Lightheadedness after AFib episode

[Jomaur]

A few weeks ago I posted about not being given any medication to shorten my AFib attacks and received many useful replies. Thank you all.. Since then I have sent my ECG readings to my cardiologist and 2 weeks ago I was started on 50 mg Flecanide twice a day with instructions to take another 50 mg one hour after the start of an attack and if necessary another 50 mg. After a week of taking the Flecanide I had to return for an ECG which my cardio was happy with.

In the early hours of this morning I woke with a very fast heartbeat and my Kardia registered Possible Atrial Fibrillation. I did not feel as bad as I have before and went back to sleep. Woke about 6.45am and did another Kardia reading which was normal. Before starting the Flecanide my attacks were nearer 6 hours or more.My cardio had told me to take my usual BP medication after an AFib attack and although I felt a bit lightheaded I did this. My BP readings about 30 minutes later were 135/63 and 110/53. Since then I have felt extremely lightheaded and my BP varies from 166/79 to114/52 but it is the lightheadedness that really worries me. I did have a few bouts of this in my first week of taking Flecanide but my cardio said it was not to do with my heart.I do have a neck that ‘crunches’ and I have restricted movement in it so that may be a possible cause. Has anyone experienced prolonged lightheadedness after AFib or when taking Flecanide?

[mjames1]

I was on your exact same dosage regimen with daily Flec and PIP if needed. For me, being light headed after an afib episode was common and mostly due to dehydration, so I stocked up with Gatorade, an electrolyte drink and drank it liberally during any afib episode. As to your neck, neck pain was one of my prime afib triggers before my ablation. You should try heat and/or physical therapy if you haven't. I avoided ice on my neck for fear of triggering afib via the vagus nerve, Hope you feel better soon.

Jim

[Jomaur in reply to mjames1]

Thank you Jim. I was so pleased that my AFib attack early this morning passed so quickly and after a few bathroom trips I felt relaxed enough to go back to sleep. I am used to feeling lightheaded for a few hours after this and I usually take my BP and if it’s low I don’t take my BP meds but having checked with my cardio I thought I should do as he said. I do take a rehydration drink but not until the morning as I’ve always thought that drinking during an AFib attack would increase my trips to the bathroom.I have a physio appt on Monday for my back so shall mention the lightheadedness and see if he reckons my neck could be a cause of it.

[mjames1 in reply to Jomaur]

I do take a rehydration drink but not until the morning as I’ve always thought that drinking during an AFib attack would increase my trips to the bathroom.

I used to do the same, but when I started drinking (and drinking) as soon as the attack began the lightheadedness significantly decreased. During these times I found a urinal stored under my bed quite helpful!

Jim

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Jomaur]

Just stay well hydrated . AF causes us to pee a lot so it is vital to drink plenty of water however incovenient you might think that.

[Hallju in reply to BobD]

That is affirming that you mention the excessive peeing. I brought that up at my last pacemaker interrogation and was laughed at because I was told that had never been mentioned before.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hallju]

PM technicians aren't doctors. It is caused by the distressed heart secreting an enzyme which tells the body to get rid of salt which it does via kidneys. Hence you pee a lot.

[Hallju in reply to mjames1]

This is enlightening for me. It is the reason I often check this forum. I, too, have experienced lightheadedness after an afib episode and neck or head (behind my eyes) pain prior to it starting. However, I usually put ice on the pain. I didn’t know that it could trigger anything.

[Vonnegut]

Very different from the advice I was given when I was first prescribed Flecainide as a PIP by an EP ( specialist in electrical problems in the heart). I was told to take 100mg as a PIP with an added low dose Bisoprolol if my heart rate exceeded 140 twenty minutes later, which hardly ever happened. Now that I take 100mg of Flecainide twice daily I have not had an episode for ages so no need for anticoagulants either which badly messed up my digestion. However, we are all different and do hope you find a regime that works for you.

[Ppiman]

The lower of the two BP measurements, which is the one from when the heart rests between beats, is called a diastolic reading. It is usually around 80mm Hg, so one in the low 50s, especially when there are palpitations from AF or ectopic beats, might well bring on the symptoms you describe. I get them a little including an unpleasant "distanced" feeling. I was told by my specialist that when the heart is palpitating, the blood pressure inside the arteries can drop suddenly and momentarily even lower than the BP machine can measure and worsen the symptoms.

Were you prescribed flecainide on the strength of a Kardia ECG? I also have something called bundle block (LBBB) and need am MRI before being given flecainide. Also, can I ask - do you take your BP tablets only after an AF attack? I take losartan (100mg) every morning (for the bundle block, not high BP, though).

Steve

[Hallju]

I came on the forum tonight because of the very same concerns. My AFib episodes are very short now that I take the same flecainide regimen you described. However, they have become very frequent (almost but not quite daily) and usually when I recline to watch the television in the evening. However today’s afib started this morning and then the weakness and lightheadedness continued all day. I have very low blood pressure as a normal reading, so maybe that is what triggers the “woozy” feeling. Thank you for posting. It helps to know I’m not alone.