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is this normal for paroyxmal AF

Posted , 9 users are following.

youngatheart1
youngatheart1

Hi, Have been told I probably have paro AF, all tests point to this.  I wonder though if anyone else has these symptoms.  I can go for weeks without anything then for no reason at all they start, always after meals (my cardio said vagus nerve/food/GERD all related to AF) when sitting down, I get this really bad flipping feeling which takes my breath away and then my chest feels bruised.  My heart then races and can go on for hours or just a few minutes, it makes me feel really odd.  I have had it happens every night since Monday always around 9pm, always after food.  Whilst my cardio has assured me it is not going to kill me, how can your heart keep doing this without it causing damage and maybe, just maybe, causing your heart to stop altogether.  I know from the last year of having this that chances are it will go again completely at some point.  One other thing I notice is that when I get one of these attacks quite often I get a hot flush at the same time.  I am female and post menopausal but still having flushes.  How does anyone manage the aching and bruised feeling at goes with it.  Thanks for reading.

0 likes, 21 replies

21 Replies

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  • cardiac_congo
    cardiac_congo youngatheart1

    Posted

    Hi. Yep, agree with the others on here. I have PAF, and 3 ablations later, "it wont kill me", and got to watch what i eat. Nearly 54, female and since being unwell, about 1.5 st overweight, but its slowly reducing! I dont eat late, dont drink, and watch my foods. Watch your hydration levels and fatigue - big triggers for me. Im not on meds now - they made me feel worse than the PAF, but still get some episodes. The fatigue and aching chest after is unpleasant. By being careful and also by feeling the shared support from this group, i no longer let it rule my life. Its there, yes, but ive stopped allowing PAF to own me, but its taken time to achieve that mindset however. You are not alone! Keep sharing - it helps you cope, learn and adapt. 😊😊

  • youngatheart1
    youngatheart1

    Posted

    Thanks for your replies, I am on esomeprazole and and I also take apixiban for a DVT I had in December but cardio said to keep taking a lower doze as this helps.  Unfortunately, due to late evenings usually eat around 7.30pm and to be honest I try to keep it very plain and not too much of it.  What I have noticed which is weird is that for a couple of days after dinner I had some chocolate and it then happened, the day I didn't have chocolate ie Thursday I did not have one, so stopping late night choccies to see if that helps.  I have had a 24/7 holter and am waiting for the 1 month one in October (long delays in UK), I have had the scan with a die and was told zero calcium, zero blockages which is good.  Cardio said at the moment no medication needed but it will get worse and later in life I will need meds.  He did say that many people over 50 have some level of AF and some do not notice it, others do, the fact that I have sensitive stomach etc may make a difference.  I will look at Fodmap diet and see what hanges I can make.  I hardly drink alcohol and usually just water in the evenings as coffee sets my heart racing.  

    • frank61666
      frank61666 youngatheart1

      Posted

      Chocolate contains a compound related to caffeine called theobromine.

      Theobromine is good for the circulation but it does cause blood vessels and muscles to relax, and that is why it also is a major cause for stomach contents coming up into the esophagus, causing heart burn and, through its inteaction with the vagus nerve, afib.

      So, if you are susceptible like it seems you are, chocolate at night is a big NO-NO, for afib as well as heart burn. 

      Sorry about that.

      Frank

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 frank61666

      Posted

      Hi, I often get heartburn with chocolate but never connected it with AF until a week or so ago, usually just have some at weekends after dinner, but will be keeping away from it now that it seems to have calmed down.  Thanks for your message, good to know.
  • macas02
    macas02 youngatheart1

    Posted

    I too had an attack after eating chocolate (Very dark 70% choc ). I now drink only drink decaf coffee and tea .
    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 macas02

      Posted

      Hi, good to know it was not all in my mind, but will be wary of it after a big meal from now on. Take care
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