Pain and shortness of breath with afib

[Maxiepad]

Does anyone have theses symptoms with afib

[Youngest]

Hi Maxiepad. Yes I do. I'm very symptomatic. I get chest pain, tingling sensation in my jaw and to guess and a real tightness in my throat. I'm currently having an AF episode now for last 2.5hrs at rate 168 average! Its not very pleasant i know.

[50568789]

I'm in persistent AF at the moment, moderately raised HR but otherwise no symptoms until heart put under pressure (going upstairs, walking up inclines, carrying anything heavy) then it feels like somebody sat on my chest, have to stop to catch breath again.

[CDreamer]

SOB is very common, there will be an interruption to your body receiving oxygenated blood so you will feel it but any chest pain should be investigated. I have very occasionally had some very mild chest pain when been in AF for a long time with very high HR.

[Buffafly]

If you have a ‘strangling’ sort of pain in your throat or a feeling like an internal bearhug you should call 111 at the very least.

[HollieAdmin Administrator AF Association]

Hello,

Thank you for your post. Atrial Fibrillation can affect individuals differently. Many have symptoms but also many may be asymptomatic and not experience any symptoms. The most common symptoms are:

Palpitations/Fluttering,

Fatigue,

Light Headedness,

Chest Pain,

Shortness of Breath

If you would like more information, please download our Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Patient Information Booklet from the AF Association website:

UK and International: api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

US: api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

If you would like to contact a member of our Patient Services Team, please complete our contact form and a member of the team will be in touch:

UK and International: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

US: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Kind regards,

HollieAdmin

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Well my advice would be to see a Cardiologist asap. BBs Metoprolol or Bisoprolol could not control my Heart Rate. Within 2 hours CCB Diltiazen did. I had to live ith 186, breathless and pauses at night 2 year 3 months and then changed to Bisoprolol by hospital Heart Cardiologist and left at 156.

At 2 years 3 months I was encouraged to attend a well respected H/Specialist who went from DHB to private.

He was interested he took down my history. Stroke, Rapid and Persistent AF with Thyroid Cancer discovered on Day 4 of my hospital scan during a Carotid Aereres Scan.

I'm good now. But damage of my severely dilated left atrium means stopping on walking. But my abnormally enlarged has returned to normal.

Within 2 hours the CCB Diltiazem dropped my heart rate to 51 from 156 so 180 CD mg was too high. I have been on 120CD mg AM for rate control. Had 2.5mg PM for BP. But over the latter of 2024 my BP went low so now no BBs = no Bisoprolol which has helped my energy. Less fatigue.

Sounds you are like me in that BBs do not control your H.Rate to 100 or less.

Strangely but normal for me my Night H/Rate is 47avg night bpm. Metoprolol gave me pauses at night.

Do attend to this as there are a number of CCBs. I could have Diltiazem and it works safely as an anti-arrhymic med. It also works a little on your BP. It is the magic med for me. Since Dec 2021 I have taken Diltiazem with no side effects.

2 brazil nuts a day for regular me and boozes my T3 thyroid level.

Put feet up at night if hot temperature or been driving long distances.

Cheri JOY. 76. (NZ)

[Rosie0202 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

I used to be on Diltiazem for high BP long before I was diagnosed with Afib but was taken off it for some reason which I can't remember. I'm only on ordinary BP medications; Losartan, Indapamide, doxazosin, Eliquis and beta blockers which of course doesn't control my continuous AFib pacing, just the rate. It's interesting what you say about Diltiazem Joy.76 . I might just. I too have a dilated left atrium and am interested to know if it will return to normal. I also have fluid around the heart but otherwise it is structually sound. Regards Rosie

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Rosie0202]

Hi

My diagnosis of severely dilated left atrium gives me a further diagnosis of abnormal structural of my heart.

Therefore I need to depend on meds.

Research are questioning the use of Beta Blockers for AFers.

Losarten is an ACE blocker. Another ACE inhibrace gave me coughing side effect so a no, then years prescribed in the year I had the stroke. I stopped it because the side effect was protein in my urine.

Of course always one should be forward in having the least meds as possible. I take 120 CD mg AM. Its a personal cover how long it works for. Once a day allows my normal 47avge H/Rate Night. If I say took another 120CD at night it could lower my Normal Night Rate - before and after change I had 3 x 24hr Heart Monitors in 2021. After taking Metopolol for 2 years 3 months., after changing to Bisoprolol 2 months and introducing Diltiazem and reducing Bisoprolol 1 month later. The private specialist asked for it.

Basically it is the best way to find out how the meds are working in your body. Also Day and Night. In each 3 times I was wearing the monitor showed 47bpm avge in every time.

Rates of 186 too high with Metopolol. And Bisoprolol 156.

Then on Diltiazem 60s rising in the afternoon. Taking away all Bisoprolol it is still under 100 but has incrased to 75 - 90.

You may have been taken off Diltiazem when you have many others which need to be separated 12 hours apart or you have ventricle abnormality.

In 2021 NZ dropped all the lower doses. And then the normal supplier changed toanother Accord. Different coloured capsule and supply to patiemts was month to month. I had to get Dr to specify that my Chemist needed to continue my supply beyond 31st January when there was trouble with supply as for me it was a life and death circumstance.

My Chemist received the new suppy mid January.

cherio Joy

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

OOPs

I meant boosts rathan booz. ... !

cheri JOY.

[Alphakiwi]

Yes, centre of back pain, short breath, fatigue, palpitations excersise inability,headaches, lots of other things

[Leechg]

Hi, if I have a sustained attack I do get a bit breathless, particularly if I am out walking and a bit of pain. These are symptoms of our condition. On a mild half hour attack I am usually fine. Good luck.

[Tapanac]

don’t have pain just very short of breath and heavy tight feeling. Since my pacemaker only short of breath when walking especially first starting off

[Ppiman]

You should without doubt mention this to your GP today, but if you’ve had the usual tests, including a scan, then you can be reassured this is your AF. It can temporarily reduce the heart’s efficiency and leave the chest area, and even the heart muscle itself, a little short of oxygenated blood.

Steve