hello. Out walking this morning and suddenly I felt my heart jump and then I felt faint, sick and out of breath. Never had this before. Had to lie down and took deep breaths. Husband phoned ambulance but following many questions said to go walk in centre. Went home in stead in car. Took bp and pulse. Bp good but low pulse as you would expect. I am digoxin, rivaroxiban and diltiazen and see cardiologist every year. Still feeling rubbish 2 hours later but definitely better than earlier. Has this happened to anyone else?
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ColletteTabitha
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What were your BP and pulse rates? I'm guessing that one of them may have dropped too high or low. I'm surprised that paramedics weren't sent to check you over. Please go and see your GP on Monday and explain what happened - you must do that.
I had a similar experience, just once, where I had to fight to keep conscious, felt hot and sweaty. Paramedics came, did an ECG and took me to hospital where I was admitted to a ward, can't remember how long I was there for, would guess a few days. I was admitted to hospital so many times with my AF. That's all in the past now, after three ablations and moving to a diet that excludes consuming anything containing artificial additives. I am now in constant AF but at a low rate of 60-90bpm and can cope with that.
Lets face it you could completely pass out if this happens again and it may not be in a spot where it's safe to do so.
Hiya, many thanks for your comment. Very good advice. I have been to A&E this morning and they have told me that I am in AF, don't normally get any symptoms - lucky me, after having been diagnosed several years ago. I was advised that it is not possible to predict if it will happen again. And that it was likely was the palpitations that caused the episode. They are happy with EGC and were able to compare with the previous one. Bloods good - no cardiac arrest and BP and pulse are back to normal. Told to return if it happens again.
I'm glad that you sought advice. Always a good idea if you have another episode like that to get to A&E quickly, so that they can see exactly what your heart is doing. It's difficult as we never know when an attack like you had will strike again and once we return to feeling normal our hearts are too. The only way you could capture it yourself I guess is with a Kardia or Apple watch.
A couple of years back, while walking along a roadway, I saw a woman lying flat in the middle of the road. I rushed over; she was conscious and trying to raise her head, so I called the paramedics. With the help of a passerby, we moved her to the side, grateful it wasn’t a busy intersection. When the paramedics arrived, she reported that her AF had been changing recently, making her feel faint. The medic advised her to go to the hospital or follow up with her GP. I felt deeply for her, knowing that I had also recently at that time been diagnosed with AF and could face similar challenges. I didn’t know her medical history or what she may have endured with her condition and doctors. However, she was encouraged to see her doctor to ensure everything was alright. As Jean mentioned, “If this happens again, it may not be in a spot where it's safe to do so.”
Obviously not a good sign and I respectfully suggested to make an appointment to see someone urgently as this can happen again and be more serious. I have a pacemaker to prevent this as my cardio was worried that I could pass out going downstairs, crossing the road etc.etc. for obvious reasons. There are some things I choose to ignore but this, no.
Thanks, I have been to A & E Very good advice. I have been to A&E this morning and they have told me that I am in AF, don't normally get any symptoms - lucky me, after having been diagnosed several years ago. I was advised that it is not possible to predict if it will happen again. And that it was likely was the palpitations that caused the episode. They are happy with EGC and were able to compare with the previous one. Bloods good - no cardiac arrest and BP and pulse are back to normal. Told to return if it happens again.
Please go and see your GP on Monday and explain what happened - you must do that
I 100% agree, and I'm amazed you weren't taken to the hospital to be checked out. If you experience shortness of breath after fainting you should seek medical help even if you feel better afterwards. Next time you may not be so lucky to have hubby with you or be in a remote area. If you faint due to Afib it's not uncommon to feel confused when you come to. No fun if you're on your own - I suggest always carry a mobile with you - even in the house. Mine is right next to me and I even take it with me when going to the loo. This way I can summon help if I fall or pass out. I have just been discharged from hospital due to falling and not being able to move (lung infection the cause). Lying on the floor for a few days unable to move is no fun. If I had my phone with me I would have been able to call 999. The police were called once when this happened as the door was locked - they had to break the door in to give the ambulance crew entry. I have a key safe fitted now - I can give emergency services the code. They can let themselves in and it saves on having a new front door fitted if it happens again! I suggest other forum members consider having one fitted (certainly if they live on their own),
So the motto of my post is,
1. Always have your mobile with you
2. Consider having a key safe fitted - it saves the police from coming around and bashing your door in🪓
I agree. I have a key safe and the code is on my notes for medics to access. Also remember to leave your own keys out of the door so key can fit the other side.
Yeah had a fairly bad time of it. That's 10 admissions to hospital this year - no travel for me. I would be discharged after being fed drips and all the meds under the sun and remitted the next day. They couldn't find out what was wrong with me - however, they went to town last stay (one month). The camera down the throat and into my lungs showed it was all down to a chest infection. The consultant seemed determined to find out what was wrong and I had every test you can think of - he was very good and I am on the mend and feel 100% better. I can walk again and putting on all the muscle mass I lost. So chuffed😉 I used to be about 14 stones but dropped to just under 10 stones. I'm eating like a horse now and getting my weight up. I also take 3 bottles of Ensure drinks everyday - they are expensive but well worth it. They have all the vitamins and minerals you need (including magnesium 300mg per bottle). Two or three a day covers what you should take. Highly recommended by me - Google Ensure drinks and have a look.
On the mend, life is returning to normal (yippee).
Have a great weekend Wil.
Paul
PS - the camera down your throat is dreaded by most people! Don't be scared to have it as there is really nothing to it. I didn't even know they were doing it! It's like most things - the fear is greater than the reality.
Please seek medical advice again before you have another event. Your GP at the least or get in touch with Cardiology. If you ring their secretary they are usually very helpful. This is a new occurrence and you must find out why.
Not trying to panic you but absolutely do nit ignore.
having had af for a few years - progressing slowly towards permanent l started similar episodes. Long story - short… implanted loop recorder with heart stoppages ( faints and blackouts)of up to 15 seconds …(cardiac syncope diagnosed) …pacemaker fitted. No more problems and now on my second PM 8 years later…. An ILR can help the decision process if you can get one … it certainly saved me 😅
I’m waiting for my 4th ablation, recently I’ve had 2 near feinting spells, I told the arrhythmia nurse, she said it’s only serious if you fall and hurt yourself. My question is should I stop driving until I get my ablation? I don’t want to tell the dvla because they’ll take my license, it’s so difficult to get it back.
I passed out almost 4 years ago, I refused the ambulance, the next day being still short of breath, I got admitted to the hospital. There was still hospitalized I passed out again, heart rate went up crazy, sustained vtach, vfib and cardiac arrest...
I’m sorry to hear of your recent situation with fainting.
Last Sunday morning 6th October at 2.55am I woke with an Atrial Fibrillation Attack - BP 160/81 and a Pulse of 94.
At one stage my pulse was 155 recorded on my Kardia Mobile.
I took a small amount of Bisoprolol 0.625mg and at 10.30am the Afib just went. Thank goodness.
The Afib lasted for over 7 hours. At one stage my BP was 77/45 with a pulse of 65 and I thought I was going to pass out standing up from a seated position. I ate breakfast immediately and the dizziness subsided.
I reported the incident to my GP on Thursday morning through an internet connection and within 15 minutes received a phone call back telling me to go to A&E straight away.
Five hours later following an ECG, blood tests and many questions nothing could be found. The only conclusion I came to was that I had had nothing to eat after taking the Bisoprolol and gone back to bed.
Looking at the other replies I can see the importance of contacting one’s GP as early as possible.
Hiya, many thanks for your comment. Very good advice. I have been to A&E this morning and they have told me that I am in AF, don't normally get any symptoms - lucky me, after having been diagnosed several years ago. I was advised that it is not possible to predict if it will happen again. And that it was likely was the palpitations that caused the episode. They are happy with EGC and were able to compare with the previous one. Bloods good - no cardiac arrest and BP and pulse are back to normal. Told to return if it happens again.
I can report that I have been to A&E this morning and they have told me that I am in AF, don't normally get any symptoms - lucky me, after having been diagnosed several years ago. I was advised that it is not possible to predict if it will happen again. And that it was likely was the palpitations that caused the episode. They are happy with EGC and were able to compare with the previous one. Bloods good - no cardiac arrest and BP and pulse are back to normal. Told to return if it happens again.
Hello Collette, March 2023 I was walking with daughter and husband. After 40 minutes of fairly brisk walking I felt a bit tired but didn't say anything as I wanted to complete my usual routine. Also I was reluctant to appear unfit to any of my 3 daughters. We carried on. I started to feel faint and realised I should have turned back earlier. They each took an arm and I staggered home. My main worry was my neighbours would see me and jump to conclusion I was 🥴 stupid, I know. Got in collapsed on sofa and ate pack of salted crisps. All ok. Happened again end of July. GP split ramipril in half for am and pm. Reduced bisoprolol to 1.25 am from 2.5 and evening. To date it's working but I'm never complacent! For last 2 years I carry snacks and water anyway.
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Withdrawal from Bisoprolol help. 
”A bit of a do” at the dentist
One month post ablation
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