could measure anxiety chemicals, I suspect they would be higher, too!

In the end, mine subsided a little and is now much less bad but waxes and wanes as my heart issues in general do. My doctor, like yours was nonplussed.

I have wondered to myself if it isn't diaphragm related as I also do get discomfort under my left rib that feels like a tightening?

Anyway, it was good to read that I am not alone! I think you will find yours will come and go, too.

Steve

[Blueflags in reply to Ppiman]

I agree with you, I feel as if it could be caused by anxiety, but would like to understand from my GP or consultant if there is a medical issue, if not I would seek counselling. I have also got gastritis and have issues with acid reflux so wonder if there is an issue with that.

[Ppiman in reply to Blueflags]

Much the same here - we seem rather a mirror symptom wise. If you ever get anywhere linking gastric with cardiac issues I’d be pleased to hear of it. I’ve drawn a near blank and I have had the chance of quite long discussions regarding it with both a cardiologist and GI specialist - from a leading teaching hospital, too. My GP is more inclined to think it’s the case however but there is little serious evidence online.

In terms of counselling, I’ve drawn a blank there you but that was long ago. In terms of understanding anxiety and the like I found, in the end, the books by the late Claire Weekes the most helpful.

Steve

[Mugsy15]

Since CV and Ablation I haven't had AF to my knowledge, but you have brought back memories of when I did have by describing perfectly the symptoms of breathlessness.