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1 year ago at 45yo I (mostly) gave up alcohol and caffine, ate more sensibly and increased exercise and lost weight. As a result I get loads of quality sleep.
6 months after that I was 3 stone lighter, a lot fitter and Blood pressure was/is ideal. At that point I first noticed my heart beat became irregular for a couple of hours. Since then it’s happened about once a month, almost always coming on while I’m asleep at night.
My resting HR is low (43-49) but I was born with a lowish HR, am reasonably fit and I have no symptoms suggesting it’s too low for me.
Last week a specialist diagnosed Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. An ultra-scan of my heart showed no problems. Doctor didn’t think it was worth treating, but did discuss treatment options. He seemed to think that as long as the ‘episodes’ weren’t bothering me there wasn’t a problem. Google suggests otherwise.
So, against a backdrop doing all the things you’re supposed to do to prevent Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation I’ve developed it, and because I’m doing all the right things there’s not much I can change.
I’ve googled Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation and scared myself, so I’m looking for reassurance, but don’t lie to me! I’m seeing my GP in a week or two but in the meantime I could do with some real life experiences from the FOAK:
- Is Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation highly likely to develop into full on Atrial Fibrillation? [1]
- Does Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation often go away by itself?
- I’ve found it hard to identify triggers from the bewildering array of potential triggers. With one exception it’s occurred the night after a run. (~12 hours after.) A twice it’s occurred during the night after small quantities of alcohol/caffeine [2].
- Anyone offer any other insights into how this might play out?
[1] Google says yes, but it seems this may be because people typical get it because of old age or underlying heart conditions which themselves are progressive IYSWIM.
[2] One one occasion 2 pints of cobra and one coffee. On another occasion after a lot of decaff coffee/tea and half a glass of Madera.
The best thing is not to google or ask here (as you already know) and wait and speak to your doc
Everyone is different
If doc thinks you need to see a cardiologist they will refer you
Only time I have seen it was a colleague whos heart rate hit 220 one day at work! She was checked out and didn't need any treatment as it reverted on its own.
sorry - thats all I know!
Speak to your GP, Cardiac Nurse and Consultant not Dr Google.
I was diagnosed a year ago. Similar symptoms and background to you. Initially put on beta blockers but taken off when it exacerbated my naturally slow resting pulse. It was falling below 30 bpm overnight. So after 3 months beta blockers I had no treatment for the next nine months.
Fast forward to January this year and the AF restarted, Again mild and intermittent but this time I got referred to Papworth hospital. To stop any further progression of the AF they have decided that cardio ablation will be the best bet. So I am off to the hospital for a pre op CT scan tomorrow and an op the following week.
The specialist at the hospital has been great, very reassuring, says the ablation should fix things. If it reoccurs after that then a pacemaker is the answer.
Hope that helps a little.
I've not had atrial fibrillation, but if you end up going down the route of ablation and want to talk about what that's like from the patients side; I had that treatment for my tachycardia in November - no episodes since.
Good luck, and I hope it's straightforward for you.
I developed AF in March 2015. Had a few cardioversions and then an ablation in Aug 2015. All good for just over a year. Trained hard in 2016 and rode 12k km. In 2017 developed paroxysmal AF. Had 6 24hr episodes and one lasting one week. Had another ablation in May 2018. Been fine since although I chose to remain on beta blockers. I still ride lots and the only thing affected is my climbing ability. My cardiologist believes certain endurance athletes are affected - exercise causes micro damage to surface of heart thereby disrupting the electrical signals. Read ‘The Haywire Heart’ for more info.
My resting heartbeat has risen since ablation and I get ectopic beats, particularly after food.
The risk is a stroke as you’ll have read. I’m on anticoagulation for life due to another unrelated condition.
Thanks all!