I will be 55 soon and developed Afib a year ago in November.
I am not overweight, exercise regularly, eat well, hardly drink, non smoker and not taking any medication.
I have low Afib. My heart rate fluctuates under 100 mostly. I have been having it every two months (6-8 weeks), with one 4 week exception.
Each time the episodes go up in the amount of time. I usually have a night where my heart rate dips under 30 then next day Afib begins.
I now manage at home unless I have another symptom. Last episode lasted 14 hours and was really bad. They cardioverted me as soon as I was given a bed in urgent care.My blood pressure is on low side and it really drops during Afib as well.
My Ecco shows moderate aortic schlerosid but no stenosis . One valve seems to be not closing. Also thickening on valve. Of course , I have looked up every term on line lol
I have ALOT of heart related issues on mothers side, with many dying of massive heart attacks under age 65. Grandfather at 46 for example and two aunts 53/58. My mother who is extremely healthy just had 4 stents at 71 and she had min symptoms.
All this to say is I am not sure if this is hereditary, stupid Covid vaccine induced (no boosters for me) or if it’s my anxiety I have had all my life catching up.
I am waiting to see cardiologist on Nov 30 and I really don’t want to take medication. I have tried bisoprolol and it only lowered my heart rate and stayed in Afib.
I had planned a surprise 20th anniversary trip for my husband in Feb and worried I will have to cancel before telling him at Christmas . This was to be my gift .I feel like my life is on hold.
It’s also very hard to not exercise as this always helped my mental state .
Any advice for me? What should I ask cardiology? Anyone go through this that is similar to me?
Apologies for the long post
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Krissy55
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Hi Krissy, if you have to have AF this is a good place to have it ☺️ You will get plenty of support but we are careful about advice except based on personal experience because few of us are medically trained.
I was interested to read that you were given a cardioversion if you have low AF but I am assuming the decision might have been based on low BP?
Many people don’t get on with bisoprolol especially if they have a naturally low HR but there are other medications that could be tried depending on the state of your heart and arteries and they can only be prescribed by a cardiologist.
I am not sure why you have given up exercising? It looks as though your ‘trigger’ is low HR so gentle exercise seems like a good thing.
It’s sad about the trip away if you have to cancel but maybe you can postpone it. Hopefully your cardiologist can find a medication that suits you and the one piece of advice I will give is that you shouldn’t refuse to try it because you could be discharged and further treatment such as an ablation wouldn’t be offered if you hadn’t tried all suitable meds unsuccessfully, much as we all hate medication. I upset my cardiologist by not taking bisoprolol (supported by my GP who was concerned about my asthma) but later when I had a bit of a crisis I was prescribed bisoprolol again and felt obliged to take it - after a few doses I had a very bad reaction so now no one can expect me to take it again!
I guess with your family history you will want to ask the cardiologist if there are any signs of cardiovascular disease (CAD) and the significance of the valve issues. I’m sure others will have more suggestions.
Thank you for responding. Yes my blood pressure dropped significantly when they cardioverted me.
While I hope for ablation , if medication is his recommendation then so be it. I need to get on with my life.
I am walking a lot daily but want to get back to weights and swimming. It was my family doctor who asked me to not increase my heart rate for now and to wait. So I have picked up my steps.
I was looking for advice on what to ask cardiologist and anything I could do in meantime that worked for others. I would take it into consideration and implement if it was something that I thought would be easy for me to try.
As for questions, I don’t know what to ask. Perhaps this is a diff post .
Questions - well firstly are you seeing a cardiologist or an EP? If a cardiologist then maybe ask for possibility to be referred to an EP.
- Start with what is concerning you the most, then what you want to get out of the consultation. What you hope from the specialist.
- Assessment for stroke risk? Discussion on possible need for anticoagulants?
- 24/7 monitoring for at least 7 days to get a better perspective on what is going on for you?
- What other tests might help determine best treatment options?
- With HR so low which may be a trigger for the AF (was for me at night) what treatment options would be advisable? What would be the wait list time?
- What can I do to help myself? Hydration, electrolytes etc would that help?
- An opinion on various Treatment options - often a waiting list for ablation but depends upon where you live and who you see. Could you consider a private consult?
As you reacted to the COVID jabs may I also suggest you read through my post on POTS and although this may not be what you have from the sound of it, the reply from Blearyeyes may resonate in some parts with Dysautonmnia so ask whoever you see their knowledge and opinion on this.
Why would you want to cancel your trip as a matter of interest? With good travel insurance you should be fine but may depend upon where you are going? I’ve travelled the world with and sometimes in AF and not had a problem however I am aware that AF brings with it anxiety and uncertainty.
Consider this and ask advice on travelling, before cancelling your planned trip. If your HR is low but you feel well otherwise, AF on it’s own is rarely a reason to stop travel however - getting travel insurance whilst waiting for a procedure and having at least one hospital admission within the year may mean you may have problems getting insurance.
Take one step at a time and don’t allow AF to become overwhelming - you have AF, don’t allow AF to dictate to you how you live your life.
Thank you for all the information. I appreciate you taking. The time to write out questions for my consideration. I will write them down to bring to my apt!
My GP may be overly cautious as I have been to ER several times with other symptoms afte hours of AF. Like I mentioned , the last one was really bad with my BP crashing fast so they had to cardiovert.
As for the trip, I am waiting to see what the Cardiologist says and go from there.
I have worn a holter twice for two weeks and I have been in ER 3 times with sufficient ECG I go being sent over to the cardiologist.
Your reaction to bisoprolol suggests that you may have vagal AF. In that case betablocker are contraindicated. Look here richardbogle.com/blog/vagal... whether you have more of the vagal triggers.
This is interesting. My Afib was mostly happening at rest or I was waking up with it with exception of the last episode. I will make bit of this information and discuss at my apt. Thank you for sharing this !
Oh and I also had a little cough for awhile that would only happen once and awhile and started to journal to keep track of symptoms. I also had nausea.
Hi Krissy and welcome to the forum. I was diagnosed with Afib a year ago and I found the questions I needed to ask came out of reading posts on this forum and getting informed through the AF Association website (amongst other reputable sites).
It’s worth bearing in mind that GPs have to keep up with such a general training you may quickly find you know more than your GP. And that if you’re lucky to secure an appointment with an electrophysiologist (EP) you may not have time to have a full discussion. Personally I didn’t want to mess around waiting so booked a private appointment with an EP who also works under NHS. This gave me half hour to sit with someone top of their field discussing my condition and my options for treatment.
I think most of my initial questions revolved around treatment options because I just wanted rid of the darn thing. My EP is far less keen on the old “try every medication first” route and I doubt many EPs take that approach today.
Thank you for spelling out what an EP is. It was mentioned earlier and I just looked up my Cardiologist and he is an EP as well! I knew he had an interest and is doing research on Afib . After reading two recommendations to see an an EP, I am so relieved that this is who I am referred to!
Did the EP do other tests besides Ecco’s and Holter for two weeks ?
Can I ask what treatment options were given to you and what you decided upon? Also how had it worked for you?
Good advice here. Bisoprolol won't cure your AF so that may have been oversold to you. The COVID Jab may? have triggered you but then other people are triggered by coffee, exercise, alcohol, etc etc.There's nothing in AF which will of itself prevent you doing exercise, Inc weights and swimming, but if your Dr says hang on a bit then probably do so.
As to your holiday, I'd check out the insurance consequences and go.
I know that it may have not been the vaccine . It’s just a coincidence that I can not rule out along with what my GP has been seeing. I don’t do high cardio exercise. I basically do weights and swim lightly. I don’t have high cardio and never have. I do miss the weights but Nov 30 is not far. I have started yoga and trying hard to do meditation.
I dont smoke and I had alcohol on weekends only . I have always only had no one coffee a day or it gives me jitters. I am looking at all info and appreciate your comments.
As for insurance , I am going to see what the Cardiologist says and then if he had issues but the insurance with disclosing my issue. I know it may be more $ but this is something I expect with several trips to ER.
Yes I realized this upon reading. I am Canadian. I have gotten so much amazing info so far and I am VERY happy I stumbled across this site! It’s really provided me with a lot of useful information and the responses to my intro have really helped me.
Welcome to the site btw. I run (very high cardio) do weights and swim a bit, there's no reason why AF should prevent you doing these things so don't lose heart (that's a terrible unintended pun).
Once you've got to grips with the heart issues the next thing to do is to be at one with your stroke risk, which may be slight as you are you g. Google chads2vasc in the UK imho the major NHS worry is stroke not heart failure.
Take a look at 'york cardiology ' on YouTube for more info. Also, I know from Mrs Omniscient that the other forums on here to do with other problems are equally as good if you need it
My blood pressure is also on the low side, though I’m now in permanent AFib. I no longer spring out of bed, but sit up slowly and wait for a minute or so before rising. It does make a difference to light-headedness - as does keeping well hydrated.
Looking back to before diagnosis, I definitely had some symptoms that were related to blood pressure dips when I had gone into AFib.
Just in case that slow ‘rest to standing’ might help in the interim.
I am sorry to here that you are now in permanent Afib. The hospital had asked me to monitor at home for 6-9 hours so I don’t risk permanent Afib. Last time I pushed it as I had no other symptoms until I woke up and tried to go to washroom and almost passed out. I waited too long at 14 hours and was cardioverted right away when I went to ER. They did tell me to not wait that long again as permanent Afib can be more complex.
How did your permanent Afib happen? Had you had treatment for sporadic Afib before? How long did your episodes last and is your BP on low side all the time?
I hope you don’t mind my questions. I am trying to gather as much info as possible.
I was only diagnosed early in 2022, thanks to my Apple Watch - at age 67. I had suspected it for a few years due to the number of family members with this. I had been clear between getting my watch in November and the alert appearing mid February. (Though I don’t wear it at night, so could have had episodes.)
I just kept being told that I had a slow steady heart rate, low BP, cholesterol fine etc. (A little overweight.)
Anyway, I was given Dronedarone, but continued with monthly episodes that lasted a week. Then was prescribed Flecainide as a PIP (pill in the pocket), and was told that if the AFib didn’t stop in 6 hours to attend A&E for a DCCV. Plus went on the waiting list for an ablation.
Last October, and the second time using the PIP, it didn’t work. I went to A&E but they just gave me more Flecainide and sent me home when the heart rate lowered. It was a horrible experience and has put me off attending A&E. Made to feel like a time waster tbh.
My ablation date was brought forward to December, and they tried to cardiovert unsuccessfully at the beginning of that. As I was part of a study it was a very thorough ablation, with further EP study, and I had a cardiac MRI the month before. They got me in rhythm but it lasted less than 48 hours. (If it had been advised, I would have gone for another - don’t let it put you off!)
Had a massively disappointing three month check where I was told that there is simply too much fibrosis in the atria for further ablations. Even a cardioversion would require me to stay on Amiodarone for years, and this wasn’t advised. So I’m on rate control (Bisoprolol) plus Apixaban (as I’m over 65 and female). If rate control doesn’t work then pace & ablate would be the remaining option. (There is an alternative called the Mini-maze or Hybrid ablation - if you search for that you will find more info. Not available in Scotland at the moment. As I’m doing ok, I’ve not considered that option. I might if I were younger.)
I will never know if the family link caused this sudden move into persistent AFib. I did have Covid just before though, had to postpone my booster. I can’t help wondering if the virus did add to the fibrotic changes but I will never know.
What do you mean by don’t hesitate? Do you mean the cardio version?
I hadn’t heard of cardiac MRI so I will look this up.
I have high cholesterol and not overweight and I am then g to reduce naturally befor I cave to meds. I have some benign liver cysts so concerned about meds in general that impact liver .
I do have a prescription to try next episode as Bisporal didn’t work for me last episode and only lowered my heart rate further while I stayed on low Afib.
I know what you mean about emergency . They release me the second my heart rate resets without much info. They need the beds and I get it.
I am glad my Cardiologist is an EP after reading these suggestions to see an EP!
I mentioned the vaccine but also consider even though my first bought with Covid was fine if it did impact me as Ecco mentioned post inflammation from something in past. Who knows.
I mean don’t worry if they recommend an ablation. Didn’t work for me, but it works for many and I would have had a second if they thought it would work. I was very low at first, but realised that the study had enabled them to realise that further ablations wouldn’t work. (Some people go through multiple ablations before they give up.) So now I can just get on with it, and seem to tolerate the beta-blocker. (Dronedarone made my liver enzyme GGT shoot upwards, so that would put me off using Amiodarone for years as it does affect the liver - amongst other things. GGT is still a bit raised but they don’t seem worried about it. ) My legs get tired on hills and stairs, but apart from that I feel almost normal. More fatigue I guess, but that’s about it.
It’s not usual to get a cardiac MRI, it was only as part of the study which is looking into ways of classing AFib apart from paroxysmal/persistent/permanent. Who knows, in future it could be used in decision making about whether an ablation will help or not.
Good luck with your own treatment. I’ve been one of the less lucky ones in some ways, but I’m really doing fine.
Life sends us all sorts of wobbles. Welcome to our little forum. You'll find help and kindness here.
I am an anxious person, too. I wish I wasn't and I thoroughly envy those who sail through life more easily or at least with more fortitude. Still, we are what we are. We're both here off for our covid boosters this morning. Neither of us think it's a stupid vaccine, as you can guess, and we hope it will help keep us safe over winter. The evidence is clear enough that anyone who is prone to getting a severe form of this illness is much better off with the stronger immune system the vaccine confers, so that's good enough for us. I certainly don't want to catch it again - once was enough, thank you! - or have long covid.
What should you ask your cardiologist? The key thing, I gather, is always the health of the left ventricle which supplies the major organs with oxygenated blood. Keeping this working well, and of a normal size is an important aim of treatment. With the extra stresses on it from your valve issues, I would be asking about this and how to keep it as healthy as possible over the years. For example, I was given a treatment for blood pressure called losartan, even though my BP is normal. Apparently, this drug has been shown to protect the heart well.
Your echo scan seemed to show that all was fine except for the valve issues. I gather these problems are not all that unusual and not always of much consequence, but my second question would be about this and what the future might hold.
As for exercise, I can't imagine why it wouldn't be good for you, but that would be my third question to ask.
Yes I know it may not be the stupid vaccine and that I may be grasping for the reason why. Apologies for being insensitive.
I am glad you got your boosters if that is what is right for you! I did have covid when it first came out and it was very mild. One day of symptoms. However two weeks ago we were hit again and I went down HARD so I do understand why you would want the boosters.
My Ecco’s did show valve issues only however both said they were technically difficult and they tried at second do to a die contrast to see the upper chamber as they couldn’t see it .
Unfortunately they couldn’t find a vein. I was also bruised up bad because before they cardioverted they couldn’t find a vein either and tried 4 places . I am wondering if he will send me for another Ecco for them to try the contrast duo again.
I hope he had enough info and can give me some suggestions for treatment as he is away the entire next month.
I am trying to manage my anxiety and I am overwhelmed and impatient.
I am grateful that my apt is before 2024 at least.
I feel for you with your anxiety. I suspect rather few people properly understand what it’s like to suffer it and health anxiety can be the worst. The only way to lower it is to get reassurance from a medical expert but with the current state of the NHS that can be a long wait and that can be very hard going.
I didn’t know they used contrast dye for echocardiograms but let’s hope they saw enough. More worries, eh! And let’s hope you get sorted soon.
Our neighbours had a bad month or more with Covid and were thoroughly shocked by how it made them feel, although both are now fully recovered. That’s one reason we are having these new boosters. Fingers crossed!
Yes it’s hard with anxiety as this causes anxiety and I already had anxiety lol. I am having anxiety over starting ax with medication. The struggle is real.
It’s 6 am in Canada and I have been awake since 4 am with mind racing. But looking at my responses had helped tremendously.
First I'd go to the Atrial fibrillation association website and read up all I can in the patients' section. The fact that you exercise and swim doesn't mean you are immune from AF.With your mother's side having a history of heart problems I suspect you'll need some form of medication, irrespective of AF.
As far as AF goes there's a variety of treatments, all to improve your quality of life, as there is no cure for AF. After about twenty five years of paroxysmal AF, mine is now permanent though asymptomatic. My resting heart rate is within the normal range of 60 to 100 BPM. I take an anticoagulant, but now no other medication for AF.
Thank you! I am very thankful for this forum. I did read there is no cure . I am glad my Cardiologist is researching Afib and doing studies. I am looking forward to the treatment options .
Thank you for suggesting I look in the patient section. I need to know what’s important to ask at my apt.
An ablation is now considered first line therapy, as are meds with afib, both in Europe and America. There is a FB page called atrial fibrillation support forum, they have a super list of questions at the top of the page in features. I saw an EP privately in Ireland. Echo and angiogram done and 24 hour Holter monitor. Absolutely nothing the 24 hour monitor to see. I caught my episodes on my watch. Did an ECG with my watch. I took details of every episode, highest heart rate, duration, date, what meds I was on if any to him. Because I was having serious conversion pauses on beta blockers I was taken off them, I also had awful side effects of bradycardia, fatigue and brain fog. EP had two suggestions. 1. Pace maker so that I wouldn't have conversion pauses with huge doses of sotalol (I was not impressed cos I didn't want the fatigue and brain fog back) and then he says "but you're young" 2. Option two would be an ablation. So after a very quick chat I was booked in for an ablation three weeks later. I've been in nsr since. I was having ten hour episodes every three days with heart rate up to 186. Buy the afib cure by dr John day and dr Jared bunch available from Amazon and elsewhere. Super information.
Magnesium taurate is recommended by dr Sanjay Gupta London cardiologist.
And co enzyme Q10 200mg at least to reduce inflammation, afib and inflammation are highly linked, loads of research on google scholar
This is great information! May I ask how old you are? How long ago did you have the abilation? Any side effects? Do you take any other meds for this now?
I already have brain fog ! Post meno symptoms I hope but noticed it’s bad lately. Could be stress. I don’t want anything that makes me fatigued and gives me more fog!
I did Where a holter twice without incident. I have been in ER 3 times for long periods before Afib randomly stopped as fast as it arrived. The last time they did cardiovert me. Needless to say is that he will have all this info. Plus I do have a newer Apple Watch that had caught my Afib. I also have kept a journal for symptoms as I was trying to find a pattern. The only patterns are every 6-8 weeks, indigestion, a cough , low energy before I diet with big low heart rate dip during sleep a day before Afib. I am low Afib so can’t imagine a heart rate that high. My highest jump was 147.
Its funny I just ordered magnésium Taurate for my husband as k was doing research on types to lower BP and researched Mag l-theankne as well. I read they both can help manage Afib. Taurate was hard to find in Canada . I did see the info on Q10 ! Do you take this as well?
Can you link me the FB supoort page ? Also will look up that book!
Thank you for taking the time to make suggestions.
Hi Krissy I'm nearly 59. I was diagnosed in Feb 22 had ablation in Dec 22. So ten months of nsr. Long may it last. I'll try link you the FB page, but the girls Debbe and Nedra who are the admins are absolutely brilliant and a mine of information. I'm in Ireland btws. I take 600mg magnesium taurate and 200mg co enzyme Q10 daily. Try to track triggers mine were caffeine and cold food or drink.
Generally I think you're on the ball and you'll be well ready for your appointment
Welcome Krissy55, all good suggestions here. Reading through these suggestions and comments I had a thought. so many of us have anxiety which seems to bring on the AF. I recently stumbled on a series of Podcasts by Jay Feldman and he and his friend talk about how what we eat affects us. They talk about how if we aren't eating right for our individual bodies we very well could be putting a huge strain on our nervous systems because we kick in stress hormones which taxes our nervous systems. They recommend totally opposite the current eating recommendations like intermittent fasting and Keto diets etc. The recommend easily digested foods and to stay aways from grains which we don't digest. If we aren't eating enough good carbs we are taxing our nervous systems. I know am paying close attention to adding in more good carbs into my eating habits and to eat more often (rather than fasting even short term). Even having some good carbs before bed. So, I am finding since doing that I am having less anxiety which feels really good.
Anyway, I have always thought that diet brought on my AF, and have always been careful to eat organic, but the types of carbs are of interest as well. Particularly many of us over hydrate and mess up our electrolytes. Which I am staring to think brings on AF for some of us. Anyway my thoughts on this. we are all different and we all have to find what works for us.
Good points about diet. I will keep an eye on this . I do watch carbs as I am post meno and they cause me to gain weight and bloat like crazy. But I have not completely cut out. I have stoped occasional alcohol and watching sugar intake now.
Hi , yes it’s quite stressful my husband is in permanent AF his , heart fluctuates too from 44 right up to 150,some days . He is on 7.5 mg bisoprolol morning and night which had helped keep his heart rate slightly lower but makes him feel tired and also blood thinners as he had a stroke caused by his AF four months ago . We too have an appointment on the 9th November at the arrhythmia clinic , his heart function is reduced too . Take care x
With AF you are better off seeing an Electrophysiologist (EP) as they are the specialists in AF. Ask for a referral as soon as you can - the sooner the better.
As you don't know if you have any triggers then it is wise to cut out alcohol and caffeine so decaff coffee and decaff tea and see if this helps. Stress is also a big trigger so watch yoruself and see if you are over stressed and try various things like yoga or mindfulness to help.
Thank you! I am seeing a Cardiologist who is an EP end of November. I don’t drink much at all, very occasional glass. I have one coffee a day. Trying hard to meditate and build this habit . I have signed up for a yoga this evening and a 30 day trial . I don’t seem disciplined enough to do the online ones so trying this.
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