Anxiety after AF

[Fondant]

I was alerted to a heart arrhythmia whilst I was out running in 30 degree heat. I was diagnosed with AF and told everything was fine, my score was 0 for chance of stroke etc and I had a cardioversion 2 months later and for the last 4 months I’ve been in sinus rhythm. My bpm is normal and told by docs I can go back to running etc but since the episode I’ve been so worried about my heart, scared to exercise, check pulse and blood pressure regularly etc. I just feel like it’s constantly on my mind, doctor gave me pills for anxiety and they have helped but still struggling. Ecg and heart scan both were fine. I’m 41. Will I ever be able to run again?

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Dear Fondant

Just a welcome to the forum from me and to a great place to get some of those answers to your questions.

I say some as I’m sure you know the best answers to your problems can really only come from your heart team.

Having said that we are here to offer advice to a certain level but above all we can offer support to you.

I do know that there is a dedicated AF site on here that’s maybe more suited to your condition and worries.

Take care

[Fondant]

Thanks! I will try and do that. I did start running again and was doing fine (running a lot slower than normal) but noticed I was forever looking at my heart rate on watch. Then one day I felt a slight stitch feeling under my left rib and started panicking, heart rate went up from 144 to 160 so I stopped and haven’t been out running since.

[minchern]

Hi Fondant, We have a lot in common but I am 59 so a little bit older, had my first cardio version November 2021 after AF episode bought on by pneumonia. Guess what I had for xmas a new Cross trainer and like you still afraid to even set it up. The forum members will share I'm sure their experience with you as they have helped me to look at things differently as I am a constant worrier so I know how your anxiety must feel. Lets share your journey together as Im still on mine and hope to set the trainer up shortly

[Fondant in reply to minchern]

Thanks for your reply. I have been out running but if I have the slightest feeling in chest the panic sets in, I start checking heart rate on watch every other second and naturally that makes it increase. I keep hearing AF isn’t curable but also doctors tell me it was probably a one off due to dehydration (drinking plenty of water was never my strong point) and running in 30 degree heat. I take no meds as doctors don’t feel I need it and have told me to carry on running as it’s good for me but I can’t seem to find the confidence.

[minchern in reply to Fondant]

Yes confidence is a real bummer and like you I constantly listen to my heart and all its bumps including missed beats which I get a lot but only after I get worked up. Listen to your doctor or even try and get appointment with Cardiologist as follow up as it might give you level of confidence you need. When I was diagnosed in 2007 with PAF I thought the World was caving in and I am normally a strong person but when it comes to illness then the health anxiety really cuts in. I did seek therapy as I hate medication and tried CBT course with my therapist which did help a bit. I can only share my story and remember we are all different and nobodies individual treatment or remedy is right for everyone.

[Fondant]

I thought I was getting the skipped beats but after further investigation I noticed they were more premature beats rather than skipped. But still feel when it happens and although it’s only a couple of times per day I can certainly notice it.

[minchern in reply to Fondant]

Stress plays a role in Ectopic and I have placed a link below to "You tube" that may help you as it made a lot of sense to me and is certainly a cause of my "missed beats" if you want to describe it as that but this video will explain Ectopic more and is quite informative. As your aware most of us are not medically trained but share our experiences.

I hope this helps as I do know what your going through and its not pleasant but sometimes getting knowledge and confidence will help you but do be careful not to overread things as this is something I do looking for the negative side when the positive facts sometimes slap you in the face without you knowing it. You are a success a cardio version put you back in sinus rhythm that is great with no medication most of us would take that including me I just hate pills but have no choice.

I'm into month 2 in NSR :)))

Build yourself up slowly as another member advised and take it day by day

Hope this helps

youtube.com/watch?v=-i3b-ur...(Not working as expected?)

[Fondant]

My partner keeps telling me to stop looking at my stats cos that makes me feel worse. Im constantly checking blood pressure etc and t says I’m 125/78 and I think that’s high!! 😊Sometimes feel like I’m losing the plot. My Apple Watch readings are controlling my life.

[minchern in reply to Fondant]

Hi, Must admit it would do my head in if I wore an Apple Watch even though the company I work for makes them. Maybe just turn the heart rate monitor off so just record the run. Once your confidence improves maybe wearing it again may help you but at the moment listen to your partner. That BP I would take that any day looks ok to me

[Paulus70]

Hello Fondant,

I too was in the same position as you after suffering a heart attack back in 2020. I was an avid mountain biker/runner and to say that I was shocked would be an undersatement. My recovery has been helped by reading many of the stories from the lovely people on this forum and taking the time to recover properly, not just physically but also mentally. These things take time and one of the best pieces of advice I got from my sports physio was to stop wearing my heart rate monitor for a week and try and trust in myself and my body again. It's a tough journey but you will get there in the end.

Cheers,

Paul

[H-ar4row]

Make sure you have enough magnesium in your diet

[Likestorun]

Hi I found myself suddenly in coronary care on August 9th 2021 in complete heart block. I subsequently had a pacemaker on the 16th August. I was a fit and healthy 58 year old and the shock of this happening to me was huge. I am a nurse so I was well aware that the psychological impact of heart problems can cause more problems long term than the physical. I was determined to get back to running and once given the all clear I started back. Whilst I had lost fitness so that made me slower the anxiety related to anything I thought might be my heart was crippling and I was checking my garmin constantly (even when I wasn’t running). I’m sorry I don’t have a magic answer for you but I want you to know that my anxiety as got better. Its taken time and sometimes I can still think is that my heart? For a little while I stopped wearing my Garmin so I couldn’t obsessively keep checking my heart rate and even ran without it. I think this helped because I couldn’t constantly check (although as a runner, running without being able to record my run was tough- any runner will understand that). I am also in a running group so I didn’t run by myself and I had excellent support from my running group (although I think the run leaders were as stressed as me at first)! I’m really proud that I had started to train as a running coach for my running group before my heart block and I have managed to complete it and qualify since my pacemaker (and I can joke that not many people stop to have a pacemaker in the middle of the course)! Be kind to yourself, take time and be patient, take small steps and I’m certain you will get there.

[Fondant in reply to Likestorun]

Thanks for your reply, you’ve really helped. I used to be a good/regular runner and did all sorts of marathons and running events. But since my AF I feel it’s completely ruined me. I’m determined to get back out there running again however I don’t think I’ll get back to the pace I used to run at. Miss doing the park runs and miss having a big race to train for. And as rediculous as it may sound I miss running in the freezing cold and rain. 😊