I’m 40. Been diagnosed with a fib and flutter . For me it hits when at rest. Never in the day it’s always when sit down in the evening. Lasts between 5 mins and an hour . I have seen a specialist , I’m now in bisiprolol 1.25 morning and night . Things are better but still having symptoms . Weirdly I now get fairly slow heartbeat say 56 bpm but pounding and skipped and extra beats in the evening which feels uncomfortable and a bit scary. Is this normal ? Also I’m keen to know if alcohol is a definite no go . I bloody love a drink ! Though have cut it out nearly completely due to specialists advice. Additionally I’m fairly young should I be seeking an ablation ? Great to join this forum and I hope everyone is well !
Chris
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Hi, And Welcome, I'm prone to AF, my heart rate goes from normal 60+ beats to 160+ at the drop of a hat.
Cutting out or vastly down on alcohol helps. I no longer drink at all and like yourself liked a drink. Also coffee and any caffeine products can cause AF.
I've had two ablations, the first one didn't work but the second one I had during my open heart surgery seems have done the trick so far.
I was told by the cardiac department that if the AF goes on for more that 10 - 20 minutes to call the emergency services at any time.
Also there is a trick to help to slow the AF down, if you put your thumb on to your lips at if you are about to blow a saxophone and blow hard it can help return you heart beat back to normal.
If this doesn't work then my suggestion is to call 999 asap.
AF can be a bit scary, without trying to scare you but if can cause blood clots and pulmonary embolism.
"I’m keen to know if alcohol is a definite no go . I bloody love a drink !"
AF significantly increases your risk of a stroke; and strokes are the number one cause of long term disability, ie becoming wheelchair bound.
At 40 you still have over half your life left in front of you, so personally I'd consider whatever life style changes might help, no matter how drastic.
The good news is that AF is actively researched (not least by the BHF, the sponsors of this forum) so there's every chance that at some point in your life the miracle that is modern medicine will discover a complete cure for AF or at least significantly improve medication effectiveness.
If you have AF you definitely need to be on some type of blood thinner. AF is a precursor to allowing your blood to clot and lead to a stroke. The medications available are effective to solve the clotting concern so if you are not taking one talk to your cardio doctor immediately.
Ablation can also eliminate the AF but it’s not a cure. It seems like most AF cases need 2 ablations and their AF is resolved. Most still take a blood thinner as a precaution for stroke.
There are also medications to control AF.
Depending on your cardio history one other alternative may be a pacemaker.
Consult an Electrophysiologist -a physician who specializes in heart rhythm issues. There are many avenues open to you and research is discovering more and more treatments to solve AF.
The ectopic beats you are experiencing can be uncomfortable and some people find them distressing. You may find that slow, deep, controlled breathing helps with the symptoms. If you can avoid sources of stress this will help too. It’s understandable that you feel scared but in time you should learn to realise that there is no need to be.
I, too, like a drink in moderation and I found a nightcap to be calming. You will only discover what your triggers are by trial and error.
An ablation is not a cure; it is generally offered to improve quality of life if the symptoms are too debilitating. If you are offered one, it is a routine and painless procedure (particularly if done under a general anaesthetic) but it may take more than one attempt to work.
The AF Association forum on here is a great source of help and support for people with any cardiac arrhythmia.
Thank you all for the kind replies . Already learning lots ! I’m not on an anticoagulant yet as my young age and fairly short episodes mean in low on the stroke risk . I will definitely see an EP my cardiologist who Dr Samauroo Chester England has been very good and I will see him again in a few months. In the meantime this week it seems to have flared up . Afternoon sleeps seem to be a no no ! As does MSG! I have a beer here and there and I don’t think that’s triggering it . I also can’t yet work out ho me exercise works out . Can’t really advoid stress due to being a barrister 😰. I can live with ectopic but sometimes they seem all over the place .
I had very scary ectopics and on having blood tests was found to have high potassium. I was making many healthy stir frys using plenty of vegetables and spinach etc, but also soy sauce. Since cutting back considerably on potassium rich food, my blood is now normal for potassium, and most interestingly hardly any ectopics or heart flutters. Might be worth giving the MSG a miss along with tomatoes, spinach, bananas etc. it may be contributing to your problem.
like you I had my first AF attacks at 40 years old , while on holiday ,thought it was just heat & drinking while golfing ,on return docs sent me straight to hospital ,,seems I had PAF . I was giving drugs over the next 2 years to control it , had a cardio version near my 43 birthday ,,,as it could not be brought back to rhythm with drugs and adrenaline,,,, I then had ablation at 45because I had atrial flutter too , it took flutter away but left with PAF, it’s been a struggle to be honest at nearly 60 now I’ve had 2 stents fitted and on new drugs , look at these forums they will help, I enjoy a drink but at first found that very difficult with being on warfarin ,,horrible drug ,,, I could play golf feel ok ,then sit in clubhouse and bang it would kick off then ,,, it’s finding what you can do & cant do ,,, hopefully you’ll get all the help you need and if any questions just ask ,it’s not a good feeling having your chest pound & all that goes with it ,
Hi Chris, similar to you I have just been diagnosed with a fib. I am confused as regarding having a drink. Haven't had a drop for 2 months. Can I have a glass at X mas ?
Hi, I’m very similar to you. I was told I was too young for blood thinners and although the dr prescribed them initially the hospital said to stop. I started on 1.25 like you but it didn’t stop so the dose has increased slowly and I’m now on 3.75 and it’s stopped the episodes of the heart going crackers but I still get thumps and bumps and I hate the tiredness. Happens at rest for me too, keeping busy seems to distract, laughter is bizarrely very good medicine. Stress definitely makes me wobble. I’ve gone decaf with tea, killer headaches for a while and it’s not that nice but getting used to it. I like a glass of wine but it’s triggered me twice now so don’t have much these days. I’m trying to train myself so that when I get the thumps I think it’s just a bump in the road rather than ‘am I about to have a heart attack?’ The fear and anxiety make it so much worse so it’s a cycle you have to try and break otherwise it can be all you think about. It’s a crappy condition but you have to convince yourself your ok and in a better place than a lot of others.
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