The following afib story was originally a comment left on my site in January 2014. When I read Alice’s comments my heart broke. I have lone atrial fibrillation myself but luckily so far I have only had about one episode per year for the past few years. I couldn’t imagine having constant episodes and being on meds so I totally feel for Alice. I just hope she finds a doctor that can help her.
Ironically, I was just in the E.R. myself just a few days prior to Alice leaving her comments having my 4th cardioversion. In her story below, she talks about her first experience with afib and how she had to be cardioverted. I’m glad to hear it went well for her. As someone that has had 4 of them, I can assure anyone else reading this that it really isn’t a big deal. Yes it’s a major inconvenience, expensive, and a general pain in the ass, but it isn’t painful and I never fear for my life when I have one done.
Alice also talks about the depression and anxiety that comes with afib. Amen sister. I can attest to that. People who have afib have a constant dark cloud over them. You never know when it’s going to strike so it’s a constant waiting game. And it’s even worse when you travel. What if I’m on a plane and it strikes? What am I going to do if I have an episode when I’m 1,000 miles away from home? Living in constant fear sucks.
But here’s the good news. Young people with atrial fibrillation have an option and that is an ablation. The success rates for young, healthy people is pretty good. It may take a couple procedures to work but it is definitely an option. I’ve already discussed it with my wife and we’ve decided that if I start getting more than one episode a year, I will have an ablation. I refuse to take meds for the rest of my life and I refuse to let my heart be in a constant state of arrhythmia.
I hope Alice looks into this option. She said she doesn’t have insurance, but according to Obama everyone is supposed to have insurance so hopefully she’ll be able to get it and have the procedure done.
If you have atrial fibrillation and would like to share your story, please contact me. I’d be more than happy to post it on this site to give you a place to vent:)
Travis Van Slooten
The owner of this website
Hi. My name is Alice and I was diagnosed with lone Afib on September 11, 2013. I am only 31 years old. I have been to the ER 5 times since then. I was laying in bed trying to fall asleep when my heart started racing. I changed positions hoping that it would help but it did not. After about an hour, I woke my husband up and we went to the ER where they did an EKG and proceed to scare the life out of me.
No one would tell me what was going on and they wouldn’t let me see my husband or even walk from the EKG room to the room. They finally allowed my husband to come back and then the doctor came in and explained that I had Afib and said that I had three options. I could try medication but my heart rate was 190 and he didn’t think it would be effective. He talked about doing an interesophageal ultrasound but determined that it was unnecessary as I had only been experiencing Afib for less than 2 hours. He decided that electric cardioversion was the way to go.
I did not like this decision as it sounded terrifying. He said that there was about a 1% chance of death. 99% survival rate is great for something like cancer, but not so much for an Afib procedure. He said I didn’t really have much of a choice, so we did it and thankfully it was really quite painless and worked.
He put me on Metoprolol and 81 mg chewable aspirin. I had an appoint with a cardiologist a week later and told him how horrible the Metoprolol was making me feel. He said he didn’t think it was the med but if I really wanted to we could change it. He switched me to Cardizem, which didn’t make me feel bad. All was well for three weeks until I had another episode.
Instead of going to the ER I went to the cardiologist office. Of course my cardiologist was on vacation, but his father (also a cardiologist) was able to see me. He did an EKG and my heart rate was 187. He was able to treat me with 5mg of Bystolic and sent me home. He also told me basically that it was tough, but I had to take the Metoprolol and he doubled my dose. I was not happy as I had so many problems with that medication before.
It took me several months, but I have finally gotten used to the meds and have learned how to take them so that they cause me the least problems. However, I have episodes of Afib pretty much daily. Sometimes as many as 9 or 10 a day lasting a minute or so to 5 minutes, occasionally they last up to an hour. They always follow yawning. If I yawn, I go into Afib. My cardiologist’s only response is that he has never heard of that before.
I am frustrated because he doesn’t seem interested in helping me at all. I do not have insurance and he schedules appointments for me every 6 weeks. I really can’t afford to keep going to a doctor who doesn’t answer my questions or show any interest in helping my condition. He has not done anything to look into it. I am worried that my heart will not be able to keep up with having these episodes so often and it will eventually just give out.
I do not have any heart disease or any heart abnormalities. I have gotten a lot of good ideas about supplements and different foods from this website and hopefully they will help. My primary care physician has given me a prescription for Klonopin which definitely helps with the anxiety.
I am having a really hard time accepting that this is my life now. The original doctor in the ER told me not to worry that he knows lots of people who live for 20 or 30 years with Afib. I told him I’m only 31 and I hope that I have more than 20 years to live.
My cardiologist assures me this will not kill me but is more of an inconvenience. That’s easy for him to say. It feels all consuming most of the time rather than just inconvenient. I read today that 38% of people with Afib suffer from depression because of the long-term of the affliction.
I hate that I will be on multiple prescriptions (about $150 since I have no insurance) for the rest of my life. I’m sorry to have rambled, but I don’t know anyone else who suffers from Afib so I have no sounding board for my venting. I hope that I can find a better way to manage this problem as I really don’t feel it is currently under control at all.
I’m 37. Diagnosed with HCM at age 16. ICD implanted at age 24. I’ve been getting cardioverted since I was 26. It started off once or twice a year. I’d wake up in the middle of the night. Pulse of 140+, Afib with RVR. Highly symptomatic. The past few years its steadily increased to 4 to 6 cardio-versions a year. I’ve had over 30+ cardioversions. I’ve had ER Docs accidentally cardiovert me while I was still awake. I’ve had cardioversion machines malfunction and I’ve stayed in the hospital for days at a time with Afib because the Dr’s took the weekend off. After a life long struggle I’m now seeking an ablation. Being in America – our health insurance premiums went up 250% these past couple years. We no longer could afford health insurance and don’t qualify for Obamacare Subsidies because my spouse and I work. So now its a new struggle – how to pay for the ablation.
My advice for everyone is to try to limit your triggers. No drinking, eat healthy, move a little, exercise, and no caffeine. If you’re like me and all that fails, try to get an ablation by an experienced high volume EP. Don’t go to some no-name EP in the middle of no where. Go to a high volume center. There are horror stories of people coming out worse after ablation and wishing they never had it. EP’s are recommending it like a cure all now and if you do some research, you’ll see that’s not the case. Most people will need a repeat abalation. Most people continue to have afib in the future because ablation doesn’t treat the underlying causes and the electrical pathways rebuild and just like Jurassic Park, afib will find a way.
Try medication first. If all else fails. Ablate. If your ablations fail, it’s open heart Maze or Mini-Maze. By that time your atrium and heart will look like a scarred up Frankenstein.
Best of luck!
Daniel:
Wow. It sounds like you have been through the wringer. I can’t imagine what a cardioversion feels like when you’re awake. That sounds awful.
You provide some great advice – to try lifestyle changes first and then if that doesn’t work have an ablation. That’s basically what I tell everyone to do.
Your outlook on ablation, however, is a little bleak. The success rates for ablations are getting better. And if you go to an elite-level EP at a high volume center your odds of success are very high.
I hope you’re able to find a way to pay for an ablation. Keep us posted and I wish you the best.
Travis
Hi
I’m a 41 year old female, healthy with no risk factors for arrhythmia. I’m active but not an athlete by any means, eat a healthy diet, have a normal BMI and (used to) drink alcohol or caffeine only on occasion, and not in binges.
I was diagnosed with paroxysmal SVT 1.5 years ago, had an ablation one year ago, which was successful.
For the next 6 months, I was experiencing a lot of “skipped” beats which I was assured were a normal part of the post-ablation healing process. When they appeared to be getting worse, I convinced my EP to put me on a monitor. Lo and behold, I had 14 episodes of afib and aflutter in 30 days, some lasting seconds and some several hours. I felt every single one of them.
Since then I was started on propafenone and aspirin. The propafenone did nothing and I progressed to have daily afib episodes. It was stopped after 3 weeks, and instead my doctor chose to rate control me with metoprolol 25 BID. I continue to have multiple daily episodes. A few days ago I was started on flecainide, but I am not hopeful.
I have 3 kids and work full time (as a physician, no less) and this diagnosis has definitely taken over my life. I am tired and uncomfortable all of the time from the constant irregular HR, and would love to just feel like myself again.
I am strongly considering an ablation but am afraid that I must have some kind of atriopathy and that isolation of the pulmonary veins isn’t going to fix things. I feel for all of the previous commenters and hope they are feeling better than when they posted.
Julie:
I wouldn’t hesitate to at least consult with a highly experienced EP about having an ablation! If you want the name of a good one (the best in the world actually), contact me directly via my website (see my contact page).
An experienced EP will not restrict his ablation to just the pulmonary veins. There are other areas of the heart that can be sources of afib such as the left atrial appendage. An experienced EP will be able to uncover these areas and make sure they are ablated properly.
Travis
Hi from Australia.
I have been reading these stories and felt the need to add to them. I am a 53 year old male and have had chronic A/F for 27 years. Initially when I was diagnosed at 26 years of age, I had 3 cardio versions within 18 months, none of which worked. I have been on medication ever since.
I am in constant A/F (it never goes away, 24 hours a day, seven days a week). I have lived with this quite comfortably for this length of time, until about 18 months ago. Fatigue, heart racing, lethargy and general malaise set in.
I am now on amiodarone, rivaroxaban, verapamil and am going in for a cardioversion in a weeks time. I am led to believe that if I can stay in rhythm for a while they will ablate me. My biggest regret was listening to my cardiologist and not pushing for earlier treatment, the diagnosis was no physical symptoms, let’s leave him be.
I was always a healthy sporting type, and now this is the first time I have started to feel this is a major issue. I guess I wanted to let you know that you can live with A/F, but get as much info as you can.
Chris
Chris:
Thanks for sharing your experience with afib. Twenty-seven years is a long time to battle afib. I hope your cardioversion goes well. Regardless if it works or not, I would definitely push for an ablation. An expert ablationist will be able to help you no matter what but I’d push for one sooner than later.
I wish you the best.
Travis
I’m wondering if anyone uses Valsalva Maneuvers to calm Atrial Fib? It’s so simple, totally non-invasive, and works wonders for me – no meds or surgeries or anything. A young heart specialist told me about it and I’m so grateful!
Hey Rachelle! I have had a handful of people like yourself mention that they’ve tried that technique with success. I’ll post the video here again of this maneuver for others to see in case they’re wondering what it’s all about. Here it is:
Travis
Hello Rachelle:
I’m 32 yrs old and was recently diagnosed with afib in January of 2019. I woke up at 3 am with my heart racing. It felt it was going to pop out of my chest and I was afraid of it becoming a heart attack.
I went into the ER and my heart rate was at 180. They put me on a drip for 24 hrs and my blood pressure was going down so they decided to stop it and watch me. While in the hospital they performed an ultrasound of my heart. The medical doctor of the hospital said one of my atria was a little weak but the cardiologist said everything looked good.
I was sent home on baby aspirin once a day and metoprolol 25 mg once a day as well. I didn’t follow up with any doctor due to financial issues and now fast forward to today. A few days back I woken up again with my heart up to 120 bpm. I went into the ER and they said I wasn’t having an afib episode but my heart and blood pressure where high.
A CT of my chest was done to check for clots and that cleared. All that was given to me was IV fluids and my heart rate and blood pressure came down on its own. I was sent home with metoprolol 25 mg again but I will be going to a pcp until my finances get better. Then I will be going to a cardiologist.
This has been very hard. I get anxiety all day. Anything I feel I get panicked. No one in my family suffers from heart problems. What are the techniques you use?
Elizabeth:
Sorry to hear about your struggles with afib and your heart in general. I totally understand how stressing it is and how you can become very anxious about it.
This website has various information on things you can do to help manage your afib but if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask them here or contact me directly.
Travis
Hey Elizabeth,
I just thought I would respond. My name is Andrea and I am 33 and was diagnosed back in September of last year with Afib (even though I knew I had this for about 2-3 years now the doctors could just never catch it).
I like you spent the last 3 years freaked out anytime it happened, so I completely understand how your anxiety levels might be high from all of the unknowns. After being officially diagnosed I felt so relieved because at least I knew what it was and that I was not “Imagining” things as previous doctors have told me. I would be happy to chat with you about Afib and all the things Afib can bring. I have found that reaching out and talking to others does wonders and really helps me feel better, less alone, and less afraid. I will say it is hard to find people our age and women with this heart abnormality so anytime I see someone else my age I always want to reach out because it really is just so helpful.
My email is andrea.picazo6@gmail.com, again I would be happy to chat with you and see if we can lean on each other and find different coping mechanisms. I have learned to stay calm during what I like to call episodes and keep my body at piece =)
We can deal with this…..I promise =)
Elizabeth, I too take Metoprolol and the great news about it, is it’s generic. Get one of the doctors to write a prescription for it, and it’s just $10 for 3 months at Wal*Mart.
Travis can tell you I’ve been posting and following this thread for five years now. Although the hospital you’ve been going to you may not tell you, they have a Patient Advocate and/or an Ombudsman. These folks should help connect you with resources. Reach out and take charge of your wellness and see if that helps your anxiety–by the way–there are probably low cost or free counseling you could access, too.
Learning to meditate can help. YouTube has many free videos that can help you learn. I am a huge fan of positive visualization.
While I can’t control my attacks, I have learned how to act in order to minimize my time in a-fib. I had to stop having the cardio version. I drink lots of water, take my magnesium and my ‘pill in the pocket’ solution.
Also, take a look at Travis’s book: Living with Atrial Fibrillation. Good stuff there.
Since having a-fib, I have taken many flights to various destinations, gotten my bachelors’ in business management, seen my daughter graduate from college, moved across country, started a new job, bought a house, and have been promoted to the director level at the technology start up I work at. Yeah, a-fib can suck and make you feel weak, but you can also find wonderful things. Guess what? I am about to go back to college to get a masters’ in information technology, planning to make VP at work next, visit a foreign country and attend my son’s college graduation.
Hi everyone. Spent my 3rd time in the hospital because of afib. I’m 29 years young with 2 little ones so this experience has been very inconvenient and stressful. They first put me on diltiazem 180. That made me feel horrible. It dropped my blood pressure too low causing me to always feel flushed and faint so I went to my doctor and he lowered it to 120mg.
I still had little side effects but nothing like before. I ended up with another episode and another overnight stay at the hospital. Now he has me on tripoli. Very low dose, 25mg. Hoping this will help. I’m tired of living in fear and walking around feeling fragile. It seems like once I start getting back to feeling like me and feeling better I go back into afib. It’s very depressing and stressful as I’m on the verge of losing my job (although the way I’ve been feeling I kind of wish I would).
I have two energetic daughters that I have a hard time playing with now in fear. Also in fear of having sex. I’m too young for all of this. The next step is an ablation. I’m hoping these pills work and I won’t have to see the hospital anytime soon. They have done an echo, x-rays, blood work and everything looks good. I’m sure it’s a “short circuit” somewhere for no other reason than bad luck.
Can anyone of you give me advice about exercise and sex?
Shanelle:
Sorry to hear about your recent struggles with afib. You’re right…you are too young for this crap!! And I know it’s especially difficult when you have little children. I’ve been there!
As for exercise, you should be fine to continue to exercise. I wouldn’t advise hardcore endurance exercise, however (i.e. training to run marathons). I also wouldn’t advise hardcore weight lifting. In a nutshell, moderate exercise is the key!
If you are highly symptomatic when you’re in afib, exercise may not be an option as it might leave you short of breath and just feeling like crud. When I would have my afib episodes (prior to having my successful ablation), I couldn’t do anything when I was in afib. It just took too much out of me. But once the episodes past I was totally normal and exercised literally every day (just light jogging and very light lifting).
The same goes for sex. It is totally fine to have sex. Again, it might not be practical when you’re actually in an afib episode as having sex might be the last thing on your mind:)
Having said all that, some afibbers have what’s called “Adrenergic” afib. This is the type of afib where exercise and stimulants such as sex bring on afib episodes. If this is you, then exercise and sex may not be a good thing as they might bring on your episodes. This probably isn’t you, however. If you go into afib after exercise or having sex, then these might be a trigger for you but don’t draw that conclusion after just one event. It may just be a coincidence. Try it again and see what happens.
Finally, at your age, I wouldn’t be scared of having an ablation. In fact, given your age and the fact that you’re catching this early, I would actually strongly advise you consider having an ablation. You’re way too young to be on drugs the rest of your life. And sadly, these drugs have a short shelf life. Meaning, they usually don’t work long-term. An ablation is your best shot at being afib-free without drugs!
I wish you well!
Travis
After having my second aortic valve replacement, they sent me home with metoprolol. After a couple of days I started having Afib. My husband called an ambulance, and they told me it was Afib. They said they doubted it was the meds, but I didn’t like them, and weaned myself off and went back to my old meds. It seemed to work for a while, and pow!
Now I get them several times a day, and I’m afraid to go any place. I’m 83 but very active (bowling, etc). I’ve stopped doing a lot of things because I get them in front of others and they scare me. My doctor had me try Diltiazem and all I wanted to do was sleep and I ached all over. He said they I have tree options: Diltiazem, ablation, or live with Afib.
They do seem to come more when I get excited and they are getting worse. I don’t know if Metoprolol started this or the surgery. Anyone else start after surgery? Thank you for this site. It’s nice to know that you’re not alone, and someone understands what you are going through. I’m fighting feeling depressed over this: I’m usually a very happy person. Thanks again for this site.
Marlene:
Hey Marlene! That’s awesome that you’re so active at the young age of 83. That’s terrific! I doubt your afib was from the medicine. Developing afib after heart surgery is not uncommon. If you’re as active and healthy as you say you are, an ablation would be a no brainer. Just be sure if you go this route you find the most experienced EP you can find to give you the best shot at putting afib to bed for good!
If you have any other questions, fire away! Otherwise, I wish you well.
Travis
It would be nice to have some more senior replies and comments as life gets more and more precious as one enters into one’s 7th and 8th decade. I first had a- fib 3 years ago and now I’ve got it again. I can more or less control it with breathing,bearing down, etc. but it always comes back to thumb its nose at me. What procedures would you recommend for a 78 year old male who is not ready to be put out to pasture, to put a stop to a fib–ablation?
Hello Barry and welcome!
I am sure Travis will be responding to you soon, but in the meantime, let me say I am sorry you have to join our club.
My Mom who is 75 has a-fib too. She has a lot of risk factors for it such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. However, I did a recent audit of her medications, and found that several of them list A-fib as a possible side effect. We talked with the doctor, and Mom got two of her medications changed, and her a-fib episodes have improved slightly.
My suggestion would be to talk to a cardiologist who works with geriatric patients, and also ask for your pharmacist (or other medications expert) to go through any medications you may be on, and see if any of them could be possibly contributing to the increase in episodes. The fact that a-fib usually becomes more frequent/chronic doesn’t mean that you don’t have a medication that could be guilty of making it worse.
Also make sure your magnesium and vitamin D levels are within range, and don’t forget to stay hydrated!
Good luck,
Mare
Barry:
There are two primary ways to tackle afib – drugs or an ablation. I don’t know what your health history is or how bad your afib so I can’t tell you which is best for your situation.
The first thing you need to do is find the most experienced EP you can find. Then work with that doctor to come up with a game plan. It’s possible you might be able to find a drug protocol that controls your afib and doesn’t give you a lot of nasty side effects.
On the other hand if drugs don’t work or if you just don’t want to be on drugs, then I’d push for an ablation. You are definitely not too old for one. A good EP can do successful ablations on people in their 90’s (so long as their heart is otherwise strong and healthy). Again, I don’t know your situation so an ablation might not be an option but if it is I wouldn’t hesitate to consider one even at your age.
I wish you the best and please keep in touch!
Travis
Hello every one. I am 27 years old and had my first Afib attack less than a month ago. Before the attack happened I started having palpitations for 4 days and could feel my heart adding an extra beat (which is what I found out after all this happened).
Then on the night of the attack I went to go drink a glass of milk and while I was drinking my heart went into afib at 150 bpm. The doctors said my heart was completely healthy. They have no clue what caused the afib.
They did an interesophageal ultrasound and found everything was normal as there were no blood clots. They said my valve was leaking small amounts but should not have caused the afib. The doctor did find that my aortic root was slightly enlarged at 4.0cm but said that could be the normal size of my heart due to my size. I am 6ft 9in.
I am looking for support through this difficult time and would like tips and would like to ask questions on what I should do since this afib diagnosis happened recently. I appreciate any help that you can give me and thank you for your time.
Phillip:
Thanks for stopping by and thanks for your comments. Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. Man, 27 is far too young to have to deal with this crap.
What did the doctor do to convert you to a normal heart rate, or did you convert on your own? And how long were you in afib?
What are the doctors advising you do now? Are you on medications?
Travis
Hello Phillip,
I am sorry you have afib at your age. Like Travis said, 27 is too young.
I noticed you mentioned your height and I wondered if you had been checked for Marfan Syndrome? My nephew’s mother (my sister) was checked for it, and my nephew is also 6’9″. Another thing they mention is aortic issues, so if you haven’t been checked consider investigating it further: https://www.marfan.org/about/signs
Don’t let your afib hold you back. I have traveled via plane and car on at least 30 trips since I was diagnosed. Yes, I did need to get cardioverted in a state I was visiting once, but that didn’t keep me from flying from Oregon to Boston last year, and we’re going again this year. Put together your support system (meditation, doctors, family, friends, therapists, medication–whatever works) and then go live your life.
Write back with an update!
Mare
Mare:
I love your spirit! Good for you for not letting atrial fibrillation rule your life. That’s awesome!
Travis
Hey Phillip, I am 29 and don’t have a diagnosis of afib yet, but I am an RN and I have a strong feeling that this is what is coming for me. I have been having heart palpitations for a couple weeks, been to the ER 3 times (and I never go to the doctor). This last time was because my rhythm sounded different and now I can’t feel my heart palpitating while its in this irregular rhythm. Its not fast though, that’s the weird part.
Anyway, I’m only commenting because you mentioned aortic root dilation and a leaky valve. I don’t know your whole story and other problems you experience but I recently learned quite a bit about ehler’s danlos syndrome (specifically hypermobility type) and two big findings in that condition are aortic root dilation and mitral valve prolapse. Its a shot in the dark, but if you’re also double jointed, experience loose joints that easily sublux or dislocate, have stretchy or leathery skin, or chronic joint pain. All this at your ripe young age of 27. I would be in talking to a geneticist. This condition is highly undiagnosed because it is not well known.
The only reason I know about is because my mother and her sister have it. I’m still young and haven’t experienced as many problems as the two of them but I think I may have it as well. I meet the diagnosis criteria. Currently, I’m on my way to having a holter monitor and an echo for my heart in the next week to figure out what’s going on with my rhythm and palpitations because of course it’s normal in the ER and they’re never able to catch on an EKG.
If you get this message and you do have some of those other problems I mentioned, feel free to email me. I check it often and I know quite a bit after all the research so I might be able to answer some questions you may have.
I was just diagnosed with A-fib last Sunday. Woke up with my heart racing.. This happened to me about 5 years ago and then a year ago. I was not in A-fib until just last week. I haven’t been on any medication until this year for high blood pressure. It was never higher then 147/80 but Dr convinced me to start taking it.
Got to the hospital and my heart rate was 170 they gave me cardizem IV and it went down to 145 for a while and then all the sudden it dropped to 70. They admitted me and told me because of my age and high blood pressure and being female I had a 2.2% chance of having a stroke. So I had to go on blood thinner. (Xarelto) I had been so sick in the morning I wasn’t sure which pill was causing me to be sick. (Lisinopril 5mg, Diltiazem ER 360mg or the Xarelto)
I finally felt good and then realized that I hadn’t taken my Xarelto! It was still on the table from the night before. I freaked out called the Dr’s and they told me to just wait to take it at 5 like I was doing. I asked if I could just take in the morning with the other pills because I thought that was making me sick and then said sure. So I have been taking it in the morning and feeling much better. I still don’t feel great in the morning but I guess I just have to get used to the Diltiazem. I have been have the irregular heart beat and high pulse almost everyday but it doesn’t last too long. It always seems to happen when I am resting. I’m not happy to hear everyone has anxiety but it makes me feel better that it is normal to feel that and to be depressed. I’m really struggling with all of this. My Mom just passed away in November, she was 83 and she had a massive stroke. So glad I found this site!!
Sandy:
Sorry to hear about your loss. I hope your mom lived a great life and that you have many fond memories of her.
Regarding your meds, do you know which one is causing you to feel sick?
I don’t know your health history but based on the limited information you’ve provided here you may be able to improve your health naturally and eventually get off the drugs. Here are some articles on how to lower blood pressure naturally:
http://www.drwhitaker.com/5-supplements-that-lower-blood-pressure-naturally/
http://www.drsinatra.com/secrets-to-lower-your-blood-pressure-naturally/
http://www.drsinatra.com/reduce-blood-pressure-with-key-nutrients/
As for the afib drugs, how often are you having episodes and when you have them do you feel them?
Travis
After having my first baby in September 2015 I started feeling flutters and fast beating from my heart. I had hardly slept since; and still my baby wakes up every hour to 2 hours a night. I had been suffering from sleep deprivation where my primary doctor said the flutter are from the chemical in-balance forcing my body to stay up. The cardiologist placed me on an event heart monitor and suddenly the flutters when away.
Few months late;r this past February (last month) I started walking and I had a few episodes where I got extremely dizzy, racing fast heartbeat, sweating, lightheaded, and I felt buzzing in my ear. I have contacted my cardiologist where she did an EKG on me and laying down my heart rate was 145. She decided to put me on another event monitor and a few times my heart rate increased and one time it went up to 250. She prescribed me Metropolol 25 and since Iam breast-feeding I was afraid to take it where she assured me it was OK. She diagnosed me with atrial fibrillation and arrhythmia. My doctor asked me to come to the ER but having an only breast feed baby is making it really hard. She raised my dose to 50 every six hours and is scheduling the cardioversion plus a TEE next week. I am on blood thinners.
I am really really scared; tryin not to stress out but it’s hard. Currently on meds my heart rate is 135; I don’t know what to do. Thank you in advance.
Diana:
Sorry to hear about your recent struggles with this crap – and that’s what I call it – CRAP! When you say you were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation AND arrhythmia, what is the “other” arrhythmia? And how often are you in afib? It sounds like you’ll be meeting with the doctor this week so you’ll likely get more information. If you’d like to reach out to me personally after you have more information, please feel free to do so. You can send me an email through my Contact page (link to it is in the upper right hand corner of this site).
I wish you well.
Travis
Diana,
Travis is a great help and I hope your visit with the doctor yields some answers. Having once been a labor and delivery nurse myself, your entire heart health needs to be assessed. I have seen cases where previously undetected heart issues were found due to the stresses of pregnancy. Sometimes they go away as your body readjusts, but I would encourage you to not rest until you have answers. This is very important for your future and your baby is counting on you to be as healthy as possibly. Don’t be shy about writing down any questions you may have and bringing them with you to the doctor.
Congratulations on being a new mom, and don’t let afib diminish that.
Hello Diana,
I know your post was a long time ago but I was wondering how you are currently doing. I was recently diagnosed with Afib and am 32 have two young children so I would like to chat with you if you were available.
Andrea- your response came to my email titled hello Diana. My name is Kristine so I am not sure if you clicked the wrong reply button or got my name mixed up. I am doing ok though. Never got a diagnosis of afib. My echo and holter monitor showed nothing majorly revealing. I do get dizzy when I stand from laying or kneeling though and my heart beats hard and fast in those instances, I think I have positional orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. I’m from a small town and people with rare disorders know more than their doctors do because they focus on the common. The uncommon is unexpected and they don’t put thought into them as possibilities.
I recently found out I had Afib a month ago and I’ve been worried ever since. It started one late night. I woke up in the middle of the night really hot so I got out of bed to turn the fan on. I instantly got very dizzy when I reached for the fan. I tried to lie back down thinking maybe I got out of the bed too suddenly.
Then I fainted, waking up my entire body was numb I was screaming so loud it woke my entire apartment building. My vision went blank. I couldn’t see a thing. All I could feel was numbness. It lasted about 10 minutes and then the numbness went away and I could see again.
My heart was pounding so fast I thought my chest was going to rip apart. My husband called 911. My heart rate went down to 160. The doctors told me they had to do a cardio shock treatment but 20 minutes before they could do it my heart rate dropped down to 90 on its own.
The doctors explained to me that I had Afib. I knew nothing about Afib at the time, and I’m wondering how me??? I don’t smoke. I literally don’t drink anything but water (I love water). I drink only wine occasionally and eat a banana every morning. I’m about the healthiest 27-year-old ever.
The doctor prescribed propafenone. I had a very hard time accepting this condition. I was told by the RN to take the meds 3 times a day but told by my cardiologist to take it as needed so I went with my own decision once a day which did me fine. I went for a follow up one week later and my primary doctor told me twice a day so I did it twice a day for about 3 days. The meds had me short of breath, which was one of the side effects and scared the crap out of me. I went to the ER and had every test done. Everything was good. There isn’t a hour that I don’t think about my condition. I’m only 27 and my youth has already been taken. It keeps me worried.
Tonicia:
Sorry to hear about your recent afib episode. For starters, please don’t worry. Stress and worrying only makes things worse. I know that’s much easier said than done but it’s important that you try not to worry. Remember, you will not die from afib and the fact that you’re catching this early gives you a much better chance of beating it (as opposed to going years with it and not even realizing it).
The first thing you’re going to want to do is get an appointment with the best EP you can find in your area. This is the most important thing you can do. A competent, experienced EP will help you figure out the best approach moving forward.
If you’re not having regular episodes I would strongly encourage you to talk to your EP about using propafenone or flecainide only as needed (called a pill-in-the-pocket approach to managing afib). The next thing you should seriously consider is having an ablation. The sooner you have one done the better your chance of actually curing yourself of the condition. The longer you wait, the harder it is to cure.
The other thing you’ll want to do is learn as much about afib as you can. As they say, knowledge is power. You’ll discover that as you learn more about afib your stress and worry won’t be nearly as high. Don’t leave it to your doctors to educate you. You must take the time and effort to learn as much as you can on your own.
If you have specific questions, feel free to contact me directly via the “Contact” link in the upper right hand corner of this site. I reply to all the messages I receive so if you send me something I will get back to you.
I wish you the best of luck!
Travis
Hi Tonicia,
I noticed you commented on this page about your AF a couple of years ago. I am a 26 year old female from Australia who has just been diagnosed with AF and I am freaking out! I was wondering how you are going with it and if you have any advice. Thank you!
I was at work when my afib started. For a few years I had a “flutter” that would make me cough a couple times a year. The episode continued after I got off work. I went home thinking it would pass but after going to bed my heart beat was harder and faster so decided I should go to the ER. They put me on a diltiazem drip. After a few hours I finally converted to normal sinus rhythm.
They put me on 60 MG diltiazem twice a day. I went to the cardiologist and she put me on 180 MG diltiazem extended release at bedtime. I’ve had two more episodes since. They had me do a stress test and my cardiologist said the results were I was 63% blocked on the “widow maker”…scared me but didn’t see how this could be.
I’d had an ultra sound of my aortic artery because my dad passed from an aortic aneurysm. It showed no plaque or blockages at all. You’d think it would have showed some plaque or something if I had a blockage in one of the main arteries. So I went through an angiogram and it showed 0% blockage!!!
I was thrilled with those results but a bit upset to go through all that for nothing!! I’ve noticed on many of the afib sites I’ve looked that they really have no idea what causes afib to start. They really try to blame age, weight, smoking, drinking, activity or the lack there of but yet healthy young athletic people are coming up with afib. They also predict higher numbers of people getting it. I’m still in my “infancy” of this road I have to go down but find it frustrating to know what to do to help myself.
Linda:
Sorry to hear about the traumatic experience you went through. Good to hear all is well (except for the afib of course). I believe the primary reason behind the increase of people with afib is due to our diet. If you look at the typical diet these days, it’s not good. Most of us don’t eat that well. Even “healthy” or athletic people don’t have the best of diets.
However, all the things you have mentioned can play a role in addition to genetics. My dad has afib and so do I. A lot of people who have afib can trace it back somewhere to their family.
The best thing you can do is arm yourself with as much information as possible. In addition to reading this blog, I encourage you to check out Steve Ryan’s book.
You should also acquaint yourself with afibbers.org. Their forum has some of the smartest people I know when it comes to afib. Dig around the forum (it’s been around for 15 years now) or post your questions. You’re bound to find answers to your questions.
I wish you the best of luck!
Travis
Hi all,
I experienced my first Afib a month ago (although I didn’t know what it was at the time). I awoke to the feeling that my heart was going to beat out of my chest. I sat upright in bed, took some deep breaths and it seemed to disappear.
My next episode was two weeks later, on a Sunday night. I had eaten a lot that weekend and had terrible gas. I was in bed and my heart rate shot up. I also had palpitations. I was uncomfortable but thought it would pass by the morning. I awoke the next day to a tightness in my chest, lightheadedness and general weakness. I decided to go to work – I almost passed out on the train and had to take a moment to sit down.
My palpitations continued all morning, until I decided to head to my GP. They took an ECG and sent me straight to the A&E without explaining much, except that I had an irregular heart beat.
I spent the next 6 hours in the A&E. Had another ECG, some bloods taken, an appointment booked with the Cardiologist and was given a Beta Blocker and sent on my way with a brief explanation of what Atrial Fibrillation and that it wasn’t life threatening due to my age etc.
Three days later my palpitations were still there, coming and going though instead of constant.
I headed back to the A&E and this time they took me more seriously! I had more bloods taken, they did a chest xray, an echocardiogram and sent down a cardiologist to consult me. The cardiologist explained a bit more of what I had – Atrial Fibrillation. She was as stumped as I was as to what was causing it. I had a healthy looking heart, as seen through the echocardiogram. I did not use drugs, I did not smoke. I did drink, but I hardly had anything the weekend it all came out. She told me they would have to perform a procedure called a “Cardioversion”. I was terrified! Next they told me they were going to up my Beta Blockers and also put me on a blood thinners, just as an extra precaution for the cardioversion because there is a 1% chance of stroke. Cue me being on those for a week, until I had my Cardiologist appointment. Worrying about every headache, every bump, making sure I didn’t brush or floss too vigorously or walk or even run anywhere.
I had another ECG and saw the Cardiologist! Happy days! My heart rate is back in Normal Sinus Rhythm!
My Cardiologist said I could come off all the mediation and that I just need to keep an eye on it. They think I was in Lone AF. And hope that it won’t return again! I have an appointment in a month where they are going to run a Stress Test and some other tests to see if they can get to the bottom of it.
I’m terrified that i’ll have another attack or fall back into AFib. I feel like I have to watch everything I do and every heartbeat I have out of place I think I have relapsed!
I feel sorry for everyone living with this condition.
Sheree:
Welcome to the club…unfortunately this is not a club you want to be a part of – especially at just 26 years of age. Your story is similar to mine as I had my first episode in my early thirties and freaked out as well. It’s a very common response.
My guess is you’ll be fine for now. I went five years from my first episode to my second episode and then after that I only had an episode about every year or two. It wasn’t until 2014 at the age of 42 that my afib spiraled out of control. I went about 8 years with only having to deal with a handful of episodes. There is a good chance you’ll be in the same boat (knock on wood).
Unfortunately, if you have afib you have afib. It’s not something that goes away. And it does get progressively worse eventually. Some people can go several years before it really becomes an issue. I hope that is you.
If your doctors confirm you have lone atrial fibrillation you shouldn’t need to take any meds at this point. To this day the only meds I have taken is Flecainide and I have only taken it when I have an episode. Although I am on a blood thinner (Eliquis) temporarily in preparation of my ablation next week. Otherwise, I haven’t been burdened with drugs and I doubt you will be either.
To slow the progression of afib you may need to make serious lifestyle changes such as losing weight if you’re overweight, reducing the amount of alcohol you drink, eating healthier, getting good sleep, etc. These lifestyle changes can have a dramatic affect on afib in a positive way.
Down the road when you’re afib starts acting up, drop me a line via my contact form on this website and I’ll help you out as best as I can.
Good luck to you and hopefully I won’t hear from you for a long long time!
Travis
This is for Alice… I am a extremely healthy 29 year old male with yawn-induced a-fib. It is cureable if you are able to induce it during an ablation procedure. There is a dr. Who can help you in Rockeville Centre NY. He mostly fixed mine I only have palpitations now some days good some bad but so far it’s been 9 months and no sustained afib episodes. You have something called vagal mediated afib its your parasympathetic nervous system that helps control your heart beat. Please take my advise and stay away from the medicines they are totally outdated and horrible. As of this year left atrial ablation is safer than anti arrhythmic medicine and beta blockers btw. The only medicines that will help you is norpace or flecanide. They have vagalyptic properties and stop what is causing your arrhythmia but only about 75%. Get the ablation if u can induce it it’s about 85% curable
Claude:
While I disagree with some of your points, the main point of your comment is spot on – that drugs suck and that an ablation really is the best option. I have said repeatedly throughout this blog and to doctors I talk to that ablations should be the first line of treatment. Drugs should only be given as a last resort option (i.e. when ablations fail).
I waited 9 years to have my ablation and in hindsight I should have had it done years ago. I’ll likely need a touch up ablation in the future (most people do) and I won’t hesitate to have one done. And if the second procedure doesn’t work, I’ll have a third if the doctor thinks it will help. I’ll pretty much consider any type of surgery or procedure before I go on drugs for the rest of my life.
Travis
Hi sheree,
I noticed you commented on this page about your AF a couple of years ago. I am a 26 year old female from Australia who has just been diagnosed with AF and I am freaking out! I was wondering how you are going with it and if you have any advice. Thank you!
Hello everyone,
I’m female and 52, almost 53, and I was first diagnosed with a-fib 4 1/2 years ago. It always happens when I am asleep, and always wakes me up. I had two big attacks within a few months, and I changed jobs due to stress (working 50-65 hr weeks). I made it 14 months without any attacks, but then had one in September while I was in another state on vacation. I was cardioverted for the 4th time without any issue, but tonight it has gone back into a-fib only 2 months later.
I take metoprolol twice a day and four baby aspirin to treat it. Unfortunately, they have been reluctant to raise the metoprolol because I don’t have high blood pressure, and sometimes my blood pressure drops to 80/42. The cardiologist says ablation will probably not help in my case because it seems to be related to my fibromyalgia and poor sleep. I was diagnoses with the lowest possible sleep apnea (a 6, where 0-5 are normal) and wear a mouth guard. In addition, I am obese and weight loss would probably help.
Lately, I had started walking again with my pedometer, but I got bronchitis right before Thanksgiving. It’s been so bad, I had to be put on five medications, and had to stop my usual multi-vitamin and magnesium supplement (they interfered with the antibiotic). I had just started the supplement back up yesterday when I saw your message board and how magnesium has been beneficial. My contract job ended a few weeks ago, so I am looking for full-time work, which probably increases my stress along with being sick.
Finally, being female I had noted my a-fib always attacks during a period. Perhaps that means there can be a hormonal trigger in some cases. Perhaps menopause will help. My cardiologist said he thinks most people are happier when their a-fib finally becomes chronic. Excuse me if I doubt that at the moment.
I’d like to wish everyone good luck with making peace with your a-fib. For those of you trying ablations, supplements, and medications, I hope you find success.
Mare:
Thanks for sharing your story. I would agree with your cardiologist that an ablation probably wouldn’t help if you have sleep apnea and are overweight. However, if you can get the sleep apnea under control (which is sounds like you’re doing) and you can lose weight, I would give an ablation serious consideration. You’re way too young to be on drugs the rest of your life.
It’s interesting that you mentioned that your cardiologist said he thinks most people are happier when their atrial fibrillation becomes chronic. I’ve read that in a forum as well – that people felt better when they were in chronic afib. I have a hard time believing that myself as I am highly symptomatic. When I have an episode, it virtually cripples me. I can’t do anything but stand or sit still – or lie down. I couldn’t imagine being in chronic afib. My life would be over if that was the case. However, I’ve also read that once afib becomes chronic it tends to be less severe or noticeable. Regardless, I don’t ever want to become chronic!!
I wish you the best as you battle your afib and recent health issues. Godspeed.
Travis
Hi Travis, I thought maybe my story could help others. I had a Mitral Valve Repair (open chest) at age 26 and a double valve replacement ( mitral and aortic) at age 52. this was from Rheumatic Fever as a child.
The A fib became regular in 1999 and I went on flecainide and Coumadin. I am now on Sotalol. I had an Ablation and I’ve been Cardioverted 16 times. Since my valve replacement I average A fib four times a year. After valve surgery I Was diagnosed with Chronic Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis. So I have been on various dosages of Prednisone and I’m carrying 35 extra pounds and the increased heart rate makes my valves click loudly and I’m constantly sweating which lowers my minerals and its a daily guessing game with how much Potassium or Magnesium I’ll need.
I just started an IV Infusion of Simponi for the Arthritis and I’ve had 5 episodes of AFib in 2 months and the last two lasted 72 hours. It was the worst I have ever experienced. I use Lanoxin, Sotalol, potassium, Magnesium and Gatorade to come out of it. I didn’t go in to be cardioverted because after 16 times I have nerve damage in my thoracic spine and see a pain management specialist for shots to my sternum and alternate on the back.
Please let people know the importance of taking Potassium and Magnesium supplements. I was on Lasix since my twenties and a using Potassium supplements but once I got on Magnesium supplements it really slowed down the occurrence of AFib. My last cardiologist visit the doctor did mention putting in a pacemaker since my heart rate is very erratic when I’m in AFib. I am very disappointed that I can’t use the Simponi infusions for the arthritis but drug induced AFib is the worst kind because even if you relax and sit calmly your hearts going haywire.
Thanks for listening and my philosophy is that there is always someone worse off than you and Thank God for my eye sight, I can see where I’m going!!!!! Good luck to you and stay calm!!!!!
Eileen:
Reading your comments breaks my heart. I hate hearing how afib negatively impacts peoples’ lives so much. It makes me angry. Nobody should have to suffer like this. However, your philosophy is very similar to mine – that no matter how bad we may think we have it, someone has it worse…but somehow that doesn’t always make me feel better as I’m sure you can attest to.
Your tips about potassium and magnesium are appreciated. Those are definitely the “core supplements” all of us afibbers seem to be taking. I’m looking into other supplements as well including cayenne and Hawthorne Berry. I hope to have some articles on these soon.
I wish you the best!
Travis
Hi everyone. This is Alice. Thanks for reading my story. I just wanted to leave an update with that hope that maybe it will help others with a similar situation.
My life with afib began in September of 2013. Let me start by saying that my quality of life has dramatically improved since March of this year. Like Charlotte who commented on my story, the metoprolol made me feel terrible at first. I hated it. It took much longer than the cardiologist said it would, but I did eventually get used to it. Turns out, the note on the bottle saying to take it with or immediately following food should not be ignored. For me at least, I can not take it a half hour after eating. If I do, I will feel terrible. I really have to take it IMMEDIATELY after eating.
In late March of this year, my pharmacy switched the generic brand of metoprolol that they stocked. I was concerned at first when I got the pills and they looked different, but the pharmacist assured me it was just a different brand but was exactly the same thing. The brand that they switched to was Watson Labs. After about a week of taking the new pills, my 5 to 10 daily little episodes of afib completely stopped. I can’t say how or why, but I was thrilled. This was life changing for me.
Last month, the pharmacy switched their generic brand of metoprolol again. I was almost out of pills and they said it would take three or four days to order the Watson Labs brand. I didn’t really have a choice but to buy the pills they had in stock (Dr. Reddy’s Labs- which I’m told is a reputable lab but sounds like they were made in someone’s garden shed.) Well, after about two days, the episodes started up again. Not as much as before, but they were definitely back. I was devastated. It sort of rocks you completely. It’s a funny thing to not recognize how good you feel until you feel bad again. Fortunately for me, my pharmacy team is great and I went in and they put a rush order on the Watson Labs brand. I have been taking them for about three weeks and I have only had two small episodes since. I am confident that after a couple more weeks, I will be back to my new normal.
I would encourage anyone who is taking metoprolol and not getting great results to ask your pharmacy to try a different brand. I was surprised that there could be such a difference, but after talking with the pharmacy and my physicians, different brands of the same medicine, same dosage can work differently for different people.
I have also noticed that on nights were I don’t get proper sleep, I tend to have very minor episodes the following day. Sleep is one of the most important things for a healthy heart and it really does make a difference for me.
It has been a long year and I’m still not sure that I have entirely come to terms with my new life. For someone who has never taken anything other than antibiotics, it’s hard to accept that I now have to take six pills a day every day and will likely have to do so for the rest of my life. I also fear that one day these medications will cease being effective for me and I will have to move onto anti-arrhythmia medications which have far more side effects. Ablation surgery is always on option, but is not without risks.
Thanks everyone. It’s great to have somewhere to discuss this with people who understand. I sincerely hope that maybe my comments will help someone who is also struggling.
I too become frustrated with my doctor when he is complacent about my a fib. I have been taking meds for years with good results but now am having more frequent episodes. when I try to discuss changing my meds around to maximize their effect, he brushes me off and says he doesn’t think my situation is bad enough yet to ywarrant making changes. Even with health insurance, each trip to the ER is 1000 dollars or more out of pocket plus the stress. I’m glad to see this sight. I feel isolated sometimes. BEST WISHES TO ALL!!
I too am 31 with afib so I definitely feel your pain. I havent heard of many other young females who have afib. I am taking metoprolol and low dose asprine. I still have episodes and plan to follow up with my doctor to see what can be done. I think he will up my dosage of metoprolol but it makes me feel crappy. I hope that you get some answers from your do for or able to find another one willing to help you.
I was on metoprolol for 16 yrs for cardiomyopathy, when I began having atrial fibrillation. After my third episode, they were all about 1 month apart, my doctor switched me to sotalol, which seems better, and put me on an anticoagulant to lessen the risk of stroke during cardioconversion. Rivaroxaban is the name of the anticoagulant – maybe try that? Mine has settled down now. It’s been about 4 months without. Goodluck.
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