Can you have “attacks” when in persistent/constant afib?

[Efka]

If you are in persistent/constant bradycardic (40-60ish bpm) afib can you still have “attacks” of afib?

Sort of ad-hoc exasperation of say breathlessness, chest pressure etc.

I’m not even sure that question makes any sense… we are still trying to sort out what are “afib symptoms” and what isn’t after my husband’s dual lead ICD operation in February this year which if it didn’t trigger afib certainly triggered a whole host of symptoms such as breathlessness, uncontrollable breathing etc.

He has only had normal ecg’s at hospital no holter monitor so we are going on what the doctors have said i.e. it’s persistent afib. I might go ahead and get a private holter monitor for a few days to get more data.

I apologies in advance as I will separate out the weird symptoms and post each on it’s own.

Many thanks for any help and experiences

Eva

[Ppiman]

My elderly friend has had permanent AF for many years and, generally, the only symptoms he gets are mild breathlessness when walking on a slope. I guess that is a result of his AF not allowing his heart to compensate for oxygen demand quickly enough?

Steve

[Efka in reply to Ppiman]

Hmm yes most interesting and reassuring, I kind of assumed that if one was always in afib that was that and it didn’t change much.

That makes me wonder as my husband sort of get attacks of symptoms. Think I’m getting more and more convinced we need to get a holter monitor for a few days to truly see what is going on and when.

Thanks Steve you’re really helping me with my somewhat chaotic mind! Eva

[Ppiman in reply to Efka]

You can buy, for home use, an AI ECG made by Wellue. Their latest model runs for up to 72 hours and offers free AI ECG reports. Mine is the 24-hour version and several people here find it useful. It’s cheapest direct from their website.

Steve

[Efka in reply to Ppiman]

Great call thanks for the reminder Steve!

I keep seeing them mentioned on here and recommended but for some reason my mind was so focused on getting a 7 day ecg I hadn’t even considered a personal device.

After looking the cost is almost comparable for the 72h ai version and a private 7 day holter monitor so it makes far more sense to buy one as we can then use if needs be in the future.

Thanks, Eva

[Ppiman in reply to Efka]

The best, so far as I know, is a Zio patch, which runs for 14 days, but costs far more. A 6-lead Holter monitor is also a way to get more heart information. But mostly, 24 hours with e Wellue will likely "catch" what is happening.

Steve

[Tapanac]

I had a 2 lead pacemaker last September was fine and doing so well until I had the covid jab in February and then covid itself a few days later. Since then I’ve been in permanent afib and very breathless tight chest and as if I’m being strangled on any exertion (going upstairs, walking outside)

The pacemaker still stops my heart rate going below 30 (set at 60) so I no longer feel faint snd light headed so still doing some good

It is the afib giving your hubby those symptoms

Hope he feels better soon and yes a monitor would be better than an ecg which only catches what happens in those few seconds.

[Efka in reply to Tapanac]

Oh no bless you I am so sorry it triggered such awful symptoms for you!

And great, yes I have a few private (UK) companies I’ve looked at for a holter so I now feel that is definitely the next step.

You take care too, Eva

[austintrim8782 in reply to Efka]

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[Efka]

Hi I yank you it’s an interesting thought!

I admit the pacing got turned down to 40 as part of the problem determination as we thought the amount of pacing was causing weird symptoms.

He never reaches tachycardia, mostly low 40-50 odd occasions I see 60s.

He has a device team review end September so will ask them if we could “play around” with his settings a bit.

It’s a good call, thanks, everything is worth looking at.

Eva

[Efka]

So he had a heart attack a couple of decades ago and in 2022 diagnosed with heart failure likely due to the MI.

He never really had any symptoms but did suffer a stroke in 2022 hence afterwards an echo was done showing heart failure. His cardiologist then said an ICD would be a good “belt and braces” as having had an MI might put you at a higher risk for a cardiac arrest in the future. At this point afib has never been mentioned.

Sadly what was meant to be (and sold as) a simple day procedure in and out jobbie has left him with a whole host of symptoms and rather debilitated.

Since the op in February they are now saying persistent afib (he’s had bradycardia for many years). The reasons I wanted the wellue is that he has only ever had the quick 30 second ecgs this year and when we’ve asked about the ICD data they say it doesn’t store much merely what is going on at the time and any “events”.

I can only assume they used a dual lead as a bit of future proofing maybe?! And to be fair they straight away did start using it for bottom end pacing as he is pretty low.

We had one private (normal) cardio appointment late spring which was slightly helpful to at least get the other cardio to listen to us even if still no help has been forthcoming. First EP appointment is next week which from what I have read and heard is a very good local chap so fingers crossed…

Thanks again for your help and time!

[Efka]

I haven’t no, thanks for the link.

I will for sure ask the EP next week, trust me I have plenty of questions he he, poor chap!

I’m hoping and praying most of husbands issues are mere side effects from the op (ie nerve trauma etc) and will heal over time or can be managed.

When it comes to the persistent afib, flutter etc fingers crossed the wellue will give some good clues and that the EP will add his wealth of knowledge.