What is A Fib please?

[DanniC88]

I'll try and keep it short. I have sinus tachy and take bisoprolol for this. I usually get ectopic beats now and then but ive had quite a few the last couple of weeks. However just now I was sat down watching a bit of news enjoying a bag of quavers and out of the blue my heart rate changed to something I've never experienced before. It sort of sped up a little but not alot but the beats were very close together. This lasted for around 15 seconds then everything went back to normal. No idea what this was or whether it will happen again. I looked up A Fib online but it was only a one off (so far 🤞) So wouldn't want to jump the gun.

Like I said so far its only happened once. I hope this isn't a sign of things to come.

I dont have a smartwatch so unable to capture it. I am considering one.

[jeanjeannie50]

I think the message to you at that time was that your body doesn't like all the additives in Quavers. I have had atrial fibrillation for 17 years and I know that any foods containing artificial additives can set mine off. Be aware of chemicals in foods and do your best to avoid them.

Atrial Fibrillation is a heart that beats out of rhythm. You may get added or missed beats. It sounds like you may have had a little run of flutter - evenly spaced fast beats, or tachycardia fast unevenly spaced ones.

It's always good to bear in mind too that we people who have AF are very aware of what our heart is doing. People with normal hearts can have little missed and added beats and are totally unaware of them.

Jean

[DanniC88 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Ive ordered one of those smrtwatches. Hopefully I can catch something and let the cardiologist know. Im due another holter for 24hrs in Nov but knowing my luck it wont happen then.

[pillapalla]

Hi Danni. Sorry to hear the unusual rhythm is worrying you. I have yet to receive a firm diagnosis because by the time I get wired up for a test it has calmed down! Really frightening when it is bad though, so I do sympathise. However, the Bisoprolol has helped. I have had to have it increased to 3.75 over the last couple of years. Some niggling side effects but I would put up with a lot higher dose if it meant not to have any more "episodes". Having one's heart "doing the tango" is awful but I'm still here and leading a pretty normal life. Best of luck.