Heart Rhythm Conditions – Welcome to the group

Welcome to the Heart Rhythm Conditions group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
Did you know that the average heart beats 100,000 times a day? Millions of people live with heart rhythm problems (heart arrhythmias) which occur when the electrical impulses that coordinate heartbeats don't work properly. Let's connect with each other; we can share stories and learn about coping with the challenges, and living well with abnormal heart rhythms. I invite you to follow the group. Simply click the +FOLLOW icon on the group landing page.

I'm Kanaaz (@kanaazpereira), and I'm the moderator of this group. When you post to this group, chances are you'll also be greeted by volunteer patient Mentors and fellow members. Learn more about Moderators and Mentors on Connect.

Let's chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

Profile picture for onesassygirl @onesassygirl

Hello everyone !
I have asymptomatic a~fib.
I was at my primary doctors for a follow up on my change of BP meds and after taking my blood pressure 3 times , I was told I needed them to have an ambulance take me to the emergency room. Hours later after routine e ~ room tests I was s admitted into the hospital. I stayed 7 days. I was put on an IV of heparin almost the entire time and the last two days started taking metoprolol and warfarin also . Warfarin is a blood thinner to prevent clots while I’m in A~Fib. Obviously to prevent stroke or heart attack Sometimes I have shortness of breath but I also am asthmatic. I will use my rescue inhaler and that works for the shortness of breath. While in the hospital , the cardiologist was waiting a few days to see if my heart would naturally go back into rhythm but it fid not and was given a twilight drug and shocked back into rhythm. It worked, but do to me taking the Warfarin I have to go into the dr’s office to have my INR checked to make sure it’s between 2 to 3 once it stays at that rate then I will no longer have to get it checked. At present I don’t take the same dosage each day of the warfarin until it stays in that range between 2 to 3 which they test my taking a blood sample. At one of my appointments for the INR testing I had an EKE done and I was in A~Fib. It’s like a double edge sword , no symptoms but the heart is out of rhythm. Because I was shocked in the hospital two months prior th NP said that it would be too soon yo do another “shock “ procedure. I believe that there’s others out there ,that are asymptomatic and don’t have a clue what’s going on. Luckily I happened to be at the right place at the right time. I don’t think there’s any fix for this but I am actually going to see my cardiologist in 2 1/2 weeks and that is a question I will be asking him. I apologize for this long “comment” I know it’s more like a novella ! Have a blessed day !
The only thing I have a problem with is how to determine if my episodes with shortness of breath are asthma related symptom or a~fib ? In the past I have had episodes of breathing problems but not necessarily any wheezing to go along with it.

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@onesassygirl I had a cardioversion three days in a row at my local ER. None of them worked to keep me in normal sinus rhythm longer than 16 hours, but I had them....three, back-to-back.

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Profile picture for 1vio @1vio

Hi there,
My name is Vio, 77 years old.
Something strange happened to me in the last 6 months. In 2017 I was diagnosed with Bradycardia, my heart rate was 90% of the time less than 55bpm. Everything normal until last year. Had the annual EKG in October 2025, normal again, but I told my doctor that sometimes I have a short breath and I feel tired going up the stairs.
Had a Nuclear Stress Test in December '25 and was told I have Atrial Fibrillation. The Holter monitor worn for 7 days confirmed the diagnostic: "Afib all the time" ! Any thoughts how after years of Bradycardia my rate is now in the 80's and when exercising/fast walking goes over 100 ? Thanks in advance for any opinion or advise !

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Hello. I have AFiB (Brady); on Eliquis since 2014 with no problems with it and am experiencing more and longer AFiB incidents and have flutter on occassion. My EP recommends Pulsed Field Ablation. I will be getting a 2nd opinion on the pros/cons of PFA in April at Rochester.
Q: Would appreciate an overview from someone who has had this procedure and the time after it to recover, drive and exercise again. Thank you.
Blessings to all,
OUMike

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Profile picture for Buc7777 @texas7777

I\'m 44 yr old. My problems started about 2 yr ago when I started getting dizzy while driving (having to pull over and then completely stop driving for awhile. Tons of tests and very worried about a brain tumor (I\'ve had malignant melanoma cut out). First find (MRI) was a terrible sinus problem; 110% blocked :). 2nd find was about 8,000 PVC\'s/day. I have felt weird heart beats for 20 years, but... Got sinus surgery done and started taking Metoprolol Succinate(15 mg/d). Literally overnight, I woke up rested for the 1st time in about 10 years and 100% of my issues went away (except for still being able to feel my PVC\'s). I\'m now \"sinus clear\" and taking a 1/2 of toprolol/day. My heart doc is awesome, but I\'m lucky to have a cousin who\'s a cardio. at Duke. She\'s been reviewing everything (halter monitor, recommendations, etc.) and says (like my hometown cardio.) that all is well. That PVC\'s are not destructive, just a nuisance. I\'m in good shape (not running shape :), I\'ve never smoked/done drugs, but drink lots of coffee and a lil\' bit of Lone Star Beer! You have to drink Lone Star in Texas while BBQing... it\'s the law.

Luckily, for now, I don\'t have 1/100th of the issues that others are dealing with in regards to their heart; prayers go out to all of you. The joys of getting old...er!
WE PRESS ON...

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@texas7777 the only thing I have is kinda like yours that can’t find anything wrong I have passed out due to low b/p um just had heart cath heart is in good great shape and still have the same symptoms but now I have a subclavian steal blockage on right side but won’t do anything say have had it for long time. Just wish could resolve all my problems seem to relate to a condition but which one. I’m a DIEBETIC with A1c of 5.2 just in awe have nurapathy bad also

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Profile picture for OUMike @oumike

Hello. I have AFiB (Brady); on Eliquis since 2014 with no problems with it and am experiencing more and longer AFiB incidents and have flutter on occassion. My EP recommends Pulsed Field Ablation. I will be getting a 2nd opinion on the pros/cons of PFA in April at Rochester.
Q: Would appreciate an overview from someone who has had this procedure and the time after it to recover, drive and exercise again. Thank you.
Blessings to all,
OUMike

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@oumike I just had a pulse ablation and watchman 3 weeks ago.
I feel ok take it easy follow instructions. One thing that did not tell me you will have higher heart rate afterward for 3 months. For the last 4 days when I walk around the house it goes up to 119 or when I walk a mile 115 it does go back to normal. I just feel a little tired no other symptoms. It is the new normal for now. Great getting second opinion. The procedure was great.
Let me know how it goes. Best wishes

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Profile picture for gloaming @gloaming

@onesassygirl I had a cardioversion three days in a row at my local ER. None of them worked to keep me in normal sinus rhythm longer than 16 hours, but I had them....three, back-to-back.

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@gloaming
Maybe an ablation might be better ?
Get 2 opinion ask questions
Best wishes

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Profile picture for veronica0127 @veronica0127

@gloaming
Maybe an ablation might be better ?
Get 2 opinion ask questions
Best wishes

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@veronica0127 Thanks for chiming in. When I wrote that a few weeks back, it was three years after my second ablation. It's a long story, but my first failed drastically inside of six days and I had to be in the ICU and put on amiodarone. Second ablation seven months later worked, and I have been free of AF ever since. The three ablations back-to-back were about six weeks before the second ablation....none of them kept me in NSR for more than a short reprieve.

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