Short AFIB runs In between normal rhythm.

[Jetcat]

hi guys and girls. Does anyone get a run of AFIB for around 5minutes then jump straight back into normal rhythm for 5 minutes then it starts again.!! Iv noticed today while at work that my AFIB kicked in for 5 mins then normal rhythm for 5 minutes. Basically in out. In out. In out!! All this lasted for around 2 hours then Iv stayed in NSR since but with ectopics ever 20 minutes.! I nearly always get my appointment with the afib In the early hours and very rarely through the day. I did work over longer yesterday but made sure I drank my water and lemon juice all through my shift so I can’t blame dehydration.

It’s a new one for me after 10 years of AFIB.

just wondering if this another surprise I can expect from AFIB and wether anyone else has had this experience.?

thankyou all.

Ron.👍

[megacycling]

When I had AFIB this happened to me and there are several factors that helped cause AFIB . Hydration, electrolytes, caffeine, lack of sleep, were all big triggers for me. I figured out a way to stop my AFIB by getting on my stationary bike and riding for minimum of 10 minutes @ 10 beats/minute higher than my given AFIB rate. I would get AFIB always at 2,3,4 am and just get up and start riding. Once I got my heart rate up I would monitor to make sure it was 10 beats higher with my apple watch.. real time .. usually my AFIB was 130/140 bpm and I would raise to 140/150 then get off my bike. 31 out 31 times I stopped my AFIB. Basically I figured out how to reset my heart beat.. no surgeon I talked to had ever heard of this. .In the end after 1 year of having AFIB I decided to get it fixed once and for all and ended up getting 2 ablation procedures within 12 months of each other. I have no AFI B and living a normal life again.

[Jetcat in reply to megacycling]

Thankyou Meg that’s interesting, and I’m glad you’re afib free.👍

[WildIris in reply to megacycling]

That usually worked for me too, an elliptical trainer in my case that doesn't show bpm, but 10 minutes would usually do it. I read about the trick on this forum- maybe from you, in which case, thank-you.

[secondtry]

Yes, I think something similar with me has started recently and I am still trying to figure out any pattern or reasons for this change.

Started with AF 11 years ago and any episode was very debilitating. Prescribed 200mgs Flecainide. Then this year what you are describing started. Uncomfortable but now does not stop me doing anything unlike the past.

Maybe due to me stopping in January CoQ10 supplement (as was way over the normal range) or down to Flecainide which has a reputation for changing the issue. I am talking to my cardiologist and will report back. Please let us know if you seek a medical opinion.

[Jetcat in reply to secondtry]

Iv actually got a 6 month cardiologist phone appointment in august/september so I will mention it to him yes.👍

On my last phone appointment a few months ago he did tell me my atrium was slightly enlarged from a recent ECHO compared to the last one I had 6 years ago where it was normal size. I was quite worried by this news but he said it’s only what he’d expect to see with Afib and not to worry at all. So it may be connected to this I don’t really know.?

[Ppiman]

Yes - mostly much shorter runs, though - 2 minutes I have had. On a 14-day ZIO test it showed many much shorter, too.

Steve

[Jetcat in reply to Ppiman]

It’s certainly a strange condition we have.!!

[Cavalierrubie]

l get this yo-yo effect. My heart feels like it’s dancing all over the place! When it does that, l can get ectopics too. It seems to have a mind of its own, this rogue condition.

[Jetcat in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Oh The dreaded ectopics😳 Iv got plenty of experience with those annoying things 😡

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Jetcat]

Yes, l find them just as bad as the AF. Something has triggered your AF into doing this on and off business. When mine does that it’s usually a period of stress. It normally settles down again, so hope yours does too. Take care.

[Jetcat in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Hi cav, thankyou and alls good today so far anyway 🤪 when I got up to go to work this morning I noticed all is ticking nicely.! I haven’t had one missed beat at all. And my Fitbit shows NSR all night whilst asleep too.!! You’re rite on the something must have triggered though. I’m still trying to think what I may have been.?🫤

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Jetcat]

👍

[mjames1]

Are you capturing these short five minute afib runs with an ekg, or are you just assuming it's afib based in how you feel or somehing else?

Jim

[Jetcat in reply to mjames1]

Hi Jim. I used my kardia ecg pad and it said AFIB. so I waited until I felt myself jump back into NSR and although my pulse was a little high at 80 it said NSR.!!

[mjames1 in reply to Jetcat]

Thanks. Did you have the EKG that said "possible afib" confirmed either by your cardiologist or Kardia's cardiologist? I ask because sometimes Kardia will falsely report afib when it's really a run of ectopics. If not, that's the first thing I would do..

Jim

[Jetcat in reply to mjames1]

Hi Jim. It actually did say possible atrial fibrillation yes. I do get ectopics too but I feel the difference.! My ectopics give me a bump in the chest and my pulse is regularly apart from the bump and my pulse rate is normal. On my Kardia it shows two close together spikes and a normal pulse rate but still shows me a NSR reading.!!

[mjames1 in reply to Jetcat]

I'm not saying it's not afib. But unless it's confirmed by a well qualified human being like electrophysiologist, you can't be sure. Unfortunately, just because Kardia says "possible afib" doesn't necessarily mean it's correct. We've had numerous members here -- including myself-- who have gotten "possible afib " determinations by Kardia, only to realize or find out from their doctor that it was simply ectopic beats.

No one here is really qualified to read an EKG, but if you want to post one of yours in this thread for educational purposes please go ahead. Just make sure to use the upload function (the symbol all the way to the right on the bottom ) for clarity and remove any personal data.

Jim

[Jetcat in reply to mjames1]

Sorry Jim. I should have mentioned that in the past and as recent as dec 2023 Iv printed these off from my Kardia and showed the cardiologist and he said yes it’s definitely AFIB and the ECG with the odd close together spikes are indeed ectopic beats. Sorry Jim I should have said this at the start, I do apologise .