How can people not know they have Afib. My heart feels wobbly a lot of the time. When my heart rate went to 140 I felt terrible. Is anyone else like this?
Not know you have Afib.: How can people... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Not know you have Afib.
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Myflowers2
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No, everyone is not like you, although many people are but don’t envy them. Many people have AF and are not aware of their heart at all and it is only when it’s picked up at clinic or during surgery. This is often a shock for them and because they don’t feel anything, often ignore their AF. These people are at much higher risk of the higher stroke risk that AF brings or the longer term affects which do eventually cause symptoms such as breathlessness and possible heart failure.
There’s a recent post from someone who accidentally discovered his friend was in AF at quite a high rate. His friend wasn’t bothered at all! I had a monitor for a week and was disappointed that I hadn’t noticed any episodes but the monitor reported ‘frequent’! Sometimes I feel it and sometimes I don’t. I think it helps that I am not anxious about it unless it’s gone on for days or is making me feel ill. This is a regular question because very symptomatic people like you can’t understand how anyone could not be aware of the AF.
Hi, it’s a question I’ve asked myself a lot but I’d say it was very easy to miss them.
Prior to my heart attack (nstemi type 2 - the chief suspect undiagnosed arrhythmia) I was oblivious and for the most part asymptomatic. Ok, stretching my memory, there might have been the an occasion where I felt an odd bump or a few palpitations but this is spread out over my adult life. I cannot say they were significant and apparently quite normal for most of the population.
Subsequent to my heart attack and Afib diagnosis, I am definitely aware, how on earth did I miss these? The episodes were so distinct- high irregular HR with RVR, causing the familiar chest fluttering. No other symptoms.
For me, the treatment to suppress has gone well. I haven’t had an episode for 3.5+ years. I still feel ectopics sometimes but this waxes & wanes and now for the most of the time, I push them to the back of my mind. I can ignore to a degree.
I don’t have an answer, I guess events have just created a sensitivity and I am now super aware of my cardiac cycles. That said, oddly, I can go running and push my heart up to 80-90% of my maximal, its beating fast & hard but I don’t feel any sensation in my chest. Our bodies are amazing.
Fact File Link : api.heartrhythmalliance.org...
See bottom of page 9
In my opinion, if you learn one thing about AF, it’s that everyone’s experience is different.
Agree. I don't get much of an increased heart rate or notice irregular beats or flutters (except if head buried in pillow at night), although these do show on monitors. My PAF symptoms are tightness of throat and neck , pale face and weakness / shortness of breath on exertion. Get to top of stairs but feels like lungs are only halfway up. My turn on the waiting list for ablation must be getting nearer. 🤞
Although in my case it is a familial condition, I had no idea I had it as well, until I was prescribed an anti-biotic that did not agree with me and I phoned my doctor's rooms because I could not stop vomiting and was finally vomiting flecks of blood. I was told to come immediately, had an ecg, heart rate 140 and AF, was sent off to a cardiologist (by the time I got there I was in NSR, but he admitted me for the weekend.) That was 5 years ago. The worst part is even a low dose Bisoprolol, but I'm being changed to Verapamil now.
I can't tell I'm in AF. It was detected during a random exam by my GP (I'll just listen to your heart while you're here) who said I needed an ECG to confirm. Then it was obvious.I am aware there are some things I can't do as well as I used to, but then I'm heavier and older than I was. But I'm asymptomatic, I'll still need anticoagulation in a few years though. So it sounds grim, but I'd rather be like this than our buddies here who get traumatic episodes without warning.
One regret? NSR is not achievable, and I can't even remember what that's like.
Gary
I only found out I had afib as I put in my Garmin running watch and found out I was 165 bpm. No other symptoms. I have been running at 243bpm . No symptoms ( I did stop when I realised it was so high). Although I was my Atria was fibrillating somehow my heart was pumping enough oxygensted blood to keep my body powered. Everyone is different.However, post my sucessful AFib ablation I developed Atrial flutter at 140 bpm constant (rate controlled by the diltiazem I was taking.)
I was very breathless just walking from the living room to the kitchen to make a brew! I knew I had that!
I was diagnosed with Afib after a stroke. Mine is rhythm not rate and I'm still not aware of it, I think I've probably had it for years.
We're all different. I know a few people who have only discovered AF when going for a pre op for something else and have had no issues with it since either. I, on the other hand feel rough as a badgers behind and obviously , you're going to get folks in-between. Unfortunately, one size does not fit all with AF.
Yes, I have wondered just this, but for people with persistent or full-time AF, as a friend has, it can feel normal, I gather, especially if the heart rate stays in the normal range, and there are no palpitations. I get so many of the latter that I can rarely tell when I have AF as well and the "thump" feeling from the ectopic beats and the general discomfort are hard to ignore and feel much the same.
Steve
Hi Myflowers2 I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AFib in 2013 after wearing a Holter monitor. I don’t know what it feels like. I am on statins and Edoxaban anti coagulant as I have atrial septum aneurism which can cause clots to form. And a small old infarction in my brain. I have no recollection of an incidence causing that. I am only glad that a brief episode of suspected TIA led to investigations and subsequent medication and rotine blood tests.
I can’t even imagine having a Afib episode and not noticing it. But surprisingly some people just don’t feel it.!! I feel every single missed heart beat and every afib episode.
Nice to know I'm not the only one
your definitely not on your own.!!👍
My AF is like yours too. It feels like my heart is going to jump out of my chest. I have had 2 ablations which moved me from paroxysmal to persistent. Luckily we found a medication that has worked for me. When AF strikes I can't do anything but lie down.
I have thought the same thing numerous times. How in the world do some people not feel the change in the rate or rhythm ? I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AF & felt very anxious & short of breath. I always said it felt like a fish flopping around in my chest. Even now with only clusters of ectopic beats the sensation can be disturbing wondering if it's a precursor to an AF event. The cardiologist said they call some PVC's the "donkey kick" when they are felt strongly and I agree. The PAC's seem to feel more like a flutter.
I agree with CDreamer after I realized I should be grateful for the possible warning my body is sending. Gradually I have been able to live with the sensations & my built in alarm 
Thanks for replying it's sort of comforting to know there are others out there.
I barely notice mine now and depend on Fitbit to alert me to it when asleep and I use kardia to monitor if I feel a bit off at other times.
Prior to my ablation in 2013 I was very symptomatic and felt every thump. Then “cured “ for 8 years. Back now but gentler than before.
If you do want to know when/if you are having an episode, get a Kardia. Also a Cheap Fitbit , Inspire2 is about £40 and is good for telling you if you are having episodes when asleep. Approved by FDA in US.
Kardia is used by many here and is a great tool if used correctly.
Good luck ☘️
i feel every weird beat!! It was so bad at onset that I ran the apple watch ecg and it said afib. After that my heart was going too fast for it to record afib. I think I have had one or two episodes over tge course of 10 years . When I went for a procedure this Summer and I told told anesthetist my heart sometimes goes funny with alcohol, migraines etc he actually didn’t take it seriously -never did he suggest afib, and it obviously didn’t show during the procedure..but I really do feel it and the ectopic beats also to the point that i think I can tell the difference between the PACs and the PVCs.
PAC 's and PVC's what does this stand for?
Premature atrial contractions and premature ventricle contractions-ie two beats in rapid succession followed by a pause
Ok thanks
I agree, I can definitely tell the difference between PAC's and PVC's. And there is a known correlation with alcohol being an AFIB trigger. I have also found numerous food triggers and that took some work to make those connections. Try keeping a food diary for awhile. And then adding magnesium chloride ( SlowMg ) has helped suppress some ectopics.
I wish I didn’t know when I am in AF from my first episode it became unmistakable . From short episodes to many days the symptoms are horrible , someone constantly thumps me in my back,I am breathless, sweating , light headed and totally exhausted my legs won’t carry me .
I get so cross when health professionals glibly dismiss AF as palpitations and I suggest they imagine they have just run a marathon and breathless sweaty and exhausted they want to stop and rest but have to go on .
At the moment my episodes are short following an ablation which is being supported by flecainide which is working just now and I am so relieved to be having a break from constant symptomatic AF.
You don't know for sure, without an ekg.
Because of that, many people with atrial fibrillation are delayed treatment -- sometimes for years -- because their ekg's are normal in the doctor's office, but they have afib episodes at other times. In these cases, their doctors may tell them they don't have atrial fibrillation when they really do.
Fortunately, we now have home monitoring devices like the Apple Watch and Kardia 6L. These can generate a medical grade EKG's that will alert you when you are in afib and let you share the ekg with your doctor.
Once afib has been identiified with such a device, appropriate treatment can begin if necessary. Not to mention the relief of finally knowing what is going on.
Jim
Hi
At 185 H/Rate Day on Metoprolol and 156 ditto on Bisoprolol either one Controlled my H/Rate.
Symptoms were former, breathless, sweating on exertion, pauses at night, tired, sleeping heaps. Latter the same but no pauses or breathless.
Now controlled on CCB Diltiazem symptoms stop on exertion briefly, no sweating uncontrollable, increasing walking distance.
CCB saved me.
Controlled on meds.
No palpitations, no pain , flutters. .. my AF was caused by hypo-thyroid due to thyroid cancer.
cheri JOY 75. (NZ)
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