I am 26 years old, and recently, while I was just relaxing, my heart suddenly started beating very fast and wouldn’t slow down, even after trying controlled breathing. I went to the emergency room and was admitted because my heart rate reached 200 bpm. With medical intervention, it eventually returned to a normal rhythm after a few hours.
Doctors diagnosed what happened with A-fib
All my tests so far, including an echocardiogram and thyroid exams, show no underlying disease. My potassium and magnesium levels were slightly low but not enough to explain what happened. I’m overweight but not obese, and I don’t eat junk or fried food.
The doctors prescribed aspirin and metoprolol, and I have a follow-up with an electrophysiologist in two weeks. As of now, I still don’t know why this happened. It’s incredibly worrying and mentally draining—especially knowing that atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is treatable but uncommon in people under 40 without clear reasons.
I’m scared about how A-fib will affect my life. I don’t want to limit myself when it comes to physical activities, but this uncertainty is overwhelming. If anyone has been through something similar, I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences or advice specifically if you were diagnosed with A-fib at a young age.
PS: I drink alcohol occasionally
I don’t smoke
I don’t do drugs
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Noahg
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It is reassuring to know that echo and thyroid were negative for underlying pathology. The metoprol will discourage further tachycardia. It is likely that your EP will suggest an ablation which statisticaly is very likely to be successful. Thereafter I personally would maximise nutrition, no alcohol (ever), and no extreme exercise. Too much exercise could encourage a return of Afib. Maitain good sleep hygiene and avoid unnecessay stress.I think that you will have a very full life ahead of you. Good luck.
it’s hard to explain why it happens sometimes it’s a trigger and finding that could put an end to it otherwise could be genetic could be the Vagal induced. In my case I first got it at 35 and I’m now 67. Right up to 2022 my episodes were on average 5 years apart and didn’t last long as fixed with exercise. I was each time triggered by alcohol, caffeine or dehydration all followed by exercise and boom I went into AF. Since 2022 I’ve had 4 episodes. I found that my Vit D, magnesium and coq10 levels were all low so have been supplementing for a year or so. Only 1 episode in 12 months and converted within a few hours by riding my indoor bike. Before trying any of this you must discuss with your specialist.
I’ve know others who only had one episode when they were 30 and now late 50’s and not seen it again. I wish I correlated my triggers with AF earlier. Have a sit and think what you did in that 24 hours before your first episode.
I still lead a full life each day and travelling overseas a couple of times a year and exercising every day. I’ve moderated alcohol and now drink decaf. Hopefully yours is once off otherwise infrequent like mine!
Thank you for sharing your experience, it’s inspiring to see how you’ve managed to live a full and active life despite dealing with A-fib. I don’t drink caffeine anymore because it raises my heartbeat, so I stick to decaf coffee or herbal teas. I used to do CrossFit for about a year and a half but stopped after I got married 10 months ago and gained some weight.
The day it happened, I spent my usual 8 hours at work, then had dinner out with my husband. I had a light meal during the day but ended up having a heavy dinner and ice cream. When we stepped outside, it was extremely cold, and I was shaking from the cold for about 15 minutes. About 10 minutes later, my heart suddenly started racing while just sitting in the car.
I’m trying to reflect on whether anything in that day might have triggered it. Your story gives me hope that even if this recurs, it’s possible to manage it and still live fully. I hope it was just the one and last episode.
Ok well food can be a Vagal trigger. Eat too much too quickly or rich food, spicy food, too much sugar at night all possibilities especially if you go to bed too quickly. I now try and give myself 2.5 to 3 hour to digest before I go to bed. As I safeguard I elevate bed head 4-6 inches and sleep on my right side to put less pressure on my heart. Sleep on your left side puts more pressure on heart. The things you learn when you join a forum! Have a think if any of the above sounds like you. Most importantly look after yourself, mind, body and soul. Good nutrition, manageable exercise and nasal controlled breathing to relax.
Shock of the cold. Your body was sending blood to your digestive system to help digest the heavy meal then suddenly had to cope with freezing cold, too much!
I was diagnosed with AF at age 54 (now74) but when I think back I actually had it in my 30's. The episodes then were short and I wasn't aware of my heartbeat at all. What I would have was a brief period of very intense tiredness. I remember driving with my ex-husband to a place about 20 miles away for a walk, my feeling too tired to move and him shouting at me.
After my first visit to A&E while my heart was thudding in my chest I was given Metoprolol like you. I knew nothing about AF at that time and said that I didn't want to take the tablets as I may never have another attack. The consultant agreed and said to take them just as a pill-in-the-pocket (PIP) at the start of an attack. I didn't have another attack until a year later, then very slowly they started occurring more and more.
A lot members here would not agree with me but I believe it's what we eat and drink containing artificial additives that can trigger AF. Also such things as wearing tight waistbands, slouching and compressing the heart against a full stomach (never over eat). You are young so take heed of what I've said to prevent any more attacks. Artificial sweeteners were a sure trigger for my AF. Sulphites/Sulphides in wine are another trigger for me.
The beta blocker Metoprolol will subdue your heart rate and perhaps even other organs in your body and I would certainly ask at this early stage if you could just take it as a PIP. I have had no medical training but have been a member of this forum for many years and during that time learnt so much.
Sorry to read of your AF journey. Unfortunately AF can be all things to all people, of all ages, all backgrounds and all occupations. That said many folk experience 'triggers' none the least can be food and drink. Alcoholic drink, hot or cold drink ...... in some cases even eating ice cream. In other cases AF can also be genetic in origin. There is no reason why AF should control your life ... unless you want it to.
In the paternal side of my family I have now discovered a histrory of cardiac issues, strokes, and even - specifically - in more modern times AF. My daughter even had AF diagnosed during both her pregnancies - when she stopped breeding the AF stopped.
Your blessing is that you are young and that gives you so many advantages. I was 65 when first diagnosed ( although I now accept that I had been having irregular cardiac disturbances for some years prior ). I'm now 80.
I have aleady admitted on this forum in the past that I have led an unhealthy lifestyle and - guess what - I didn't care ....... still don't care .... it is what it is. I carried on working after 65 - I was a bus driver and stopped and retired early July 2024 aged 79.
Many folk on this forum carry on with their lifestyles, long after they have been diagnosed with AF and had some sort of treatment. It ain't the end of the world. I have had some new health issues this year - not cardiac related and my diagnosis has been mild COPD for which my treatment is a Blue Inhaler and getting more exercise, a lot more. These days my AF might kick off every 4 or 5 years or so. Usually, food is my trigger even though I now am as gluten, wheat and oats free as I can be. Nothing dramatic. Here I go ............... livin' the dream 😂😀
Hope this helps .......... just carry on, be sensible, and get on with life ...... short term you may have a few set backs, don't be discouraged - just keep pushin' the limits - gently and sensibly. And listen to your body ! Long term, you'll be fine.
Worth supplementing potassium and magnesium. There is good research and clinical data that having potassium in the upper half of its allowable range helps against arrhythmias. And many supplement magnesium too.
Don't overdo the potassium and go all evangelical about it! High potassium can be dangerous. Best to do it in conjunction with blood tests.
Similar thing happened to me although ivebb be just turned 43. My dad’s 70 and he has it and other heart conditions and he is still here to tell the tale. Sleep, eat at the right times, no caffeine I’ve stopped alchohol not that I’d like to and watch your blood pressure. Do you know what blood tests they did? Did you have any medication that night or caffeine/alchohol that could have triggered it?
But I had a heavy meal of burger and then an ice cream.
They did lot of blood tests, all turned within the normal except for my potassium and magnesium which were slightly low, and troponin level which was high but decreased during my stay at the hospital.
I did some blood tests as well at the lab last wekeend that my pcp requested and that includes cholesterol.
I had my first afib experience at 35 years old, I totally understand your worry! But what you experienced is not out of the ordinary for those who experience afib, sounds textbook, (although I am not a doctor). But know this... however this progresses, if it does progress, your life is NOT over! I am 61 now, I still work out at the gym 5 days a week, hike a lot, and have a normal life! I've had some bad times with afib, been through a couple small procedures, but these things are part of life right? I'm happy and just as active as anyone now! Another thing to know, today there are SO many m ore better options for those with afib, back when I first was dealing with it there were so many fewer ways to treat this, afib is VERY common, so the medical world has done a lot and is contimuing to get better and better at treating it...fact! I do suggest considering a healthy lifestyle, like anything, the healthier you are the better you will handle afib. This doesn't mean you can't have any fun!!! MODERATION is what I've found really helps! And BTW... stress is VERY common for those with afib, especially at the beginning, it's our great after all we're dealing with here right? But you cam have a healthy heart and still have afib, like myself. There are many different causes, get the BEST electrophysiologist you can find if you continue to have issues with it, the doctor make a HUGE difference in afib in particular! Try to calm down you are far from alone woith this one!
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