1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

Afib: What causes an episode? What if I don't notice?

Posted by dfelix @dfelix, Jan 27, 2019

yesterday I had episodes of afib. I was just laying down when my heart started beating fast. Over 100 beats per min, What are possible casues of these occurances?

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cecilias | @cecilias | Feb 19, 2020

I too am on Difitilide, but it puts me in the donut hole with my insurance far too early. Then Inhave to pay full price for al my my medication until the end of the year....

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mayofeb2020 | @mayofeb2020 | Feb 19, 2020

Check with your doctor, they always have samples.. Drug companies also offer assistance programs. No harm asking.

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marcelleimonti | @marcelleimonti | Feb 1 9:43am

Helo,

My husband had openheart surgery last April, has been doing great. However his Dr. gave him a heart moniter to wear for precaution last week, shr received a call from the company because yesterday morning at 7:15 that he had A FIB. he said he felt great and never knew it. Can that be a problem or dangerous that he did not feel it?

I am very ralley on this site ,so would it be possible to answer me through my email?

thank you,

marcelle imonti

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mllgroom | @mllgroom | Feb 2 9:21am

I am 81 and have afib but I’’ve never had a symptom.

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mllgroom | @mllgroom | Feb 2 9:26am
In reply to @predictable "Hi @cadillac. Glad that Colleen invited me to join in this discussion so we can get..." + (show)
@predictable

Hi @cadillac. Glad that Colleen invited me to join in this discussion so we can get to know you better. I think my a-fib is much like yours. I don't realize my irregular heart beat except in two situations -- when my doctor is taking an EKG and when I'm taking my blood pressure. Otherwise, I am not conscious of my heart beat. How about you? Do you feel irregular beats? Would you remain anxious if you didn't know you are in a-fib?

I have had irregular heart beats for 25 years or more, but my a-fib diagnosis came only four years ago when it showed up on my EKG during my annual physical examination. Although I had no sense of the problem, I accepted the diagnosis by my personal care physician and had it confirmed by a cardiologist. We then agreed to two medications -- Carvedilol, a beta blocker to smooth out and dial down my heart beat, and Coumadin, an anticoagulant to reduce the chance of blood clots forming in my atrium and getting sent off to sensitive organs like my brain or my kidneys. Would you share with us your current medication? Martin

Jump to this post

I only take eliquis for my afib. I’m 81 and never had a symptom.
Is Coumadin the same thing?

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1 reply
harveywj | @harveywj | Feb 2 9:31am

A-fib wipes me out. My brother also gets wiped out when in A=fib. I can feel it the moment it starts. And I can feel it when it stops.

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1 reply
harveywj | @harveywj | Feb 2 9:50am
In reply to @mllgroom "I only take eliquis for my afib. I’m 81 and never had a symptom. Is Coumadin..." + (show)
@mllgroom

I only take eliquis for my afib. I’m 81 and never had a symptom.
Is Coumadin the same thing?

Jump to this post

Coumadin is not the same thing as Eliquis. Both are used to control clotting.
Warfarin was first discovered in 1933. It was causing cows to bleed to death when the clover hay got moldy.

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harveywj | @harveywj | Feb 2 12:23pm

A heart rate over 100 does not necessarily mean you are in A-fib. You can have an SVT event that causes your heart rate to be very elevated. SVT=Supraventricular tachycardia. I was 45 and had a SVT event where I woke up and my HR was 125 BPM. I felt fine. In fact I felt like I could go out for a run. That lasted a few hours and then converted. It was years later before I had an my first A-fib event.

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gracie71 | @gracie71 | Feb 2 3:55pm

Could it be postural? I've had afib start when l bend over and raise up.

Also when having an afib episode while sitting l twisted around in somewhat of an awarkward position and afib stopped instantly.

I wish you well. Afib is no cakewalk.

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gracie71 | @gracie71 | Feb 2 4:04pm
In reply to @harveywj "A-fib wipes me out. My brother also gets wiped out when in A=fib. I can feel..." + (show)
@harveywj

A-fib wipes me out. My brother also gets wiped out when in A=fib. I can feel it the moment it starts. And I can feel it when it stops.

Jump to this post

I experience the same awareness of the onset of afib and then when it stops. Do you think it might be a blessing in disguise to be aware and able to keep tabs on it in the event a trip to the ER might be necessary?

My best friend was hosting a dinner party and was totally unaware that she had Afib until she woke up in hospital after having a stroke.

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