I was diagnosed with AFib early this year - totally out of the blue and very scary at first.
Taking medications and learning what triggers an episode. Heart scan normal.
episodes last about 3 hours and I try and breath through them. Joined here to read up on how others deal with the condition. I’m a 68 female who tries to keep myself fit.
thank you for reading 😊
Hi
I’d be interested in replies about managing the condition . I’m awaiting a cardiac referral , as my 12 lead suggests increased chances of developing AF
I’d be interested in how your diagnosis came about ?
hi - it started last Dec with Palpitations- thought it was a one off as stressed out at the time - long story short - had couple of other attacks and my fitbit picked up Afib - went to the doctor who referred me to the hospital- had a monitor on for 72 hours which confirmed Afib. Put me on Edoxaban + Diltiazem and Atorvastatin. Still on going as I do get attacks every couple of weeks. Joining this forum and listening to other people’s stories is helping me understand and Im going to start keeping a journal to my eating habits. Caffeine cheese sugar and spicy food and red wine seem to be my triggers. I do stay active. Had a heart scan which was clear. Take care
Check out things like crisps and pringles and other things liberally sprinkled with chemicals to give it taste
I also have AFIb which I'm on medication for. I take edoxaban, bisopralol, recently added flecanide by my cardiologist to my long list of meds. The flecanide has really helped me. I also meditate using an app on my phone.
Hi sounds like you have paroxysmal AF, which my daughter in law has,she's on bisoprolol but is now able to get her heartbeat lower with breathing slower and relaxing
I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AF at the same age as you. Fit, healthy. Climbed mountains, played sport so quite a shock after a new year's eve party to end up in A and E. Further tests showed my heart is fine5 year's later, I am enjoying my life. Medication has brought things under control. Any attacks I get are usually short lived and if they don't, I have found a brisk walk does the trick. At night (rarely) slow deep breathing usually works.
I avoid red wine, eat a small amount of cheese but not late night, avoid ultra processed foods and very spicy food. Vegetable and fruit consumption increased. I try not to get to dehydrated. A glass of water is always present.
I have stopped worrying now. It takes a while to get your head round what is happening. Support is there in various forms so ask questions. I take different medication to you but it works so persevere with what you have been given.
Having said all that, I had an interesting experience recently. I had a routine operation, nothing heart related, and had to wear compression socks. For 3 mornings I was waking up with my heart racing all over the place plus extremely low blood pressure. Socks to blame as they restricted my blood flow. It baffled staff. Sports scientist friend suggested wearing training socks. Still tight fitting but not so restricting and more comfortable. No problem after that. Anyone else had that experience?
Things will get better and you should keep yourself fit.
Good luck
Thank you for your reassurance- feel more comfortable with the condition having read the posts. Knowing there’s support a click away is a massive help. I’m making the New Year a year of life changing habits. Going to be difficult to start with I do love my red wine chocolate and cheese - But staying positive and active is the key.
Happy New Year everyone 🥳
You are around the same age I was when first diagnosed properly although I'd been having episodes of palpitations lasting 2 hrs for several years before. It is very scary. Then the AF became persistent. That is non stop 24/7. I've learned now that this is a risk if AF is untreated.
After that I had 2 ablations and took Bisoprolol and Flecainide for several years - though recently came off the Flecainide. It's all pretty manageable now.
Two things help enormously. First - a daily dose of Magnesium Taurate - which is recommended for heart rhythm problems. (If you go to A&E with bad AF they often put you on a magnesium drip. ) Magnesium is something many people have low levels of, but isn't routinely tested for.
Second thing - I learnt self-hypnosis to counteract the panic that AF can cause. It is similar to meditation but I learnt the techniques through 8 sessions with a psychotherapist whom I found through the charity Anxiety UK. One of the best investments I ever made!
I strongly suggest you look at the Health Unlocked AF Association forum where there's lots more about AF.
Good luck ❤
Thank you for your reply and found it very informative. I’ve been having these episodes for 12 months and am on medication. Joining this forum has been so helpful and just knowing there’s other people with all sorts of issues regarding AFib has been a big help with helping with the negative thoughts. Seems once I was diagnosed and on meds - there was no more help. So found this very reassuring. I’ll look into taking magnesium.
Wishing you all the best for the new year x
It's important you see a specialist cardiologist called an Electrophysiologist. They specialise in heart rhythm. If you find the episodes distressing as many people do, or have symptoms like breathlessness, then treatment is ablation and/or anti arrhythmic drugs. I assume you're on an anticoagulant like warfarin, rivaroxaban or apixaban because of stroke risk? Do you have Bisoprolol and Flecainide ready as a pill in the pocket for when you have an attack?
Hi I did have echocardiogram and results were clear. I’m taking Edoxaban- Diltiazem and Atorvastin. I’ll ask about a electrophysiology when I go see the doctor next week. Last episode I had wasn’t as bad or didn’t last as long But I think it was triggered by a spicy curry and eating too many chocolate. I am trying to cut back on the caffeine.
Good idea. Triggers are important. Annoyingly though you can eat trigger foods one day and be fine. Other days they provoke the AF! In my case anxiety played a big part. But the advice of an Electrophysiologist (EP) would be good. It depends how troubling you find the AF and how it affects your life.
The problem is capturing the episodes to see exactly what's going on. But there's a small device called a Kardia Alivecor you can use with an app on your phone and record episodes when you get them to see exactly what they are - AF, flutter tachycardia, ectopics, PACs, PVCs, AVNRT.... there are many possible arrhythmias . My EP was impressed with the recordings and our GP surgery now has them. Might be worth considering.
Hi there: the most relevant posts to me yet! Happy face. I am on edoxaban and was on bisoprolol but the latter I feel does not suit me and my chest always felt tight. Also still got arrhythmia/atrial fib on average every 5 days, lasting 24 hrs. GP changed biso to a calcium blocker. Have a lot of atrial flutter. Consultant is suggesting flecainide - to be discussed with GP. As I am lactose intolerant, this is good as it appears that flecainide doesn't contain lactose. However, I am very sensitive to side effects and already have issues with my vision, and one of the common side effects of this med is blurred vision... Feedback from people taking flecainide would be most welcome!! FOR ATRIAL FLUTTER I breathe in 4 secs and breathe out 6 secs. If I do this about 3 times, with attention, it stops. Recommend this. I understood that with bisoprolol one should not drink any alcohol. I think it's important too to eat small and often. All the best for 2024. sam-sam 32
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