My A Fib began with a mild, pulsating feeling in my throat and it promoted me to take a manual pulse reading. It was then that I noticed my heart skipped every 6th beat or so, then it stopped in less than a minute. My bpm was not more the 70.Since then, I have had an ECG and I was stunned when they said it is atrial fibrillation - which I had never heard of. The thing is, when that EGC was on, the two pads can off, sounding the alarm and I built a fence that day as it was to keep my chickens in. Basically, anyone would have been out of breath with a task like that.I have not had an attack since (that was 8 months ago) but I feel very worried/devastated. I am not having treatment and am not sure if I even should have it. I feel really well! I can't take a blood thinner unless I am absolutely sure of the diagnosis. I just don't know what to do or even think about this. I am for once... confused.
Newly diagnosed and don't know what ... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Newly diagnosed and don't know what to do.
I have had an ECG and I was stunned when they said it is atrial fibrillation
If you have not seen a doctor for 8 months, would be best to be evaluated soon. Was there a follow up visit or instructions after the afib determination ?
For peace of mind, ask doctor to wear a holter monitor or other medical device for a continuous period to evaluate your heart. May consider investing in a Kardia, Apple Watch or similar device. Afib can be asymptomatic.
Try to reduce your worry and stress. Best to you !
Thank you, I was actually thinking about that.
Just relax, nothing extraordinary is happening to you! If you believe that it is the first attack you had, you may be wrong.
In the beginning, the problems with the heart rhythm may go unnoticed. The first small "attack", I can remember of, was when I was 17 yo. In the meantime, I had other attacks, where I also was not aware, what they were. Only after I got 55, I had a "nice and clear" attack of PVCs, which lasted for two weeks.
My wife has had "some problems" with feeling faint, from time to time, from the age of 40. She was not aware what it was, I was not aware, so they were "transient problems", for which she never went to see a doctor. Lately (she is 69 now), she was caught with arrhythmia while measuring her BP, but it is obvious that the problems started relatively early, like in many other people.
My son is 41, he never noticed anything related to arrhythmia, but I caught him with arrhythmia by forcing him to take his BP reading. He goes in AF (most probably) and out of it, without noticing anything. Nearly everybody I know, has arrhythmia of some kind, so it is most likely something that human species lived with through the history.
The pause of 8 months (pretty long) may be the sign that you are just trying to be an AFiber, but not succeeding, lol!
Hi thanks for that reassuring advice. I am as well as I have ever been. I think I will get one of those watches and see what happens. I dont get any symptoms I have noticed so far.
AF is often paroxysmal - meaning it comes and goes in episodes. My first episode was like yours only I was in the middle of the ocean in a small yacht and no way of getting medical help. The episode passed and nothing else happened for over a year. Then another episode and then another after more months. I think it was only after about 3-4 years I went to a doctor and started meds - which was the worst thing I personally could have done although they can help some.
AF can make you feel really ill and as though you are having a heart attack and going to die - you are not. AF is a problem with the electrics of your heart, a misfiring or shorting which sometimes corrects itself and other times you need help to return to NSR = normal sinus rhythm.
The best thing you can do is to see your doctor and have a full check up to see if there are underlying issues such as high or low BP, Thyroid dysfunction, diabetes etc. If all tests come back clear then stop thinking about it unless and until you have another episode - revisit your doctor and ask for a 24/7 wearable monitor to record your heart during your regular day for a week. They may also order further tests such as echocardiogram which is a simple none invasive scan of your heart.
Lifestyle is always the first line of treatment, Sleep well, Eat well (ie: none processed foods, 80% plant based), Manage stress - have good relaxation and as much as possible avoid stressors, Exercise moderately - too much exercise and exertion is as bad as a sedentary lifestyle - little and often and if you feel your heart racing - stop, breath; which brings us to breath - most people do not know how to breath well - long, slow, deep breaths (LSD) through you nose and not your mouth make such a difference. If you do all of the above already then and only then look at treatments if you have another episode.
Lots of information here heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...
Hi - interested : why do you say going on meds was worst thing you could have done ? Do you have bad reactions ?
I think meds are a must if advised, but they said I have a 0.6 stroke score. What do you think?
I’m by no means an expert but basing it on personal history: my mum had many strokes ( no AF as far as I know ) before last one killed her so when they said to me to take Xarelto to avoid strokes as far as I’m concerned I had to take it! They said I’m basically’healthy’ ish at moment ( even with AF) whereas a stroke adds a big comorbidity. I’d prefer not taking drugs … they all have some side effects whatever they say , but in this case it’s better to not have a stroke! They are debilitating and massively life altering ( and unfortunately life ending) at least they were for my mum. Maybe better treated than now than back then. As said she didn’t have AF but had diabetes and I guess ‘syndrome X’ they used to call it: high BP and sugar etc. which is what caused hers. Anyway that was my take: as I said based on personal experience that’s why I was interested in what other people think.
I also take bisoprolol to reduce Heart rate. At the moment that’s it. That’s why was interested in any other comments on taking meds. Good luck !!
I haven’t had a stroke score though…, maybe cos I’m older now and diabetic I imagine I’m in the ‘must take meds’ section?!
Sorry to hear about your mum - your decision about meds is wisely then . If I get any more symptoms, it is something I would consider. I think in order for a clot to occur there would need to be symptoms of a rhythm disorder present to some extent.
Depends on age and other things look up CHADS score. I’ll add a link when I find it.
MDCalc CHA2DS2-VASc Score for Atrial Fibrillation Stroke Risk
Sorry I’m having trouble posting the link!!
You can have arrythmia without symptoms
All of that is my worry and that is why I put a post on here. You have all been so helpful! If I do begin having symptoms, I know it increases risk. My doctors told me the diagnosis and that is it! That's why I joined here, I suppose.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. It is often a confusing time and the uncertainty can cause anxiety. If you would like any advice, please contact the Patient Services Team on 01789 867 502 or info@afa.org.uk
Thanks!
Don't be confused or scared just accept AF is something that has to be looked at in some detail and be determined any changes overall should make you less prone to different chronic issues in the future - a positive!
I have been following this Forum for many years and recently there seems to be a definite increase of those new members recognising AF for the first time. On reason may be having had Covid, Long Covid or the jab itself .......who knows as there is very little published research to date.
In your shoes as well as the usual tests that a cardiologist will run, I would test for inflammation in my body (one test I believe is a CRP blood test). I would also research Lifestyle change there and start making better choices as an insurance policy.
Yes, strong coffee is something I drink less of now. I will give updates!
No caffeine after 1pm!
Thank to everyone on here for your really helpful advice!
And sugar and chocolate one of the top triggers
You seem to be concerned that the diagnosis may not have been accuratecand worried about the possibility of the need to take medications. In particular you mention anticoagulants.A diagnosis of afib after an ECG is very likely to be valid. To my mind the exertion from repairing the fence may have been a trigger but it is unlikely to have been a causative factor.
Your risk of stroke is 0.6% which indicates that your CHADVASC score is one. You may have achieved the score by virtue of being female. Iassume that you are under the age of 65. Your score is currently low but it will increase with age and if you go on to acquire various diseases like diabetes hypertension etc.
I suspect that most people on this forum would advocate for the use of anticoagulants especially if the CHADVASC score increases.
I would encourage you to become knowledgeable upon the subject of Afib. This is likely to reduce your anxiety and empower you to make the right decisions about treatment.
Regards.
Yes, I actually feel much better about it now I have joined this group. I am carrying on as normal, but will take meds if I feel my score is creeping up. My first ECG showed nothing, so lucky the second (24 hour ine) one did. I am on school holidays and just painted a wall and I am fine, so that is what made me decide that I am OK for now. It makes me wonder how many people are walking about undiagnosed...
The only objective reason to fear AF is its potential to cause blood clots to form in a small part of the left upper chamber of the heart called the left atrial appendage. These micro-thrombi can rarely dislodge and travel through the circulation to do harm in distant places, at worst, a stroke.
I was told that a single incidence of AF meant that I must now, for life, take anticoagulants (“blood thinners”). But that was because I was male and 66 at the time. Your doctor will know your individual risks and will have acted accordingly as he or she is bound to follow an internationally accepted protocol called a Chads score to determine your risk of stroke.
Outside of this, I would rest easy but be vigilant that AF tends to recite occasionally when some often unknown effect brings it on. For me, like you, it was working hard and running up stairs. After that, weeks of peace followed but then, walking up some more states, my heart shot up to 155bpm and stated that way till the hospital gave me 5mg bisoprolol.
I suspect you’ll follow a course something like that and be fine!
Steve
I will have to wait and see. What do you think about Asprin? Do blood thinners make you feel ill or just safe?
Asprin NO! Is an anti platelet not an anticoagulant and has no place in lowering risk from AF induced clots and raises risk of gastric bleeds.
Please inform yourself and visit the AFA website or as Tracy says - give them a ring.
Best wishes
I am 52 and never I'll, with no other health issues. It is very unfair.
You know what - life’s not fair and there are many more far more devastating diagnosis’s - you are correct - many people walk around not knowing they have AF because they are completely asymptomatic and they are the people most at risk.
Take care.
Thank you all, very much!
For many of us that is how AF starts, the odd strange episode that leaves you thinking did I imagine that did it really happen and does it mean anything. My first episode came after I dug up a tree stump on a hot day , feeing faint/strange sensation in my throat/rapid heat beat the whole thing over in moments. I ignored it thinking I had overdone things.
I went years without another episode of which I was aware (though I now know there may have been short unnoticed episodes)and feeling great before more episodes close together sent me to the GP and Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation was mention.
I changed my lifestyle and lost weight and in doing so think I may have slowed down what is often a natural progression of P-AF to my current condition of being in symptomatic P-AF most of the time .
After 6 years and knowing what I know now, I would buy a Kardia monitor straight away rather than faffing around with a halter monitor and ill informed GPs for months trying to get a diagnosis and treatment.
I would also snap the hand off of any EP offering me an ablation rather than waiting because my episodes of P-AF were few and far between and my quality of life good. I hadn't factored in C19 and long waiting lists, get on a list as soon as you can you can always change your mind.
My quality of life is poor now, I am one of the unlucky ones highly symptomatic with a poor quality of life while I wait endlessly for an ablation.
Good luck with your journey Private 111 
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