About 20 years ago I had palpitations (in my case heart rate up to about 220 for a minute or two) - a few episodes with no obvious trigger - I felt otherwise fine, just like a strange, out-of-place rush of adrenaline with no cause for it.
Over the years I became more aware of two things - my pulse (HR) was often irregular, at first seeming to miss beats every 6-10 normal beats, then more often and finally, about 3 or 4 years ago just an irregular beat-to-beat rhythm at the pulse (wrist). These beat patterns were at first occasional, then for a period most days and for the last 3 years or so continual (ie literally all the time) - my heart rate over the years has dropped from 55-70 down to about 35-45 some 4 years ago, levelling out now up a bit at about 45-55 resting average (but irregular all the time and sometimes drops lower).
It took a long time for the arrhythmia to be picked up by medics (I had ECGs and BP/HR machine measurements regularly but the clinicians (and myself) didn't worry as I had no bad episodes). I finally (5 years ago) told a heart nurse to take my pulse manually - she immediately said 'oh yes' and I was then given a 24 hour ECG holter - later also a 7 day holter and 24 hour BP/HR holter and, on review by an EP (electro-physiology consultant specialist) told that I had atrial flutter, and on follow up, persisting atrial fibrillation which continues.
Ablation was considered, but considering my age and how long since the A Fib probably started, we decided not to proceed. I am however, pleased to take an anti-coagulant (apixaban).
In what way am I lucky? ---- apart from awareness of strange heart rate - I HAVE NO SYMPTOMS to report.
I'm in my 70s now; I garden, chop wood, do 'DIY'. I eat a good diet (veg, fish, dairy, very little red meat, some coffee, a little alcohol), but nothing unusual. I also swim - open water for fun but quite far - 3 K no problem if feeling good and compete in Masters sprints in the pool - again for fun.
Why write this post?
I read this community chat, and attend a very good arrhythmia support group, so I do read and hear how tough heart rhythm problems are for many of you, but I also wish to give the message that not all arrhythmia is so bad - it's difficult not to be afraid when symptoms first appear, but some of you will be lucky as I have been so far.
We're all different but I do wish you well, and GOOD LUCK.
Danny (UK and grateful to our NHS)
Swallowing trigger for atrial arrythmia
Atrial fibrillation 
Hi, I'm new here and to Paroxysmal af. not diagnosed yet. I have taken bisoprolol 2.5mg for 5 days and feel awful how do others feel. 
Advice with best med for ectopics.
