A Fib dormant after several active years

what kind do you have and what are your symptoms? I believe I have afib and atrial flutter but my cardiologist can't see it on the monitor, so doesn't believe me, so he won't put me on any blood thinner. Im super scared of having a stroke!! I get racing heart and all of a sudden will go away... hard thumps and flip flops, dizziness and fatigue.

Hi jx41870, thank you for responding. The most significant change was that I quit working out 3-5 days in the gym about 2 years ago, the a fib stopped about 1 1/2 years ago. I have always been active in sports up until my heart attack which occurred at the age of 60 after my regular game of pick up basketball. My diet was terrible up to that point as I traveled in my job and my wife being a nurse worked various shifts so fast foods were my main diet. My A Fib episodes were very noticeable with significant erratic and fast heart beats, flip-flopping, etc., sometimes lasting only a few hours up to 10-12 hours, with episodes about every two weeks. Not only extremely noticeable in my chest but feeling the pulse during the episodes was an easy confirmation in my case with no doubt about the A Fib. I have resisted my doctors suggestion of a blood thinner due to the potential for internal bleeding and now that I have retired the cost of Eloquis (the recommended drug) is prohibitive for me, although there are cheaper alternatives (must not as highly recommended as Eloquis). I am presently trying to get more info from doctors regarding the change in my A Fib episodes.

Hi christina69014, thank you for responding. My A Fib was from a heart attack in 2010. The episodes were very pronounced with rapid and erratic heart beat, flip-flopping, etc. I don't think it would show on the monitor at the time your hooked up as you are apparently were not in A Fib during that hook up, but the EKG would show possible heart damage which could cause A Fib. I believe you would have to be hooked up to the EKG during the potential A Fib episode to determine if it actually is some form of A Fib rather that common heart palpitations, panic attack, etc. Maybe a second opinion if possible from a cardiologist would help. Best of luck to you.

hi Lennyallen, thank you for your reply!! wait.... so if I had a afib attack or atrial flutter, a ekg could show it, do to heart damage? I didn't know it damages your heart. I just had a normal echo. should that indicate that Its NOT afib or atrial flutter?

@lennyallen, afib is a particular thing, and there are a whole bunch of other arrhythmias one can have - are you sure yours is officially "afib"? A lot of afib you can't even feel, and a lot of the "harmless" ones are very obvious.

Of the drugs you mentioned only the beta blocker, metoprolol, would directly help to block any arrhythmias.

One thing I've been trying is "nitric oxide" foods, specifically arugula, that may help generally open blood vessels, much like lisinopril should. Maybe my arugula is working, after having a small salad of it twice a day for a month or so. Never seen that written up anywhere but it makes a sort of sense. Have to ask my doctor about nitric oxide drugs instead - though often the natural approach is just better - as long as you like salad!

Afib will show on a monitor if you are having an episode, but if you are not, then it won't show up! I have had Holter monitor several times, and it only showed up once, when I knew I was having an episode. My AF started 15 years ago and has been getting worse: every 10 days or so for 24 hours, and I have been on blood thinners for years. You don't know when it is going to happen, and sometimes you have a slight episode that you don't know about. Any of these can cause a clot, which is why my doc says I must always take a blood thinner. Ask for a second opinion. I have started Multaq and happily it seems to be working.

My cardio says my heart is healthy, no damage, and I have had AF for 15 years, recently every ten days or so, for 24 hours,

Hi Sherpa Al, I appreciate your response my friend, sorry to hear of the stroke, sounds like you are back on track as best as can be expected, hoping that all continues to go well for you.

hi, did you have any preexisting heart condition? Im concerned I have atrial flutter but can't prove it to my doc and doesn't want me on a blood thinner and Im terrified. what was your first sign of stroke?? I keep checking myself and do suffer with facial numbness, so its hard to tell

Hello Christina,

Are you in the UK or the US, I'm in the UK. What convinces you that you have atrial flutter?

I'd had one significant episode of very rapid heartbeat and fatigue whilst cycling, and because I was planning a Himalayan trek later in the year, I had an echo-cardiogram and a 24 hour Holter, all clear I was told by my GP, so I went trekking. During the trek I had a full day of rapid heartbeat, massive fatigue, zero energy, which culminated in the curtailment of our trek.

At this stage I had no idea what the problem was, and had had no previous heart problems. I had been a runner and cyclist for over 20 years, and no heart problems in the family either.

Things returned to normal and I returned to the UK and visited my GP. He gave me an ECG, and straight away diagnosed atrial flutter, although at that point I felt fine. A cardiologist visit was booked, but before that day arrived I had the stroke, completely out of the blue. Woke half way through the night with the strangest sensation and found I had complete double vision. Not until I was given a CT scan in A&E was it confirmed I had had a stroke.

After that I was on thinners immediately, Apixaban was prescribed given my risk of internal bleeding was low, and being in the UK cost was not an issue. My double vision cleared quickly, but a residual visual impairment remains, and I am fortunate the stroke has not been life changing.

After the ablation everything has been fine, and I had a long discussion with my EP about the pros and cons and risks of remaining on Apixaban or not. In the end I concluded that it was not a risk I was prepared to take and will continue with them for the foreseeable.

If my GP had prescribed blood thinners immediately upon the diagnosis of atrial flutter I would most likely not have had the stroke. I believe that in the US prescription of thinners on a diagnosis pf Afib is standard practice, but not here in the UK it seems.

You don't say what tests you have had Christina, however I do hope you get to find the right answers Christina.

Best Wishes

Allan

hi Allan! thank you for your message! Im glad you are ok! Ive had a echo done, numerous ekgs and 2 holter monitors. I had alot of pvc and pac but never had an attack while on the monitor. I will get a racing heart with little excursion along with fatigue and dizziness.... it'll start and stop suddenly. its not irregular but very fast... and pounding. I want to be on a blood thinner for precaution but my doc says no!!!

oh... Im also in the US