Hi, I'm new here.
My first question is...I am now consciously aware of my heart beat all the time since being in a and e with first AF episode caught on ECG, even though I'm registering as Normal Sinus Rhythm on my KardiaMobile. Is this just new anxiety because of my recent diganosis of afib? It doesn't feel 'thumpy' like palpitations, but feels consciously perceptible. Thanks! I'll introduce myself properly shortly.
Hi Beelights.
Welcome to the forum.
I'm not a doctor so this is only my personal take. Anxiety and afib go hand in hand - it's like a marriage made in hell. Since it started when you found out you have afib I would guess at anxiety being the cause. The body adusts and I'll take a punt you won't even notice it after a few weeks.
You are in PAF (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) which means your afib comes and goes. There are treatments to help and your medic will discuss these with you.
One thing before I go. Afib is unlikely to be half as bad as you think. I'm about 5 years in now and it hardly makes any difference at all to my life. Make some lifestyle changes (diet - exercise - weight loss if you are overweight) and you should fine.
Mindset matters here. Kick your anxiety out of the door - breathing exercises can help with this (have a look on YouTube), and also follow your medics advise.
Paul
Hi Paul,
I can't tell you how reassuring your words are. Thank you for your kindness in reaching out. I am generally anxious and I think this is a wake-up call for a life lived on multi-tasking and busy-ness with a side order of worry thrown in.
It is paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and I have been prescribed bisoprolol as 'pill in the pocket' treatment but no blood thinners as my age and health don't fit the criteria (I'm 59, otherwise very healthy and fit). A&E was a blessing in a way as previously it was missed by time I got to the doctor - "panic attacks" was the diagnosis till admitted to A&E last month with afib, breathlessness, 150bpm etc.... Mind you, I was moving house that week, am getting divorced, was dehydrated, low on magnesium, sleep-deprived and had a virus! Prior to that only had afib twice before about six months apart when I had chest infections. My afib is always accompanied by a feeling of having something stuck in my throat behind my sternum.
This has left me with constant anxiety about whether I am about to go into afib. I had two other brief episodes last weekend possibly due to ongoing stress and another virus, but the bisoprolol dealt with it. But I am worrying now about everything I eat and do in case it sets it off, alongside this consciousness of my heart beating all the time.
Glad to be able to get this off my chest (no pun intended). I don't have any ongoing medical care having just seen the nurse physician at the arrythmia clinic, so no one to ask these questions to. I am thinking perhaps I should ask to be referred to a cardiologist? I am due an Echo with the nurse physician "by March 2025".
I guess this is a fairly typical stressed newcomer's intro!!
Thanks!
Emma
Yes, but we don’t get bored! You have been going through all the worst things for AF so you’re not actually doing too badly. The only thing you can do is to be as kind to yourself as you can be under the circumstances. Anxiety is going to make it more likely that you go into AF and many people find that breathing exercises help to control it.
The time to see a cardiologist is when you have had a few tests done. Then they can tell from the results what medication is suitable for you and prescribe them as GPs are limited in what they are allowed to prescribe.
Best wishes ❤️🩹
Hi Emma.
A gut feeling tells me you'll kick this into touch quite easily.
Sure your post is a fairly typical stressed newcomer's intro. We all felt like that when we were first told we had afib. Since I learnt I have it I have travelled and enjoyed life to the full. I have even been on one of the most dangerous walkways in the world. Sure you'll have your ups and downs but nothing you won't be able to cope with.
Bisoprolol is highly effective in lowering your heart rate. I would take a guess you are on between 1.5 - 2.5mg with the max dose being 10mg. 5mg knocks me for six and I was walking about like a zombie when on that dose. Bis controls rate but not rhythm so talk to your medic about flecainide as a PIP (pill in the pocket). It is very effective for many afibbers.
I am thinking perhaps I should ask to be referred to a cardiologist
YES, 100% - See your GP and request a referral as soon as possible.
I am due an Echo with the nurse physician "by March 2025"
The 'computer says no' (ever watch Little Britain). What they are saying to you is 'by March' means sometime in 2025
Chase it up!
dehydrated, low on magnesium
Ouch. Dehydration is not a good idea with afib - drink plenty of water throughout the day. It's 7.15 am and I've already knocked back 1.5 litres of water. I aim for 3 litres a day. Try to take about 600 - 800mg of magnesium a day. Split it up morning and night otherwise you'll need to be very close to a loo - be warned!
Happy Friday
Paul
Agree with all you say here but interested in the Flecanaide as I wonder about asking to try that...
Secondly, not all magnesium causes tummy upsets. I'm on a combo now of glycinate, taurate and malate and take 3 times a day with no issues. Oxide and citrate are the worst 2 types for causing bowel irregularities. I was on citrate and glycinate about 5 years ago and yep found I needed the loo rather quickly.
How much Mg do you take per day? I think I'm taking 400mg
Make sure whatever you take is the elemental amount. For instance, some bottles say high strength 1500mg but that's if you take their recommended but that includes all the other gunk too, the fillers, stabilisers etc...which is misleading. Mine provides 375mg if I take 3 a day which is manufacturers recommended dose. Pre AF I took 2 a day as I'd read max dose for females was 260mg...however, since the dastardly deed has begun, I've read that many of the meds can deplete various minerals. So now I have kne 2 hours after my meds, along with my prescribed vit D3 1600iu...then around 4pm I take Mg and then at bedtime my 3rd. My functional chiropractor told me I needed a lot more but tbh I can't afford to buy it as am taking other supplements too...ie Coq10, Vit C and ACV gummies. BTW you need vit d3 with the magnesium for each to be absorbed fully. Vit K2 could be used too but I've been told I can't take that due to being on Apixaban.
Hi Paul,
I'm on 1.25 milligrams bisoprolol as a pill in the pocket. I haven't had to take it since last weekend when I had a 30 minute episode and then another episode the next day for a couple of minutes when I was ill and stressed. Both reverted easily.
I do take magnesium but possibly not enough. I think it's the general anxiety (plus after eating a meal and when lying down seem to be triggers), though I really appreciate what you say about positive mindset and learning to relax. To be honest I think a lot of it is about a complete life review, as I have up to now lived on my nerves as they used to say!
I'm doing all the good things that I can find with regard to diet, exercise, sleep, and any natural remedies and therapies. I've booked myself a one-off appointment with an electrophysiologist at Bristol heart hospital in January and I'm chasing my GP for a regular NHS cardiology appointment.
Thank you so much for your positive and encouraging words. I can't tell you how much it means! It's been such a blessing to find this forum.
With thanks - Emma
Once you are diagnosed with afib you become super aware of what your heart is doing! The trick is to accept this awareness and not let it cause you anxiety. Breathing exercise should be done regularly not just when you are aware of palpitations, Big meals in the evening should be avoided especially late ones and some people have to give up alcohol completely.
I find it is better to take magnesium in small doses throughout the day . I take biglycinate 100mg with breakfast, 150mg with a late lunch and another 100mg before bed. You need to be careful about taking a lot more. The dose suggested by Paul is likely to having you spending a lot of time in the loo if you try that to start off with. You should also eat food rich in magnesium . Recommrnded doses for women are less anyway.
You might find that 1.25 mg bisoprolol does not work that well as PIP to reduce your heart rate enough during an episode and your Kardia will tell you your heartrate so you need to check if this dose is reducing the rate and if not ask if you can take more. One of the side effects of beta blockers is fatigue so it's a bit of a balancing act.
I would also recommend that you get your level of vit D checked and if under 80nmol / l start to supplement . Vit D helps to improve your immune system so you resist respiratory viruses but your level needs to be above the dismally low level the UK considers to be sufficient. It is very common for viruses to kick off afib episodes.
Hi Emma.
It's worth paying the EPs consultant fee to see him privately. I did this with my cardio and explained I was not in Bupa nor did I have health insurance. I asked to see him through the NHS and he referred me there and then. Your EP will likely do the same so you can see him through the NHS without paying to see him privately😉
Paul
They say AFib and anxiety go hand in hand and I know how you feel. Afib makes me anxious, as you never know when it might start. My first AFb episode came when I caught a virus at my sons wedding in 2014. I ended up in A&E and diagnosed with it then. I was also told by Drs, to go to A&E, as my blood pressure and heart rate soar and they like to keep an eye on me and try and stop it. I have found that viruses and sleeping on my left hand side can start the afib off. I Googled that and it explains why that can happen, so I try and avoid it. I also take magnesium and COQ10 and have a banana every day for the potassium as they are all supposed to help.
I plucked up the courage to have an ablation 14 months ago and I’m hoping it’s got rid of it, 🤞🤞but you just don’t have a 100% guarantee that it won’t return at some point. I try not to worry about that, but I find it hard not to.
I just wish someone would invent a treatment that would guarantee a 100% permanent cure for AFib. Wouldn’t that be fantastic for all the millions of people round the world that suffer with this nasty AFib.!!!
Hello Beelights. Welcome. This is a great forum for knowing others are in the same boat. You have just described me to a tee. I completely understand where you're coming from. I would highly recommend seeing an electrophysiologist/cardiologist. The EP specialises in arrhythmias and you may only need one consultation simply to explain what is happening as that's the worst thing I found, fear of the unknown. My GP was useless but yours might be a great help but if not, bypass them and go to the specialists to help put your mind at rest. Good luck!
What were your own lifestyle changes? Thanks.
Hi Pommerania.
Moderate exercise / cutting down on alcohol / healthy diet / breathing techniques / losing weight / controlling my emotions - a claim mind can handle any situation!
Paul
Did this put a stop to Afib? Thanks.
Hi Pommerania.
With the help of meds it has made a difference to me. I once went back into sinus after making the changes I mention above for about 3 months. Sadly I got complacent and went back to my old ways = afib returned.
Paul
What were your "old ways" and have you returned to normal rhythm? What was your medicine and dosage? Thanks.
Hi Pommerania.
I was on various meds - Solotpol being the main one (80mg 3 times a day). My old ways were not to sticking to the things I mention above as I should have done.
Lession learnt.
Paul
Emma, why not go to our main website (Atrial Fibrillation Association) and read all the information there. Knowledge is power and can dispel anxiety. AF and anxiety are common bedfellows and feed off each other.
Ask any questions you want and we will try to help.
Link to the patient resources BobD is referring to heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...
Once in that website you can use the Menu button to navigate the menus.
Best wishes
Thank you all for the warm welcome and helpful replies. I am feeling more empowered already. 👍
Hi Emma, sorry you find yourself in the club no one wants to be in, but you are in the right place. We are all here to help you with any questions you may have. You have a lot going on in your life and not at all surprised your body is protesting. Take care.
Take early steps appropriate to you to reduce overall anxiety eg in other areas as AF issues will be difficult to diffuse at present.
I recall over 10yrs ago when I was first diagnosed that I was hyper sensitive to any issue eg traffic noise when in bed, now I hardly hear it.
HOW did you make improvements in anxiety? Thanks.
Enjoyable volunteering, stopped listening to BBC national news, accepting some things can't be changed and prayer. However still working on reducing it further 🤔.
Welcome, you will soon see that you are in good company as you read the posts - from which you may glean good information. We are also good ‘listeners’ if you just want to have a moan, helps to offload occasionally.
I was moving house that week, am getting divorced, was dehydrated, low on magnesium, sleep-deprived and had a virus!
You are good at overdosing on the main triggers for AF then! May I suggest a little stress management and make breathing techniques daily practice a priority - only takes 2-5 mins a day. Taking time to pause, calm yourself in the moment of these very stressful situations is a skill which needs practice.
Any questions, don’t hesitate to ask, the only silly question is the one not asked.
If it helps, I am aware of my heartbeat pretty well all the time these days. I'm told you become sensitised to it. The best thing to do is busy yourself with whatever interests you x
Aww bless you! I was so anxious in the beginning...I was afraid of my own shadow! I'm 9 months on and have calmed considerably. It's a terrifying feeling to be in AF with a high heart rate and high BP and I felt very alarmed. I had also had a stroke and several TIA's whilst under medical supervision and unbeknown to them...all due to my then undiagnosed AF. So I was really anxious that I was never going to be well again.
I've had to change my meds a fair bit but now on a regime that seems so far to be working for me, it takes time sometimes to sort things out and find a happy balance. My surgery has a pharmacy team and I have a go to named member of the team I go to for advice.
I feel a bit more like the old me although my Mojo only visits me still atm. 😊 If I overdo things, my body let's me know. Sleep or in my case, lack of it, affects me a lot and I feel a bit out of sorts and am more aware of my paroxysmal AF. I'm in that mode atm...as have had about a week of little sleep. I will get back to a better routine and then it settles again.
Maintaining fluid intake is crucial too as dehydration can affect me across the board. Things you could do before AF like having little water or sleep without ill effect, now can have marked consequences. It's about finding what works for you and sticking to it...becoming a slightly different version of you and learning to be ok with that!
You'll be ok...trust me...meditate if you can or listen to YouTube guided meditations, get plenty of sleep, drink plenty, eat well and healthily...treats can still be enjoyed in moderation once you know your responses which you will get accustomed to over the course.
We've all been newbies and now we are all comrades. Take care 🫂
Nice post Taff.
Paul
Thank you...that's very sweet of you 😊✨️
Thank you so much for your kind and reassuring words. I think what's confusing me at the moment is that I'm hyper aware of my heartbeat but it is sitting at a regular 60-70 BPM and the KardiaMobile ECG is saying I am a normal sinus rhythm every time I check it. So I'm fretting that the KardiaMobile ECG either isn't picking up an irregular heartbeat or I am just hyper aware of my heart. I started trying to interpret my own ECG, which is an endless rabbit hole and only leads to more worry. I've booked myself for one off private consultation in January at the Bristol Heart with Dr Glyn Thomas and in the meantime I'm going to get on to my GP to see if I can get a regular and more local cardiology appointment.
You will be aware of it for a while. I was diagnosed in November 2021 and I think for about 6 months I could have guessed my heart rate at any particular time as I could feel every beat. However when I was preoccupied I stopped noticing it and now 3 years on I only notice occasionally or if I actually try and tune into it. You are just hyper aware because it is all new to you and you are worried but it will soon ease I promise.
Be aware that without tests your EP appointment may just be an introduction which would be a waste of money and very frustrating. At the moment your AF ‘burden’ is very light compared to most and while early intervention is now recommended your EP does need some information to go on. Never mind being empowered, relaxation is the way to go 😌
it could be just ectopics which I know I can feel popping around in my chest. Ectopics occur in most people regardless of whether you get AF. I think we AF people become far more aware when anything jumps in our chest. Mine have lessened considerably after being on Magnesium, coq10 and Vitd3 for about 6 months. Of course check your current levels next blood test. Mine were all very low
Thank you both. I'm going to tweak my vitamins and look into some serious calming meditation as well. I very much appreciate your support and feedback.
You will read in various places online that, following any heart problem, we can become more than usually aware of the heart's normal beating, and this can, without care, lead to what I have read is called "cardiac anxiety". I think this is one possible explanation but, having had just your experience, and still have it on occasions, I have come to think there are other reasons.
What I suspect might also happen - and is the case with me and perhaps also you - is that the heart is beating slightly differently owing to the arrhythmia, and yet is still in NSR; either that, or being close to the oesophagus and diaphragm (itself pressed against by the stomach and large bowel) the organs have shifted a little and made the beating heartbeat rather more prominent.
I have read that the heart has no direct sensory nerves and that if we feel it at all it is because the valves that close and open cause waves in the surface arteries and veins which can be felt.
Steve
You must be extra sensitive or pretty active. I am not aware of my heart beating unless it goes crazy which it hasn’t done for quite a while. The last time it did, on climbing stairs before the morning pill, taking it got my heart back to normal in an hour.
I fully agree with Paulbounce -- anxiety and afib are twins. During my first onset I couldn't tell if I was having a mega panic attack. Turned out I wasn't.
I am two years into occasional paroxsysmal a-fib. I have had two full-on episodes of high, sustained heart rate and plenty of episodes of palpitations and flutters and weird heartbeats.
It mostly does not intrude into my life. But, occasionally it does. That is when it is helpful to have touchstones like meditation, breath control and exercise.
And thank heavens for the meds -- in my case 5 mg bisoprolol daily for heart rate control and apixaban to protect me from stroke.
Good luck and welcome to the club we never asked to join!
Thank you everyone. Apologies for not having replied to every post individually, but please know I got something from each and every one of them. The good news is that following your advice I drank several litres of water at work today, cut down the size of my evening meal and got out for a huge walk yesterday. And it feels like my heart has calmed down a bit. I did some nice meditation last night and also at work today (shhh). I feel generally calmer in myself and in my heart.
I've asked my GP to refer me to a cardiologist and I booked a one-off EP appointment privately.
Most of all I just want to thank everyone for the kindness and fellowship I feel here. That has done me no end of good. Thank you all x
Well done Emma. You are already on the road to showing afib who's boss.
🎸Keep Rocking
Paul
Hello Beelights; I'm going on close to 35 years with PAF and I still have anxiety at certain times but they all pass when I realize I'm not likely to die from it and the anxiety soon abates. I know how you feel as I am diagnosed by the VA Hospital with 100% PTSD and at first lived in and out of ER's until I finally realized it's time to overcome this anxiety and start living as normal a life as I can rather than to feel like I'm going to die any second. With the proper medications it can help control afib. Wishing you the best and have a Blessed Night.
I found the same. wasn't in AFib but heart seemed to be pounding which it wasn't, it was just me suddenly very aware of what my heart was up to. A year on and I now know when I am in AFib pretty much without doing an ECG on my watch. It's still comforting to see in sync message! Hope you start feeling less stressed soon. Just read about some of your life's trials, really hope you get to destress soon. AFib must seem like a real kick in the teeth. Bruno
I wonder if there’s anyone that has not become this way especially in the beginning. After a couple of years now and my second anniversary coming up in February of my pacemaker I am completely different than I was. Anxiety is the enemy and it’s probably the first thing that hits us because we don’t know what is going on. Odds are pretty good. You don’t know much about a fib and never heard of the word flutter except for a butterfly. I was blessed with a doctor that was teaching me to live with something I will have all of my life. The first thing I would tell you now I wish someone had said to me and I had listened is get out of your head. Think of your life how many things do you let control your life? Are you that kind of person if not, don’t let a fib do it. It will make you crazy and so will the devices people think are so great. I only had an oximeter and even that was making me a nervous wreck. I was also making my doctor crazy with my questions. I know there are papers out there with info I think we just need a little a like Dr. had for babies how to live with a fib. Knowledge is power don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor because we are all different. It needs to be your doctor. He knows you and your history. He knows your I am called unique I have such strangeness going on with my including a pacemaker made for. I never would’ve guessed most doctors wouldn’t.
both my EP and Cardiologist like meditation for us. Breathing techniques and if you already had anxiety or panic attacks, talk to the doctor treating you I needed my things changed per my EP because it used to be needed. He said I needed more than I thought I did what I needed help with. I find my emotions are the number one trigger along with very cold food or drink and too much eating or drinking of anything. I will have an episode before I even get to the car if I am eating out and it was that good. when you know what triggers it it helps to calm you also because you know as you will feel better hopefully. We are human. We are going to do these things. If you know, alcohol triggers, do what you want but you know what the consequence will be. I love icy cold sangria, but there is no way I’m going to guzzle it down now. I drank it too fast extremely hot 110°F. Wow did I feel awful. A lot of this is going to be common sense once you stop being afraid. You know the heart is not the only thing that can have problems. As my EP has told me people always blame the We have a lot of other parts working also. Think of it this way if you get a cold, are you going to blame your heart? when I’m sure my heart is acting up. All my doctor needs to do is have a reading taken from my pacemaker according to him even people without issues wish they had numbers like me now and that includes ejection rate. I was a heart failure now I’m in the 70s. My heart rate will pound when certain things happen i.e. the other night I fell my heart rate was in the 90s later on it was 71 when I wake up, it’s usually 60. You are a human being and your body is going to react to things.
In my opinion yes right now you are nervous scared and you have not learned enough yet. It’s overwhelming Bob on here will tell you and point you in the direction to learn about certain things since I can’t send you to my doctor or his nurse. They were such a blessing to me.
Now just as I have lived most of my life I can be relatively calm and collected. I worked law-enforcement I never panic. funny when the teacher becomes the student it is so different one day at a time 1 foot in front of the other but just remember don’t lose control. Tell a fib back off leave you alone it won’t of course, but show it who is boss by not letting it live your life and ruin everything you want to do. we are going to get it whether we are flying on vacation or wherever. I have yet to be to the ER for it and I was told all they can do is stabilize and run some The odds are pretty good it’s just another a fib episode. I’m not telling you not to get checked FYI, but because my hospital and doctor are an hour away and the ER is 15 minutes. I would not be going to the proper place. They don’t know me the other hospital does there is an entire team familiar with me. Pretty much it would be like going to CVS about it. They don’t know what they don’t know.
example I went to my GP. I have been sick over a month long story short they came out to the car tested me for Covid and flu, which was negative so all they could do was treat my symptoms. It included antibiotic and antihistamine in other words it’s they can just give you better and you can buy over-the-counter here in the US. Someone possibly just poisoned two of my puppies after they ruled out the serious things at the vet they were treated the same way as I was treat the symptoms. Your first line of defense is your heart doctor.
Yep. It was strange to me too that I was so hyper-aware of every heartbeat after my diagnosis. I think that is the same for many of us. However, it does seem to dull over time. You may only notice it when it is OFF from your new normal.
Hi, I'm new here
New Here
New here, considering ablution 
