Hi - does anyone else in persistent a-fib get disproportionally breathless when they exert themselves in a bending position? Like bending over to tie laces or bending over to reach something inside a tent, bending over to scratch a dogs stomach etc?
I am trying to work out if this is my a-fib or is related to sinus / asthma issues I have.
In terms of my health - I am 51 and in persistent a-fib, since 2021. I am in reasonable health / shape. The a-fib is an outcome of congenital mitral and aortic stenosis. I also have exercise induced rhinitis (which I seldom trigger since getting a-fib)
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Jonathan_C
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hi Jonathan. I, too, am in persistent AF. And yes when I bend down to put boots on or attach lead to small JR dog I get somewhat breathless. Some days worse than others.
Yes indeed, though I suspect mine is more due to loss of abdominal tone since a series of major medical issues, and age (70 and previously fit, too). These days I lift a foot onto a chair to tie shoe laces, and bending seems much harder work than it should be, though after the last year of diligently wiping the shower down after using it, I can get down there a bit easier.
Feels like I compress all that tummy and chest when I bend down. You're not of qualifying age yet, but as Billy Connolly said, in senior years, when you bend down, make sure you first have a plan to get back up again.
Bending when standing (or in my case even whilst sitting) causes pressure (particularly after a meal) I assume on the Vagus Nerve, which with my PAF (15% of the time) can trigger AF.
Yes I too struggled with persistent af for 10 nearly months and found bending over made me feel very breathless. Bending to pick something up or pull a weed. Since cardio version on 26/11 I’ve been fine. 😀
I first had the pleasure of meeting Mr A-Fib playing golf, bending over to pick up the ball. It was like clockwork originally every Saturday morning for 4-5 months. This resulted in drop in BP and little breathlessness. But then I did all the research and with support of cardiologist that check the condition of the heart is good, and have learned to manage AFib with supplements only like Mg, and D3/K2 No medication other than edoxaban.
I went down rabbit hole at one stage thinking it was POTS. But luckily not.
Just one more to add to the list - I too have the 'bending breathless' - no asthma just permanent AF. Also noticeable when carrying anything heavy (dog, bag of animal feed, etc) ........ I suspect it is also age related as everything works a bit slower these days.
Hi. I too am asthmatic and only got that symptom after changing meds from Serevent/Qvar to Symbicort Jan 24. Then had increasing b/lessness despite switching back, which then triggered AF, only just corrected yesterday by ablation.
It's unknowable what triggered this, but never b4 had I experienced this on bending over, despite being a lifelong asthmatic. Now, of course, everything is blamed on AF or the meds that control it, but my synptoms pre dated that. Now have to wait to see if ablation helps with that asoect, or not. Interested to know if you changed your meds at all b4 this happened.
I am in AFIB all the time too and yes bending over does take my breath away! When I get up I have a chair in my closet and I sat down and put my shoes on and get out of breath too! This is part of AFIB!
I’m nearly 78, in persistent AF AWAITING A SECOND CV. Ejection rate 30% so in heart failure.
I regularly take my rollator and go for a short walk in the woods with my husband, and so when donning my walking boots I have to sit up for a few seconds before bending over to put the boot on the second foot, so you are not alone in getting a bit breathless getting boots on.
I’m a big believer in ‘Don't give in ‘ and a short walk in the woods just helps me to feel a lot better…seeing the sky and the trees, chatting to passers by etc.
I am paroxysmal (not persistent) and I don't have a lot to add to those who agreed that this is part of AF, but this one thing: In my earliest days after diagnosis, I could function okay when in AF so I didn't let it slow me down. But gradually I noticed the shortness of breath increasing until it became more incapacitating with each episode. I wonder if I should have taken it easy in the beginning. Maybe I would have a better behavior course? Maybe not.
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