1. < Heart & Blood Health

Has anyone figured out what technique works best to stop AFib episodes

Posted by zeke2u @zeke2u, Dec 1 7:18am

I'm 68 and had a MI last year. Ever since then I get recurring AFib episodes which can last anywhere from 1/2hr to 6hrs. Most episodes happen when I'm sleeping or laying down. Coughing seems to work the best to stop the episodes but not always.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart & Blood Health Support Group.

bextruelove | @bextruelove | 4 days ago

I stuck my face in and kind of angled my head so the top of it got a little more submerged. Not totally on the surface of just my face. Tried holding my breath for as long as I could.

REPLY
yaya77066 | @yaya77066 | 4 days ago
In reply to @bextruelove "My last "episode" was about a month ago. My HR went up to 220 (as it's..." + (show)
@bextruelove

My last "episode" was about a month ago. My HR went up to 220 (as it's done when hospitalized). I knew when it was coming on and immediately asked my daughter for help. I practiced breathing, laid on my back with my legs up, splashed my face with cold water, did the bearing down technique, and took my Flecanide. None of which helped immediately. My daughter read something on-line about the cold water and the diving reflex (or whatever it's called) and filled a bowl with lots of ice and cold water. You're supposed to take 3 deep breaths and then on the 3rd one, hold your breath, and dunk your head in the cold water. Hold under water for as long as you can and then come up for air. My HR dropped from 200 (at this point) to 90 in a matter of about 45 seconds. It was pretty amazing and a huge relief.

Jump to this post

How awful! I'm so sorry for what you are going through. I have been lucky on Flecainide. I've only been on it for 10 months. So far my heart rate remains at 60 BPM. My endocrinologist and cardiologist work together as part of my healthcare team.

REPLY
1 reply
bextruelove | @bextruelove | 3 days ago
In reply to @yaya77066 "How awful! I'm so sorry for what you are going through. I have been lucky on..." + (show)
@yaya77066

How awful! I'm so sorry for what you are going through. I have been lucky on Flecainide. I've only been on it for 10 months. So far my heart rate remains at 60 BPM. My endocrinologist and cardiologist work together as part of my healthcare team.

Jump to this post

Oh that's so cool. I've only been on it for about4 months. My HR dips to 30 when I sleep (been holding steady at 40 recently) and can jump up when I wake up, usually above 100, but goes down quickly. My resting HR usually is around 65, so I'm maintaining.

REPLY
2 replies
gloaming | @gloaming | 3 days ago
In reply to @bextruelove "Oh that's so cool. I've only been on it for about4 months. My HR dips to..." + (show)
@bextruelove

Oh that's so cool. I've only been on it for about4 months. My HR dips to 30 when I sleep (been holding steady at 40 recently) and can jump up when I wake up, usually above 100, but goes down quickly. My resting HR usually is around 65, so I'm maintaining.

Jump to this post

You said, 'Oh that's so cool...' Ummm....yeah, that's the point. LOL!!
😀

REPLY
elizadolittle | @elizadolittle | 2 days ago
In reply to @windyshores "Wow @bextruelove I am going to try that! How far do you dunk your head in?..." + (show)
@windyshores

Wow @bextruelove I am going to try that! How far do you dunk your head in? Is your face in the cold water?

Jump to this post

My friendly health guru, whose emails that i read all the time recommends ending with a shower as cold as you can stand. I think I will do more of that.

I have a pacemaker and get checked every six months. So far, no changes. Having said that, last week I spent several stressful hours filling out a government document. I felt tiny twinges in the heart are at the end. I'm getting my pacemaker checked next week. It will be interesting if there any changes noted.

REPLY
yaya77066 | @yaya77066 | 1 day ago
In reply to @bextruelove "Oh that's so cool. I've only been on it for about4 months. My HR dips to..." + (show)
@bextruelove

Oh that's so cool. I've only been on it for about4 months. My HR dips to 30 when I sleep (been holding steady at 40 recently) and can jump up when I wake up, usually above 100, but goes down quickly. My resting HR usually is around 65, so I'm maintaining.

Jump to this post

It didn't occur to me to take my heart rate when rising or at bed time. I take it after exercise in late afternoon and when I'm relaxing.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.