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You are here: Home / Natural Treatments / Emergency! How To Stop an Afib Attack

Emergency! How To Stop an Afib Attack

Travis Van Slooten |May 26, 2012 | 265 Comments

how-to-stop-an-afib-attack

You’re in the middle of an afib attack. You have palpitations, rapid or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, and extreme anxiety. I’ve been there. It’s no fun. Here are 8 things I’ve either done or others have done to help stop an atrial fibrillation episode. If you have something to add to the list, please share it in the comments!

1. Drink a glass of water.
Palpitations are sometimes caused by dehydration. Don’t drink any alcohol, coffee, tea, or soft drinks. Alcohol and caffeine can trigger atrial fibrillation, and the phosphorus in soft drinks can deplete magnesium (see below).

2. Eat a banana or drink low-sodium V8.
Atrial fibrillation can be caused by a lack of potassium, usually because of too much salt in the diet. Bananas are high in potassium (422mg in a medium banana) and low-sodium V8 has even more potassium (900mg in 8 oz). Tomato, prune, and orange juices all have decent amounts of potassium as well. But read the labels; some juices have high amounts of salt. Stay away from salt! See this list of high potassium foods.

If you have potassium supplements handy those can help too. The drawback to a lot of potassium supplements, however, is they have very little potassium – usually no more than 99mg per tablet or capsule – and they are often found in combination with calcium. I don’t recommend taking any calcium as it can excite the heart. Pure potassium gluconate powder is the best type of supplement to take. I always take NOW potassium gluconate powder.

3. Eat some pumpkin seeds.
Magnesium is essential for a normal heartbeat. Try eating some pumpkin seeds, which are high in magnesium. If you don’t have any pumpkin seeds, try brazil nuts, almonds, cashews, pine nuts, or any of the foods on this list.

If you have a magnesium supplement, you can take that, but only if it doesn’t include calcium. I personally take ReMag as I can take large doses of it during an episode without any laxative effect. Another supplement that can be highly effective is Ease magnesium spray.

4. Dunk your head in cold water.
Fill a sink with cold water and plunge your face in it. Sometimes this little jolt can help. Others have said a cold shower has a similar effect.

5. Lie down or exercise.
Some people find that their symptoms improve if they lie down and try to relax. Others find that doing a little exercise, which makes the heart beat faster and then slow down, helps even more. You’ll just have to experiment to find out if either of these suggestions work for you.

6. Try belly breathing.
Lie down or sit comfortably, and relax. Breath through your nose to a count of four, slowly filling your belly. Exhale through the nose or mouth for the same four count. Breathe deep into your belly, not your chest. Make the inhalations as long as the exhalations and breathe in a circle, i.e., don’t hold your breath on the inhale or exhale. You can also try breathing into the belly and holding the breath for a count of ten (stopping if you feel uncomfortable), then resume breathing rhythmically to a count of four.

7. Listen to a normal heart.
Listening to a normal heartbeat can help slow down your heart. This phenomenon is known as entrainment. Your heart may slow down to match the slower, normal heartbeat that you’re listening to. Try it:

8. Try the valsalva maneuver.
This is a safe and often times an effective method in slowing or stopping an atrial fibrillation episode. This maneuver greatly increases pressures inside the chest cavity which stimulates the vagus nerve and increases vagal tone. The vagus nerve is one of 12 cranial nerves and extends from the brain stem to the abdomen, via various organs including the heart, esophagus and lungs. Here is a video that demonstrates the maneuver:

If your symptoms continue or worsen, go back to the top of this post. It may be time to call 911.

Next: Recommendations to Help Prevent an Afib Attack

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  1. Margaret
    Feb 18, 2023

    Thank you so much!!! I am writing this from the ER because my mom was having AFIB and I was Googling anything I could think of to help. I found this site and had her drink water and try the technique in the last video, and one of them took her out of AFIB before the doctor even got here. Thank you for sharing, it was an enormous help!!!

    Reply
    • Travis Van Slooten
      Feb 20, 2023

      Margaret:

      Glad to hear you found this site helpful. Also glad to hear your mom was able to convert to normal sinus rhythm on her own! I hope she stays in normal sinus rhythm.

      God Bless,

      Travis

      Reply
  2. Bill ( Age: 73 / Male / Years with AFIB: 30 )
    Oct 19, 2022

    Excellent recent video re: little evidence for linking atrial fib with chocolate or caffeine intake. Hopefully there is a way to revise some of your earlier recommendations about avoiding these substances. Disappointed to see so many references to supplements with links to Amazon purchase opportunities.

    Reply
  3. Angela ( Age: 60 / F / Years with AFIB: 2+ )
    Jan 24, 2021

    So, does everyone basically end up in the ER on a frequent basis, or need an ablation? Is there no solid way of stopping this without those options? I’ve had this life wrecking arrhythmia for just over two years and all of my natural ways of controlling it are helpful but not great. Some episodes last 12-18 hours but I refuse to go the the ER anymore, unless I get to the point that I can’t tolerate the symptoms. I refuse to take the drugs, and I’m terrified of the ablation because if something goes wrong, my 85 year old mom won’t have anyone to help her on a daily basis. So doing something and not doing something are equally frightening. I just want it to GO AWAY!!

    Reply
    • DNL
      Jan 25, 2021

      My husband is a dr. and says that ablations are a 50/50 chance that it would help me and my situation with out a big risk of it not working. Everyone is different and the triggers can be similar or not even close. I appreciate everyone who writes what works for them here in the forum as it is all worth a try when you are being controlled by a heart with a mind of its own.
      My afib began escalating and I too end up in the ER. The biggest culprit was stress. It takes time for it to cause the afib but then it takes that long to stop it once the stress has been reduced. The other thing for ME that always amazes me now that when I get that fluttering feeling, and there are no other causes, I have not been drinking enough water. Dehydration is a biggy. Everyone has their favorite water (or maybe just from the tap) but CORE water has been a game changer for me. For those of you that have a hard time getting enough water in, try doing what my daughter suggested, when you take a drink, gulp it. In other words, if you don’t like or remember to drink water enough then when you are taking your drink gulp it like you want to finish the whole bottle. You don’t have to drink the full bottle but you will get more of that water in you when you do and it will help!
      The other is look how you sit. Are you leaning over or slouching where you are restricting lung space to breath and is your breathing has slowed? Your heart likes oxygen. When you get that one flit, sit up and breath deep into your diaphragm. These are the things to try and see if they work for you.
      They helped me until they were not enough and my afib began to invade my life not a couple of times a month but a couple of times a week. They too would last for 12 or more hours and leave me exhausted when they ended. Recovery would finish me for that day. I eventually went to my dr. and because I have a vagul trigger they put me on flecainide, which is for episode control, and diltiazem for heart rate.
      I am the worst pill taker but after getting on this combo, (needed a little bit of dose tweaking) I have to say that I have been better than I have been in over 5 years. I still keep my self in check with the breathing and water but use the Kardia to check my heart rate once a week and I am better than normal. I maybe have had 1 episode in 3 months and even it lasted only minutes not hours.
      I have my life back and with NO surgery!!!
      I am not saying that this will be your remedy but as I have learned from this forum I figure that someone may learn something from what I have had to do.
      You say that you don’t want to take drugs but this afib is fickle and will have its way with you as it pleases if you do not show who is boss.
      I wish you luck. May you find your fix.

      Reply
    • Dave Wilson ( Age: 59 / Male / Years with AFIB: 18 off and on )
      Jan 25, 2021

      I’m gonna be blunt. If you refuse to take drugs and you won’t have an ablation you are on a one way trip to nowhere.
      I just had my second ablation last Wednesday, I had got to the stage that I had been in AF 97 times since July 2nd last year (2020) ranging from one hour to 16 hours and everything in between.
      I have tried everything to control it but nothing works and to be honest when you think you found something that has made a difference it’s more likely to be the placebo effect more than anything else.
      As I have said I have had two ablations and it is NOT anywhere near as daunting as you may think it’s going to be, if need be and I would have another one in a heartbeat (pun intended).
      You need take drugs or have an ablation because that demon is going nowhere without one or the other..Trust me, I’ve had it on and off for 18 years and it only progresses. My advice is, try the drugs, if they don’t work get ablated, the risks are tiny.
      Good luck.

      Reply
    • Karl ( Age: 62 / Male / Years with AFIB: 10 )
      Jan 25, 2021

      I appreciate your position, but I also agree with those who suggest that an ablation is likely the way to go. I have had two ablations after having progressively worse AFIB over a ten-year period. I had tried several different medications and every supplement that I researched. My last episode landed me in the ER with an episode that lasted a week. My cardiologist at that point said that an ablation was the way to go if I didn’t want to live with an elevated stroke risk for the rest of my life. Note that I am likely an unusual case in that I had vagal AFIB (no heart problems) which the cardiologist and electrophysiologist had no idea what was triggering it. The first ablation stopped the AFIB but left me with a persistent elevated heat rate of 100+ bpm. The second ablation stopped this but left me with a condition where my heart rate can’t get over 90 bpm even under hard exercise. Overall, however, my quality of life has improved dramatically. I used to get the AFIB episodes in the middle of the night while sleeping so I dreaded going to bed. I avoided the ablation for two years, but in the end it made a huge improvement. I no longer take any medications including Eliquis. I think that if you are reasonably healthy, the ablation route is the one that is likely to make the greatest improvement. Remember that if your AFIB persists you will have a substantially higher stroke risk going forward. There are risks either way, but for me the ablation risk was lower than the stroke risk. My only other suggestion is to do your research and make sure you choose an electrophysiologist with extensive experience with whatever trigger is responsible for your type of AFIB.

      Reply
      • Karl ( Age: 62 / Male / Years with AFIB: 10 )
        Jan 25, 2021

        One other comment about the 50/50 odds of success. This is generally true for the first ablation and is exactly what I experienced. The odds do improve pretty substantially if you have a second one. My cardiologist was also not keen on my having an ablation initially but once it became clear that the medications and supplements were not working, the ablation was the only real alternative.

        Reply
    • Helen ( Age: 79 / f / Years with AFIB: 8 )
      Jan 26, 2021

      Jan. 26
      My heart goes out to you, too, Angela. Yet I agree with DNL and the others. We need to be in charge of the AF or it can often take charge of us in nasty ways.

      I was impressed with that posture/breathing tip. A great suggestion that makes sense.

      I was never a heavy drinker, but now I drink zero alcohol. I have a cold organic grape juice for supper. Delicious and rarely miss the wine or beer. A very good quality coffee for breakfast, half decaf. I fill a huge mason jar with reverse osmosis water every day and drink it faithfully. I never skip my anticoagulant. Doing so could lead to a stroke.

      I take magnesium supplements, too. I’ve like Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s video tapes (the cardiologist from the UK). He is gentle, helpful and encouraging about AF. I liked his video on magnesium, too.

      I had an catheter ablation in mid 2019 and I would definitely have it again if need be -even though I was truly terrified the first time around. They said afterwards that I was the most frightened (just before they started) they had ever seen – I found that hard to believe. So natural to be nervous! The care was excellent and the person who did it was very experienced and meticulous.

      Excellent studies prove that weight loss of even 10% of our current weight can make a huge difference. My atrium shrank to normal size after I lost just 15 lbs.

      I believe I had a very bad episode in May 2020 simply b/c I had eaten too much at supper and ate too quickly, too. Foolish! I felt overfull and yucky even at 11 pm. An hour later, I woke at midnight with really bad AF. Had to call 911.

      My best guess is that my vagus nerve was so pressured (and slowed) by this fullness that it triggered the AF. I have deliberately never ever done that again. I had 2 cardioversions in the middle of that night that unfortunately didn’t work. This was the first time that has happened, and then got drugs by IV x 4 hours. I was so afraid lying there thinking “What if my AF becomes persistent?” Finally I went into SR by 8am. They encouraged me in the ED to take Amiodarone for 1 year. My cardiologist later agreed. I was not happy to do so, but I take 100 mg of it every AM with my Eliquis. Feel great, never any AF symptoms. No side effects from the drug. Though I make sure not to have any supplement with iodine in it since Amiodarone has a lot of it in it.

      Episode free since last May. Often now I don’t even wear my FitBit b/c of feeling so confident. Not that I don’t sometimes feel that quiet fear that we all know – What if it happens tonight? None of us much likes this club, right?

      Reacting with stress and anger at Life can be triggers for many of us, too. Both are natural when life is pulling and pushing us hard in different directions. I think it’s useful to look at our own life situation in clear-eyed, new, and creative ways – especially when we have AF. I think many women can especially feel these pulls and pushes. It’s our nature to help people we love so much!

      Dr. John Mandrola has a gentle and good article on how our AF is giving our bodies a message: “AFib is your body talking to you”. And he also believes that many of us AFibbers have our “foot on the gas” too much and too often. And then maybe, when we are overwhelmed, we then have an extra wine, don’t exercise, eat healthfully and/or forget to stay well hydrated?

      AF is, I’ve come to slowly accept, a chronic condition of which I must be in charge – in certain concrete ways – especially when I AM NOT having an episode. As much as we would all love it, we can’t wish it away.

      All the best everyone! Keep safe during this pandemic. Helen from Canada.

      p.s. Thanks again, Travis, for this wonderful site.

      Reply
      • Angela ( Age: 60 / Years with AFIB: 2+ )
        Mar 20, 2021

        To Helen, DNL Dave Wilson and Karl, Thank you so much for your replies. I had a whole comment ready to post and when I submitted it , it was erased because I forgot my email. I don’t want to rewrite everything right now, but I appreciate all your advice and telling me your ablation and medication experiences. All very helpful. I’m planning to try Vitamin C as there’s a lot of research saying it helps. I think Dave said many things are a placebo, and I agree that could be true, but I will still try what I can before I go ahead with an ablation. Thanks again and If I have time later I will write more that I had tried to post here a few moments ago! I hope Travis sees this and corrects that glitch. I hit the highlighted ‘back’ button and my comment was erased!

        Reply
    • Jan ( Age: over 80 / Years with AFIB: many )
      Mar 19, 2021

      put your feet on ice pack and heartj good luck Jan.

      Reply
    • Sheila Robinson ( Age: 66 / Female / Years with AFIB: 2 )
      Apr 14, 2021

      Hi Angela,
      I ran across this while looking through my past emails. I, too, had Afib for two years. It was unbearable, to say the least. I was afraid to have an ablation because of all the negative comments I read online. But let me tell you, after being tormented constantly with Afib, I decided to have an ablation in November, 2018. I have NOT had an episode since then!!! I’ve gone to my cardiologist only once and that was 6 months after the ablation for a follow up. I thank God every day (almost every day) for setting me free from Afib through ablation. I was 63 when I had the ablation. I am so glad I finally disregarded what I read and took a chance. A normal heartbeat is the sound of heaven. I suffered so much from Afib in those two years, and I am eternally grateful for a normal heartbeat. Pray and see what your heart is saying. Don’t be guided by fear. I wish you well.

      Reply
    • Jolene Catanne
      Feb 07, 2022

      Darlin, I have had this too. Started in 2018. So far, I have found that it’s all related to Vasal Vagal nerve and the throat, larangeal connection. Do you have thyroid problems, or possibly nodules growing on thyroid? I ask because, I have hypothyroidism and during EGD proceedure, the doctor found growth/nodes on thyroid right at laranx/throat/voice box. Around the time I started having constant heart palpitations, skipping heart beats, kick back heart beats into my throat, I suddenly lost half my voice, started suffering neck pain, severe dibilitating migraines that always felt like ear to ear full throttle ear aches from hell, not to forget the pounding eye stabbing dizziness, light sensativity and sound and movement torture that always accompanied these migraines, trouble swallowing, feeling like shortness of breath, coughing up fluids all day, sensation of something in throat, trouble swallowing. It is only now that we found nodules growth on thyroid and throat/laranx. Simple research reveals that the laranx is literally a part of the vasal vagal nerve. If this nerve is being irritated in any way, on a regular basis, it will cause heart to skip, have irregular beats, problems, which leads to anxiety. If you have been to cardiologist and if he/she sees your heart is normal and simply tells you to live with this skipping interference, and or offers pills to slow your heart rate or cardio ablation-which is literally burning dead parts of your heart, which amounts to LIFE LONG PERMANENT HEART DAMAGE, like mine did to me, run….. Check out your throat. Have ultrasound for throat, or exploratory EGD proceedure to see if your vasal vagal nerve in throat is completely normal. Could be thyroid growth interferring with your ability to function. Question….does your heart skip more frequently after eating a meal? If so, definitely check your throat. Growth nodes and or even slight minor growth deformities on throat, which is vasal vagal nerve for voice box, swallow reflex, thyroid connection, can also be hyper irritated by eating gluton. Even eating regular white bread trash can cause heart palpitations if you have this vasal vagal thyroid caused syndrome. Why? All of today’s bread is made using bromine, which is a chemical that depletes you of iodine, which is what’s needed for normal optimal thyroid function. Eating this will immediately signal interference with hormone production and regulation in thyroid and send emergency signal to vasal vagal nerve. Same happens when eating food products with gluton. Go to ear nose throat specialist and tell them all your symptoms and ask for exploration of throat, if you have experienced swallow issues here and there. Here’s what I mean….do you find that sometimes during a meal, when you go to swallow, it’s like your swallow muscles are weak? Do you have to swallow the same bite of food two to three or even four times, just to get it down, to not choke on your food. Do you recall having frontal neck pain, strange sensation of tightness or pressure across neck? Has this happened to you? Do you have to clear your throat often of fluids? Did you experience a voice change, loss of high pitch? Do you experience jaw pain and or ear pain, sensation of fluid build up in jaw/ear area? Do you have high pitched ear ringing? Does your heart skip/palpitate more when you lye down? Does your heart skip more after eating meals? This could be combination of GERD and growths at thyroid and laranx/voice box, which was caused by both possible underactive thyroid and LPR, which is silent GERD. Just some things to consider, some questions to ask yourself and some things you might want to bring up to doctor. Especially if you have symptoms I’ve described here. Even slight anxiety from some stress can absolutely trigger stomach to produce higher amounts of acids, which with GERD could trigger the gastric juices up into throat, which would irritate and cause inflammation in throat/laranx which would irritate vasal vagal nerve, and cause heart palpitations, the whole lot. Something to consider. I hope this helps someone out there looking for help. Taking pills to reduce your heart’s function to that of a 65+ old person, and or burning the flesh of your heart, killing parts of the heart is NOT the answer. The medical field is arrogant and still in the ‘dark ages’ in a lot of ways and few see this truth today. Research darlin. You have to fight for YOU.

      Reply
      • Kathy A ( Age: 61 / Female )
        Aug 30, 2022

        Jolene, thank you so much for the detailed information. I have not been officially diagnosed with a-fib but everything you have described is exactly what I have been feeling for approximately 2 years. From the trouble swallowing to the constant fluttering after eating etc. My mother has had 2ablations and still constantly dealing with a-fib. . I have taken her to the hospital too many times to count. I don’t want to just be “band-aided” like they have done to her. They keep her in the hospital a day or so , give her lots of meds and send her home. Nothing really addressing the cause. I really appreciate your clear description and feel comforted knowing that there are potential underlying issues that could be contributing to this problem. Hopefully I can find a doctor that doesn’t dismiss me as crazy and just throw pills at me.

        Reply
      • Glenn snavely ( Age: 84 / Male / Years with AFIB: 10 yrs )
        Dec 02, 2022

        I can relate to this…after 2 ablations and positive test indicating a sound heart , l take bata blocker and calcium blockers and blood thinner, l still get af every 7 to 10 days lasting 12 to 24 hrs 125 bpm. My resting rate is 45 to 55 beats per minutes. DO YOU GET HICKUPS ?

        Reply
  4. what is cbd tincture
    Oct 20, 2020

    What a great read – I’ll be sharing with my co-workers. This is appreciated!

    Reply
  5. Joanne ( Age: 64 / Female / Years with AFIB: 11/2yrs )
    Jun 28, 2020

    Travis, Can u please respond or anyone else who might I have knowledge about this, I have not seen in any of the comments implanting a watchman as a cure for afib.. I have seen 2 cardiologists & 1 of them recommended this & the other 1 recommended an ablation. I would appreciate it, if anyone has anything they can tell me about the watchman. Also what is the best brand for a natural mixed vit E to take? Thanks to all Stay well!

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 47 / Male / Years with AFIB: 8 )
      Jun 28, 2020

      Joanne:

      The Watchman device is definitely NOT a cure, or even a treatment, for afib! All it does is essentially block off the left atrial appendage (aka LAA). When you are in AFIB, blood can pool and clot in this tiny little pouch. Then this clot can break away from the pouch and travel up to your brain and cause a stroke. The Watchman device is inserted into the LAA so it prevents blood from pooling and clotting inside of it. It essentially creates a “wall”. You can learn more about it here:
      https://www.watchman.com/en-us-hcp/about-the-procedure.html

      Given what the Watchman does, it does nothing to stop or treat AFIB. It essentially treats a side effect, or symptom of AFIB, which is blood potentially pooling in the LAA because the heart isn’t beating properly. It has zero impact on your AFIB.

      An ablation, on the other hand, is an actual treatment for AFIB because if it’s successful, it stops AFIB. The goal of an ablation is to stop AFIB in its tracks so that your heart beats normally. If you don’t have AFIB, you don’t have blood pooling or clotting in the LAA. I had an ablation myself over 5 years ago now and have been AFIB-free ever since. Because I’m not in AFIB, I have no risk of stroke – or at least no risk of AFIB-related stroke:)

      As for vitamin E, I take Carlson’s E Gems exclusively:
      https://amzn.to/2VrPYeO

      I hope this helps!

      Travis

      Reply
      • Dave Wilson ( Age: 59 / Male / Years with AFIB: 18 off and on )
        Jul 20, 2020

        Hi Travis, out of interest did your Afib stop straight away after your ablation. The reason i ask is I had an ablation three weeks ago and I am still in and out of Afib every few days. I believe the ablation can take up to thee months before it has the full effect. So I was wondering how it went for you?

        Thanks in antisipation.
        Dave

        Reply
  6. Helen K ( Age: 78 / F / Years with AFIB: 9 )
    Apr 23, 2020

    April 23/20
    Hi there! Has anyone who has been fully stable after a successful atrial ablation felt somewhat less stable since all this horrible C19 stuff has been going on?

    These days I sometimes get a brief odd feeling in my chest, along with 1-2 seconds of light-headedness, but it goes with a brisk cough.

    And unfortunately, I’ve had 2 AF episodes in the past 6 weeks.

    On March 12, I woke up ~11pm with a full blown episode. I was extra fearful b/c I had a sore throat at the time and had thot, “What if it’s C19?” That was quite an awful episode and I went to the ED after only an hour. The staff reassured me that I did not have the virus. The episode resolved on its own within 2 hrs.

    Last night, I suddenly woke up feeling rather rattled after 2 hrs of sleeping and I knew right away it was AF – but this time, I slowly got up and I resolved to calmly and deliberately focus on Travis’ Stop AFib strategies. Thankfully, within 20 min it was gone. All was OK afterwards.

    I know the stress/meditation reduction strategies etc very well – but I don’t always use them. It’s so hard right now not to feel deep sorrow and even some depression. To say nothing of outright fear. I feel that not so much for ourselves (though dying of C19 is not the way I prefer myself or my husband to experience), but fear for our family, our community and the entire world! e.g. Our dtr-in-law is a registered nurse working in a busy Toronto hospital and I esp feel fear for her and our son. I also feel concern for all of those people who have to be “out there” making life better for the rest of us who are able to shelter at home. My 2nd fear is that if I needed to go to the ED now with an episode, that it sounds very risky vis-à-vis becoming infected. Of course, I’d wear a mask, but we know their efficacy isn’t anywhere near to 100%.

    I have been searching out “Coping with AF + Covid 19”, but haven’t had much luck. I wonder how the rest of you are coping at this time? Have you come across any good links re this topic?

    One of the other pertinent issues for me right now is that I have foolishly gained 5 lbs in the past 6 weeks. I know better and I firmly decided last evening that this MUST stop and now. And that daily meaningful exercise needs again to be a part of my daily routine – just as much as doing “curbside ordering/shopping”, emailing, sanitizing, doing laundry and cooking suppers – in spite of raw and chilly Southern Ontario, Canada days.

    Stay well. Stay home if you can! Here’s to hope and courage for the world! Thanks for your time. Helen.

    Reply
    • Angela ( Age: 60 / Years with AFIB: 2+ )
      Mar 20, 2021

      Helen, I hope you’re feeling better about things now and that your symptoms are better! For me I would say I have had way more episodes this past year than the previous, plus other very unusual health symptoms I never had before! I don’t know if it’s the stress or if something else is in the air. My hairdresser’s husband is an EMT Fireman and she told me that at least the past several months, the maladies that people are having are extremely unusual, including a woman who actually died from choking on a cracker! Most people wouldn’t die and he thought that was so bizarre. I’m sure he’s seen a lot. All I can say is that we need to look to God in these times, and I hope everyone does in these perilous days!

      Reply
  7. Joyce ( Age: 83 / F / Years with AFIB: 1 )
    Jan 31, 2020

    Is it dangerous to add magnesium and potassium supplements .What is a good amount?

    Reply
    • Helen ( F / Years with AFIB: almost 8 )
      Feb 01, 2020

      Hi Joyce, I found Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s You Tube on magnesium very helpful. He’s the young one who works in the U.K. not the older famous one in the U.S.

      I like that the young Dr. Gupta he’s a cardiologist and that he isn’t selling anything. I take 300 mg of Mag Citrate every evening.

      My specialist advised me not to take a potassium supplement. Not sure why. Several common foods do contain potassium, but the stated daily requirements are very high! I doubt that many people can achieve that level each day unless they focussed every day on potassium-containing foods!

      Reply
    • faigy ABSAN ( Age: 65 / Years with AFIB: 1 )
      Apr 23, 2020

      Hi . I am taking mag. omega3 and potassium for my fib .Since I started mag. I saw a big difference. I still sometimes get a fib wondering what causes it. The last one I had was a scary experience that still keeps me on edge. I walk up with a fib . After about 8 hours in a fib, I tried to move heavy furniture for maybe 5 seconds I took a drink of water then I fell to the floor almost pst out, luckily I was wearing a monitor which showed my heart dropped for a short while to 7 beats a minute and then went back to sinus, Does anyone have any explanation…It is keeping me on edge

      Reply
  8. Arreka Jorkman
    Jan 13, 2020

    After my Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) diagnoses. After a while my condition got worse again with severe shortness of breath and angina, so i started on a natural CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE (CAD) TREATMENT from Herbal Health Point, the herbal treatment was very effective treating my heart condition and the shortness of breath. I had a total decline in symptoms. Visit their web page w w w. herbalhealthpoint. c o m.  Its been 2 years since the treatment, I do lots of walking and lost some weight. My daughter also used their CHF product for her congestive heart failure, very effective. 

    Reply
  9. David Eidell ( Age: 73 / male / Years with AFIB: 10 )
    Oct 18, 2019

    Trying to make my own salt substitute. Dehydrated tomato, orange, lemon, carrot, red pepper, paprika, Tellicherry black pepper. Got any ideas? Suggestions more than welcome.

    Reply
    • dn ( Years with AFIB: 8 )
      Feb 01, 2020

      Try using lime. I have heard it is a great substitute for salt.

      Reply
  10. Brian ( Age: 64 / male / Years with AFIB: 4 )
    Oct 17, 2019

    When I first got a-fib and went into emergency they wouldn’t let me eat anything, not even ice. Months later when I would have an a-fib episode (and stayed at home rather than go into emergency) I tried doing the opposite of what they had me do in the hospital. I had a big meal and watched a movie. Bingo…my a-fib stopped. I believe it was because I was completely distracted (by the movie) and relaxed (by the meal). So in summary, anything to get your mind off the a-fib episode.

    Reply
  11. KATHY STEELE ( Years with AFIB: 9 years )
    Oct 13, 2019

    I had an ablation in Feb 2017 for my AFib. All has been good up until last Thurs. I turned my head and boom i felt my heart instantly go into AFIB. It was like this for the last four days. My heart rate was hovering around the 120 bmp, nothing compared to the 170’s – 180’s it used to get up to prior to the ablation. This morning i decided to try exercising on my treadmill to see if i could convert it back. I walked briskly then jogged alternately for 15 mins, then did 10 minutes on the recumbent bike. Within half an hour my heart rate was down to 100 and out of AFib. Just wondering on average how long has ablation been successful for other Afib readers?

    Reply
  12. Naomi ( Female )
    Oct 08, 2019

    My daughter is 19yrs and experienced an afib after 2am today, she gets alerts on her Apple Watch ⌚️ and she saves the readings on her phone. she had a successful pda procedure when she was 5yrs. The afibs only occur at nights, doctors performed an ecg having reviewed the data from her phone, afterwards it is recommended that she do yoga and light exercises to strengthen her heart muscles and her chest wall. I want this discomforting experience gone, I’m tired o her suffering

    Reply
    • Robert Fetter
      May 19, 2020

      Check for sleep Apnea . It`s one of the biggest causes of Afib.

      Reply
  13. peter ( male )
    Sep 20, 2019

    i have had afib for 3 years now– have tried everything– beta blockers– diet and constant calls to the doctor– finally feel like other people know what it is like to deal with this– learned quite a bit thanx

    Reply
  14. Chuck G
    Sep 28, 2018

    Thanks for the article Travis.

    I showed this to my cardiologist and he said some of these are SVT-related versus A-fib related. For example, he said the valsalva maneuver is for SVT, not A-fib.

    I think, to be clear, you need to separate the two.

    Reply
    • Travis Van Slooten
      Oct 26, 2018

      Chuck:

      Thanks for the clarification. However, I have heard from many afibbers who have tried the valsalva maneuver with success to end an afib episode. Doing the maneuver during an afib episode isn’t going to hurt. Worse case scenario it just won’t convert you, but if you’re in an episode it’s worth a try!

      Travis

      Reply
      • Mark Younger ( Age: 65 / Male )
        Sep 18, 2019

        Sites like this can be dangerous. Old wife’s tales abound with all sorts of treatments. Atrial fibrillation often comes and goes spontaneously no matter what you do. Medical treatments should be given by electrophysiologist.

        Reply
        • Travis Van Slooten
          Sep 18, 2019

          Mark:

          Thanks for taking the time to leave your comments. Based on your comments, I’m guessing you are a doctor, nurse, or someone in the medical profession.

          What specifically makes this site “dangerous?” Have you read through this website? I don’t think you have. I question whether you have even read this article you left comments on. Everything outlined in this article highlights simple (and harmless) things that people can try to stop an afib episode – nothing more, nothing less. There is no “medical treatment” given in this article.

          I will also add that I am not a doctor. I make that clear throughout this website. I’m an afib patient that is simply trying to help other people with afib. I’m extremely careful about the information I provide on this website to ensure I’m not playing doctor or putting people in danger.

          I appreciate you stopping by and leaving your comments. Have a good one!

          Travis

          P.S. I also agree with your comment that afib often comes and goes no matter what you do. This article is about things you can try to stop an afib episode – not to prevent afib from happening in the first place. Throughout my website I often opine that I believe at a certain point afib will come and go no matter what you do which is why I am a big proponent of having an ablation by an expert EP:)

          Reply
          • Jan Berkbigler
            Nov 06, 2019

            My husband recently had aFib symptoms – but tests couldn’t pick it up – Apple Watch 5 tracks heart rate has EKG monitor and saves to your phone! Star of the process. 30 day monitor picked up some activity.
            Every time – he has not
            Had enough fluids!
            Also – electrolytes – I have powdered propel (sugar free), smart water etc. waiting to see if he can get prescription potassium supplement.
            I’m sure there are other factors – 2 out of 3 episodes were on hot humid days – once golfing; once cleaning garage – symptoms subsided after two large glasses of water with propel!
            Another time – we were flying home from LV and his watch went off. He decided not to drink anything prior to boarding – didn’t want to have to use plane restroom – unbelievable!
            Got water and episode passed ( I got him an aisle seat). Why are people soooo stubborn??????

            Reply
  15. Wade ( Age: 74 / m / Years with AFIB: 8 )
    Sep 20, 2018

    After about 13 hr in hospital my a-fib converted to sinus. They first tried 2 doses of Co-vert that did not work. They were anticipating to do shock conversion. Based on the timing of my conversion, I suspect the following:

    Since I was a bit nauseous and with headache, I tried to induce vomiting. I did not bring up anything, but I did induce the stomach spasm of vomiting. I am thinking that this spasm may have converted the a-fib. The doc said that it was not the co-vert administered so many hours earlier.

    Reply
  16. Mike J. ( Age: 62 / Male / Years with AFIB: 6 )
    Sep 14, 2018

    I’ve had a sudden onset afib on and off for about 6 years. I tried lots of things to get it to stop: Emergency rooms, metoprolol, flecainide, etc.

    I learned about 2 years ago that a modified valsalva maneuver will stop it in its tracks…

    I take an extremely deep, deep chest breath, But I DO NOT bear down. Hold the breath with just my diaphragm. Hold it for about 8-12 seconds, (its hard to do that long), then let it out in its own speed. Bingo… might take one or two, but I go sinus in an instant. It seems to work better when I’m somewhat reclining on my left side.

    I have made a few lifestyle changes: no beer or fizzy sodas, not eating late at night. I have an episode about once a month or so, but it only lasts as long until I can do my “procedure”. I might have to name it as I’ve never heard of it being mentioned. Maybe The “MJ Move”!

    My son is an emergency room MD, and he said he’s used it on a few patients and works really well. But he still prefers to stick to the protocols he was taught.

    Reply
    • Aiste ( Age: 32 / F / Years with AFIB: 5 )
      Sep 03, 2020

      You are a genius!
      I have been struggling with an episode for last 6 hours, tried your method once and worked a charm!
      Although I have figured out myself about trying to stop breathing for a bit and it worked most of time, but required multiple tries, and was very hard to do even for few seconds. But after putting my diaphragm to work and reclining on left side made it a miracle cure!
      Thanks a lot!!!
      The MJ method :))

      Reply
  17. Barbara ( Age: 66 / female / Years with AFIB: 40 years with different electrical problems )
    Sep 12, 2018

    In the early 80’s my cardiologist taught me carotid massage and it can convert your PSVT, PAT, AFIB, with little or no risk involved. Ask your cardiologist to teach you How to do this properly.

    Reply
  18. David Eidell ( Age: 71 / male / Years with AFIB: 10 )
    Aug 29, 2018

    It might be wise to not discount dietary shock from triggering an afib event. Before I managed to find methods to bring my afib under control it seemed as though I would trigger an event buy eating a bag of salted peanuts o a huger brine cured pickle or consuming a very large and sweet mango. I stopped the shocks by avoiding the foods and reduced the episodes about by 2/3rds. It’s worth a try. And after a course in the school of hard knock I too am a believer in adequate water intake. At least 3 quarts a day.

    Reply
    • David Eidell ( Age: Birthday Soon Be 72 / male / Years with AFIB: Perhaps 4 or 5 )
      Sep 15, 2018

      I should add to my history that I lived with 2nd degree heart block (one nerve bundle branch remaining). Then, one day I showed up at the ER with a pulse of 41. My BP was taken immediately. 95/57. Difficult to stand upright and exhausting to walk across the ER parking lot. Car to car, hanging on.

      It’s not reassuring to be immediately wheeled into an ER treatment slot and have someone shout “ER Crash Cart! ER Crash Cart STAT!”

      But the visit brought me a 5 day stay. A dual chamber pacemaker, and a huge reduction in cardiac medications. I have noted in the 13 months subsequent — my pulse is often a 70, the setting of the pacemaker, and sometimes after a poor night’s sleep the pulse increases to 120. I do not suffer the weakness that sometimes overcame me (even with a pulse oximeter reading of a hundred or less).

      But having been hospital diagnosed with severe deficiency of blood magnesium I still take a 500mg supplement every 2nd or 3rd day.

      I note that I still suffer bouts of slightly thumping and irregular heartbeats but I feel much better. Without question when my BiPAP machine broke down in Mexico my heartbeat (and feeling of fatigue) fared poorly. But no Afib events and the day after I rebuilt the Positive Breathing machine everything returned to “normal”.

      Active participation in controlling heart arrhythmia to me, is essential. Some folks throw responsibility entirely into the hands of their medical professional and to me that is one of the biggest mistakes an individual can make. Salt and sugar control, whining and begging for blood electrolytes to be taken and results given to me is an essential part of my modus operendi.

      Reply
    • Jan Berkbigler
      Nov 06, 2019

      Please add in some electrolytes. A large amount of water can flush them. Propel, smart water or something similar

      Reply
  19. Austin ( Age: 19 / Male / Years with AFIB: 3 years )
    Aug 25, 2018

    I wanted to add another thing to this article. First off, I’m a 19 year old male and have had random afib episodes since high school. I am getting a cryoablation next week. I just had an episode yesterday and did all the maneuvers the doc told me plus the ones on here. None worked but they did help me relax. I was with my girlfriend at the time. I say this in all respect and sincerity; try having sex. After me and my girlfriend had sex, my heart converted back to normal sinus and I felt great. It may not work every time, but it’s worth a try. This is the first time I had sex during an afib episode and surprisingly it worked. Hopefully, this can help someone else as well!

    Reply
    • Travis Van Slooten
      Aug 29, 2018

      Austin:

      Thanks for the tip! I’m not surprised that having sex help convert you. Some afibbers are able to convert to normal sinus rhythm with exercise. So for those of you reading Austin’s tip if sex isn’t an option simple exercise can sometimes do the trick as well.

      Travis

      Reply
    • Ralph ( Age: 65 / male / Years with AFIB: 6 )
      Sep 25, 2018

      What is your girlfriend’s name (and number)?

      Just kidding!

      I get exhausted from walking to the mailbox. Is coreg or cardizem better for rate control?

      Reply
  20. Marjorie ( Age: 74 / Years with AFIB: About 13 )
    Aug 17, 2018

    At 62 I went into menopause and developed numerous medical issues. Afib was one plus autoimmune diseases. For about 3 years I was on a blood thinner and a beta blocker. Then I went to a specialist. He took me off everything until I hit 70. My afib was infrequent and I never knew I was having an episode. I went on a blood thinner and had bleeding episodes and stopped.

    After the last three years of severe stress I have nonstop afib. They can’t get it to stop with blood thinners multaq and shock. It will stop for maybe 38 hours. What do I do now? It’s 94 beats I don’t think they can do any more shock treatment. I will try all your suggestions before I see the doctor again.

    Reply
    • Travis Van Slooten
      Aug 29, 2018

      Marjorie:

      You might want to consider having an ablation since the drugs and shock treatments are not working. An ablation will be your best shot at stopping the afib. I wish you well.

      Travis

      Reply
  21. Darlene ( Age: 53 / Female / Years with AFIB: 1.5 )
    Jul 31, 2018

    Hello Travis, Just wanted to asked a few questions in regards to afib. I,ve had this for about 1.5 years; I have messaged you before about afib. I don’t know what kind of afib I have I do know it’s not from a heart damage or a valves. I used to get bouts of it very often when first dignoised lasting anywhere from 4 to 6 hours and many times during the week. I am on xaltro blood thinners once a day and metoprolol 25mg twice a day. I have sleep apnea; a digestive hernia and need to loose over 100 pounds. I use my sleep apnea machine every night, hired a wholistic dietitian. I have lost about 15 pounds and take magnesium daily now and did some live style changes in my eating. I have not had a afib episode in 6 month with the exception of 2 times. One when I was on holidays and we were on a tour bus on very bumpy roads and bad shocks I went into afib, lasted 10 minuets and stop about 5 minutes after the bus stopped. The second incident happened when I was bending over and not bending my knees for an extended period of time, as soon as I put myself upright and relaxed for 10 minutes it reset and was beating regular. The only other thing I noticed now if I do get irregular heart beats. But my heart rate is low… my resting heart rate is 54 bpm. Is it normals to have arrhythmia/irregular heart beats. Second question is could my Afib be caused by my digestive hernia? I have done many life style changes in regard to what and how I eat that have been positive for no afib issues. When I brought this up to my cardiologist he says no, my digestive hernia is not a factor but I do believe it is. Do you know of any research in regards to this. Thank you

    Reply
  22. Helen K ( Age: 77 / Years with AFIB: 6 )
    Jul 17, 2018

    P.S. My cardiologist sent me to an EP to discuss ablation last March. I am still of mixed minds about it. The health style choices seem to be working really well for now. For as I said in my previous post, no episodes for 7 months.

    But, what concerns me a lot is that here in Canada that if one goes to a teaching hospital to have an afib ablation, the resident(s) will also take part in the catheter work, too. “After all, we are a teaching hospital”, the doctors all say.

    And yes, residents must learn, but must they learn on me? How does one get that highly skilled and experienced EP to solely do the actual procedure, someone who has done many hundreds? Here in my area (close to Toronto), the best EP’s are associated only with teaching hospitals. And thanks, Travis, yours is a super article.

    Reply
    • Travis Van Slooten
      Jul 31, 2018

      Helen:

      I always tell people with afib to try lifestyle changes first. It only makes sense to do so. The truth is, MOST people will get relief from their afib burden just by losing weight, eating better, sleeping better, etc.

      However, I have found that most people do not experience a lifetime of relief from lifestyle changes alone. That is where I disagree with Dr. Mandrola. He seems to think you can cure afib by just losing a lot of weight and being “healthy.” It’s not that simple. Afib is far more complex than that.

      What I tell people to do is spend 6-12 months making hardcore lifestyle changes and see how things go. If you’re able to significantly reduce your afib burden as a result, stick with it for as long as you can. But if your afib gets worse despite those efforts, then it’s time to consider having an ablation by an expert EP!

      I feel for people that live in Canada because they have limited choices in who they can be treated by. And as you’ve pointed out, a lot of the hospitals in Canada are teaching hospitals so finding an elite EP is next to impossible to find. Truth be told, most Canadians I talk to that want to be treated “by the best” come to the U.S. and pay cash for their ablations. If you pay cash for an ablation in the U.S. it’s about $40,000.

      I wish you the best!

      Travis

      Reply
  23. Helen K ( Years with AFIB: 6 yrs )
    Jul 17, 2018

    I have paroxysmal AF. Healthy, active 77-yr old woman. I like these suggestions and they do work. I also have been wearing a Fitbit for the past several months and when I feel myself rushing around too much, or with my “foot on the gas” too much, I check my HR. Sure enough, often well over 100.

    I stop – take a deep breath in through the nose, breathe out slowly with pursed lips, and relax my shoulders. I basically use it as a biofeedback tool. As well, I NEVER become dehydrated, no matter how rushed or busy I am. I always have water with me. I have stopped all alcohol. At least I can have coffee (half high test)!

    I have read a great deal by Dr. John Mandrola, cardiologist and electrophysiologist. His articles and blog have helped me a lot and I feel much more positive and empowered. He pushes healthy lifestyle choices as the 1st line of defense for afib treatment. He and others have stated that if we lose just 10% of our current weight, that AF symptoms might fade or go away. I have slowly lost 15 lbs in the past few months. No episodes in 7 months. Touch wood!

    Reply
  24. Beth ( Age: 83 / Female )
    May 16, 2018

    I am 83 and other than my HEART, I am in great health. HA!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am in Mexico all winter each winter and we have a ambulance group called, rescate. I think it is rescue in Spanish.

    I went there on my own when I had my last episode and they let me lie there on oxygen for about an hour then it went right back into rhythm. I am not always that lucky. They even went to the store and bought me a banana and they had potassium pills. I now carry potassium pills and a couple of Magnesium as well. Putting a banana in my purse when I leave the house also. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Travis Van Slooten
      May 16, 2018

      Beth:

      Glad to hear they were able to restore your heart rate! Potassium and magnesium are definitely an afibber’s best friend!

      Travis

      Reply
      • Karen Williams ( Female )
        May 17, 2018

        I was looking for a response by Karl dated May 16, but did not find it posted as yet. I wholeheartedly support what Karl said. I have had paroxysmal A-fib due to hypothyroid since 2014. I have not had an attack since last September after I started the recommendations of Dr. Sherry Rogers, MD (renowned and highly respected author on heart health and environmental toxins), eight months ago.

        I have been on D-Ribose, Taurine, Arginine, Acetyl Carnitine and Glycine Powders, CoQ10 and natural vitamin E with all 8 parts. For 6 months now and I feel a tremendous improvement in my heart function. I have had no A-Fib. I think A-Fib patients, as recommended by Karl, should first work on improving their heart nutrients before going with ablation. There is extensive research that show the combination of d-alpha tocopherol and gamma tocopherol , two components of natural vitamin E, work extremely well together to stop A-Fib.

        Travis: Although I personally do not like the concept of ablation for myself, I will stay informed by reading all updates on it on your site. At the moment, I am not a candidate for ablation. Everyone is different. I am very grateful for this web site. Thanks again, Travis, for all your work.

        Reply
        • Karen Williams ( Female )
          May 17, 2018

          Low magnesium is the leading cause of A Fib. A patient MUST have an RBC magnesium level checked, not SERUM level. The higher the serum level, the lower the red blood cell level is. Only 1% of magnesium is in the blood. The rest is cellular. I meant to add this to my post above. I recommend a fib patientg read Sherry Rogers MD Is Your Cardiologist Killing You, available on amazon.com for about $10 used. Wonderful book.

          Reply
        • Travis Van Slooten
          May 17, 2018

          Karen:

          Thanks again for your contributions to this blog. I appreciate you sharing your experiences and perspectives.

          I agree with you that all afibbers should work on diet and lifestyle factors first and foremost. However, if after 6 months or so of adhering to a healthy diet (with the appropriate vitamins and supplements), moderate exercise, and various lifestyle changes you still have a-fib then it’s time to strongly consider having an ablation. For many afibbers, particularly in the early stages of afib, these changes can do wonders and can keep afib at bay for a while (for some that might be many years). However, for those people with advanced a-fib or those who have a genetic predisposition to afib, these changes often times aren’t enough.

          Travis

          Reply
          • Kevin ( Age: 55 / M / Years with AFIB: 2 )
            Nov 12, 2019

            I’ve had A-Fib for 2 years , had my first attack in 18 months last month , I had to go to ER twice in three days , meds got my rythum reset to normal . I then asked my cardiologist about having Ablation surgery to stop the attacks , and my cardiologist told me that ablation surgery is not a permanent cure for A- Fib , it may work for a short term , but does not last forever.. how effective is Ablation surgery ?? When the pills stop working , what is the next best thing to do ?

            Reply
            • Travis ( Age: 47 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
              Nov 12, 2019

              Kevin:

              You need to find another cardiologist! An ablation is your ONLY shot at putting afib to rest for good. Drugs are NEVER a long-term solution. Please contact me directly via my contact page and I can help you out.

              Travis

              Reply
      • Karl ( Age: 60 / male / Years with AFIB: 10 )
        May 18, 2018

        Even with my success with a nutritional / lifestyle approach to managing my AFIB, I completely concur with your comments on ablation. I was seriously considering having it done until I went on my current drug and supplement regimen. Prior to that my AFIB episodes all terminated on their own in typically about eight hours. Afterwards, however, I was completely wiped (shortness of breath, fatigue, sleep) for a day afterwards. Given that my episodes were becoming weekly events, there was no way that I was going to live with the risks when ablation was an option (especially since I am still relatively young – 60 – and in good shape). So, yes Travis, I completely agree that if the supplement / lifestyle / medication route doesn’t work, find a good EP and have the ablation. The improvement in quality of life is worth the risk and inconvenience.

        Reply
  25. Pamela Wayans
    May 16, 2018

    I have had ASTHMA my whole life but about 7 years ago my asthma got so bad and was diagnosed of EMPHYSEMA/COPD which was most likely due to the asthma. I was on double antibiotics and steroids, still didn’t feel any better. My lungs were constantly wheezing in all four chambers. I already used Advair, Spiriva, and Albuterol in my nebulizer. They just didn’t do much.

    April 2016 my sister in-law told us about Rich Herbs Foundation where she ordered herbs that effectively treated her arthritis. We ordered their COPD herbal treatment after reading a lot of positive reviews. I am happy to report this COPD herbal treatment reversed my lung condition. My quality of life has greatly improved and every one of my symptoms including difficulty breathing and wheezing are gone.

    I will be 52 soon and have never been healthier!

    Reply
  26. Jackie ( Age: 52 / Female / Years with AFIB: 1-2 )
    May 09, 2018

    I am 52 and have had afib for about 1 year. I was put on metoprolol 50mg. I take this at bedtime. I am averaging about 1 attack each month. I take another metoprolol and can get out of it in a few hours. My new EP cardiologist wants to put me on 50 mg of flecainide. I haven’t started this yet because the side effects look terrible. I wonder if I just need to suggest that I take 2 of the metoprolol instead?

    Reply
  27. mary taylor ( Age: 58 / 5 / Years with AFIB: less than 1 )
    Apr 17, 2018

    Awesome! I had a 2nd episode that started yesterday. Beta blocker at 25mg currently (was at 50mg for a few weeks after first episode) and baby aspirin are my regimen. I just now took another beta blocker (starts with M) and aspirin in hopes that it will get rid of this episode. On my way to the store to get the food items indicated in the article. So glad to find you! I bet lots of folks are very grateful for the info :)

    Reply
    • Travis Van Slooten
      Apr 18, 2018

      Mary:

      I’m glad you find the site helpful! I wish you well.

      Travis

      Reply
  28. Francesca ( Age: 22 / Female / Years with AFIB: 3 )
    Apr 05, 2018

    Hello Everyone,

    I’ve discovered this site a few weeks ago and it brings so much closure. I was diagnosed with a-fib 3 years ago. Since I’m young I haven’t really paid too much attention to it and thought it was an “ehhh” thing until recently. I’ve had several a-fib attacks, 2 which I was hospitalized for.

    I recently started paying more attention to it and following up with my cardiologist after the last episode I had that came randomly. It lasted about an hour I want to say, which is the longest it’s lasted. My heart rate was so high, about 190 and I could feel the fluttering. It’s such a nerve racking feeling in the moment.

    I stopped eating junk food, cut out my sodium intake by a lot, and stopped eating out as much so I make my own meals with no salt added. I carefully watch what I eat now. I was diagnosed with Paroxysmal a-fib so it comes and goes. Right now I’m taking Metoprolol 12.5Mg since 25MG lowers my blood pressure a lot. I’m also on Aspirin 325MG both once a day in the morning.

    My life can get sometimes stressful and I am an anxious person so I know those two things I need to work on. I have had some fluttering for about 3 seconds here and there after my discharge from the hospital but I believe my stress plays a role in that. I’m so glad I ran into this site.

    Reply
    • Shayne ( Age: 33 / Female )
      Jul 30, 2018

      I also started having afib episodes when I was quite young. Maybe my second year of college and then they stopped altogether for years. I’m 33 now and the frequency and intensity of the episodes peaked a couple of years ago. I started seeing a cardiologist then who gave me metoprolol to take on an as-needed basis, and ordered that I come in for a check up every six months.

      Shortly after this I started running and doing yoga very regularly and my episodes spaced out from every four to six weeks to now maybe two to three times a year.

      The last two episodes I had I took a few deep breaths and then started doing some basic yoga…cat/cow, child’s pose, downward dog, and the episode stopped both times within two to four minutes. Absolutely incredible!

      My episodes lasted 10 minutes or so in the very beginning and at their peak over two hours with my HR reaching well over 200bpm. The yoga seems to stop them almost instantly.

      I discovered this after a terrible morning episode. The episode ended but my HR stayed slightly elevated all day until I got on my mat and did a yoga practice that evening. I checked my HR after finishing my practice and it was finally back in the 70s, so the next time I felt an episode come on, I tried yoga and it worked. Now, my last two episodes have been six months apart and both were stopped by yoga. Never even had to take the metoprolol!

      I’m not sure if this is a thing, but nothing I’ve ever tried has been this effective. Hope it can help someone else!

      Reply
      • Travis Van Slooten
        Jul 31, 2018

        Shayne:

        Thanks for sharing your experience with yoga in managing your afib. That’s so awesome to hear it’s working so well for you.

        Can you share the specific type of yoga you practice? Better yet, can you also share the specific yoga poses/exercises that you do?

        Travis

        Reply
  29. carol gonzalez ( Age: 62 / female )
    Jan 08, 2018

    I’m a 62 year-old female with A-Fib. I usually never know when I’m in it but these last 2 days have been nonstop and I’m getting nervous. I’m on coumadin, toprol xl and digoxin. I’m just hoping this will stop. I don’t believe I need to go to the hospital since I do take these meds. I called my doctor and he just left. I will try him again tomorrow.

    Reply
    • Travis Van Slooten
      Jan 09, 2018

      Carol:

      How are you doing today? Were you able to get a hold of your doctor? I hope you’re doing better.

      Travis

      Reply
    • Marla ( Age: 65 / Female / Years with AFIB: 8 now AFIB FREE )
      Feb 08, 2018

      Listen, I AM AFIB FREE NOW! I was in AFIB every other day lasting 8 to ten hours a day. I TOOK DILTIAZEM when needed for them. Was on Pradaxa and getting ready for ablation. Nothing helped or stopped them. I found my key and believe this needs to be shared. I am now med free and only take a low dose aspirin daily with no AFIB in weeks. I am on the keto diet, which is delicious and I have cut out all sugars and ALL sodium and anything that has it. I eat fresh meats, veges, nuts after I cut out salt I have been AFIB free! Please experiment for a few days eating unprocessed foods with zero sodium, you will be amazed! You can use seasoning with NO SODIUM

      Reply
      • william ( Age: 57 / male / Years with AFIB: 12 )
        Mar 11, 2018

        Thank you, I am at my wit’s end with this afib! I have had my heart reset 4 times and I have had the ablation surgery and still have major episodes. I have got to make major changes to my diet and soon. I’m 57 and still have at least 10 years before retirement. I have to keep on keeping on.

        Reply
        • Travis Van Slooten
          Mar 14, 2018

          William:

          Regarding your comment about having an ablation and still having “major” episodes after the fact, you may be interested in this article:

          https://www.livingwithatrialfibrillation.com/3137/successful-afib-ablation/

          Travis

          Reply
      • David Eidell ( Age: 71 / M / Years with AFIB: Not Any More... )
        Mar 14, 2018

        It costs almost zero to try and straighten out electrolyte imbalance. Magnesium is inexpensive, a banana is cheap, and eliminating excess salt is crucial. Somewhere I seem to recall reading an article that suggests the average diet contains 10x the amount of sodium needed. If you’ve ever been on a treatment table for afib you’ll notice your blood sugar is checked. I am convinced a person can shovel down an ounce of medications and a combination of electrolyte imbalance, massive quantities of salt (electrolyte) and out of control blood sugar would negate 90% of the benefits of the medications. Secondarily, strokes are unforgiving. At a minimum get a pulse oximeter and regardless of how I feel a racing pulse in combination with an abnormally low O2 saturation means get to an ER fast. One slug of coagulated blood and the fat lady might start singing. It just isn’t worth it. For me, stubborn AF meant dosages of Amiodarone and that is one medicine that may take a week to start working. Controlling AFIB is just as much the patient’s responsibility as it is the cardiologist’s. I was fortunate and stopped AFIB with cheap magnesium. But it was not enough. I tossed the sodium, tightly controlled the glucose, and surprise of surprises — heart arrhythmia has now went the way of the passenger pigeon. Yes the pacemaker helped. Yes diet control helped even more.

        Reply
  30. Linda ( Age: 69 / Female )
    Dec 19, 2017

    My first AFib attack was last April in the middle of the night. I went to the ER and after about 1 hour I converted on my own. I saw my cardiologist (I live in Minneapolis) and we decided to do nothing at that point.

    I have seen an EP at the same practice before for palpitations etc. and I have an appointment with him coming up in February.

    Today I woke up at 6:15 and had my 2nd A-fib attack. I wasn’t as nervous but started to prepare things around the house in case I had to go to the hospital. I have a dog that needs care. I took a short walk. I took an atenolol 25mg (I usually take 12.5 mg at bedtime for palps). Then I laid down and did some deep breathing.

    At around 8:15 a.m. I was out of afib. I felt awful all day from the meds and my heart was pretty irritable (lots of little palps and runs). Previously the cardiologist had said if I had another afib bout I could stay home for about 4 or five hours in a-fib before going to the hospital. After this bout today, right now, we are going to stay the course and keep my appointment in Feb with my EP.

    2 questions: First, do afib bouts keep getting closer together or are they truly random? Second, I’m nervous about going to sleep as both events happened at night. I am pretty sure there is absolutely nothing I can do about that. I have stopped laying on my left side. I don’t know anything else to do at night.

    I am racking my brain to figure out what caused the episode last night just like the first episode. I cannot come up with anything. I do have anxiety and my life is pretty stressful most of the time but there was not anything usual before either of these bouts. Last night I had a lot of sugar as my sister sent me Christmas cookies! That is the only thing out of the ordinary that could have caused this. Is it worth wasting the time trying to figure out a cause?

    Thank you so much,
    Linda

    Reply
    • Travis Van Slooten
      Dec 20, 2017

      Linda:

      Hello to a fellow Minnesotan. I live just North of Minneapolis!

      To answer your questions afib is unique to everyone but the randomness of afib is its hallmark. That’s what’s so nerve wracking about it. It’s often unpredictable. The frequency of the episodes can be random as well. You may have a period where you have several episodes over a period of days and weeks and then total silence for days and weeks. And for many, afib progresses to persistent afib where you are in an episode for a week or more at a time and can’t convert to normal sinus rhythm on your own. When does this progression happen? Again, it’s random. Some may will progress in weeks – others in years (and yet others never).

      I totally understand your fear about going to bed. Getting afib at night is totally common.

      There are a couple things you can talk to your doctor about. Since you mostly get your episodes at night you likely have “vagal afib” which is afib that mostly occurs at rest and/or at night (or after eating). This type of afib does not respond well to beta blockers. In fact, beta blockers can make it worse (for some people – not all). As such, I would talk to your doctor about NOT taking a beta blocker. Here are some links on the subject:

      http://www.afibbers.org/atrial_fibrillation/rhythm_control/B79a.htm
      http://a-fib.com/faqs-understanding-a-fib-5-adrenergic-vagal/

      Instead, I would talk to your doctor about Flecainide. This is usually the best drug for vagal afibbers. Furthermore, I would ask about taking it as a “pill-in-the pocket” – meaning you only take it when you have an episode.

      Finally, if you have undiagnosed sleep apnea that could be an issue. Many people with afib have sleep apnea. If you have it and you treat it you can often times reduce the frequency and severity of your afib episodes. Here is an article I wrote about the sleep apnea/afib connection:
      https://afib.newlifeoutlook.com/sleep-apnea-and-atrial-fibrillation/

      I wish you well!

      Travis

      Reply
      • Donna ( Age: 66 / female )
        Mar 05, 2018

        Boy, you got that right they are totally unpredictable and you can be in the best of health and still have A-Fib. I had been having episodes maybe 1 or 2 a year for the last few years. My episodes got closer which prompted me to mention it to my doctor in August when I went for my yearly physical. I wore a monitor for one month.

        I had an episode at 11 pm the first night I wore the monitor. It lasted 11 hours and I didn’t have another until the day I took the monitor back. The monitor showed I had paroxysmal A-fib. I went to a cardiologist in October 2017 and I was diagnosed with A-fib. It just so happened I had an episode in the doctor’s office. He order a stress test for Dec 14. The test showed no blockage anywhere, heart looked good.

        The cardiologist put me on 25mg metoprolol twice daily to slow heart rate and 325 mg aspirin daily. Mind you I had 2 CHADS against me. I was female and 65. No other issues. I had a physical done in August. My stats were excellent. My cardiologist cautioned that people who have A-Fib are at risk for a stroke. Jan 1, 2018 I had a cerebellar stroke. I am blessed it only affected my balance. I am in therapy for my dizziness and vertigo issues.

        While in the hospital my metoprolol was cut down to 12.5 twice daily due to taking my blood pressure way down and a blood thinner was added (Eliquis) 5 mg twice daily. Since having my stroke I have had short bouts of A-fib which didn’t seem to concern my cardiologist or primary care doctor. Today, early morning I went into a-fib and as I write this I still am. I couldn’t have therapy this morning because of it. I go back to the cardiologist in April. I will see what he says.

        For those who say cut out sodium and processed foods, I don’t eat processed foods, salt, sugar and eat only healthy fats.

        Reply
        • Travis Van Slooten
          Mar 14, 2018

          Donna:

          Thanks for sharing your story. I’m glad to hear you survived your stroke and are doing o.k. Keep us posted on what your doctor says in April. Be well in the meantime!

          Travis

          Reply
    • Marla ( Age: 65 / Female / Years with AFIB: 8 )
      Feb 08, 2018

      Cut out SODIUM!!! I am now AFIB FREE! I had very severe AFIB! No meds helped, I was on pradaxa a blood thinner and diltiazem when I had an episode. I follow the keto diet, cut out sugars, and SODIUM from your diet. Once I stopped eating sodium, I have not had another episode! It’s been weeks! Nearly everything has sodium. Try it for a few days!!! It’s a trigger for AFIB

      Reply
      • Travis Van Slooten
        Feb 08, 2018

        Marla:

        Thanks for sharing your experience! I appreciate it. However, I want to caution anyone else reading this that we are all different so what works for Marla may not work for you. In other words, for some of us simply reducing sodium may not make a difference at all. In fact I think there is more going on with Marla’s success. I doubt it’s just the reduction of sodium that is helping. Her overall change in diet is what’s working right now.

        I want to point this out because I don’t want someone reading this to think all they have to do is reduce sodium and they’ll be cured. It doesn’t work that way.

        Travis

        P.s. Marla – I’m going to make a copy of this comment and put it on my blog post about diets for afib as I think your story will be inspirational. Thanks!

        Reply
  31. Christime ( Age: 81 / Female / Years with AFIB: Several )
    Dec 18, 2017

    On Metoprolol 25mgs (2x daily) and 15mg Xarelto once daily. My afib symptoms are not relieved by this protocol. I feel worse now than I did before meds were prescribed. Metoprolol seems to control my heart rate and my blood pressure doesn’t rise too high during episodes (around 150/80) at times. Sometimes BP and HR are quite normal during an episode, but I still have frequent episodes.

    I believe I definitely have vagal nerve involvement and must convince my dr. since beta blockers shouldn’t be prescribed for this kind of AFib I’ve learned. I stopped taking all my former supplements because of the limitations of the blood thinner. I’d like to know what supplements are most compatible with Xarelto.

    I’ve started taking Magnesium again which I took before going on Metoprolol and Xarelto. I’d like to add vitamin D, omega 3, potassium, but Xarelto does not mention the use of any of these supplements as beneficial or detrimental with respect to a blood thinner, and I’m afraid to take them but fear I’m possibly missing out of any benefit I may derive with respect to my AFib.

    My age makes me hesitate getting ablation since I’ve had it many years and apparently it is not as successful in my age group and for those who’ve had it for several years. Possibly risky as well?

    Reply
    • Travis Van Slooten
      Dec 19, 2017

      Christime:

      As far as I know (and you’ll want to do your own research to confirm this), there isn’t any contradictions of vitamin D or potassium with Xarelto. Omega 3 (i.e. fish oils) does thin the blood and that one you’ll want to be careful with. When I was taking Eliquis I cut my omega 3 down to two capsules per day, which was about 2g of fish oil per day. My good friend, Steve Ryan of a-fib.com, wrote a brief article about taking krill oil (a type of omega 3) and Xarelto together. You can read it here: http://a-fib.com/faqs-minerals-supplements-krill-oil-with-eliquis/

      Eliquis and Xarelto are the same type of blood thinner. They are a NOAC (Novel Oral Anticoagulants), a Direct Factor Xa Inhibitor.

      As to your comment about being too old for an ablation, that’s not true at all. However, you’d want to make sure you go to the most experienced EP you can find. Less experienced EPs will probably tell you you’re too old because they don’t have the skills and confidence to help you! An experienced EP, one that has experience doing ablations on complex cases of afib, will have the skills and confidence to bring you relief!

      Travis

      Reply
      • janis ( Age: 68 / female / Years with AFIB: 8 )
        May 17, 2018

        Hi Travis:

        In your response to Christine on 12/19/17, you stated “when I was taking Eliquis….” Do you still take Eliquis? I am on the drug, and I really wish not to be. The expense is outrageous, and I feel the same way now as when I was just taking an aspirin a day.

        How did you stop taking it? A gradual weaning, or an abrupt quit?

        My GP won’t support my request to drop Eliquis. I think it’s a matter of not contradicting another doctor’s prescription (cardiologist). Maybe I’ll have to just see a different cardiologist.

        My afib episodes are every one to three months, 8 hours per event. Thank you for your posts. They are very informative, and it makes me feel there’s an actual A-Fibbers Club that I belong to!

        Reply
        • Travis Van Slooten
          May 17, 2018

          Janis:

          I don’t take Eliquis anymore. I was only on it a short time before my ablation and for a short time after my ablation. All told, I was only on it for about 3 months.

          When I stopped taking it I just stopped. I didn’t wean off of it at all. I just quit immediately when it was time to stop.

          Having paroxysmal afib like you have makes it tricky to decide if you should be on a blood thinner. Given your age and sex gives you a CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 2. That is the hardest score for a doctor (and patient) to determine if blood thinners are appropriate or not. It’s not an easy decision to make.

          Travis

          Reply
  32. David Eidell ( Age: 71 / male )
    Dec 11, 2017

    Another one – stopped afib episodes…
    Mexico is the land of sweet and salty. In August, Eduadro’s mother went 190 miles yet again to the hospital. 10 episodes in just a couple of months. He relayed a bottle of magnesium 500 miles to her and after taking 250mg day, she had one recurrent episode in early October. The episode lasted 10 minutes not hours.

    Next step. NO SODIUM. No prepared or canned foods with added salt. Strict avoidance. Now, 2-months, and she reported yesterday the infrequent awakenings at night which she suspected were threshold events have vanished.

    There is a relationship. Even with a pacemaker, I continue to have irregular heartbeat. With magnesium supplements no afib events for six years. But when I become foolish and eat salty food, my heart arrhythmia becomes very pronounced. Shame on me. I know better. Before the magnesium, say ten years ago, a single salt-cured pickle would trip an event. Now, I think and look at labels before I chomp.

    It costs nothing to try and may reveal a drug-free way to improve your quality of life. Ask your doctor about adding a banana a day to your diet for potassium.

    My pacemaker was installed because of repeated Bradycardia events including one that happened in a medical center ER. That and a 2nd blocked bundle branch were enough to tip the scales in favor of a cardiac metronome.

    I had chronic very high blood pressure before the implant, even with low salt and magnesium. After the implant, BP was dramatically reduced. Yesterday, and for 40 tests* before that 125/70 with no cardiac or BP medications. The cardiac surgeon told me “I see this quite often”. Since my labs indicated very low mag levels I continue to take 500mg every other day.

    *different MD’s using mechanical BP apparatus.

    Reply
    • Marla ( Age: 65 / Female / Years with AFIB: 8 )
      Feb 08, 2018

      YES!!! I was days away from an ablation and starting a very dangerous arythmia medication. I CUT OUT SODIUM and I am now AFIB FREE!!!!! I now follow the keto diet (no sugars) and eat fresh meats, green leafy vegetables, and some dairy. But I now eat NOTHING with sodium and I am AFIB FREE!!! I am so thankful I found that trigger!

      Reply
  33. Teri ( Age: 65 / female / Years with AFIB: 7 )
    Dec 11, 2017

    It would be great if you had an article to explain all the acronyms being used. EP? LAA?
    Lots of others I can’t think of right now.

    Reply
    • Travis Van Slooten
      Dec 11, 2017

      Teri:

      Great suggestion! I’m going to work on that next. Be on the look out for it. In the meantime, EP is short for “electrophysiologist” (a cardiologist that specializes in the electrical system of the heart). LAA is short for “left atrial appendage” (a small pouch found in the left atrium). Thanks again for the article suggestion. I love the it!

      Travis

      Reply
  34. Jenny ( Age: 45 / female )
    Dec 08, 2017

    I have been recently diagnosed with A-Fib after years of unsuccessful tests. After being diagnosed, I purchased the Kardia Mobile. In my opinion, that was money well spent. The medical staff at the hospital was very impressed with it.

    I absolutely hate the feeling with A-Fib. I am scheduled for an echocardiogram on 12/18 because the last visit to the ER determined that I have an enlarged. I had to call and ask my cardiologist about having the test done. The ER doctor was surprised that I haven’t had one since being diagnosed in November.

    I am very concerned about what is going on since my paternal grandmother has A-Fib and has had four strokes. My cardiologist, in my opinion, isn’t as concerned as I am. Am I over reacting? I’m new to this and have questions.

    The medicine I’m on doesn’t seem to be working since I am still having symptoms and have been on meds for a month now. I take Metoprolol 25 mg twice a day. The ER doctor said I could take as many as four pills in a 12 hour period. Some days I have no issues all day long. The next day I have problems all day long. On A-Fib days, I’m exhausted, which gets really old!

    Reply
    • Travis Van Slooten
      Dec 08, 2017

      Jenny:

      You’re not overreacting at all. However, don’t let your grandmother’s experience with afib get you down as the treatment and management of atrial fibrillation has come a long way in recent years. By getting on this early, you are significantly reducing your risk of having a stroke!

      Having the echo is a great first step but I would also encourage you to get a heart monitor from your doctor – either a 24-hour Holter monitor or a 14-day event monitor (ideally the latter option). The echo will tell you how structurally sound your heart is and the heart monitor will tell you how often you’re in afib. With this information you can work with your doctor to come up with an effective game plan.

      If you are in a-fib a lot, or your episodes last several hours, and medications aren’t working for you, then there is always the option to have an ablation. Some people have a lot of success with drugs (at least for a while), while others don’t do so well on drugs (i.e. they either don’t work or the side effects are too much to handle). When drugs don’t work for whatever reason, the ablation is the best option.

      I had a successful ablation back in March 2015 and I haven’t had a single a-fib episode since!

      If you have specific questions for me, feel free to contact me.

      I wish you the very best!

      Travis

      Reply
    • James ( Age: 63 / male / Years with AFIB: 7+ )
      Dec 12, 2017

      Jenny, can you clarify this, “ER determined that I have an enlarged”?
      Interesting you were prescribed the least aggressive med for afib. Statistically, Metoprolol will NOT keep you out nor convert you from afib, only control your HR. However, Metop is critical to use with an anti arrhythmia such as Flecainide, which most likely would convert you back to NSR. I would mention that to your ER to at least have some relief from this condition until you make some difficult decisions about afib.

      Reply
  35. James ( Age: 63 / male / Years with AFIB: 7+ )
    Nov 28, 2017

    Travis and I have known each other in the virtual world for several years. We know each others trial experiments with this condition pretty well. His degree of attacks and severity of episodes vs mine were certainly more egregious. I believe we have tried just about everything there is to treat this including ablation.

    We’ve both had many tests. Mine include all the medical ones and even a catheter scope. Blood tests for all the usual suspects, Mag, B12, etc. Always normal and even above the ND vs conventional levels.

    I have tried most of 1-8 and more with no success but have self converted with supplements and a few maneuvers such as a short sprint or neck adjustment twice.

    I had 2 years of zero afib with PVCs several times per week by using no less than 10 different supplements. The big 3 were Magnesium, C, and COq10. But then in Jan this year, wham, back with a vengeance. By May I had more episodes than all the 6 previous years of about 8. One ND had given up and suggested ablation. A new one also, but first a new test.

    I also converted several times using 300mg of Flecainide with Metoprolol. I did consider ablation and was one month away, waiting for an EKG which was scheduled. I had considered Natale but chose Boston because Stevenson has a 97% success rate and is a 3 hour drive for me. Plus, my degree of afib was very simple according to Dartmouth EP.

    Of course that never happened. And since July, stopped all supplements. Very little Mag or Vit C and just some basic seasonal ones unrelated to afib. The last test was a saliva adrenal for cortisol levels. The results took forever, 2 months, but just before EKG. Off the charts high at night, most episodes occurred then, surprise, very low during the daytime, constant fatigue.

    Two supplements in the morning, two at night and no afib, PVCs virtually gone and changed absolutely nothing in diet or life style except zero alcohol for 1 and half years. Worth a shot for everyone with a-fib to check their adrenals. With that said, this will be my last natural attempt to cure this condition.

    Reply
    • Karen Williams ( Female )
      Nov 28, 2017

      I have thought of the high cortisol at night issue ever since I was in the hospital two times in August with no success at stopping my A fib until the end of the second visit. On the 4 th day of that 2nd visit I finally got a cardiologist. I was given digoxin and within five minutes my heart rate went down to the 60s from 115-129. The next day I was released. But no one told me that was not a permanent fix. If I stop the digoxin, the A Fib will come back. If I stay on .25 digoxin, it does go into normal sinus rhythm. But the side effects of digoxin are awful.

      I will pursue that now, thanks to your comment. I am positive I have a problem with high cortisol. I asked to be checked for that often, and my cardiologist said it was not necessary, the hospital drs said it was not necessary, etc. Why don’t they listen to me? Do I have to get all my degrees and credentials out for them to see? It is frustrating as well as life threatening. I am so grateful for this Web Site.

      Reply
      • James ( Age: 63 / male / Years with AFIB: 7+ )
        Nov 29, 2017

        “my cardiologist said it was not necessary, the hospital drs said it was not necessary, etc. Why don’t they listen to me?

        That’s a great question. It is your heart and life after all. Yes, those pesky side effects. That may be the least of your worries. The fact is most meds stop working after a time. The ultimate goal is to get you to the gold standard of ablation. I’m not against that procedure, Travis had a successful one, but when you get into my age group and older, the success rates aren’t much better than med protocols.

        Reply
        • Travis Van Slooten
          Dec 01, 2017

          James:

          I would just add that the “gold standard” exists. You just have to go to the right EP. If you go to an experienced EP, and admittedly they are far and few between right now, the success rates for older people is just as good as they are for middle-aged folks like me.

          Travis

          Reply
          • James ( Age: 63 / male / Years with AFIB: 7+ )
            Dec 01, 2017

            Travis, I hope youre right. Im way past the unknown dangers long term vs the nightmare of dealing with afib on a regular basis.
            We all know Natale has the rep for it, but no one lives forever. There has to be a way to better equip all EPs to rock star status.

            Reply
            • Travis Van Slooten
              Dec 01, 2017

              James:

              And that is the key – getting all the EPs across the country “up to par” with the likes of Natale. Dr. Natale actually spends a lot of his time training EPs and traveling across the country at various conferences educating the EP industry as a whole. For example, Natale and his group were pioneers with LAA ablations. Slowly but surely the busier EP centers across the country are implementing the LAA ablation as part of their standard procedure (only when a LAA ablation is warranted of course).

              Prior to Natale (and other rock star EPs) educating the EP industry about the LAA ablation, EP centers would just ignore the LAA. They either didn’t know about it or they didn’t have the skills to touch the LAA. Again, with time and education from the likes of Natale and other “rock stars” in the industry, the LAA ablation is becoming more and more common (which is a good thing since approximately 30% of afib cases have triggers coming from the LAA).

              What people don’t understand is that “successful” ablations aren’t due to equipment and tools. It all comes down to the skills and knowledge of the EP. We already have the equipment needed to perform successful ablations (although there is always room for improvement). What we lack more than anything right now is skills and knowledge. EPs have the tools, most just don’t have the skills or knowledge to perform durable and long-term successful ablations.

              Travis

              Reply
              • James ( Age: 63 / male / Years with AFIB: 7+ )
                Dec 04, 2017

                Travis, agree with training if there is a direct correlation due to varying degrees of experience as PVI has some serious limitations with LAA. As you know I’m neither against or for ablation, or any specific procedure for curing this condition. I’m hopeful for something better. Right now, ablation is still a procedure of treating symptoms vs finding the cause. Some are left with daily PVCs, higher HR and fatigue issues, but no afib. That’s the good news. Though better than daily meds, I believe there is little difference when comparing mortality rates. The issue becomes quality of that life with varying degrees for afib. Mine is quite manageable right now and ablation is the furthest thing from my mind. Yours, ablation was obviously the best choice.

                Reply
    • Travis Van Slooten
      Dec 01, 2017

      James:

      Thanks for the reminder to check adrenals. I still have to have mine checked. The darn saliva kit is still collecting dust on my desk (literally). I don’t know why I keep dragging my feet.

      Glad to hear correcting your adrenals have helped so much. That’s so awesome to hear!

      Travis

      Reply
    • Tiffany P ( Age: 58 / F / Years with AFIB: 6 mos )
      Jan 09, 2022

      Hi James. Would you mind giving g us an update on how your doing and what the two supplements are that you started taking for your adrenal failure? This is amazing that you were able to “figure” it out!! I’m trying everything as far as tests for minerals and will add this test. It’s truly a jigsaw puzzle that requires much time and devotion to discover what’s causing our hearts to act this way!!

      Reply
  36. Darlene ( Age: 52 / Female / Years with AFIB: 1 )
    Nov 24, 2017

    It’s been 9 months since being diagnosed with A-fib but I do believe I have had it for a few years not knowing what it was. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and my cardiologist believed my A fib was cause by that (I have a machine and use it every night now). I am on blood thinners (xarelto 20 mg and apo-metoprolol 26 ml).

    I was doing real well for about 4 months then I was having some digestive issues and was sent for a barium swallow x-ray. Since that test (about 4 hours after that test I went into Afib for a long time with irregular heart beats), I have been having a-fib attacks at least 3 times a week and having arrhythmia heart beats regularly.

    My x-ray showed I have a small digestive hernia and gerd. And when I have these a-fib attacks now, I know when they are going to happen, it’s tied directly to my digestive system. If I eat anything that upsets my stomach, or I have heart burn, I go into Afib. I am terrified to eat now (I’ve lost 5 pounds).

    I have an appointment with a gastroenterologist specialist in December. I just don’t know what to do now. Could my digestive system now be causing my Afib? What are my options? Is having 3 to 4 episodes a week excessive? Do I bring this up with the specialist? Do I go back to the cardiologist? Is this common?

    Reply
    • dannie ( f )
      Nov 26, 2017

      Darlene,

      From several experiences I have had, I think our systems can be set off by a variety of events from Treadmill stress tests to what you went through for testing your digestion. You probably had a heart monitor with leads while they made you drink that awful stuff. Your system was stressed, your gut was already off, drinking barium, then getting zapped with xrays all the while you have leads sending minor electric current going through your heart for monitoring. When you think about it, there is plenty of reason for your afib to kick in.
      I get your panic. I too was going crazy with the symptoms and when it was too apparent to deny, I had to start asking… no telling my doctors that it came on from my stomach. It was not until we (hubby and I) learned about the vagus nerve and then it was obvious I had a vagus trigger.
      As for what to do, my opinions are just that but you need to have some idea what to do or it will just make you more scared. Having your heart doing the jig in your chest is disconcerting to say the least.
      Anyone that has additional/different ideas, speak up. This blog has been the best thing on this planet for me and other afibbers in limbo.
      Your questions (Q) are here with my comments/opinions (MO)…

      Question (Q) -Could my digestive system now be causing my Afib? My Opinion (MO) – Yes, a major nerve is right there where your heartburn comes up, called the vagus nerve. This pup is great for a lot of things but can cause a whole lot of problems if it is sensitive. For me, really cold food, or really hot food would set my heart off on an afib episode for hours. It would set me off before I even knew my stomach was upset. The gas building up put pressure on the nerve and off I went into afib land, generally for hours.
      Q – Is having 3 to 4 episodes a week excessive? MO – It depends on how long it goes on. If they are a couple of flutters, then it can be typical but if it goes for hours on end, you need to take action.
      Q – Do I bring this up with the specialist? MO – Yes, but don’t ask about it, most of the time you will have to educate them on your symptoms and triggers and don’t let them explain it away with some pigeon hole answer. This stuff is out of the box for way too many Dr.s.
      Q – Do I go back to the cardiologist? MO – Since this is something to do with the body’s electrical system, see if you can get a referral to a Electrophysiologist that deals with both the nervous system and the heart. They are cardiologists but will be more familiar with the vagal trigger. Just don’t let them talk you into something that may be too advanced for your condition. Also, vagus nerve trigger afibbers can be further exasperated by beta blockers so don’t let your dr prescribe them for you.
      Q – Is this common? MO – From reading this blog, this is much more common than I thought. If you are in the USA, doctors do not believe in the European studies that recognize a vagus nerve being a valid trigger. In my situation, I had to educate my last cardiologist and still got so much resistance that I moved on to someone that seems to know more about it.
      Q – What are my options? MO – Read the points at the top of this blog. The important ones in MO are the hydration, the magnesium and potassium, and then while you are in episode, try the maneuver they talk about. Magnesium is/was big for me. BUT too much (450 in one pill) will give me cramps and the runs. I do 250 2x a day. That has helped a lot. Drink as much water as you can gulp at a time. It helps get more volume down. Don’t eat things that you know will set you off until you know that you have it under control. Last breathe deep. Lack of oxygen is big. If you have sleep apnea, lie on the side that won’t set you off. If you have heart burn, sleep slightly more propped up. Don’t cross your arms over your stomach when you sleep, the pressure would set me off.
      There are a lot of helpful tips in this whole blog…
      Good luck, stay sane, it will be okay if you don’t stress over it.

      Reply
      • S ( Age: 62 / F / Years with AFIB: 11 )
        Jan 09, 2018

        Thanks very much Dannie. Your explanation of the situation and the way you take care of it exactly how I do it. Excellent summary of the Afib.

        I have so called pill-in-the-pocket and use them when I get into a AFIB, but I strongly believe that digestion and gas have to diminish for me to go back to normal. I take organic apple cider vinegar in a warm cup of water, 1/2 hr later small amount of Manuka Honey, digestive enzymes, and for sure Magnesium. I had it for 10 years. I started with fermented foods lately, Kefir and Regulat also provides friendly bacteria and good for digestion. Regards, S.A

        Reply
    • ana ( Age: 50 )
      Nov 30, 2017

      MSG is recognized by many people as producing afib along with other food spices and salts. I would say be aware what are you eating and how your heart reacts after!

      Reply
  37. Barbara ( Age: 36 / Female / Years with AFIB: 2 )
    Nov 23, 2017

    I have afib 36 female no other health issues when I have episode I put my thumb in my mouth and I blow and lay down I can break it. Hr 170-200 I hate it it’s awful. Always starts with a run of pacs. I take no blood thinners. Doctor said low risk just Xanax and propranolol when needed. I just hate living my life in fear.

    Reply
    • Travis Van Slooten
      Nov 24, 2017

      Barbara:

      I hear you. Afib stinks – plain and simple. And while it’s easy to tell you to live in faith and not fear, I know it’s much easier said than done! Still, though, I encourage you to strengthen your faith.

      God Bless,

      Travis

      Reply
    • David ( Age: 71 / male / Years with AFIB: 13 )
      Nov 24, 2017

      “You can’t have a shortage of magnesium, it’s the most common element on earth” A letter per letter verbatim quote from an ER doctor, Sebastopol, CA. I argued, blood was drawn, two hours later he showed up with an Rx for Magnesium 400mg. You are responsible for doing your own homework – not an ER doctor. A friend’s mother down here south of the border was having one episode occasionally two per week. Nowhere to turn to — so I gave my friend bottle of 250 mg magnesium tablets. A week later, she had it in her hands. She started off on 500mg day and a week later reduced it to 250mg.

      That was last JUNE! Afib for three years continuously, then nothing more after taking a maintinenance dose of magnesium. I recommended further she DRASTICALLY reduce her intake of not only salt but any product containing sodium. She asked “me” if she should discontinue her Rx of Diltiazem. I told her absolutely NO unless her cardiologist whom is 260 miles distant round-trip, specifically directs her to. She lost 40 points diastolic and 17 points systolic simply by cutting back on sodium intake.

      Patients need to take a more active role when working WITH their physician. It has been 6 years since my last Afib event and that sole event was caused by me packing magnesium in the trunk of my car so deep I did not take it for two months. Before that, I had gone years without an Afib event.

      Here are a few questions for the good doctor :)

      I had pains in my chest and was treated for it in multiple USA hospitals. The only thing that seemed to work a little was Rx Isosorbide Mononitrate. Then one day an Rx presented me with office visit paperwork and quipped “By the way, did you know you have severe anemia?” An hour later I found myself at a supplements counter purchasing iron and folic acid. The next day the 24/7/365/7-years chest pain disappeared and I felt turbocharged. Gee, don’t red blood cells carry oxygen to the heart muscle? I have been chest pain free for eight years now. And my CBC’s are normal. So is my magnesium

      This gets better…

      I suffered terrible inner ear infections for five years. I am now deaf in my left ear. Suddenly the chronic (treated with Augmentin) infections ceased. What did I do? Anything? The tiniest thing? No. Wait. YES! I had gotten a pneumonia inoculation. WHY? WHY did they cease. It was up to me to research Journal of American Medicine articles to note COMMONLY UNDERSTOOD INFORMATION that an inoculation against pneumonia commonly CURED frequent inner ear infections in adults. This stuff is all based on USA accredited Medical Center exams, and specialists whom have proved subsequently that they knew nothing of the JAMA study and conclusions.

      After being at odds with various cardioligists for several years over my 24/7 irregular heartbeat and the need for an evaluation so see if a pacemaker was “indicated” I showed up in the ER in Chula Vista California when an attack of Bradycardia was underway. A pulse of 42. They got to see it in person. After 5-years. After showing them with images the ridiculous events recorded on my cellular.

      This was in August. I was evaluated for two days. The surgeon decided a dual electrode atrium/ventricular pacemaker was the best way since I had two of the three bundle branches blocked to the A/V node. Was it worth it? The pacemaker? My blood 02 went from 93 average to 99-100. I felt better. When I got home I could not believe my eyes. My fourteen years of elevated hypertension had VANISHED. The cardiologist had eliminated Diltiazem from my personal formulary but RX’d metopralol on a PRN basis. Taken as needed. Now three and a half-months later, the 180/110 BP values are gone, replaced with 130/80. I continue to take Lisinopril to protect my kidneys. But no other BP medication. I strictly control salt and supplement with minor potassium and moderate zinc.

      If you suffer from Afib I recommend this: Enlist the services of an INTERNAL MEDICINE doctor. Even though you may have a regular MD and cardiologist. I have suffered medicine by rote cardiologists and medicine by rote internal medicine doctors. I changed doctors. If they act bored treating you it is a BAD sign. Find one with a little enthusiasm for your health and well being, even if you have to drive to another town.

      Ask the internal medicine doctor to do a full workup on your blood and urine. Include all electrolytes. If you suffer no liver or kidney diseases and show borderline electrolyte results, get an OK from the internal medicine doctor then try elecrolyte supplements. If they work they work. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

      Much of my inner ear issues were and are are now caused by acute blockage of the Eustachian tubes. They have had blockage issue for decades. So I did research and uncovered a medication that had never been discussed with me – Montelukast, So in 10 days this gets discussed with my internal medicine doctor.

      Just showing up in a doctor’s office, does. not. cut. it. A patient should actively participate in their healthcare. Note that the words “participate” “over ride” and “ignore” bear little resemblance to one another. Do the studies. If you find provenance with a possible treatment (AMA, FDA, Mayo Clinic, JAMA) print out that article and take it to your next visit.

      I did exactly that with the JAMA / Middle Ear Infection / flu inoculation issue. “A GP read the article: and remarked “I find this very interesting. Thank You”

      Reply
      • Karen Williams ( Female / Years with AFIB: Three )
        Nov 25, 2017

        David:

        An excellent comment. YES YES we all must do our research. I learned a long time ago that lack of magnesium is the leading cause of A Fib.

        And in today’s medical world they are using the WRONG test for it. It shoud be RBC magnesium, not serum magnesium Only 1% of the magnesium in our body is in the blood, the rest is cellular.

        A great book to read on heart health is by Sherry Rogers, M. D. “Is Your Cardiologist Killing You?” Did you know that magnesium is nature’s natural calcium channel blocker?

        Also that natural vitamin E with all 8 parts of tocopherols and tocotrienols is an excellent anti coagulant. I have taken natural E for at least 30 years now, and my mother and her brother took it starting in the 1940s. I have researched heart helath for the past 13 years( when I had by pass surgery). My PT levels(the indicator of how well our anticoagulant is working) is 16+ well within therapeutic range.

        I am very impresssed with this Web site – it is very well written and I have learned a lot from it. Travis has gone to a great deal of work and expense in maintaining this site for only ONE purpose – to benefit others who have the issue.

        Reply
        • David ( Age: 71 / male / Years with AFIB: conjugation anterior )
          Nov 25, 2017

          And thank you for elaborating in the types of labs necessary to determine levels of magnesium in the body. There are a lot of scoundrels hawking supplements these days. I call them scoundrels because on one forum after I mentioned magnesium they started a kumbayah about the need for “special” types of magnesium “optimum balances of the multiple available types” and one foolish individual had the gall to state “You did not take the right ‘balance’ of magnesium, therefore your experience was nothing more than a coincidence.” These are the kinds of charlatans that give truthful and helpful information about medical issues and nutrition supplements a reputation bordering on witchcraft.

          I do not need to spend sixteen dollars for gel cap magnesium sulfate. I purchase mine at WalMart or online. Magnesium Oxide. For one-fifteenth the cost. Normal lab results magnesium level is normal level.

          I cannot stress hard enough the need to drastically reduce salt intake. My kitchen contains salt in only one seasoning mix. Costco sells a Kirkland signature salt free seasoning that is a favorite of mine.

          Blood sugar control is vital. Which means diet is vital. I can eat a gigantic bowl of ice cream or a merely large bowl of rice or corn and the numbers peak out the same — astronomical. For myself, fat and fatty foods acts like a coating on glyburide rendering it ineffective. Sugar coated, fat saturated and hair raising salty bacon has got to be one of the worst foods for mature folks in the world.

          Blood coagulation: Afib comes in forms of rather light, a middleweight or heavy slugger. Severe a-fib needs to be attended to quickly. My symptoms are extreme weakness and feeling ill. That happened only a few times long ago. The longer afib affects blood flow the more chance there is of getting a coagulation in the bottom of the heart chamber. So intense afib that lasts longer than an hour is incredibly more serious than a lightweight ten minute episode.

          And the issue is complicated by the response time of an individual’s blood to coagulate. If I cut myself I bleed like a stuck pig. I use aspirin, long term NSAID therapy for a herniated disc and Ginko. The cardiac surgeon demanded “No aspirin, no NSAIDs nor Ginko for two days before your pacemaker implant — they may love coumadin but they respect my personal choice of blood thinners.

          Many folks have problems trying to sort this all out. I recommend, painting by the numbers — chop sodium, control blood sugar, try 500mg of magnesium daily OXIDE for a week. Then it’s off to the doctor for lab electrolytes. The individual who suspects gastro-intestinal influence should follow her instincts — and ask the doctor to check for the H. Pylori bacterium in her gut.

          GERD is one heck of an irritant and irritants can sensitize the heart to malfunction. Even with a pacemaker if I get too little sleep due to old-codger-insomnia, my heart beat gets irregular. I know what causes it and I would be a fool not to do something natural to correct it. So I nap (with my BiPAP).

          All that I have is genetic. So much so it is ludicrous to think otherwise. I have already lived longer than my father (knock on wood). And my mental process has not degenerated. He contracted macular degeneration 10 years before he died. That scares me into being religious about blood sugars.

          Take charge of your part of the health care program and live a better life!

          Reply
  38. Mike ( Age: 36 / Years with AFIB: 5 )
    Nov 18, 2017

    I usually go into afib once a month and it lasts for about a day or so. One thing I have found to help get me out is a hard sneeze especially if I can hold my breath a little bit. I have used pepper to help induce the sneeze but sometimes breathing the pepper doesn’t produce a deep hard sneeze.

    Reply
    • Travis Van Slooten
      Nov 19, 2017

      Mike:

      I never thought of a pepper-induced sneeze. Thanks for the tip!

      Travis

      Reply
    • Robert ( Age: 72 / M )
      Oct 12, 2018

      Try tickling inside a nostral with a Q-tip or feather.

      Reply
    • Betty ( Age: 57 / Female )
      Oct 19, 2018

      I see this is nearly a year old, but I thought I’d share how I discovered that I can make myself sneeze. I run my finger down the side of my nose just past the bone. Then I push the cartilage sideways. Hold it there for a little bit and I can almost always get a sneeze out of it. I don’t know if it works on everyone. My husband can’t do it.

      Reply
  39. T. Ford ( Age: 60 / female / Years with AFIB: about three , i guess )
    Nov 01, 2017

    I’ve been diagnosed with AFib for 11 months now, but I believe I’ve had it for about a few years. It started out once every four to six months (my last cardiologist was not good) and then it got worse.

    Now I’m on bystolic 5 mg, htn meds, and eliquis 5 mg 2 x a day. This works well for me. I’ve done research and found out holding your breath and bearing down as if you’re having a bowel movement will reset your heart. It works for me – plus a cup of strong hot or cold chamomile tea. I keep plenty of that in my house and on my job. I will try liquid magnesium vitamins because liquid absorbs faster.

    Reply
    • dannie
      Nov 06, 2017

      Thanks Travis and T.Ford for your comments and suggestions. While that episode lasted much longer than I liked (about 8 hours) I can happily say I have not had one since.
      T, thank you for the new tip. I will try it next time I fib!

      The two things that make a difference for me is to stay hydrated and taking my pills at the same time everyday. Magnesium is a biggy as well.

      Here is my next question… What I have read in this blog so far sounds like nearly everyone has the vagal trigger. How many of you that have a vagal trigger, has a Dr. that is knowledgeable about it?
      I ask because, as I understand it, while this is a big diagnosis amongst afibbers in Europe (30%) it is not recognized in the US. The medicine prescribed is different too for this type of afib.
      My cardiologist told me that he was not familiar with it and wouldn’t recognize it because it was not done here in the US. I had to show him an article to educate him. Needless to say, he is not my cardiologist anymore.

      Lastly, I have read the article that aspirin is the worst for afib which I have been on forever. Soooo what is best? Least amount of side effects is what I am most concerned about. I have low blood pressure and am really sensitive to meds so all of you that are out there on a blood thinner, which works best for you and doesn’t cause other issues?

      Thanks everyone! I am glad to have found this blog. Like Kathy, I can finally talk about this to others, and learn things from your experiences!

      Reply
      • Karen Williams ( Female / Years with AFIB: 4 )
        Nov 06, 2017

        Please look into natural vitamin E with 4 tocopherols and 4 tocotrienols. I have been on this for 15+ years. It is anti clot, anti coagulant, anti cancer and has no side effects. It must be NATURAL. There is a synthetic version and it is worthless with negative side effects.

        I have had paroxsmal A-Fib for four years. I have never needed Heparain or other big pharma anticoagulants. My PT levels are 15.00+ which is in the therapeutic range.

        I also just had a terrible experience this weekend I would like to pass on. BE AWARE that eating too much (for me it was only 8 sticks) black licorice candy as it can cause an irregular and rapid heart heart rate. For some, it is a trigger for atrial fibrillation. Fortunately for me it did NOT trigger an attack, but I went through a difficult night dealing with the symptoms. Finally took an extra 25 mg Coreg and I was able to go back to sleep.

        Reply
        • Travis Van Slooten
          Nov 12, 2017

          Yes, black licorice can definitely be a problem for people with atrial fibrillation but it can also be a problem for the average person. This article discusses the “dangers” of eating too much licorice:

          https://blogs.webmd.com/breaking-news/2011/10/black-licorice-dangerous-candy.html

          Travis

          Reply
    • Karen ( Female )
      Nov 26, 2017

      Chamomile tea is a natural beta blocker – not surprised that it helps! Do you know that magnesium comes also in patches? However, I have yet to find any in 100 mg+ doses. ( You can Google “Magnesium patches”). You can make a paste of the magnesium powder and put it on your skin and it will absorb or better yet, get a magnesium oil spray and it absorbs well through the skin.

      Lastly, Travis, when you have a chance, can you tell us what places in the heart the doctors ablate when they do the ablation process? Thanks.

      I listened to the heart beat tonight again, and it is so calmingl Fortunately my heart rhythm is normal the 60’s and am praying it will stay there. Am pumping my magnesium!!

      Karen Williams (Berardo)

      Reply
  40. dannie ( Age: over58 / f / Years with AFIB: 3 )
    Oct 30, 2017

    Thanks for the tips.

    I use the Kardia that has a ECG or EKG feature with a finger monitor. It is great. It helps me see how bad my heart rate is.

    I will get afib every few days that will last for hours. The only known trigger is my stomach. If I eat something too cold or too hot, or my stomach does like something I ate I can get afib and it will last for hours. The Kardia marks my heart rate at 120-145 bpm. I had a horrible episode where I could not function and by the time I got to emergency I was at 180 bpm. That was the only time I was so bad I had to go to the ER. I was way over stressed on that one for weeks prior and I had a stress (treadmill) the day before that was normal. All was too much for me and I woke up feeling horrible.

    I am on flecainide now with diltiazem, a calcium, blocker as kicker if it goes on too long.

    My question is with a vagal trigger like mine, what is the best way to make it stop? I am in afib now, going on 5 hours at 138 aver BPM. I have taken 2 flecainide a while ago and just took one. I have done your suggestions short of the breathe into a syringe thing. Any other tips besides going to the ER? This is a typical episode and would like to find a way to stop it from going on so long.

    Thanks in advance for your opinion.

    Dannie

    Reply
    • Travis Van Slooten
      Oct 31, 2017

      Dannie:

      I’m crossing my fingers that you’re out of afib by now and that you didn’t have to go to the E.R. You’re taking all the drugs I would suggest you talk to your doctor about when you have an episode (i.e. flecainide, diltiazem). How long did this most recent episode last? How long do they typically last? I know you said “hours” but what does that mean specifically? Is that 6 hours, 8 hours, etc.?

      Given how often you are having these episodes, I would strongly encourage you to consider having an ablation. If you have any specific questions about that, let me know.

      I hope you’re doing better by the time you are reading this!

      Travis

      Reply
    • Dana ( Male )
      Sep 12, 2018

      Your symptoms are very similar to mine. I will let my afib go for two hours. If it doesn’t stop I will take one 25mg senna laxative (Wal-Mart Equate brand). My afib will stop within one to two hours. For me, this is 99% effective.

      Reply
  41. Karen Williams Berardo ( karen m Williams / Years with AFIB: Three )
    Jun 29, 2017

    I have had great success with listening to a slow heart beat to slow my heart rate down. I have not been in A Fib at the time, but two times now when my heart rate was up to 95(from normal of 72) I listened to the heart beat on this Web Site and within an hour the rate went down to the low 70s. I keep the Web Site a click away on my computer so I can get to the heart beat sound! Thanks for putting that on there!

    I had several attacks of A Fib 2-3 years ago and I was diagnosed as having severe hypothyroid. This is not as well published as A Fib due to hyperthyroid. Since my thyroid has been normal, no more A Fib. However, it has occured two times when I was dehydrated, and all I needed was 500 ml of water to stop the attack which lasted about 10 minutes.

    I was told by two ER doctors and my cardiologist that if your A Fib (over 120 HR) goes to two hours, get to the ER. It takes at least two hours for the blood to accumulate in the atrium to a point where a blood clot can form and go into your bloodstream to your heart or brain.

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      Jun 30, 2017

      Karen:

      I’m so glad to hear the heart beat track has helped you! That’s awesome!

      And you bring up an important reminder to us afibbers – get your thyroid function checked. A “malfunctioning” thyroid can definitely be an afib trigger.

      I wish you well!

      Travis

      Reply
  42. Darlene ( Age: 52 / female / Years with AFIB: less than a 1 year )
    Jun 19, 2017

    I have just been diagnosed with Afib 6 months ago. I am on a blood thinner/heart pill to regulate my heart rate and high blood pressure pill. I have a blood pressure monitor with a heart rate. I am a 52 years old female. I was getting episodes about once a month.

    I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and I have a CPAP machine now. I am not doing well on the machine and finding it hard to adjust. I am having episodes about 3 times a week and not sure if it’s the sleep apnea machine or something else.

    I also take my blood pressure when I am having an episode and my pressure goes crazy – up way too high and then 5 minutes later, way too low. My heart rate is about 155 beats per minute. My episodes last from 2 hours to 8 hours. I am not sure if I should go to the ER when this happens. It wipes me out. My highest blood pressure was 159/120 and lowest was 80/50 within 8 minutes of testing. Is this normal? Is this what my life is going to be like?

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      Jun 25, 2017

      Darlene:

      It’s definitely not “normal” to have such wide fluctuations in your blood pressure. It could be a combination of many things – your afib, the meds, sleep apnea, etc.

      The first thing you’ll want to do is address the afib. Fifty-two is relatively young so I wouldn’t rely on drugs as a long-term solution. I’d strongly consider having an ablation by a highly qualified and experienced EP. An ablation is your best shot at a long-term cure but only by an experienced EP. If you decide to go this route, contact me directly through my website here as I can give you some additional information about this.

      I’d continue to work on managing the sleep apnea with the CPAP machine and try to eat a diet that will help lower your blood pressure naturally. You may also want to look into various supplements to help manage your blood pressure as an adjunct to your blood pressure drugs.

      If you have any other questions, let me know!

      Travis

      Reply
    • KATHY ( KATHY STEELE )
      Jun 25, 2017

      Hi Darlene,

      I recently underwent an ablation in Feb of this year and it was the best thing i ever did. I was diagnosed about 4 years ago with Afib put it did not become a serious problem until last fall. Like you i was unsure when i should go to the ER. I have had 3 cardioversions between Oct-Feb before my ablation.
      I asked the question in the ER on one of my visits when do I have to get to the hospital. The answer was: if HR is over 120 and you are asymptomatic – i.e. no chest pain, no palpitations, no sweating, etc. and it continues for 2 days – get to the hospital. If HR is 120 and over and you are symptomatic do not wait -get to the ER immediately. The ER nurse advised they used to say if HR was 100 go to ER now they say if it’s 120. Trust your gut, if it doesn’t feel right it probably isn’t so get to emerg. Hope this helps. Good luck.

      Reply
      • Darlene ( Age: 52 / Female / Years with AFIB: 1 )
        Aug 21, 2017

        Hi Travis,

        Just a update I want to post… I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and would have 28 stop breathing in an hour and sometimes it would last about 2 minutes. I received my machine on June 6…. and was having Afib episodes often (heart rate over 150 bpm , throbbing in my chest and blood pressure crazy) in the First 2 weeks on the machine. I was having episodes daily until June 18 (my last episode). I have been episodes free since, I am off my high blood pressure pills and only taking the heart pills and blood thinners… I see the cardiologist in September so I am hoping for even better news.

        Reply
        • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
          Sep 11, 2017

          Darlene:

          Thanks for the update (and sorry for taking so long to respond to you). I’m so glad to hear things have improved for you. I look forward to hearing what your cardiologist says this month. I hope it’s nothing but good news!!

          God Bless,

          Travis

          Reply
  43. james ( Age: 63 / Male / Years with AFIB: 7 )
    Jun 16, 2017

    A new quest for me, checking my adrenals. I can list the results of this $120 test but basically, my cortisol levels are high at night, low in the daytime. Not a good thing for our condition. After no episodes for over 2 years, then 8 this year, ablation talk was about 25% on the table.

    So, I did the saliva test for the day, stopping all caffeine which I’ve since curtailed dramatically, and the results provided ND with a protocol. I started in April so it has taken some time and 4 episodes of afib. Since that time I’ve dropped nearly 20 lbs and 4 inches off my waist combined with a 30 min workout each morning and no episodes this month, nary a skipped beat either.

    For adrenals I take some pretty strong supplements. I stopped the T, it was raising Estrogen levels too much and moved to 10 mg DHEA and 2 caps of HPA adapt. At night, “Cortisol manager” and Phosphatidyiserine reduces stress levels. It makes sense because I am 90% nocturnal when it comes to my episodes.

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      Jun 17, 2017

      James:

      Wow! You’ve made some serious lifestyle changes to drop 20 lbs. Good for you! That’s awesome.

      What specific adrenal test did you take? Do you recall the name of it? My ND is encouraging me to do a similar hormone test. I don’t sleep very well at all and he suspects my cortisol might be messed up.

      Are the supplements you are taking correcting the cortisol issue?

      Travis

      Reply
  44. Doug ( Age: 61 / Male / Years with AFIB: 1.5 )
    May 30, 2017

    These are very helpful. I am beginning to suspect lack of Potassium as a trigger. My AFIB usually lasts 2-8 hours. My pulse rate will be pretty normal. De-hydration and exercise are usually the triggers but not always. Alcohol does not seem to be a trigger for me. If I suspect it is de-hydration I sometimes have a lite beer. I know this is wrong but beer hydrates at least temporarily. I tend to have some anxiety and a beer tends to calm me down a bit. The carbs help a bit if my blood sugar is down. I admit this is very likely all in my head but it has worked within 20 minutes more than once. I’m not recommending just saying.

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      May 30, 2017

      Doug:

      A beer to convert into NSR…interesting. That’s a first, but hey, if it works for you that’s great. Although as you’ve pointed out, I suspect it’s more of a placebo effect.

      I wish you well!

      Travis

      Reply
  45. raymond ( M / Years with AFIB: 5 )
    May 28, 2017

    I have found a cold glass of milk stops the pacs you get before going into afib.

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      May 30, 2017

      Raymond:

      Thanks for sharing your experience. Milk has calcium and calcium is an electrolyte so I’m not terribly surprised that it works for you.

      Generally speaking, however, calcium can excite the heart. Many afibbers actually go into afib after too much calcium.

      These electrolytes need to be “perfectly” balanced for us afibbers so when one gets high or low, afib can be triggered (or stopped).

      Travis

      Reply
    • Alison ( Age: 62 / female / Years with AFIB: 10 )
      Jun 05, 2017

      pacs?

      Reply
      • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
        Jun 17, 2017

        Alison:

        PACs stands for Premature Atrial Contractions. These are premature heartbeats that originate in the atria. They are a kind of heart palpitation that you might feel. Generally they are harmless but for some they can lead to an afib episode.

        Travis

        Reply
        • Alison ( Age: 62 / Years with AFIB: 10 )
          Sep 04, 2017

          Thank you Travis for sharing your understandings. I’ve found this site incredibly helpful. Noticed you haven’t been around for a while. Hope you are ok.

          Reply
          • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
            Sep 11, 2017

            Thanks Alison! I know I’ve been absent for a while. The reason I’ve been “missing in action” is because things have been going very well. I haven’t had anything new to report.

            Having said that, I will be posting a couple new things over the next 2-3 weeks. I have my annual cardio checkup at the end of the month so I’ll be posting about that.

            I’m glad you’ve found this website helpful! Have a great day!

            Travis

            Reply
  46. Deborah ( Age: 67 / Female / Years with AFIB: 3 )
    May 27, 2017

    Just had my ablation surgery. Its only been a week and a half. But still feel so weak. I just dont feel like doing anything but lay around. Thank you Travis for this blog.

    -Deborah

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      May 30, 2017

      Deborah:

      Congrats on your ablation! I hope it’s a success for you. Hang in there. We all recover differently. I’m confident you’ll get your energy back soon!

      Travis

      Reply
  47. Louise ( Age: 65 / female / Years with AFIB: 8 )
    May 22, 2017

    I am a 65 year-old female living with Afib for almost ten years. My episodes have become more frequent recently and last anywhere from 2 to 10 hours. In the past I would go for months with none but when they did happen I was exhausted for a couple of days. I have always drank an electrolyte drink and rested and waited to convert. After reading the suggestions here I was ready to try something different. I just converted in less than five minutes by listening to the recording of the heart beat from the link and doing the Valsalva maneuver so thank you!

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      May 25, 2017

      Louise:

      I’m so glad to hear some of the suggestions in this article were able to help you! I hope your afib episodes stay away for a while now:) Take care.

      Travis

      Reply
    • Ladene
      Oct 09, 2017

      Do you take a blood thinner? I just had my first Afib episode and they put me on Eliquis. After 3 pills I’m stopping. The side effects are horrible! My only factors that they said necessitated a blood thinner was that I’m 65 and female.

      Reply
      • Travis ( Age: 45 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
        Oct 10, 2017

        Ladene:

        How often do you have afib? When I was first diagnosed I didn’t have another episode for over a year. In my opinion, unless there are some other underlying health issues going on, a blood thinner is overkill if you’re not having regular episodes of afib. Even when I was having an episode every other week I wasn’t taking a blood thinner but that was because my CHA2DS2-VASc was 0.

        Is your afib silent, meaning you don’t feel anything when you’re in afib? If that’s the case, doctors will often prescribe a blood thinner because you won’t know when or how long you’re in afib. I never had silent afib as I always knew when I was in it and how long I was in it.

        Prescribing a blood thinner in your case may or may not be overkill. I don’t know your whole health history. Regardless, if you’re not going to take a blood thinner then you might want to consider supplements that help keep the blood “slippery” and not so sticky. Those supplements include vitamin E and nattokinase. Those are the two main ones but there are others as well. I take both myself as a preventative measure.

        I wish you well.

        Travis

        Reply
  48. Cindy ( Years with AFIB: 6 )
    May 04, 2017

    Thank you so much for this article. The recording of the heartbeat actually worked for me twice! I am working with an EP to find a way to keep this under control. I used to have infrequent episodes that lasted a day or less, but in the past 2 years have had 2 episodes that lasted over a week. I had an ablation many years ago for SVT, so I was all for it, but the EP wanted me to think about it for a while.

    P.S. Great website too!

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      May 04, 2017

      Cindy:

      Thanks for your compliments about this site! I appreciate it.

      Glad to hear the heart beat sound worked for you! If you go down the ablation route let me know! Until then, I hope you’re able to get your afib under control.

      God Bless!

      Travis

      Reply
    • Kathy A. ( Female / Years with AFIB: 5 )
      May 18, 2017

      Good morning,

      These posts are comforting to me. I took some people to dinner last night and had some type of grilled chicken with a seasoning on it I did not recognize. Within an hour of getting home I went into afib. My doctor has me on a “pill-in-the-pocket” dose of flecainide and metoprolol. Meaning I take them only at the time of an event.

      I have noted MSG in foods will begin an episode. I did have the ablation in 2012. I went to a cardiologist as I had 3 episodes in one week. She asked me if I wanted medication or an ablation and I opted for an ablation. Since the ablation I live with afib way more often than I did prior to it. That week of 3 episodes had never happened before. I think I jumped the ablation wagon too soon.

      Question is, is anyone here taking the pill in the pocket method? Are you all on a daily aspirin and if so a baby or a full? Sorry I am jumping in here however was unable to figure out a new conversation. Blessings and sinus rhythm to you all!

      Kathy A.

      Reply
      • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
        May 18, 2017

        Kathy:

        Thanks for your comments! I don’t think you jumped the ablation wagon too soon at all. In fact, the sooner you have an ablation the better. Having said that, it’s imperative that the most experienced EP does it.

        Your afib is back for one of two reasons (and possibly both): (1) there have been some breakthroughs in the initial burn lines from your first ablation. (2) your afib is being triggered from sources that were not addressed in the initial ablation.

        It is very common to need 2 and sometimes even 3 ablations. If I were you, I would be looking at having a 2nd touch up ablation. I wouldn’t throw in the towel at all and declare ablations don’t work! Quite the contrary.

        Prior to my ablation I was on the pill-in-the-pocket (Flecainide) as well. It worked great but I was having so many episodes that I finally quit the pill-in-the-pocket and had the ablation.

        Regarding your question on aspirin, I don’t recommend it unless you fall into one of two groups as discussed in this article I wrote a few weeks past:
        https://www.livingwithatrialfibrillation.com/2508/aspirin-for-atrial-fibrillation/

        I wish you well!

        Travis

        Reply
        • Kathy A.
          May 25, 2017

          Travis,
          Thank you for getting back to me. A “touch up” ablation. I like the way you said that as it makes it less scary. So did your ablation resolve your episodes?? The ablation changed me. It seems like things got more frequent. And the episodes post ablation were so different than prior. It’s as if I have so many triggers I didn’t have before.
          And the aspirin. I have never read that. Very interesting. I don’t have high blood pressure, I have low cloresterol. What about just a baby?
          This is crazy being able to come to a forum and talk openly about something that I worry about. I want to be free of episodes.
          Thanks again Travis, I was happy to hear from you. I really enjoy reading stories from others as well.

          Reply
          • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
            May 26, 2017

            Kathy:

            Depending how thorough your first ablation was, a touch up ablation should be just that – a touch up. That means it should be a much shorter procedure as there will be a lot less to do. However, if the first ablation wasn’t done that well then a touch up may be a full blown redo:(

            My first ablation has stopped all afib episodes. I have been afib-free since March 2015 (knock on wood). I do battle PVCs and PACs from time-to-time, however. I’ll take them over afib though!

            If you’re still having afib after your ablation, then you’re definitely a candidate for a second ablation. I wouldn’t rule it out unless you want to continue to battle episodes and be on drugs the rest of your life.

            If you do a second ablation, please contact me directly as I can share some information with you. It’s imperative that you work with an experienced EP!

            I wish you well.

            Travis

            Reply
            • Kathy
              May 26, 2017

              Hi Travis,
              You mean there really is such a thing as a “touch up” ablation? Easier? My first one scared me so much. When I woke up from the surgery I was in full blown afib. The nurse on duty said to me; well the surgery didn’t work’. I was devastated. The surgeon was not happy with that.
              How did I get so lucky to find you and this site? Blessings to you for caring about others when you seem to be healed.
              I want to be cured. I do. I know everyone here wants the same. This is not fun.
              Thank you so much for writing to me. I am going to make a call to my Doctor and get things rolling. I dread it but is you think it’s will be easier I can do this.
              I wish you well also:)
              Thank you!
              Kathy

              Reply
      • raymond ( Age: 56 / M / Years with AFIB: 6 )
        Jun 18, 2017

        I’ve been taking aspirin Coq10 multivitamin and zinc pill in the pocket is flecaninde and metoprolol when I start getting pacs it is usually after I eat. I’ll have a cold glass of milk which calms them down. The last time I went into afib it came on fast after eating a tuna sandwich. Pill in the pocket took almost 10 hours but went back into rhythm after eating an apple.

        Reply
      • Cathy ( Age: 61 / Female / Years with AFIB: 3 )
        Aug 21, 2017

        I have AF and it is usually brought on by dehydration and stress. But recently it just seems to go off for no reason. I stopped Metoprolol because I put on 5 kilos in a month. So now I am on flecinaide morning and night.

        I have never heard of having them on hand though.

        I had an episode today for about 2 hours and drank some strawberry milk. I’d also read somewhere that milk is a better hydrator. But it didn’t help at all. So I think I’ll try the banana next.

        Finding the trigger seems to be never ending. Maybe it is just stress after all.

        It’s great to hear other’s stories. In Australia it seems to be more common than you think.

        Cathy Z

        Reply
        • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
          Aug 21, 2017

          Cathy:

          You’re not kidding. “Finding the trigger seems to be never ending.” As atrial fibrillation progresses, it becomes harder and harder (if not impossible) to pin point specific triggers because it just starts taking over.

          If your afib continues to get worse, I would encourage you to consider more aggressive treatment options. Specifically, I recommend you talk about an ablation with an experienced EP.

          I wish you the best!

          Travis

          Reply
        • Elizabeth Clarke ( Age: 80 / F / Years with AFIB: 6/7 ? )
          Aug 22, 2017

          Cathy:

          The suggestions above work for me. I know this will not hurt you and it works for me every time. I read this on Travis’ pages. I keep a banana on hand all the time. If I don’t eat them and they are old, I get new ones just a couple at a time. I can tell immediately when my a-fib is coming. I do not have them often at the most twice a year. I take 50 mg of metoprolol from my doctor at the Arizona Heart Institute. I did not find that it has made me gain any weight at all. I take a baby aspirin with it.

          When I feel the afib, I take the banana and a full 8 ounces of water and a potassium pill also all at the same time. It works instantly for ME. As I said I read this on Travis’ posts. He suggested several things, none of which could possibly hurt you. Just a suggestion, but I think we all forget to drink enough water. I feel the hydration is super necessary and so is the potassium.

          Happy wellness. Oh, I also try to do something – anything to take my mind off myself. I think fear plays a big role in keeping it going so if you can turn on a favorite movie or some great music that might help. I am pretty old and I love Jimmy Buffet. If I feel sad and alone, I am alone, I put him on and dance around by myself. It is great! Much love to all of us.

          Reply
          • Cathy ( Age: 61 / F )
            Aug 22, 2017

            Thanks Elizabeth for your suggestions. The music made me smile – I’m more Kings of Leon and they can be relaxing at times.

            I have now had 3 episodes in 4 days. Never had this many before. I had a banana at work yesterday and tried to stay stress free But then it started again just before bed.

            This is so frustrating because you think you have it worked out and then it comes out of the blue.

            I’m seeing the cardiologist next week for the halter monitor check. I’ll bet it doesn’t play up then.

            But has anyone used the ecg monitor from Kardia. I found most of the apps didn’t work for AF and bought his little device that you put your fingers on and my iPhone reads it. Worked wonders and I can print out all my readings to take to my doctor.

            Reply
        • Beth Clarke ( Age: 83 / Female / Years with AFIB: 7 )
          Nov 01, 2017

          Try milk and a banana, also a potassium pill medium mg. – a glass of water too. All I know is that they help me and they are not dangerous. Mine seem to come when I am stressed and if I work too hard physically. However, mine are rare now. I take a 50 mg metropolol and a baby aspirin. This week my doctor told me to get a 325 mg aspirin. I wonder if they change a little something so you think they are doing something. I am doing great with the baby aspirin.

          Reply
    • Sherry ( Age: 67 / female / Years with AFIB: 8 )
      Jul 03, 2017

      What is an ablation?

      Reply
      • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
        Jul 16, 2017

        Sherry:

        An ablation is a procedure where they burn small areas of your heart where the afib is being triggered – typically around the pulmonary veins.

        Travis

        Reply
  49. Dave ( Age: 59 / male / Years with AFIB: 6 )
    Apr 29, 2017

    It was interesting to read about the valsalva maneuver treatment. I get occasional AFIB and carry a heart monitor that I purchased where I can stick on electrodes and watch it. I take 60mg of Diltiazem when I feel it coming on along with a Xarelto. On a recent trip to Florida I was in AFIB running at about 166 BPM and my son and I were watching a comedy on TV. Something came on that made us both laugh (the kind of laugh where you exhale forcefully and half to catch your breath). Very quickly after that I converted. I thought that it was coincidence but perhaps not.

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      Apr 30, 2017

      Dave:

      Now I’m curious what you were watching that was so funny…lol! Great to hear you converted. Exhaling forcefully can definitely be a trigger for afib. Before my ablation, bending over quickly would trigger afib from time-to-time. When you bend over quickly, you exhale forcefully. It was so frustrating!

      Travis

      P.S. Can I ask you what heart monitor you own that uses electrodes?

      Reply
  50. Guy ( Age: 60 + / Guy Claudin / Years with AFIB: 2+ )
    Apr 24, 2017

    Hi, I’m new to this site and with a little over 2 years of known Afib there is a ton I don’t know. I feel the doctors I have seen don’t care at all and after an average of over an hour plus waiting I get maybe 10 min to talk with them. One question I have is, is it normal to be extremely tired all the time?

    I never feel like I have any energy and when I do something I have to lay down right afterwards. I feel like an idiot as I can’t do almost anything. I even had to stay home and not go to a memorial service because of the problems I have. Not all of which are from Afib.

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      Apr 26, 2017

      Guy:

      Welcome! Afib can certainly be overwhelming. I invite you to browse around this site and if you have any specific questions, feel free to contact me via the contact page found in the main menu of this site.

      Feeling tired and lethargic is totally normal when you’re in afib. How often are you in afib? If you’re in and out of afib only occasionally, I would talk to your doctor about doing a pill-in-the-pocket approach where you take medication only when you go into an episode.

      But regardless of how often you’re in afib, I would strongly encourage you to look into having an ablation by an expert EP. Our goal as afibbers shouldn’t be to live with afib but rather beat it!! And an ablation is your best shot at doing that.

      I wish you well!

      Travis

      Reply
      • Hannah ( Age: 69 / F / Years with AFIB: 2 )
        May 22, 2017

        I was tired as well and the cardiologist suggested that I take my dosage before bed instead of in the morning. It worked! I meet with the EP doctor Wednesday to schedule the ablation. A year ago, my tachycardia stopped when he successfully completed an SVT ablation. This heart stuff can be so intrusive.

        Reply
      • Kathy
        May 26, 2017

        Hi again Travis,
        What are your thoughts about the Wolf Mini Maze? Dr. Wolf, Houston Texas. Curious. Or anyone else’s thoughts. His reviews sound promising,
        Thanks Travis!
        Kathy A.

        Reply
        • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
          May 26, 2017

          Kathy:

          I’ve heard that it can be an effective procedure. However, it’s more invasive and the recovery is more grueling than an ablation. Personally, I would go the ablation route with an experienced EP before going the mini maze route.

          Travis

          Reply
        • Edna ( Age: 82 / female / Years with AFIB: 5 or 6 yrs but okay now )
          Jun 27, 2017

          I had AF for sometime and it was really scaring me. My Mitral Valve had become regurgitative and was leaking pretty badly. I had been monitored over the yrs. and then it became worse. I was taking Diltiazem and it was a joke. Finally the last echogram I had I was told I needed surgery to repair or replace the valve.

          I was really scared about heart surgery since my mother had died at 62 with congestive heart failure and had a leaky valve and my sister at 65 after having the balloon surgery, my brother at 80 after having triple bypass and my sister at 82 with heart problems.

          I am now 82 and was 74 when I had my open heart surgery. The surgeon was able to repair my valve and performed the Maze treatment on me, but it didn’t work and I was spiking up to 170 beats per minute. Right after my surgery the nurses woke me up at night to tell me I was in Afib. Finally, after several days the surgeon told me I had to have a pacemaker and that frightened me too, but they put one in and I have not had a problem with AF since. I’m not sure I would recommend the Maze treatment.

          Reply
          • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
            Jun 27, 2017

            Edna:

            So glad to hear your open heart surgery was a success! I’m also glad to hear you’re managing your afib.

            However, I think it’s important to point out for the people reading your comments that your afib wasn’t cured by a pacemaker. Your afib is being managed by the pacemaker.

            You don’t provide details but I suspect you’re still in afib or experience afib but the pacemaker lessens the symptoms of the afib. Furthermore, I suspect you’re taking a blood thinner. Correct me if I’m wrong.

            Travis

            Reply
            • Edna ( Age: 82 / Female / Years with AFIB: 5 or 6 )
              Jun 30, 2017

              Travis:

              Actually, I just had a device check at Barnes and they tell me that I have had no AF since I’ve had the pacemaker. It would show up if I had one they said. That’s good news to me.

              No, I am not actually taking a blood thinner. I took Coumadin for about 6 weeks or so after my surgery but since they didn’t have to replace the valve I don’t have to take the thinners.

              About 20 yrs. before my open heart I had a TIA and was put on 81 mg. of aspirin daily and went off of them for 7 days to have a different surgery and I had a TIA while I was off the aspirin, so I am religious now in making sure I take one daily. Actually, I had the 2nd TIA in 2013 and I had heart surgery in 2010.

              My Cardiologist didn’t put me on the aspirin, but knows I take it and agrees since I have had 2 TIA’S. I am a natural redhead and tend to be a bleeder and hate that I have to take the aspirin because I bleed a lot more from a cut. If I want to avoid strokes I will deal with the bleeding.

              By the way, the surgeon made an incision beneath my breast and no one can see the scar and its not very big. They did not cut through the sternum, thank goodness. I get echograms once a yr. now since the surgery too. Thanks for your comments and hope this helps relieve your mind.

              By the way, my 61 yr. old son has just been diagnosed with AF and is seeing a Cardiologist soon.

              Edna

              Reply
              • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
                Jun 30, 2017

                Edna:

                Thanks for the detailed reply! I’m glad to hear the pacemaker is keeping the afib at bay. I’m also glad to hear you’re not on any blood thinners.

                Sorry to hear your son as afib. There is definitely a strong genetic connection with afib. My dad had afib too and I have heard from many people over the years who have family members who have afib. I wish you son well.

                God Bless,

                Travis

                Reply
    • Kathy ( Kathy Steele / Years with AFIB: 4 )
      May 01, 2017

      Hi Guy,

      I totally understand your frustration with the doctors you have seen. I saw 3 Electrophysiologists before i found the right one for me. I discussed the lack of caring and attention these specialists had shown me with my family doctor and she referred me to the one i have now who is a wonderful doc! (He has also recently done a PVI for my AFIB and so far so good!) When i first me him in his office 3 years ago, i told him of my experience with the other docs and said point blank, ” i want a doctor that actually gives a shit about me.” I think he was a little taken aback, but by this point i was fed up with the lack of answers, the cancelled appointments and the terrible follow ups from the other specialists. Don’t be afraid to seek out a doctor that works for you. Like my doc says you have every right to see all results, ask questions and seek answers. Finding the right doc is key, you deserve that, you deserve answers to why you are so tired all the time, whether it’s from the AFIB or not. Keep on it! Hope you get some answers soon.
      Kathy-Afib 4 years
      Toronto

      Reply
  51. Laura C. ( Years with AFIB: 1-2 )
    Apr 13, 2017

    I suffered from heart palpitations for years and years (pvc’s)???? I ended up having an ablation and it was very successful. Only had very minor events after that.

    In Sept. 2016 I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. It was very upsetting thinking here we go again. Doctor changed heart meds around and put me on a blood thinner. Yesterday I had another occurrence around 10 am. Really takes your energy eh? I fretted whether to call the doctor’s office or go to the emergency room or wait it out as I’d been advised.

    How long do you wait it out anyways? My pulse was not that high, however tons of skipped beats and fairly heavy hammering going on. I got through the day hoping it would right itself while I slept. It didn’t and mid-morning today I decided to have a look around the web. I found this site and gave it a try.

    I listened to the normal heart sound with the sleeping baby (which is relaxing as heck even if nothing’s happening!) and did the deep breathing into my stomach. About 6 minutes later I felt my heart ‘drop’ and immediately resume normal beating. It was so wonderful; I’m very grateful.

    Coincidence, Godincidence, or just a plain good piece of advice – this site is now in my favorites and will be the first place I come if it should ever happen again (which I certainly am not looking for).

    Thank you Travis for this site, and to others for their sharing. Wishing you all good normal heart beats.

    Laura in Toronto

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 44 )
      Apr 13, 2017

      Laura:

      That is so awesome to hear and really motivates me to keep pumping out useful content on this blog! I’m so glad you found this post helpful. More importantly, I’m so happy to hear you converted to NSR! I hope I don’t hear from you in a long time, if you know what I mean:)

      God Bless!

      Travis

      Reply
      • Laura C. ( Years with AFIB: 1-2 )
        Apr 14, 2017

        I cannot insert one in this reply, but I am sending out a huge smiley face Travis. Thanks for your response. I will let doctor know what happened when I see him next week for routine blood pressure check.

        Bless you too.
        Laura

        Reply
  52. James ( Age: 79 / Male / Years with AFIB: 60+ )
    Apr 02, 2017

    You probably won’t believe this but please read this with an open mind and give it a try. This procedure could save many lives. I am sure it has saved mine many times over.

    I am a very healthy 79 year old male and have had hundreds of A-fib attacks for over 60 years. When I was a teenager in high school I experimented with various ways to get my heart back into rhythm. Sometimes I would get very weak and dizzy and have to lie down and sometimes I would pass out. I tried the suggested chest compression but it was unreliable and didn’t always work.

    One time I tried decompression in the form of a fake hiccup. To my surprise my heart went back to normal rhythm immediately. Just suck in quick and hard but don’t let any air in (mouth and nose closed) very similar to a hiccup. This procedure has worked for me first time every time for hundreds of A-fib attacks. I hope it works for other people.

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      Apr 02, 2017

      James:

      Great tip! Thanks for sharing.

      Another technique that is similar to that is to bear down like you’re going to go number 2. This never worked for me but others have reported it works great.

      Travis

      Reply
  53. Janet ( Age: 62 / Years with AFIB: 4 )
    Mar 22, 2017

    I was diagnosed with AFIB two years ago…I’d had symptoms before that, but was only wearing an event monitor. It wasn’t until I had the 24/7 LifeWatch monitor that the night episodes showed up. One of my doctors noticed a urine potassium test was a bit high, so he thought I might be losing potassium for some reason. So I started taking it daily along with magnesium and the symptoms went away. Occasionally I’d have a noticeable episode, but if the Vasalva maneuver or coughing didn’t help, I’d open a capsule of both potassium and magnesium and put it on my tongue and it would stop it within a minute. That has even worked on some pretty intense and drawn-out tachycardia episodes (>200bpm).

    I began to wonder if it might have been from the PPI my doctor had prescribed. Sure enough, PPIs cause poor absorption of magnesium because of reduced stomach acid. I stopped taking it and switched to Pepcid instead which is an H2 blocker and didn’t seem to have the same effect. My long QT syndrome also disappeared.

    I have never known of a doctor prescribing PPIs for reflux to warn patients about this potential for AFIB. The same thing happened to my father (he had developed chronic AFIB) and he improved after getting off the PPI. While there are some studies indicating that reflux can actually contribute to AFIB, taking a PPI for longer than 8 weeks (manufacturer’s recommendation) can definitely increase the risk for a magnesium deficiency and even worse symptoms.

    I just had a LifeWatch monitor for 2 weeks and there was not a single episode of AFIB recorded. I took potassium and magnesium every day during the monitoring. So I’m convinced it makes a big difference for me.

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      Mar 23, 2017

      Janet:

      Thanks for sharing your story! Glad to hear the magnesium and potassium is making a difference!

      I wish you the best of health!

      Travis

      Reply
  54. dlmask ( Age: 65 / male / Years with AFIB: 3 )
    Mar 21, 2017

    I’m curious what others do right after their cardioversions. I’ve only had six episodes in 3 years and the episodes I’ve had most recently I’ve gone to the ER to get my heart rate lowered (diltiazem drip). After being in the ER for 4-6 hours to lower my HR to under 100, in the last 3 episodes, I’ve converted the next day early. But that day, and a few days after, I felt sore and very tired. Is it the same way with you? Any advice?

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      Mar 22, 2017

      dlmask:

      I’ve had four cardioversions over the years and a diltiazem drip once or twice. I don’t recall being sore but I was tired. Being in afib and then being loaded with drugs via an IV (or electrocuted in the case of a cardioversion) is a pretty dramatic thing to go through physically and mentally. It’s totally natural to be tired and even sore in some cases afterwards!

      Travis

      Reply
    • Kathy ( Kathy Steele )
      Mar 24, 2017

      I have had 3 cardioversions and 1 ablation. Like you, I was tired and sore after the cardioversions. Sore only because of the pads they use for the cardioversion. I had the outline of a square on my chest for a few days, lol. It is normal to be tired as one cardiologist told me, “your heart has been running a marathon 24, 7 for a few days.” Hope you are feeling better now.

      Reply
  55. Justine ( Age: 69 / F / Years with AFIB: 3 )
    Mar 18, 2017

    I have a-fib. My Cardiologist said NO to an ablation. He said ablation scars the heart and makes it weaker. Now after reading all this info I’m confused. Any thoughts anyone?

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      Mar 21, 2017

      Justine:

      I would seriously look for another doctor. Yes there is scarring when you have an ablation but that’s how an ablation works – scars created by the burns block the erratic signals. The burns are strategically made and kept to a minimum (assuming an experienced and skilled EP is doing the ablation).

      Ejection fraction is a good measurement of your heart’s strength. This is measured when you have an echo completed. I’ve had two echos since my ablation and my ejection fraction is a healthy 65 – which is about as good as it gets. It’s completely false to say an ablation weakens the heart.

      You have a far greater risk of scarring and a weakened heart with uncontrolled afib!

      I wish you well.

      Travis

      Reply
      • dlmask ( Age: 65 / male / Years with AFIB: 3 )
        Mar 21, 2017

        When did you have your ablation? What kind of ablation did you have and have you had afib episodes sine the ablation? Did you just have it done one time and it took?

        Reply
        • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
          Mar 22, 2017

          dlmask:

          I had my ablation on March 5, 2015. I had a RF ablation (NOT cryoballon). I only had one ablation but I’m sure I’ll eventually need a second or even third procedure some day. That’s just the nature of the beast.

          Travis

          Reply
  56. Kathy ( Age: 51 / female / Years with AFIB: 3 )
    Mar 04, 2017

    Hi,
    I had a PVI to fix ongoing AFIB last week. My AFIB had suddenly worsened over the past 4 months despite managing it for the past 4 years. Good news is that so far it appears to have worked, bad news is i have some numbness in my lower front leg across my shin. from just below my knee to above my ankle. This started 3 days after the procedure. I was on the table for 5 hours for the PVI and another 7 hours before i could get out of bed. I have been tested for a blood clot which came back negative, have undergone a neuro doppler ultrasound on my neck.. results pending on Tues. next week. I Just wondered if anyone else has experienced anything like this where there appears to be nerve inflammation after a PVI?

    Thanks
    Kathy

    Reply
    • Elizabeth
      Mar 07, 2017

      Thanks to Kathy. Mine do not come very often, maybe one a year or longer. Sorry, I hope you get better fast. You could try some Hylands Arnica Montana 30x– cell salts, sprouts or world market etc. I take it after any surgery. It was recommended to me by a M.D. surgeon.

      Beth

      Reply
      • Elizabeth Clarke ( Age: 82 / female / Years with AFIB: 6 )
        May 01, 2017

        Arnica Montana 30 x hylands was recommended to me by a surgeon as well and he also said to take RUTIN, you can look Rutin up.

        The arnica is for bruising and soreness, helps heal faster. So must be something good in it. I am 82, have a-fib, and just taking metroprolol 50 and a tiny baby aspirin daily. Works well for me.

        I get a rare afib episode. It goes quickly with the potassium & magnesium. I grab a half of banana and a quick glass of water, may be over do but it works in seconds, FOR ME. My first one was about 6 years ago and it was the big one, since then I am much better.

        So I think Hydrate and check your potassium and magnesium with a lab test. I do not take it lightly but it just does not scare me so badly anymore. I am a lucky 82 year old. I take no other medicine just some vitamins. BETH

        Reply
        • Kathy A.
          May 25, 2017

          Beth,
          Your message made me smile. I love your positive attitude. There is a lot to the potassium and magnesium isn’t there?
          I loved when you said it doesn’t scare me anymore. I get scared sometimes:) I will think of you next time!
          Best,
          Kathy

          Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      Mar 07, 2017

      Kathy:

      I didn’t experience any nerve inflammation after my ablation so I don’t have anything useful to share (sorry). You might just have a pinched nerve or misalignment due to lying there for 7 hours.

      If it continues, you might want to see a chiropractor or a trigger point therapist. I go to both on a regular basis and I’ll experience occasional numbness in my arms. They do some adjustments and massaging of my trigger points and the numbness goes away.

      Travis

      Reply
  57. Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
    Dec 22, 2016

    Kathy:

    Thanks for the info! I’m sure the many people that read this article will find your comments useful. The guidelines the hospital gave you sound spot on. I figured you were under a doctor’s care and were on a blood thinner:)

    Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

    Travis

    Reply
  58. Kathy ( Age: 51 / female / Years with AFIB: 3 )
    Dec 20, 2016

    At what point do we need to go to the hospital? If my heart has been in the 120-140 range for the past week but i feel no chest pain or palpitations do i still need to go in? My BP is good hovering around 129/95 with the occassional spike in the diastolic number. I have had two cardioversions in the past month and half and am on my set of meds but it is not working. At what point does the high heart rate become dangerous?

    Kathy

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      Dec 21, 2016

      Kathy:

      If it were me and I was consistently in the 120-140 range, I would definitely call my doctor. I don’t know that I would go to the hospital but I don’t know your specific health situation either. I wouldn’t just ignore it. One hundred beats per minute is on the high end of normal so anything over that is a “concern” if it continues over a period of time. That’s why I’d call my doctor to discuss it.

      Have you considered having an ablation? You might want to look into that – especially if the drugs aren’t working for you!

      Travis

      Reply
  59. Sherry
    Nov 23, 2016

    I have been dealing with A-Fib since 2008. 1st ablation in Aug. 08. It didn’t work and it was in and out for almost 5 yrs. Went in to A-Flutter in May 2013 and had to lie down for a week and a half until I had a mapping ablation. I still don’t feel very good at times and I still have to lie down. My husband has what they call controlled A-Fib and his doesn’t shoot up high and he is on a blood thinner. I do not touch chocolate, decaf anything. Have had lots of digestive issues and if I get indigestion and I can’t burp it will make my heart race.

    Reply
    • Cathy ( Age: 58 / female / Years with AFIB: 35 years )
      Dec 16, 2016

      Hi Sherry. I have had progressively worse a-fib for many years and had 4 ablations at the Ottawa Heart Institute in Canada. Also was cardioverted 7x. Was fine for a couple of years but am now in almost permanent a-fib and on many meds. I am at my limit of treatment not to mention, kind of at my wits end but like you I do notice that digestion and gas build up will certainly set it off.

      The one time I did notice an improvement in my overall health including the afib and particularly digestive issues was when I went on the Paleo diet for 6 weeks. I felt great. It is a challenge and a rather big life style change but I think there is something to it. It also greatly reduces inflammation which is a major contributor to a-fib.

      I was foolish and went off of it after 6 weeks because I thought I missed the bread. Big mistake. I feel unwell again. Look into Paleo and maybe it will help you. Knowledge is power and I hope I have given you some hope. Sincerely, Cathy.

      Reply
      • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
        Dec 19, 2016

        Cathy:

        Thanks for your comments! Great stuff! I need to look into the Paleo diet. There are a lot of afibbers that swear by the Paleo diet. I’ve looked into from time-to-time but I’m a carbo nut…lol. And I LOVE potatoes and bread…lol. I wish a high carb diet was good for you because I could do that all day long:) I’m not sure I could do the Paleo diet. I’d go crazy I think.

        I applaud your ability to stick with it for as long as you did. How long did it take after you started the diet to feel better? And when you say you felt better, can you be more descriptive? Were you having fewer or less intense afib episodes?

        Travis

        Reply
        • Cathy Davidson ( Age: 59 / female / Years with AFIB: 35 )
          Mar 02, 2017

          After being on the Paleo diet for about 1 week or so, I started to notice my digestive issues were greatly improving, even though I was eating more meat and fats like coconut oils, duck fat and ghee (grass fed butter).

          My a-fib episodes were fewer and when I did get one I seemed to snap out of it quickly. Then, foolishly, because I was feeling good again, I jumped back on the bread band wagon and within a couple of days I began to feel bloated and unwell and my afib has come back on a permanent basis.

          My digestive system has hit rock bottom, so much so that they are sending me for a celiac test as I am not bouncing back. If the celiac results are negative, I have made up my mind to go at least gluten free if not back to paleo, as gluten and wheat do terrible things to your body as I am finding out in my research. Everything from depression, brain fog, fibromyalgia, adhd, etc., etc. I still think there is a correlation between digestion and heart, so I am hoping my lifestyle change will prove me right. Cathy

          Reply
  60. marcia ( Age: 72 / female / Years with AFIB: 3 )
    Nov 23, 2016

    I have Afib 3 years, tried various meds and all brought my pulse/bp down so low I couldn’t function. Except during an episode, my rates are approx. 128/76 pulse 76. I’m 72 and this is perfect for me and any meds drive it way down during all my normal periods. Up until now I have always spontaneously converted usually in about 12-24 hours although I have have 3 episodes of several days (3-4). Right now I am in day 6 and it just won’t convert. It gets close, but never does. I am pretty symptomatic when I have an episode. So I do plan to go in to the ER to have them convert it and be yelled at. I take nattokinase for my blood thinner. At the beginning I injected with heparin, for almost 9 mos. then finally stopped, as even the cardio thought it was unnecessary although want me to take coumadin of course. Anyway, my real reason for writing is that I also have a mitral valve prolapse with now a low to moderate regurgitation. I have always read that people with mitral valve prolapse/regurgitation are not good candidates for ablation. What is the consensus here on that perspective? Thanks.

    Reply
    • Teddy Sparkman ( Age: 41 / Male / Years with AFIB: 6 )
      Dec 01, 2016

      I also have the same issue when eating. Sometimes I can burp and I feel better. Sometimes it gives me shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat along with fluttering and palpitations. Anything I can do to make that better or not happen?

      Reply
    • Desire
      Apr 01, 2017

      Hi Marcia.
      My name is Desire and I live in Johannesburg South Africa. I have had a mitral valve prolapse and incompetence for 35 years and then went into AF for days. My cardiologist realised my valve had finally weakened too much and I needed it replaced. That was 5 years ago.

      They managed to repair my valve and reinforced my atrial valve as well. They did an ablation as well which has been perfect for 5 years. I have done normal exercise and been super healthy.

      I have recently been experiencing a bit of AF, which is why I am on this site. I’m seeing my cardiologist on Monday. I am sure an ablation will be suitable for you…rather an ablation than a popped valve through overwork. You don’t want your heart muscle to be damaged from AF.

      Cutting out wheat and sugar and caffeine from any diet has been beneficial. And I hear avocado is so good for our hearts.

      I am 53 and have many grandkids to play with. I intend to stay around and healthy for as long as God wants me too. His will only!

      Reply
  61. Kathy ( Age: 51 / female / Years with AFIB: 3 )
    Nov 12, 2016

    I was diagnosed three years ago with AFIB at age 48. I just had a week long attack, the longest to date, and was admitted to the hospital after my blood pressure climbed to 178/128 and my heart rate to 180. They hooked me up to an IV and administered Diltiazem which did nothing to bring my heart done from the 180 range. They then put me out and did a cardioversion. This brought my heart rate down to the 100 range but it climbed back up to the 180 range after 15 minutes and stayed there.

    The next treatment was 100 mg of Metroprolol orally plus I was hooked up to the IV with the same. This brought my heart down to the 100 range within minutes. After careful monitoring I was released an hour or so later. My problem is now I can’t walk 200 feet without a real shortness of breath and a sharp pain in my solarplexus. Is this from the new drug, Metroprolol?

    I have been on 10mg of Ramilpril (over a year) and 20mg of Xarelto for the past 4 months. Did i do organ damage letting my AFIB go for a week at the high levels or is the new medication affecting my breathing and my stomach? I have a follow up at the hospital in two days and with my cardiologist in 2 weeks. I am seriously considering ablation, but need more answers first. Your thoughts?

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      Nov 13, 2016

      Kathy:

      I doubt any organ damage has been done. It’s very likely you’re experiencing side effects from the drugs you’re on. I don’t know for sure but I highly doubt you’re experiencing organ damage of any kind because of the afib!

      Travis

      Reply
      • Kathy ( Age: 51 / female / Years with AFIB: 3 )
        Nov 14, 2016

        Thanks Travis, good to know organ damage unlikely. I was thinking it was a possibility due to the high blood pressure all week combined with the AFIB. It’s funny usually my BP goes low when in AFIB but not in this recent
        case. In your experience does the side effects of new meds go away or should i request something different? I feel like i am 91 not 51!

        Reply
        • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
          Nov 14, 2016

          Kathy:

          Yes, side effects from drugs may go away once your body adapts to them but not always. If it were me I’d probably give the drug(s) a couple weeks to see if the side effects improved or went away all together. If the side effects didn’t go away or subside, I’d talk to my doctor. You might want to discuss these side effects with your doctor now as he/she may have some tips for you to help limit the side effects. For example, side effects from some drugs can be minimized with food, spreading out the dosage, etc.

          Travis

          Reply
    • Danny R ( Age: 43 / M / Years with AFIB: 4.5 )
      Nov 14, 2016

      Kathy, I was diagnosed with AFIB at 39, 4 years ago. I had an episode maybe every two years never lasting more then a few days. However on August 24th of this year I was on a flight from Florida to NY, mid flight I had a severe AFIB attack, HR went to 180 and bounced between 150-180 for remainder of the flight. Went to ER, got the drip and metoprolol, sent home but episode lasted 6 days and converted 2 hours before cardiologist visit. I was good for about 5 days and in the middle of the night woke up with HR in the 160’s, this episode lasted 8 days and I got admitted for a cardio version which worked. I seen my cardiologist and again and was scheduled for a cardiac ablation. I was ok for 12 days but my heart went back IN AFIB again, this time it was for 9 days right up to my cardiac ablation. The electrophysiologist burned 85% of my inner wall, that was almost 5 weeks ago, accept for week 2 after ablation my HR has been steady, with an occasional elevated HR BUT NO AFIB.

      Our stories are similar. I would recommend you ask your cardiologist about an ablation. You’re young and this is the best time to have it done. AFIB only gets worse. I am not a big believer in medications because it’s just a mask IMO. Sooner or later they stop working and they don’t fix the problem. My mom had AFIB and she never had an ablation just medications. Long term AFIB untreated does cause other problems. My mom eventually got diagnosed with CHF. She had chronic AFIB for 10+years. So not only does AFIB increase stroke 500-700%, it does weaken the heart if not treated. So if you have the opportunity to have the ablation IMO it’s the best route to go.

      I wish you the best.

      Reply
      • Kathy ( Age: 51 / female / Years with AFIB: 3 )
        Nov 23, 2016

        Hi Danny,
        Thanks for your response, i really appreciate it. I see my my cardiologist on Friday and will definitely be discussing ablation. I agree drugs are not a long term solution.. at least not for me as i do not seem to tolerate very many of them. My hope is the ablation works and i can go off of the Metroprolol and the blood thinner Xarelto. How long did your procedure take? I have been told previously mine would likely be about 5 hrs… Not sure i can handle that. Are you knocked out or are you aware of what is going on? I wish i could get this resolved before i fly off to Aruba mid January, but in Canada that would be something of a miracle to get a procedure done that fast. Here’s hoping the flight does not set my AFIB off like it did yours.
        Regards,
        Kathy

        Reply
        • Danny
          Nov 23, 2016

          Hi Kathy, the ablation start to finish is about 4-5 hours. I was wheeled in at 8 am, woke up at 12:30 pm, and yes was knocked completely out. I was sore for about a week. It’s been about 6 weeks now. HR is steady and weeding off cardizem now and off Eliquis Dec 15th. Also got a green light to exercise.

          Danby

          Reply
          • Kathy ( Age: 51 / female / Years with AFIB: 3 )
            Dec 14, 2016

            Hi Danny,

            I am happy to hear the ablation has worked so far for you. Even happier to know you were completely knocked out during the procedure. Question, did you have a TEE done prior to your procedure and if so, how bad is the gagging when they insert this transesophageal echocardiogram down your throat? Also is the MRI exam done on the heart with dye injected or just a regular MRI?

            I just had my second cardioversion done last week, it worked for 2 days and and i have now been in afib for 4 days with a HR of 132-146. What scares me is the BP readings with the Diastolic hitting 106. I am on the waiting list for the ablation as I mentioned but unfortunately it is not going to happen before my trip in January.

            Once again my meds were changed up last week after the cardioversion. This is now round 3 since Nov 8th with 80mg of Sotalol twice a day now in addition to Ramipril and Xarelto. I can’t believe how uncontrollable afib can be and for the first time in my life I realize I am not invincible and am somewhat scared. Thanks for sharing your experience.

            Kathy

            Reply
    • Karl Chalupa ( Age: 58 / male / Years with AFIB: 5 )
      Nov 14, 2016

      I saw this article by Dr. Russell Blaylock MD several months ago. Some may find it useful, though I have not had any success with it.

      http://www.newsmax.com/Health/Dr-Blaylock/fibrillation-contraction-heart-attack-angiotensin/2016/05/11/id/728382/

      Reply
      • marcia ( Age: 72 / female / Years with AFIB: 3 )
        Nov 23, 2016

        This is fascinating. I am familiar with Dr. Russell Blaylock and find him a very reputable healer. I will definitely try this because one of my big problems is that I don’t retain potassium. Even with prescription Slow-K @ 3/day I still barely register above the 4.6 mark, my minimum level to avoid arrhythmia. In this article about the peptides, he mentions that aldosterone may play a part in this and the increased sympathetic activity. Thanks for this information, but sorry it isn’t working for you! Do you take a ACE inhibitor?

        Reply
    • Michael ( Age: 73 / Michael / Years with AFIB: 3 )
      Nov 19, 2016

      Some very interesting and informative suggestions on how to deal with afib. I have been in afib for almost 3 days. I felt so ill that I presented myself yesterday at the Em Dept. Coupled with the afib, my angina was almost unbearable (light headed AND chest discomfort – my Nitrolingual spray gave little relief). I was discharged from the ER after some 3 hours.

      Having read some of the suggestions regarding the use of a magnesium supplement, I called in to my local pharmacist to discuss any possible benefits of using magnesium. Her quick research suggested POSSIBLE benefit.

      Anyway, I purchased some “Magnesium 625” capsules, containing “Magnesium asparate complex” (with equivalent elemental magnesium complex 125 mg). NOTE, I am not normally a fan of dietary supplements – but approx 45 minutes after taking the first capsule (dosage 1-3 capsules daily) my afib stopped and I was in normal rhythm again. Note info refers to New Zealand product.

      Reply
    • Elizabeth Clarke ( Age: 82 / female / Years with AFIB: 6/7 yrs. )
      Dec 21, 2016

      Kathy:

      I would never tell anyone what to do. I have had off and on afib attacks for 6/7 years. The first doctor put me on Metropolol 50mg and an 81 aspirin. I take that every morning.

      I have gone 2 years now without a-fib. I just had one tonight right now. I quickly chewed a metropolol and an aspirin. It went away in about 1/2 hour.

      Do you know that when your heart beats so very fast that it pools up, up at the top of the heart and the bottom can not pump it out fast enough. You need to get that under control ASAP. One lady has a very high heart beat that is so dangerous told to me by my Heart Doctor. I go to the Arizona Heart Institute. They are pretty famous.

      You guys should all have a heart doctor, who better to see. Don’t go to a regular doctor. Please get on it. You can die really fast. Don’t mess around.

      Reply
      • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
        Dec 22, 2016

        I just want to clarify some of Elizabeth’s comments for Kathy so people reading her comments don’t get freaked out unnecessarily!

        For starters, you’re not going to “die really fast.” I trust Kathy is under a cardiologist’s care and is probably taking a blood thinner. Furthermore, Kathy didn’t indicate if she was in fact in afib when her heart was beating fast.

        Kathy, I just want to emphasize that you’re not going to die:) As I suggested, you should definitely talk to your doctor to make sure everything is being managed properly. If you are in afib when your heart is racing like that for that period of time then you should probably be on a blood thinner.

        If you have any questions, fire away:)

        Travis

        Reply
        • Kathy ( Age: 51 / female / Years with AFIB: 3 )
          Dec 22, 2016

          Hi Travis and Elizabeth,

          Thank you for your comments. I am under a EP’s care but as it’s close to the holidays he is out of office until Jan. I do see him on Jan 6th. I did go into my local hospital and yes I was in AFIB. I was hooked up to an IV and 3 doses of Metoprolol later plus one dose of Diltiazem did bring my HR down to the 100 range.

          I was given a prescription for the Diltiazem to take in conjunction with my current meds, Sotalol, Xarelto (blood thinner) and Ramipril. I asked the question in the ER when do I have to get to the hospital. The answer was: if HR is over 120 and you are asymptomatic – i.e. no chest pain, no palpitations, no sweating, etc. and it continues for 2 days – get to the hospital. If HR is 120 and over and you are symptomatic do not wait -get to the ER immediately. The ER nurse advised they used to say if HR was 100 go to ER now they say if it’s 120. I’m gonna use that as a general guideline, but will also rely on my gut feeling, if something doesn’t feel right get to the ER.

          Reply
  62. Judith Caputo ( Years with AFIB: 3 )
    Aug 29, 2016

    Thank you. i was in an episode of afib and found this article. I did the suggested cold water and it worked immediately. Greatful.

    Reply
    • Karl Chalupa ( Age: 58 / male / Years with AFIB: 5 )
      Sep 26, 2016

      Hi Judith,

      I have vagal A-fib and recently came across an interesting article on the Valsalva method (also the modified Valsalva method) for ending episodes. Research has found the Valsalva maneuver, if performed properly, is safe and about 25% of time is effective in slowing or stopping atrial fibrillation. This maneuver greatly increases pressures inside the chest cavity which stimulates the vagus nerve and increases vagal tone. (The vagus nerve is one of 12 cranial nerves and extends from the brain stem to the abdomen, via various organs including the heart, esophagus and lungs).

      I have used it each of the last three times that I have had an episode, and it worked virtually instantly to stop them. There is a youtube video that illustrates the procedure:

      Reply
      • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
        Sep 27, 2016

        Karl:

        Thanks for sharing that info and the video! I imagine a lot of people will find that helpful. Thanks!

        Travis

        Reply
        • Daniel ( Age: 43 / Male / Years with AFIB: 4 )
          Sep 30, 2016

          I have had AFIB for 4 years. At first it was exercise induced and it never lasted more then 1-3 days. I see some on here saying 5-12 hours – oh I wish mine only lasted that long. I normally get an episode every couple of years but again it lasts for 1-3 days.

          On 8/24/16, mid flight to NY, I had a viscous attack. My heart rate was bouncing around 190, scary! That episode lasted 6 days. After an ER visit and sent home with cardizem and metoprolol, I finally converted after day 6. I was fine for about a week and then I woke up at 3 am one night with a heart rate at 180. This attack lasted 8 days. I went to the ER and was put on a cardizem drip. They finally decided to do a cardio version, which worked.

          After talking to my EP we decided an ablation would be a good idea. I’m now on eliquis/metoprolol/cardizem for 3 weeks. I am now in my 3rd episode in 5 weeks, now on my 5th day. I don’t here of anyone having these kinds of episodes on here. Mine are viscous. I have an iWatch that monitors my rate and my range is 37-215 in the last 5 days and the symptoms are getting worse by the day.

          My question is, can you get an ablation during an AFIB episode? Won’t the risks be higher? My EP said when he does the ablation he will make my heart go into AFIB. Would it be smart to just go 2 days earlier and try to get shocked again to get back to sinus rhythm? I am only 43. I just can’t live this way it’s awful.

          Reply
          • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
            Oct 01, 2016

            Hey Dan. Sorry to hear about the awful a-fib episodes you’ve been experiencing. While you may not find anyone in this thread talking about episodes that “last for days,” I can assure you that it’s not uncommon. You’re quickly approaching persistent atrial fibrillation which is a-fib that lasts at least a week. Once you become persistent afib, it becomes harder to treat so the fact that you’re having an ablation now is a good call by your doctor and by you!

            I would ask your doctor what he wants you to do about being shocked into normal sinus rhythm before your ablation. I’d be surprised if he advises you to do that. When I had my ablation my doctor told me if I went into a-fib to stay in afib if I could handle it.

            If you arrive for your procedure in NSR, as you’ve noted, your EP will actually induce a-fib anyway so it wouldn’t make any sense to have yourself converted beforehand.

            I wish you well! Be sure to stop by after your procedure to update us on how you’re doing!

            Travis

            Reply
          • Eddie ( Age: 82 / Male / Years with AFIB: 12 )
            Oct 16, 2016

            Daniel, I have had afib for 12 yrs and it has been like you describe. I had an ablation done in August 2013 while in a fib and my doctor said he was glad I was in afib because it was easier to find the right nerve to burn.

            However, it helped for a couple years and has started again now as I write this I have been in afib for 3 days now, but I am 82 yrs old and this is taking a toll on me. I have been taking 500mg of magnesium taurate daily and that seems to help more than the meds that I am on.

            Reply
      • Richard Solomon ( Age: 73 / Years with AFIB: 1week )
        Nov 04, 2016

        I have recently had lung surgery and my surgeon told me I might experience Afib about 4 to 5 days out from surgery. I had my first bout with Afib 5 days out. Called 911 told them I was having shortness of breath EMTs arrived adminned O2 breathing returned to normal took me to emergency room, did serious of tests, both my surgeon and cardiologist were on duty at the time the tests arrived. Both conferred I was in Afib and my cardiologist prescribed Amiodarone. I have taken two doses.

        Today I have had two bouts of strong Afib that came on after walking up a grade, , one was at a funeral home visitation I sat outside and the intense shortness of breath lasted about 12-20 seconds. My breathing returned to normal and I went in for visitations. I left and was driven home. I do not drive now because of surgery. As I was walking to my front door and into my house in experience another rapid shortness of breath. I sat down upright and tried to control my breathing with deep breath and with short breath this attack lasted about 30 seconds and my breathing returned to normal. After the second attack. I experienced aloud ringing in my head.

        I am a 73 yr old man with triple bypass in 1999. 4 stints, and a prior to lung cancer surgery had a angiogram, the results were great and no blockage 7 days later had surgery on my lung. At this time I am 7 days out. From my lung surgery and have had 3 bouts of Afib.

        Reply
  63. Karl Chalupa ( Age: 58 / male / Years with AFIB: 5 )
    Aug 05, 2016

    I have had a-fib for about five years now that has included one trip to the ER. I average an episode every 2-3 months, and they normally resolve themselves alone within 8-12 hours. My question is why do all my episodes start at night? I have only had one episode in all this time that started while awake. All the others have begun while sleeping or falling asleep. What gives and is there any way to prevent this? My cardiologist has not been able to give me a convincing answer, and I have seen no mention of this on-line.

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 43 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      Aug 18, 2016

      Karl:

      Having atrial fibrillation episodes at rest or specifically at night is very common. In fact, “at rest” is the only time I ever had my episodes. I could do vigorous exercise or sweat all day in 90 degree humid weather and my heart was rock solid. I could even drink myself silly and I wouldn’t experience any heart issues. The point is, I could stress my heart to the max and never trigger an afib episode but whenever I was totally at rest and at peace, that is when the beast would rear its ugly head.

      I’ll reach out to my good friend, Shannon Dickson of Afibbers.org, and ask him why afib is so prevalent at rest or at night and update my comments here as soon as I get a reply from him.

      Travis

      Reply
      • Karl Chalupa ( Age: 58 / male / Years with AFIB: 5 )
        Aug 18, 2016

        Thanks for the reply, Travis. I also exercise regularly and have never had an instance when a hard workout has triggered an episode. I am very curious to see if anyone has developed any approach to preventing or minimizing these disconcerting nighttime episodes.

        Reply
      • marcia
        Nov 23, 2016

        I have just discovered your website, looking for new ways to address this devil afib. I have read many times that episodes that begin in the night or at rest are vagal in nature and those that begin in the daytime are stress/emotion related. This has proved to be the case for me most of the time, with a couple of exceptions.

        Reply
    • David Eidell ( Age: 70 / Male / Years with AFIB: Six month with then 12 years without )
      Aug 18, 2016

      Get a sleep study done A.S.A.P. I am an old, grizzled EMT 2 (Paramedic) and I have a clue of what I say. Get a sleep study. Fast! A sleep study records more data that can be analyzed than even a stay in Cardiac ICU.

      Secondly, INSIST that your labs include a blood MAGNESIUM test. If the test is returned with a magnesium level of 1.2 or less, try taking an oral dose of simple Magnesium Oxide 400mg day. This is a cheap, easily available mineral supplement not some hocus-pocus witchcraft. Other forms of magnesium are ripoff con games Magnesium OXIDE 400 mg. Low magnesium is a scandalous overlooked contributor of Afib. Don’t believe it? check your IV bags while in the ER. Along with Diltiazem, you may find Amiodarone AND magnesium being dripped.

      Ensure your blood sugar levels do not drift hyper nor hypo glycemic during night time hours.

      Buy a pulse oximeter and good BP machine like an OMRON. The pulse oximeters on eBay are fine for your purposes. Got extra money, buy a pulse oximeter that records. Wear it at night. Discuss the readings with your medical professional.

      I have had bitter run-ins with cardiologists. Like auto mechanics, who never get near a wrench some MDs should never practice medicine. Others are superb. I was connected to IVs weekly. Then I got smart, took magnesium and went six years without an episode. Then packed magnesium deep within the trunk of my car, forgot about it and seven weeks later found myself back in the ER. I begged them to do a magnesium test. Cut to the chase, doctor rushed in with an Rx for 400 mg Magnesium Oxide. “Point Seven! How?” You tell me. That was in 2011. No episodes since. But an idiot of a cardiologist subsequently told me “Impossible! Magnesium is the most abundant mineral on earth”. I walked out in the middle of an exam. He is a idiot. Several other cases I am personally familiar with responded very positively to Magnesium Oxide. Get second, even third cardiologist opinions. All because of a near inert one of the safest supplements on the face of the earth! Far safer than a 1-a-day tablet. Except for folks with RENAL (kidney) issues.

      Reply
      • Travis ( Age: 43 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
        Aug 18, 2016

        David:

        I agree with *some* of your comments but generally speaking everything I’ve learned about magnesium is that magnesium oxide is about the worst form you can take. Yes, it has the most elemental magnesium per dose but it’s the least absorbed form of all magnesium supplements.

        If it works for you that’s great! I just want to caution my reader to do their research on this. Generally, chelated magnesium supplements such as magnesium glycinate are best. I personally take ReMag (actually a magnesium chloride liquid) and Ease magnesium spray.

        I also want to let readers know that for most people, magnesium is not a cure all. I was taking up to 1,000 mg of magnesium daily for weeks and my afib could have cared less. I still got episodes. That’s why I had an ablation and so far I have been afib-free:)

        Yes, magnesium can help and in the best of cases can keep things at bay for a while but eventually afib usually wins no matter what you do.

        Travis

        Reply
        • David Eidell ( Age: 70 / Male / Years with AFIB: Mostly Free Now )
          Aug 18, 2016

          I KNEW this was going to be twisted and perverted. Dang! Magnesium mined at 22,000 ft by ordained monks only between the last quarter and new moon is the best, right?
          I specifically mentioned BLOOD LAB WORK levels. Ultra high test fifteen dollar a bottle magnesium is meaningless when it comes to maintenance of ideal blood lab work > 1.5 to 2.2 is ideal. A 400mg dose of mag oxide is unlikely to lead to excessive levels
          Which
          By
          Itself
          Can
          Lead
          To
          Gross
          Electrolyte
          Imbalance
          Which
          Absolutely
          Will
          Encourage
          Atrial
          Malfunctuon

          Clear enough? A person can safely tolerate 400mg daily and extremely effectively raise blood levels of that electrolyte IF IT IS TOO LOW TO START WITH. Wonderful. Take hyper expensive chelated magnesium and surge to 4.0+ and experience the other end of electrolyte imbalance. 2 years of Pharmacology told me to treat metabolism issues with a rational sense of perspective.
          400mg day of just plain old inexpensive Mag Oxide raised levels to 2.0 -2.3 and has maintained it for me for almost 14 years. Remember I have a recording pulse oximeter.
          All dietary and supplement changes MUST be discussed with your cardiologist.
          I never even HINTED supplement magnesium would work for all forms of Afib. Nor a majority of cases. It does work for TOO MANY to be dismissed. This isn’t a play game. Blood lab work SHOULD include mag levels but is frequently ommitted or ignored by even the most talented seeming cardiologists. I turn 70 in a few weeks and I can promise the moment I expire magnesium becomes moot. Also electrolyte imbalance includes the evil monster – SODIUM. Toss all the damned salt in your house into the trash. For Afib, sodium is like cyanide. Look at packaged foods. Note total sodium intake and keep track of it. Look for your personal sodium mg allowance LIMIT and learn to believe it.

          Only the percentage fortunate will respond to magnesium supplement however only the ignorant will dismiss sodium intake limit or having a blood magnesium lab test performed. INSIST ON IT. I do not like laying on a table connected to an IV. Excuse me.

          Reply
          • Travis ( Age: 43 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
            Aug 18, 2016

            David:

            I love your passion on this topic but I have to disagree on some of your comments. Blood serum tests are virtually worthless. The RBC blood test is far better but still not ideal. For the most accurate results the EXA test is best. I’ve documented the differences between these tests in numerous posts on this blog.

            At the end of the day I think we actually agree on most things except the form of magnesium to take and the type of magnesium test to have done:)

            The only other thing I would say is that in general sodium is good to limit, especially table salt, but sea salt may actually be very helpful for afibbers. And like everything, people’s results will vary. My blood pressure is very low so I actually strive to get as much salt in my diet as I can in an effort to keep my blood pressure from falling any lower. I basically pay zero attention to sodium.

            Travis

            Reply
        • Jim ( Age: 51 / M / Years with AFIB: 10 )
          Apr 26, 2018

          Travis, I’m 51 and have had paroxysmal AFIB for about 10 years now (4 episodes, 3 involving ER visits, the last one they did shock cardioversion (worked instantly) and I was sent home in 3 hours or less. I’m told next time they will try 300 mg of Fleccanide and then monitor me to watch my HR. If this works, I’ll be given a scrip for this to try at home with no ER visit required.

          I’m on metoprolol 50 mg’s per day (I switched to taking it at night, as all my episodes – like yours – have occurred at rest). I bicycle often in warm weather and walk daily. I can push myself to the max and never have AFIB.

          I have an EP visit next Friday and I will ask for the ablation procedure as I’ve read it works well with occasional attacks and may eliminate medication requirements. Can you offer some advice/experiences about your ablation?

          Note: I also have periods of time where I have PVC activity, but that has been quiet in the last year and is occasionally annoying, but never eats into my lifestyle all that much.

          Reply
          • Travis Van Slooten
            May 07, 2018

            Jim:

            Based on what you’re telling me here, you would be a great ablation candidate. Just be sure to go to an elite-level EP if you go that route!!

            Here are links to my ablation experience and recovery:
            https://www.livingwithatrialfibrillation.com/1434/catheter-ablation-experience/
            https://www.livingwithatrialfibrillation.com/1471/my-catheter-ablation-blanking-period/

            And here is a link to an article that explains why it’s imperative to work with an elite-level EP:
            https://www.livingwithatrialfibrillation.com/3137/successful-afib-ablation/

            I wish you the best!

            Travis

            Reply
            • Jim
              May 07, 2018

              Travis, thanks.
              My EP is Harvard educated and very experienced (that is not hard to find in Boston). He discussed this with me this past Friday along with all the risks (low as they may be if the procedure is done right). The game plan is to follow Blue Cross protocol at this point – they will not pay for it until I’ve tried Fleccanide or some anti-arrhythmia drug at least once. Next time I get afib, I’m told they will try fleccanide and monitor me to see if it works. After that (success or not), the ablation is the next stop on the train.
              JB

              Reply
          • Karl
            May 16, 2018

            Jim:

            I would like to make a couple comments before you go the ablation route. I have “lone vagal” AFIB (no valve issues) that is triggered only at night. Starting three years ago, the frequency of AFIB episodes rose steadily from one every six months to one every 10 days. My cardiologist suggested the “pill in a pocket” approach using 50 mg of flecainide as needed. That didn’t seem to work, and the frequency of the episodes continued to increase.

            At that point I was looking very strongly at ablation. My cardiologist was not a huge fan because his experience is that the success rate is less than many EP’s lead patients to believe and that many patients need subsequent “touch ups.” Before going this route, he suggested some nutritional changes and a change and increase in the dosage and timing of my flecainide.

            Starting eight months ago, I began taking a total of 400 mg of magnesium, 1000 mg of taurine, 1000 mg of l-arginine, 100 mg of Ubiquinal CoQ10, 1000 mg Vitamin D3, and 125 mg l-carnitine each day divided into two doses. In addition, he increased my flecainide to 100 mg daily, the full dose taken before bed. Lastly, I cut back on the intensity of my exercise.

            I am sixty years old, eat well, and work out regularly. I was running sprints and lifting heavy weights which my cardiologist suggested might also be contributing to the AFIB by causing an enlarged heart.

            While I can’t say which part(s) of this regime have been responsible, I can say that the combination has been incredible. I have not had an episode in over six months now. That’s the longest I’ve gone without an episode in over three years. Just as importantly, while this is anecdotal, my heart health just plain “feels” better. I don’t have the feeling that I previously had that something wasn’t quite right even when I wasn’t having an episode.

            I know that AFIB is very unique to each person, but I would strongly recommend that people give this type of protocol a shot before going the ablation route, especially for those with lone AFIB. Needless to say, they should also adjust their diet and lifestyle since all the drugs and nutritional support will not work if the underlying condition is not addressed.

            Karl

            Reply
            • Travis Van Slooten
              May 16, 2018

              Karl:

              Thanks for sharing your protocol. I’m glad it’s working for you.

              I will just add this…by all means people with afib should try natural ways to manage their afib (i.e. diet, lifestyle, vitamins, supplements, avoiding obvious triggers, etc.). However, if after 6 months of adhering to these changes you still have afib, then it’s time to seriously consider having an ablation.

              Travis

              Reply
            • Jim Barr
              May 16, 2018

              Karl,

              Thanks for pointing this out. My afib is paroxysmal and I’ve had only 4 episodes in 10+ years since 2008. The flecainide “pill in the pocket” route is next on my list (the doctor mentioned 300 mg administered orally after a couple of hours if the episode does not stop on its own which is has done twice before). I do not exercise as much as you say you do, but I walk every day and try to eat right, sleep properly, and take Vitamin D, ACV (apple cider vinegar), and such.

              My magnesium levels have tested fine in the past and my only previous concern was my glucose levels which were borderline before the ACV (my A1C was 6.0 before ACV at night, and is now 5.6, so that looks better). My main struggle is with the anxiety in the early morning as this is when the afib starts, when I first wake after the “second sleep” or around 6 to 7 AM. When I think something may happen, I often get very anxious about it, and that never helps when you have afib. I am trying to manage that by among other things subscribing to this outstanding community and get tips from folks like you. I will post more as information becomes available. Thanks very much for responding!

              JB

              Reply
    • Mark ( Age: 52 / Male / Years with AFIB: 7 years (after ablation 2 years almost symptom free) )
      Aug 21, 2016

      You have what is called Vagally Mediated Afib. Afib i usually triggered at night, especially when lying down or on your left side. It can also be triggered after eating. This is related to your vagus nerve.

      http://a-fib.com/faqs-understanding-a-fib-5-adrenergic-vagal/

      Reply
      • Travis ( Age: 43 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
        Aug 22, 2016

        Thanks for sharing the link, Mark!

        Travis

        Reply
      • Sandra Power ( Age: 79 / female / Years with AFIB: 3 )
        Oct 01, 2017

        I have sleep apnea. I find my A fib is triggered only at night. I usually wake up feeling terrible. When that happens I have my head and neck in a bad position which often causes apnea in spite of the dental device I wear to prevent it. I recommend getting a sleep study done.

        As we know sleep apnea is often the cause of A fib and high blood pressure. On that note, my blood pressure is stuck at around 104 throughout this episode of A fib. I take diltiazem for high blood pressure but have not taken it due to the current hypotension. But then, I think a calcium channel blocker would be helpful in an Afib episode. Not sure what to do….

        Reply
        • Travis ( Age: 45 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
          Oct 03, 2017

          Sandra:

          You might want to talk to your doctor about “pill-in-a-pocket.” This is when you take a pill, usually Flecainide, when you have an episode. This is what I did when I had my episodes.

          And thanks for reminding people about the importance of ruling out sleep apnea by having a sleep study done.

          Travis

          Reply
  64. Earl ( Years with AFIB: 10 )
    May 15, 2016

    Don’t be afraid of a cardioversion – it’s painless and works like a charm. I’ve had 3 of them – piece of cake.

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 43 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      Aug 18, 2016

      Earl:

      Yes, they are definitely a piece of cake but still inconvenient and stressful nonetheless (I’ve had 4 of them). A good friend of mine has had 15 of them.

      The problem with cardioversions, however, is that they don’t do anything to treat/cure afib. They only provide temporary relief…and “temporary” may mean several days, weeks, or even months but sooner or later the beast usually rears it’s ugly head.

      Travis

      Reply
  65. raymond rolston ( Age: 55 / m / Years with AFIB: 5 )
    Feb 28, 2016

    I’ve had maybe 5 occurrences of afib in the last 5 years. The latest came last week during a colonoscopy. I popped my Flecainide and waited to convert back. Ten hours later I was still in afib. I asked God to show me how to get back into rhythm and 30 seconds later I had this procedure.

    Roll over on your right side and wrap your arms around your ribs like your giving yourself a bear hug. Take in a deep breath and slowly let it out but stop exhaling in the rhythm of a normal heart. At the same time you stop exhaling, pull your ribs together and pull in your gut like you just saw a pretty girl on the beach. Relax and exhale and then stop and repeat. Your whole upper body should be convulsing in the rhythm of a normal heart. I converted back on the 9th squeeze. I hope this helps!

    Reply
    • Jo ( Age: 75 / Female / Years with AFIB: 12 )
      Aug 02, 2016

      I don’t think God can assist the majority of people with AF.

      5 times in the last 5 years…I WISH…

      2-3 times a week for me. Chaotic heart rate, chest pain, nausea, dizzy and likely to pass out.

      My episodes last from 5-12 hours. I still have to go to work, keep house,,walk the dog and do all of the things that constitue life. I am 75 Female still working full time.

      As a long time sufferer having tried every resource available I now how to live with it (cardio so words) This can be a life threatening condition, the previous window of 12 to 24 hours before it becomes a risk has now been assessed as >5 hours . Which means increased stress for those that suffer this on a regular basis.

      Eat well, know your triggers, keep hydrated at all times, exercise to keep fit.

      Reply
      • Travis ( Age: 43 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
        Aug 18, 2016

        Jo:

        Thanks for your comments but I disagree with you when you say you don’t think God can help. If God can’t help, then nobody can! We have to have faith!

        Have you considered an ablation? There is no reason to have to live with atrial fibrillation. I’d seriously consider an ablation if you haven’t already.

        I wish you well!

        Travis

        Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 43 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      Aug 18, 2016

      Thanks for the comments Raymond and I hope you’re in NSR today!

      Travis

      Reply
  66. Kelsey ( Age: 27 / F )
    Aug 05, 2015

    I have not been diagnosed with AFIB, and am not certain what it feels like; however, I do have a mitral regurgitation, which, when progressed can lead to AFIB. I’m not asking for anyone to attempt diagnosis, but perhaps someone has heard or gone through something similar.

    For several nights (4+) I was having problems falling asleep. Every time I would get to the in-between stage of awake and asleep, I would startle awake and feel a tightness or a pressure, paired with a shortness of breath. It happened off and on for 1-2 hours for those few days. After that, there was one night, after going to bed around 1130pm that it happened intermittently until around 5am, and it was much stronger. I felt that maybe I was having panic attacks, but that didn’t make much sense.

    Again, it was every time I was nearly asleep. I wound up frustrated and even a bit emotional because all I wanted to do was sleep, but every time I was nearly there, I woke up with this strange discomfort. I was not in pain, per sé, but it was definitely uncomfortable to feel like I couldn’t get in a position that allowed me to breathe fully. Any ideas? Could it be flutter/afib related based on the experience of anyone here?

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 42 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      Aug 06, 2015

      Kelsey:

      Shortness of breath is a classic symptom of afib but tightness or a “pressure” isn’t typically a symptom. If these symptoms continue or you have concerns, I would definitely follow up with your doctor to find out what’s going on but your symptoms don’t sound like afib.

      Travis

      Reply
    • Pam ( Years with AFIB: Ten )
      Nov 04, 2016

      Get checked for sleep apnea. That’s when I get apnea – as I fall into sleep. Untreated sleep apnea is a big trigger/cause of afib.

      Reply
  67. Terry Anderson ( Age: 62 / Female / Years with AFIB: 2007-present )
    Jun 27, 2015

    I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation in 2007. I woke up gasping for air and to my heart pounding rapidly in my chest. Since my husband, Tom, was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy a year before and experienced Afib occasionally, I knew some of the signs for it.

    Tom has all the gadgets to check the heart: a hand held EKG machine, blood pressure machine for the wrist, and an oximeter. He checked my pulse first – bouncing from 200 down to 80 and my BP was 210/160 but I later learned your reading isn’t going to be correct.

    Tom rushed me to the ER. I stayed overnight hooked up to fluids and medication. Luckily, I came out of it without what the ER doc said “being paddled”. I went to Tom’s cardiologist the next day. He put me on Diltiazem.

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 42 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      Jul 08, 2015

      Terry:

      How are you doing today? Are you still taking Diltiazem? Has the afib progressed? How often do you have episodes?

      Travis

      Reply
  68. Denise
    May 22, 2015

    I was told I had atrial fibrillation when I was hospitalized with stomach pain. I didn’t know. I had a total thyroidectomy years ago and take thyroxine. Now I have been experiencing jaw, neck, and back pain. I also have high blood pressure. The neck pain is getting worse. It feels like spasms. A huge knot will come in my throat near my trachea and it’s very annoying. I am afraid when this happens but I don’t know what to do. I am a smoker too. I think I may need to see a cardiologist. When is it an emergency to go get checked out?

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 42 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      Jul 08, 2015

      Denise:

      I wouldn’t wait until your health becomes an “emergency.” I would see a doctor before it comes to that just to make sure everything is o.k. All of your symptoms, however, (jaw, neck, and back pain and huge knots in your throat) are not typical of atrial fibrillation.

      Travis

      Reply
    • Albina ( Age: 65 / F / Years with AFIB: 10 )
      Dec 20, 2015

      Please stop smoking ASAP — this is key. Smoking a single cigarette, or even several puffs, precipitated afib in me on numerous occasions. Once I knew those episodes were afib and were caused by cigarette smoking, I finally wised up and quit. Cigarettes can wreck your heart, and if you have diabetes, the combination of smoking and diabetes is even deadlier. Make it your priority to quit smoking ASAP.

      Reply
      • Travis ( Age: 43 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 Years )
        Dec 21, 2015

        Albina:

        Glad to hear you quit smoking! Whether you have afib or not it’s a good idea NOT to smoke. I wish you improved help and many years of NSR!

        Travis

        Reply
  69. Patty ( Female / Years with AFIB: 2005 )
    Aug 30, 2014

    My first bout with a fib was in 2005 . Went to hospital at midnight. Next morning my Dr came in and said I was not responding to medication so he was going to have to do a cardioversion, very scary but worked fine. Never had another attack untill June 6,2014. Had one July 31st and Aug. 7th. Went to hospital all three times. They gave me a cardizem drip and it took care of it. The last one lasted 10 hours.
    This A Fib thing is a very very scary thing but as I am told not life threating but sure feels like it.
    They put me on Multaq, did not want to take it and didn’t take it like they told me. Aug. 20,22 and 24 I had A Fib again took Multaq right away. They only lasted about 3 hours did not go to the hospital. Since I have had those 3 every other day I have been taking Multaq like the Dr, told me. That is am and pm 400 mg. and so far so good. No more A Fib. Also wanted to say I have been having high Blood Presure with very high spikes for almost two years found out both arterys to my kidneys were blocked . They put a stint in the artery to my left kidney now have normal to low b.p. That was done June 16,2014.
    I have read that an operation or some procedure s can bring on A Fib. I hate taking medicine but some time we have to. I hope to ease off of Multaq after a while but right now it is working and I am going to do what my Dr. And several other Dr tell me to so. ( I am a believer in vitamins) and am starting on mag. Q 10 and fish oil . Please read Dr Sintras book he gives a you a group of vitamins for A Fib. I Know they work but thought ok I’m cured now WRONG, you never cure A Fib but it can be controlled . Dr Sinatra s book is called (the Sinatra solution Metabolic Cardiology

    Reply
  70. Tarja
    Sep 21, 2011

    I also have recently been diagnosed with this. I am in denial, im an ex gymnast and i now coach fulltome. I taught aerobics for 15years. Ive never smoked never been overweight always have exercised and eaten healthy, so i feel ripped off that i have this. I too need to know when am i to go to the hospital. I am having surgry in december but this last week i have had my symptoms worsening, especially the dizzy spells and i keep yawning its very strange

    Reply
  71. Andey
    Mar 01, 2011

    Sunday morning woke up with a racing pulse, extremely high blood pressure (monitor read 196/169 – pulse was 161 and the irregular heart beat symbol was flashing on the monitor). I waited for about an hour to see if it would pass and finally and VERY reluctantly drove myself to the ER – i sat in the car for another 1/2 hour trying to talk myself out of going inside. Once i made the decision to try and bring down my blood pressure with the ER’s help, everything changed. They asked me if anyone had ever told me i had A-fib. I didn’t even know what that was, i have experienced these crazy symptoms many times before, though only twice as extreme as this episode. Both those times i waited it out and a day or two later things went back to normal. The first time it happened, i made an appt with a cardiologist. He told me i had high blood pressure and to take BP meds and buy a BP monitor. I was sure that a high BP was the cause for all this craziness.
    Once inside the ER, after they dropped my BP, they did a cardioversion (a unique experience i must say) when i asked why they wanted to do that since nothing really hurt (all i kept seeing in my mind were those medical TV shows where the body violently jumps up in the air(charge!!)) they said my heart was very unstable and they needed to bring it back to sinus rhythm.
    Since this is my first expereince with A-fib i would really appreciate any help understanding where to go from here and how i can prevent or at least deal with A-fib-
    i guess my biggest question is: how do you know when to wait it out vs seeking ER help? thanks so much

    Reply
  72. Laurel
    Jan 30, 2011

    Regarding plunging your face in cold water – DON’t! It can make your BP drop so low your heart stops.

    I have long term a-fib, and used to manage sudden episodes by putting My forehead on any metal or ceramic surface, because they are cool. Refrigerators doorknobs; dinner plates ; there is always something metal or ceramic around. A nurse told me this is extremely dangerous and furthermore, it is dangerous to be the sort of person who responds to cold in that way. She said if I ever go to the ER they can accidentally put me into arrest if they don’t know I have this. It is a form of vasal vagas syncope.

    That discussion made me more aggressively pursue stabalizing my heart so I don’t have these episodes to begin with. I had micronutrient testing to find out what nutrients I don’t absorb and found I have serious absorption problems. Specially formulated supplements and flecainide helped tremendously, but there was one oth thing. I am particularly sensitive to glutamate (not to be confused with gluten) which is a neurotoxin and excitotoxin and implicated in a-fib, and a leading cause of obesity, which can’t help.

    Reply
    • Fran
      Mar 06, 2015

      How do u get micronutrient testing.

      Reply
  73. anneh
    Sep 30, 2010

    Hi Ann, I was dx with LAF in March because of a Dr overdosing my thyroid meds (for low thyroid) sending my hyPERthyroid and into AF. I had another episode 3 months later but converted it with a 40mg beta blocker (they had put me on it in the ER but I weaned off). The cardiologist wanted me to stay on the nadalol so I chose the lowest dose (10mgs) and didn’t like the way I felt and am just on 5mgs (they don’t even make it that size, I have to cut them up). I take hawthorn/mag/CoQ10/taurine/alpha lipoic acid/fish oils etc. Also walk daily and am not overweight, do Tai Chi and yoga. I am wondering anyone here has found using a beta blocker really helps and would prefer not to take this drug, perhaps just take a larger dose at onset of an episode? Thanks for your thoughts.

    Reply
  74. ANN WYATT
    Sep 20, 2010

    Hello Everyone.

    I still have not had an A-fib episode and it is a long time now since I had the last one. I firmly believe that apart from food additive triggers, that the fear of having an episode is just as responsible.
    David, I noticed that you referred to being ‘wound up and cranky’. I think this can also be a trigger and that the tablet you took calmed you down. I used to worry about having a night time episode every night before going to sleep and sure enough I did. Now, I don’t even think about it and I have lost the ‘fear’. Now I have about one episode a year and I don’t let myself become stressed. Can you try meditation or even some slow breathing before you go to sleep. Tell yourself that you are going to have a restful, uninterrupted sleep. I know this sounds too easy but I really think we can wind ourselves up to the point that we actually programme our brains to act in a certain way. The brain then sends the message to the heart and off it goes. It’s worth a try. I wonder also, if all the medications fight with each other and then act as a trigger. After all, if you have a heart problem and have to go to hospital, don’t they give you magnesium? It supports and strengthens the heart muscle and helps to lower blood pressure.

    Good luck.

    Ann W

    Reply
    • Dolores
      Jan 24, 2016

      Ann W:

      This is my problem…I’ve been afraid to go to bed each night for the past month for fear of setting off my nightly AF episodes.

      My husband past away recently and I’ve been stressed but the AF starts as soon as I go to bed and/or late evening before bedtime. Am thinking of sleeping in my chair. Having read your post, it helps to know that I am probably setting off the AF by looking for it. Let’s hope I can correct that. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Terry ( F / Years with AFIB: 4 )
        Feb 26, 2017

        I know it’s been a year Ann, but I hope the stress of AF has eased up for you. I am sorry too, about the loss of your husband and evenings always seem worse no matter the illness. Life changing events cannot help but contribute to the stress, and then trigger AF. A merry-go-round to be sure. I hope you have found behavior modifications that have helped you.

        Reply
  75. Carlene
    Sep 09, 2010

    Max I to have atrial fibrillation for 9 years now. One ablation on the 9th of July 2010. I am still in and out. The E.R. is tired of me. I have been in the hospital 4 times since July 9th and this is Sept. 9th. Any suggestions you could give me would be highly appreciated I am afraid to do the second ablation I.had so much trouble after the first one. I am 56 and in good health except for this.–Thank You! God Bless!–Carlene

    Reply
  76. David Eidell
    Aug 11, 2009

    I am now fifteen hundred miles down in a rural part of Mexico and have A/F (resolved). I went through a week of meticulous heart inspections, and tests last December in a US medical center. No evidence of heart disease so they say.

    Homegrown methods of controlling the problem include hydration, and magnesium supplements. Knock on woof – last episode occurred last December while at the Medical Center. I was put on Diltiazem, Amiodarone, and metaprolol and cozaar.

    I also have both versions of sleep apnea and have been Rx’d with a Bi-Pap machine set on 14″ and an oxygen concentrator which is set to 2.0 liters.

    Every so often I will get bouts of feeling ill even though my B/P machine declared my pulse to be free of irregularity. In the past while still in the USA and living near the med center the machine has been infallible in detecting Afib, irregular heartbeat, very fast pulse (to 180) and BP examples of 160 / 140.

    One bout of feeling ill had me going to a local medical clinic. My B/P was 165 / 95 a pulse of 95 but my machine did not indicate irreg heartbeat.

    The clinic administered a sublingual tablet of 10mg Isosorbide and within 5 minutes I was feeling much better.

    This is nuts, I thought so I discontinued the dangerous amiodarone and now monitor heart and pulse several times a day. Especially at night (like last night for example) I had a difficult time falling asleep, felt wound-up and cranky, so I took a B/P 165 / 95 — I took an isorbide tab and within a half hour I felt good enough to go to sleep.

    What the hey is going on here? Did I stumble upon an effective treatment for my occasional bouts of extremely high BP? Why does a high BP make me feel so bad and wound-up?

    Can extremely high BP trigger A/Fib? If I continue to “treat” my occasional bouts of high BP will this reduce the chance that my heart will fall in A/Fib?

    If I don’t get a satisfactory answer here, I suppose I should pack up and drive six-hundred miles to the nearest Mexican hospital with cardiology dept. Otherwise I am planning to remain in Mexico for several years.

    my email is

    mexbungalows@gmail.com

    Thank You For Any Help!

    Reply

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I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation on Father's Day in 2006. I didn't know it then but that diagnosis would change my life forever. Read More

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