Heart Rhythm Conditions – Welcome to the group

Hello
Thank you for explaining the difference. He has been diagnosed with AFib, but at the same time has experienced the “skipped” beats which the doctors have no explanation for apparently. It has been a confusing time for us .

@dadsgirl There are three SVTs (supra-ventricular tachycardias) that are kissin' cousins. Atrial flutter (AFL), atrial fibrillation (AF), and premature atrial contractions (PACs). A few weeks or months of PACs often turns into AF, but it can also work in the opposite direction. You get AF, then a lot of PACS. In my case, after my first ablation for AF, I soon developed a lot of PACs. They're disconcerting because they are forceful. Doctors call them 'palpitations' because it's a word that their patients can relate to, but palpitations is not a formal diagnosis...only a term used for the symptom or the sensation. Skipped beats is just as good, but really it's the make-up added beat that is the strong thump, and that's what many of us feel and to what we object most.

It's true, PACs are poorly understood, but they, like AF and AFL, can be ablated in the right hands....the right electrophysiologist's hands (EP for short).

@gloaming
Thank you so much. If only Drs would take the time and patience to explain all this. I will reread it .
Thanks again

My name is Diane. I am getting a pacemaker on 6/29. My Afib was discovered a year ago when I was checking in for a total hip replacement. I managed it well until 3/25/26 when my husband went into a panic attack because he was having a dizzy spell. It was like someone flipped a switch and my heart started racing. His dizzy spell was due to his hearing aids. But my afib changed. It was intermittent but became persistent. So the pacemaker will be done and an ablation is planned for 3 to 4 months later. My blood pressure has never been high, heart rate is usually in the normal range, but the rhythm is the problem. I do have a dilated left atrium.

@diane07710 Hi, Diane. What was the rationale given to you for the PM? I can see an ablation, especially if it's likely to work on your arrhythmia, and because you are so early in the progression (you're not in AF all the time, just more often, but it does self-limit. That means it is 'paroxysmal', or the first stage....exactly where every AF patient WANTS to be!). But, if your HR is in normal range pretty much all the time, your ejection fraction is good, your BP is good....why the PM?

I was in paroxysmal until the incident the end of March. I am now in persistent afib...I don't come out very often. A year ago it was about 50% of the time. I have had low heart rate for years. In the 40's at night which is expected to return which is the reason for the pacemaker. My lowest rate that I'm aware of is 38 BPM....last fall.

@diane07710 Okay, the low rate is what was missing from the earlier description of circumstances...and now it makes sense. Well, I hope it goes swimmingly and that you get your life back! And thanks for clarifying.

B Weston
I learned at age 60 I had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and was prescribed a low does beta blocker. At 71 I had an episode of fast heart rate with a lot of chest pressure. Ended up in the ER and through test and evaluation was determined this was brought on by sleep apnea. So, became the proud user of a C-pap device. Also, received an implanted device …pacemaker / defibrillator combo. I also have a heart monitor by my bedside that downloads nightly. During the last three years I have had three ablations!!!
I am still experiencing atrial flutter. Looks like another ablation is in my future!!!!!! My medications are metoprolol, eliquis, losartan, & farxiga along with rosuvastatin
I would like to hear from folks who have had heart ablations.

Has anyone tried acupuncture to help with stress for atrial flutter? What was your experience. I had an ablation last October UCSF but 2 aflutter episodes this year. I think stress was a big trigger. First time trying acupuncture today and it was very relaxing. Supposed to calm your nervous system and help mimimize the number of episodes. Another ablation end of August...

I’m a 70 year old female who has been experiencing really bad wheezing since about last October, it got worse so in February I went to my GP and, after blood tests and a chest CT scan showed no reason for this he referred me to a cardiologist for an echocardiogram and a consult. I finally had that appoinment today and it showed no problem with my heart which, while reassuring, does not really help. My wheezing comes and goes, sometimes is really bad for weeks at a time even when I’m just sitting reading a book or watching tv, on some occasions I’ve got super hot and felt like I was going to pass out, other times it’s like someone has flicked a switch and I’m perfectly okay for a few weeks. The cardiologist was as mystified as I am, his suggestion is that I purchase an electronic gadget that I would use to get a EKG reading when I’m having the wheezing then email it to him. He says it could be an arrhythmia or Atrial Fibrillation but without actually seeing the reading while it’s happening there’s nothing he can do. I have NO palpitations or chest pain and my BP, heart rate and oxygen level remain perfectly normal on the days I’m wheezing bad. I’m just wondering if anyone else has this same problem and what the outcome was.