Different a-fibs for different folks

I keep running into people who, when I tell them I have a-fib, say something like "Oh yeah, I have that, too. I just take a couple of deep breaths and it goes away". Or, "My uncle has had that forever. It doesn't bother him and he doesn't have to take anything for it".
I've only had two documented episodes of a-fib. Both times my heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest and tear itself apart. Chaotic pounding, is how I usually describe it. Kind of scary.
Amazing how a-fib can present so differently for different people.

That's true, J.

Different levels of fitness, general health, diet, disease progression, personal factors, etc. -- can all affect symptomatolgy.

/L

John,

One of the variables is rate in afib. In general, those with very high ventricular rates during afib are much more symptomatic.

George

And I am one of those that present with a virtually normal pulse rate that did not seem to change in or out of AFIB. Only the EKG told the story, as well as fatigue and shortness of breath on exertion. Otherwise, even my GP on examining my EKG in his office did not spot the AFIB - it took a cardiologist examining that EKG to identify it. The EKG was a spur of the moment thing, asked for by my wife when we were at the GP as I was experiencing fatigue and shortness of breath on long walks or climbing stairs. On TIKOSYN now and I can go up and down the stairs two at a time several times in a row without shortness of breath or a great rise in pulse rate. Blessed NSR. Just wish the side effects of the TIKOSYN were not changing my quality of life in the mornings, etc. Once again we see fatigue and shortness of breath but remain in NSR according to event monitor studies. Am on the list for an ablation but another 9 months of waiting to go. I CAN DO IT.

Murray L

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Tikosyn uptake Dec 2011 500ug b.i.d. NSR since!
Herein lies opinion, not professional advice, which all are well advised to seek.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/25/2015 02:03PM by Murray L.