Background: 79 yo Male with AF for 20+ years. Persistent AF for almost 1 year. On meds to reduce my HR.
Yesterday started as a beautiful spring day in NZ. Mid-afternoon I had been taking my daily walk. I can normally control my HR in the 100-110 bpm range by adjusting my pace. This was 1/2 hour before a sudden onset of severe weather where I'd guess we had over 100 lightning strikes in 3 hours. It was like the old Hammer horror films LOL.
Very unusually I couldn't get my normal HR control during the freak weather. It was going 120-140 bpm even when I slowed almost to a standstill. Quite unnerving at my age.
I vaguely remember there was a study in Hungry or Poland, (anyway one of those old eastern block countries) where it was recorded that they had an increase in AF hospital admissions during thunderstorm conditions.
Has anyone else experienced anything like this during a thunderstorm?
OR was my high HR just one of those conditions I have to accept with AF and if so I'll need to consult my electrophysiologist again.
Many thanks
Alan
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Izzle
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That’s really intriguing, Izzie. As you know the increase in negative charge in a storm cloud is met by a surge of positive charges - streamers - from ground objects - trees, chimneys, people etc. When the two connect then you have a pathway for the cloud to discharge and electricity will flow as a result. The only thing I can think is that maybe, where you were walking there wasn’t a lot of cover and you were one of the positively charged objects perhaps. Happily the lightening took another pathway! Or maybe your heart was just responding to the change in air pressure with the storm. Fascinating, whatever the cause and it shows how entwined we still are with nature despite all our modern technology!
Thanks for providing those links. Very interesting.
I noted the following statement in one report which samples over 1,000 clients:-
"Conclusions: The following weather conditions such as: temperature, air humidity and pressure have a definite impact on the occurrence of the paroxysmal atrial fibrillation episodes in 87% of patients especially those with co-existing coronary heart disease, hypertension or older age."
Sorry to hear the effect storms have on your health. Presumably your Dr has given you some meds to help.
It was quite strange for me the other day, fortunately no after effects but concerning at the time. We're still experimenting with my meds to strike a balance between HR (too fast) and BP (which is currently very good, almost textbook).
My first thought was that there would be an increase in ozone gas and some acidic nitrogen oxides in the air during a lightning storm. I see that these have been linked to increases in AF:
Interesting thought, Steve. Doesn't apply to us. We're old fashioned with inkjet printer. It is surprising though where we do produce ozone in the modern era. One positive thing though, it should help to repair the ozone hole.
Lightning that is interesting. Could it be anxiety?
I controlled my H/R Day by being introduced to CCB Diltiazem by private specialist. For me it was a dramatic drug which on 180mg 1/2 dose dropped me within 2 hours 105 bpm!
Then I was reduced to 120mg AM away from BB Bisoprolol 2.5 PM.
Controlled H/R day now, 47avg at night. I can have my operation.
At rest you should be under 100.
A further drop in November last year from 88-96 controlled to 60s! I am much better at the latter rate.
Did you get anything of the storm? I read there were over 1,000 lightning strikes in the Waikato (central North Island) area.
That's good your meds have worked so well. I'm still in the experimental stage. My resting HR averages 66 (51-79) but when I start an form of exercise it's straight up to the 100-110 region. How do you manage during exercise?
From the studies other AFibers are mentioning it looks as though there is statistical evidence linking AF with atmospheric conditions.
Yes the lightning came but I was inside. In the pm I had to go out, they had stopped.
It is usual to have one's BP and especially H/R to climb. It's when it takes too long to get down is the worry. On Metoprolol @ 185 before any exertion I couldn't even walking and I would need to lie down. And possibly sleep. Sweating profusely too. H/Specialist would blame 'without a thyroid'.
Of course it wasn't - it was my rapid heart rate. As the DHB H/Specialist highlighted 185 x 60 for 1 hour plus x 12 hrs in the day etc.
But for some reason it drops at night to 47average.
One would have thought once the thyroid problem was removed the heart would return to normal No it did not so had to work on the right drugs and balance for me.
I used to run the 100m as an athlete with my growing up children. I won those runs at 38 years.
Can't walk fast now. I'll be back to outdoor bowling once this right shoulder is repaired and I am over the healing.
I've taken 95mg metoprolol for a few years, which does make you sleepy but I can manage around that by forging on with the day ie keep active. Since a cardioversion (only lasted 1 hr) in March I've been on Digoxin. 82mg to start and now 165mg, which hardly changed my BP but did reduce my resting HR from 74 down to 66 presently.
I will mention to my private electrophysiologist what meds you're taking and see if recommends a change for me. I think his main concern is HR when doing anything but resting. It's always in the 90-110 bracket even for the simplest of movements. I have to control walking speed to maintain that pulse, else it goes into the 130's. The brain and rest of the body can handle it, but at 79 the heart is not coping as well. Thankfully HR comes down fairly quickly but it means living by my smart watch readings.
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76 years old with A F
shortness of breath
3% Afib burden and proposed medication
PVC’s and Travel
