Afib and fainting

I can't help but wonder if there wasn't another/different arrythmia going on. Six days after my first ablation, while at my family doctor's office for a follow-up appointment (as directed in my release instructions when I left the hospital), he determined that I was in AF. He sent an urgent requisition to the EKG lab at the local hospital and told me to go immediately to get a reading. I was surprised, to say the least, and asked if it was okay/safe for me to drive myself. Sure, he shrugged. I had driven to his offices apparently without concern or incident, and appeared to be fine while we talked.

Now, on another point, I did get very short of breath the second time I had AF, about two months after my initial diagnosis of paroxysmal AF, also at the local ER. The first run of AF earlier that summer was not nearly so symptomatic. This time, I was sucking wind and doubling over, feeling faint. They whisked me into the inner sanctum of the ER right away.

Same heart, same diagnosis, but different symptoms. This is not to say that I didn't convert to AF just prior to the administration of the EKG on the second occasion. It may have been flutter or SVT...or bigeminy or trigeminy and PACs. Who is to know?

The point I'm hoping to make is that you had a markedly different experience for this one episode, one after all those other episodes in your history of 6 year with paroxysmal AF. Why the difference? My guess is that the answer is because the arrhythmia was different....this one time.

Whenever I'm in afib, my blood pressure drops too low so I have to be careful to remember not to stand up too quickly. I tend to pop out of my chair, just start walking across the room and then I'm grabbing the wall in a few feet in order not to fall as things start to go black. I need to stand up slowly and stay there a few seconds before walking. Did you happen to stand up right before you fainted?

Same happened to me and my EP recommended a pacemaker. I’ve seen EP re AFIB for over 5 years so he knows my history well. My quality of life has been much improved. The new pacemakers (Medtronic brand) are technologically superior in my opinion. It gave me back my life.

I haven't previously had low blood pressure when in Afib--just a pounding, rapid heartbeat. I was sitting down the whole time, listening to a panel discussion. Thanks for the suggestion, though--I will keep it in mind if it recurs.

Hmm, didn't think I would need a Pacemaker yet, although that seemed to be the last of 4 options the EP proposed (doing nothing at this time, anti-arhythmic drugs, ablation, pacemaker). Lots to think about. Thank you.

I don't see that you'll need a pacemaker...not yet. A skilled EP can ablate the pulmonary vein antrum or ostia and almost certainly isolate the extra signals. This puts you back in NSR, at which a pacemaker is not indicated.

Anyone reading these posts may think I am like a broke record, but do you drink or eat ANYTHING with caffeine???

Pacemaker for A fib ? Not Ablation first or even defibrillator ( internal)?!
I thought pacemaker was for a slow heart rate usually in a fib. I know the four times I’ve had it in two years. My heart rate goes erratic 120 to 160 beats a minute. Been 2 hrs twice .
I have history of PVC s PACs 30 plus years. I use Heart Calm supplements to try to slow them down last 10 years.
A fib is a different horrible feeling all together. With stroke risk high .
I hope your EP is good and helps you . Mine hasn’t helped me .
I ride it all out , take low dose aspirin too . I also have Gastro cardiac syndrome and seven diagnosis of chronic digestive disorders.

I have little or no caffeine and did not on the evening in question. I did have a small glass of wine which likely was a trigger, although I made sure to eat as well. That will be my last alcohol!

I agree--a pacemaker doesn't seem like good treatment for me at this time, especially since my heart rate usually goes way up (158bpm) in Afib.