Atrial fibrillation (also called AFib or AF) is a quivering or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. Some people refer to AF as a quivering heart. An estimated 2.7 million Americans are living with AF.
Here’s how patients have described their experience:
“My heart flip-flops, skips beats, and feels like it’s banging against my chest wall, especially if I’m carrying stuff up my stairs or bending down.” "
I was nauseated, light-headed, and weak. I had a really fast heartbeat and felt like I was gasping for air.”
“I had no symptoms at all. I discovered my AF at a regular check-up. I’m glad we found it early.”
What happens during AFib?
Normally, your heart contracts and relaxes to a regular beat. In atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat irregularly (quiver) instead of beating effectively to move blood into the ventricles. About 15–20 percent of people who have strokes have this heart arrhythmia.
“Anything that allows blood to slow down or pool increases the risk of clotting, and so increases the risk of stroke,” says Dr. Steve Roach, Professor of Neurology and Director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at Wake Forest University Medical School.
If a clot breaks off, enters the bloodstream and lodges in an artery leading to the brain, a stroke results.“ This clot risk is why patients with this condition are put on blood thinners. People with atrial fibrillation have an increased stroke risk of about five percent per year.”
It's the most common "serious" heart rhythm abnormality in people over the age of 65 years. Even though untreated atrial fibrillation doubles the risk of heart-related deaths and causes a 4–5-fold increased risk for stroke, many patients are unaware that AF is a serious condition.
Only 33% of AF patients think atrial fibrillation is a serious condition
Less than half of AF patients believe they have an increased risk for stroke or heart-related hospitalizations or death
AFib Treatment Saves Lives & Lowers Risks
If you or someone you love has atrial fibrillation, learn more about what AFib is, why treatment can save lives, and what you can do to reach your goals, lower your risks and live a healthy life.
If you think you may have atrial fibrillation, here are your most important steps:
I'm a 9-day old AF rookie all the way from Turkey. I'm 47 and have been exercising many kind of sports since my childhood days. Nowadays, mainly running some half and full marathons, strength & conditioning workouts plus yoga as active recovery.
I always had some palpitations, minor chest pain and the likes, therefore never skipped check-ups (including BT scans too) on regular basis and -all the times- been told that my heart was in perfect shape to maintain my active life.
Until that Sunday night, 9 days ago...
11PM that Sunday night, I woke up with some major and unmanageble palpitations and waited until morning with a hope that it will soon get better but it did not. Then I drove to the ER at the regular hospital that I always used to go and faced the reality that my heart had been out of sinus rythm and went into AF. 3 hour-long medication did not reverse it and I've been moved up to the cardiological intensive care for further protocals. It took approximately 5 hours to get back to the sinus rythm through ongoing medication either taken orally or through vascular access. Doctors kept medicating for an extra 4 hours and then discontinue. From that point on, they started closely monitoring my situation for like 10 hours. Finally, I was discharged from the hospital and allowed to drive back home.
Yesterday morning, I went to see my Cardilogist, who had been on holiday during my episode, to find out that:
1. I was a lucky one since my heart shouted that it had been hit by AF. She underlined there are incidents that AF comes without any syptoms but can be a cause of stroke or more serious heart diseases. At least we know who and where the enemy is...
2. My prescription only includes beta-blockers and anti-arythmics but not blood thinners which was shockingly surprising to me. I even challanged her (BTW. she is a Professor, specialised on arthmia) that without thinners, I would have much bigger risk of stroke based on the things I've read on Internet. She very bluntly highlighted several times that each AF was different and it was "stupid" to treat each AF'ers in standart ways. Some patients might desperately need thinners but some don't, simply based on several other factors.
3. Keeping a healthier mind is key. Otherwise, you will not be able to sleep efficiently, lose appetite (ie. not enough carb to feed to your heart) and always be in a negative mood only thinking and talking about your conditions which there is nothing you can stop it from being there! Hypochondria should be the last thing for any AF'ers to experience. Therefore I'm also given some light medications to keep my mind well.
4. Exercise in ways planned by your doctor helps a great deal. There are even some athletes that have been carried on playing with or without knowing that they had been an AF'er such as Larry Bird. We are not superstars but much simplier human beings therfore I already said a heartbreaking "Goodbye" to marathon. However this doesn't mean that I will quit running either. The formula I've been proived by my doctor: 220-47 (my age) = 173 is the maximum calculated HR (MCHR). However in my conditions; I'm adviced to start running on 50% of the MCHR which is around 90 BPM, almost a fast walking pace. If all goes well, I'll start increasing the % until 75% which will give me enough pace to start jogging at least.
5. And finally, do not waste your time reading some bosh staff at Internet. I'm writting this post HERE (i.e. a very well trusted and informative publishment), as this was also suggested by my doctor as a part of my progress plan. Where I live (ie. Turkey) is full of some silly content regarding AF unfortunately. At every article I've ever read, there was major drama which made me feel even much worse. And believe me, after a while your body start emulating eveything you read. I cannot tell you how many times I thought my brain had been shot by clot or my energy levels had been sub-zero. But it was all illusive because of the things I've been exposed to heavily.
To cut a long stroy short: I'd never wanted to end up being an AF'er. But whatever happened happened and there is nothing I can do to send this back. I'm new and aware that I will have some tough times along the way. However, I have a plan and intention to make things as comfortable as my conditions will allow.
Hi I am new here and I just want to introduce myself. --- Not really sure where I am supposed to post --- Sorry I have in a couple places
A little background , I am 61 now ( 2019 )
I have had AF since 2014
Once a yr prior I went to the ER with what they said was tachycardia. They sent me home saying I was under stress - I had had a loss in the family.
Two yrs later in 2014 I was sitting at the table and my heart was racing.
Decided to go to the hospital because I was attempting to take my BP with a home cuff and it would not register.
My heart rate at the hospital was over 220
I converted approx 7 hours later with medication. I was admitted and spent 3 days.Hospital Dr said I needed metoprolol and blood thinners. In his words OR I was going to die.( NICE TO HEAR AS I WAS ALREADY SCARED)
Ever since my first bout of AF I have had ringing in ONE EAR 24/7 365
Cardiologist says it was unrelated, however it happened at that exact time & I have no reason to believe it isn't related.
I went to ENT, 2 neurologists , Ear Dr, and PCP had every test known including a brain scan all found nothing wrong. BUT, It persists to this day.
I had a cardiologist from my previous episode of tachycardia & I went to see him and he told me there was a 5 point system to determine treatment and I was under 1.
He suggested Propanolol ( 10mg) AS NEEDED and an aspirin daily. The aspirin was lowered to ½ and then eliminated due to a new study that it is ineffective in treatment.He said when I am 65 we will re-evaluate treatment.
I do NOT have HBP ( it does spike in an episode ) or any other conditions. I am overweight
I have had a stress test ,EKG'S and a halter monitor a couple times
ALL NORMAL
I take
Magnesium Oxide 600mg.
Garlic
D3
C
Sometimes potassium and B12 and fish oil
& drink A LOT of water
No caffeine
I do have episodes of AF
In the last 2 years I have had 5
I take pill as soon as I feel it and generally convert within a hour & all is well.UNLESS, I have a long bout which lasts a couple maybe 4 hours + and required 2 pills.
THEN THE PROBLEMS BEGIN
For days sometimes weeks I am off.
I have some breakthrough palpitations and I am SO exhausted I can't function.
I am woozy – not light headed more like swaying on a ship. Not moving helps.In turn I get nervous anxiety, then sometimes palpitations.
I do feel it is related to the ringing in my ear & is triggered with AF But that is of little comfort. They say It takes time to “balance out”
I have tried ( Dr suggested) water-pills and mucinex as well as benadryl sometimes it will help a little Others times not at all.
Does ANYONE else have this kind of experience ? I really need some input!!! I am week 3 after an episode and this one is really difficult.
I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AFib almost 4 months ago and have had 19 episodes since. Meds have reduced the episodes greatly, with the most recent 6 Afib episodes averaging 6 to 12 hours, once every 7 days. Over half have occurred between midnight and 6 am, so a sleep apnea study has been ordered. The episodes have not proven to be debilitating and have been dealt with by just limiting my activity.
My wife and I have been planning a much needed 2 week international trip to Spain and Majorca in October. My cardiologist didn't say no when I asked, but he didn't seem that enthusiastic either. His concern seemed to be more over the long flight at altitude serving as a trigger. He does not consider me to be as being at great risk of stroke since I have only a single risk factor. and am in good health other than a little overweight.
Is traveling internationally with Afib of high concern? Should I postpone the trip till my Afib episodes are under better control?
Hi all,
I'm a 9-day old AF rookie all the way from Turkey. I'm 47 and have been exercising many kind of sports since my childhood days. Nowadays, mainly running some half and full marathons, strength & conditioning workouts plus yoga as active recovery.
I always had some palpitations, minor chest pain and the likes, therefore never skipped check-ups (including BT scans too) on regular basis and -all the times- been told that my heart was in perfect shape to maintain my active life.
Until that Sunday night, 9 days ago...
11PM that Sunday night, I woke up with some major and unmanageble palpitations and waited until morning with a hope that it will soon get better but it did not. Then I drove to the ER at the regular hospital that I always used to go and faced the reality that my heart had been out of sinus rythm and went into AF. 3 hour-long medication did not reverse it and I've been moved up to the cardiological intensive care for further protocals. It took approximately 5 hours to get back to the sinus rythm through ongoing medication either taken orally or through vascular access. Doctors kept medicating for an extra 4 hours and then discontinue. From that point on, they started closely monitoring my situation for like 10 hours. Finally, I was discharged from the hospital and allowed to drive back home.
Yesterday morning, I went to see my Cardilogist, who had been on holiday during my episode, to find out that:
1. I was a lucky one since my heart shouted that it had been hit by AF. She underlined there are incidents that AF comes without any syptoms but can be a cause of stroke or more serious heart diseases. At least we know who and where the enemy is...
2. My prescription only includes beta-blockers and anti-arythmics but not blood thinners which was shockingly surprising to me. I even challanged her (BTW. she is a Professor, specialised on arthmia) that without thinners, I would have much bigger risk of stroke based on the things I've read on Internet. She very bluntly highlighted several times that each AF was different and it was "stupid" to treat each AF'ers in standart ways. Some patients might desperately need thinners but some don't, simply based on several other factors.
3. Keeping a healthier mind is key. Otherwise, you will not be able to sleep efficiently, lose appetite (ie. not enough carb to feed to your heart) and always be in a negative mood only thinking and talking about your conditions which there is nothing you can stop it from being there! Hypochondria should be the last thing for any AF'ers to experience. Therefore I'm also given some light medications to keep my mind well.
4. Exercise in ways planned by your doctor helps a great deal. There are even some athletes that have been carried on playing with or without knowing that they had been an AF'er such as Larry Bird. We are not superstars but much simplier human beings therfore I already said a heartbreaking "Goodbye" to marathon. However this doesn't mean that I will quit running either. The formula I've been proived by my doctor: 220-47 (my age) = 173 is the maximum calculated HR (MCHR). However in my conditions; I'm adviced to start running on 50% of the MCHR which is around 90 BPM, almost a fast walking pace. If all goes well, I'll start increasing the % until 75% which will give me enough pace to start jogging at least.
5. And finally, do not waste your time reading some bosh staff at Internet. I'm writting this post HERE (i.e. a very well trusted and informative publishment), as this was also suggested by my doctor as a part of my progress plan. Where I live (ie. Turkey) is full of some silly content regarding AF unfortunately. At every article I've ever read, there was major drama which made me feel even much worse. And believe me, after a while your body start emulating eveything you read. I cannot tell you how many times I thought my brain had been shot by clot or my energy levels had been sub-zero. But it was all illusive because of the things I've been exposed to heavily.
To cut a long stroy short: I'd never wanted to end up being an AF'er. But whatever happened happened and there is nothing I can do to send this back. I'm new and aware that I will have some tough times along the way. However, I have a plan and intention to make things as comfortable as my conditions will allow.
Nice to meet you all, Emre
Hi I am new here and I just want to introduce myself.
--- Not really sure where I am supposed to post --- Sorry I have in a couple places
A little background , I am 61 now ( 2019 )
I have had AF since 2014
Once a yr prior I went to the ER with what they said was tachycardia. They sent me home saying I was under stress - I had had a loss in the family.
Two yrs later in 2014 I was sitting at the table and my heart was racing.
Decided to go to the hospital because I was attempting to take my BP with a home cuff and it would not register.
My heart rate at the hospital was over 220
I converted approx 7 hours later with medication. I was admitted and spent 3 days.Hospital Dr said I needed metoprolol and blood thinners. In his words OR I was going to die.( NICE TO HEAR AS I WAS ALREADY SCARED)
Ever since my first bout of AF I have had ringing in ONE EAR 24/7 365
Cardiologist says it was unrelated, however it happened at that exact time & I have no reason to believe it isn't related.
I went to ENT, 2 neurologists , Ear Dr, and PCP had every test known including a brain scan all found nothing wrong. BUT, It persists to this day.
I had a cardiologist from my previous episode of tachycardia & I went to see him and he told me there was a 5 point system to determine treatment and I was under 1.
He suggested Propanolol ( 10mg) AS NEEDED and an aspirin daily. The aspirin was lowered to ½ and then eliminated due to a new study that it is ineffective in treatment.He said when I am 65 we will re-evaluate treatment.
I do NOT have HBP ( it does spike in an episode ) or any other conditions. I am overweight
I have had a stress test ,EKG'S and a halter monitor a couple times
ALL NORMAL
I take
Magnesium Oxide 600mg.
Garlic
D3
C
Sometimes potassium and B12 and fish oil
& drink A LOT of water
No caffeine
I do have episodes of AF
In the last 2 years I have had 5
I take pill as soon as I feel it and generally convert within a hour & all is well.UNLESS, I have a long bout which lasts a couple maybe 4 hours + and required 2 pills.
THEN THE PROBLEMS BEGIN
For days sometimes weeks I am off.
I have some breakthrough palpitations and I am SO exhausted I can't function.
I am woozy – not light headed more like swaying on a ship. Not moving helps.In turn I get nervous anxiety, then sometimes palpitations.
I do feel it is related to the ringing in my ear & is triggered with AF But that is of little comfort. They say It takes time to “balance out”
I have tried ( Dr suggested) water-pills and mucinex as well as benadryl sometimes it will help a little Others times not at all.
Does ANYONE else have this kind of experience ? I really need some input!!! I am week 3 after an episode and this one is really difficult.
I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AFib almost 4 months ago and have had 19 episodes since. Meds have reduced the episodes greatly, with the most recent 6 Afib episodes averaging 6 to 12 hours, once every 7 days. Over half have occurred between midnight and 6 am, so a sleep apnea study has been ordered. The episodes have not proven to be debilitating and have been dealt with by just limiting my activity.
My wife and I have been planning a much needed 2 week international trip to Spain and Majorca in October. My cardiologist didn't say no when I asked, but he didn't seem that enthusiastic either. His concern seemed to be more over the long flight at altitude serving as a trigger. He does not consider me to be as being at great risk of stroke since I have only a single risk factor. and am in good health other than a little overweight.
Is traveling internationally with Afib of high concern? Should I postpone the trip till my Afib episodes are under better control?