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.

@lovelyday4

Hi, my name is lOvelyday4,
I got Afib in 2016 Now my Dr. tells me I need to probably get a pacemaker because my heart rate is staying too low. I get tired easily and out of breath easily. The thought scares me. I am 80 yrs old. I guess I am lucky I made it this far. I am on Eliquis. No other problems with the Afib. Is there anyone else new to a pacemaker?

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Hi, LOvelyday4, . I to have a fib that is mostly asymptomatic. Am on Eliquis, flecainide, and Metoprolol. My pacemaker was implanted in April after fainting episodes due to a very low heart rate. My cardiologist indicated that my pulse would dip to 33 at night and that I also had “pauses” of up to 4 seconds with no pulse, which were the cause of the fainting. My new pacemaker is dialed in to keep my pulse at an even 60 BPM, no more fainting and I can do hiking biking and other activities as I wish. There are some restrictions on movement and lifting in the weeks following the implant, but after that, the pacemaker has been mostly doing its job invisibly, with no problems. I highly recommend it, I might be dead now if not for the pacemaker. I am now on track for a Watchman device, as soon all of the unvaccinated Covid patients clear out of the hospital and they are able to resume procedures like Watchman devices. I hope that this is helpful.

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@fiddlinchuck

Hi, LOvelyday4, . I to have a fib that is mostly asymptomatic. Am on Eliquis, flecainide, and Metoprolol. My pacemaker was implanted in April after fainting episodes due to a very low heart rate. My cardiologist indicated that my pulse would dip to 33 at night and that I also had “pauses” of up to 4 seconds with no pulse, which were the cause of the fainting. My new pacemaker is dialed in to keep my pulse at an even 60 BPM, no more fainting and I can do hiking biking and other activities as I wish. There are some restrictions on movement and lifting in the weeks following the implant, but after that, the pacemaker has been mostly doing its job invisibly, with no problems. I highly recommend it, I might be dead now if not for the pacemaker. I am now on track for a Watchman device, as soon all of the unvaccinated Covid patients clear out of the hospital and they are able to resume procedures like Watchman devices. I hope that this is helpful.

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Thank you, Fiddlinchuck. The info was nice to hear. I only have the tiring easy and the shortness of breath. But my heart rate stays too low. I have seen a few things on Facebook about Watchman . But do not know anything about it. I will check it out further. Thanks again...

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I've been dealing with irregular heart rhythms since my teens. I am now in my seventies. I've had ablations for tachycardia and A-Fib and now take warfarin daily as well as sotalol.

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I just looked at this Mayo Minute which describes red flags pertaining to heart rhythm problems. There is a very informative article as well as a short video. If you have heart rhythm problems or suspect you might take a look at this.

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-watch-for-these-heart-arrhythmia-red-flags/
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I am Annie Cobb, wife of s heart rythem patient and dangerously high blood pressure

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Hello, my name is Faith, and I am new to the group. I had my first afib episode over two years ago. Then, almost to the day this year, I had another episode, then three days later another episode, then three episodes about two weeks each apart. Each episode, except one at 5M, began between 10pm and 11:30pm - and last about 5 hours each. I began wearing an Apple Watch a month prior to that first episode two years ago. I have been able to track my afibs, and screenshot them to my doctor - which has been helpful. I've had both Pfizer shots (Jan and Feb), and my booster shot about three weeks prior to the first episode this year.)
I am searching for any clues as to why I have these episodes. I am wondering if anyone else might suspect that the Apple Watch could be a contributing factor - electrical impulses affecting the heart electrical system? Also, the effects of the Covid Vaccinations? I have been reading some of the other posts. I am on 5mg Eliquis twice a day, and Metoprolol twice a day.
Hope this isn't too much information, but I am concerned about why I have these episodes, and what causes them. I will continue reading posts to see what others with afib do to mitigate the feelings when they have an episode, and am curious to know if others experience these five hour bouts as I do. Thank you! And best wishes to all afib affected patients.

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@faithshouse

Hello, my name is Faith, and I am new to the group. I had my first afib episode over two years ago. Then, almost to the day this year, I had another episode, then three days later another episode, then three episodes about two weeks each apart. Each episode, except one at 5M, began between 10pm and 11:30pm - and last about 5 hours each. I began wearing an Apple Watch a month prior to that first episode two years ago. I have been able to track my afibs, and screenshot them to my doctor - which has been helpful. I've had both Pfizer shots (Jan and Feb), and my booster shot about three weeks prior to the first episode this year.)
I am searching for any clues as to why I have these episodes. I am wondering if anyone else might suspect that the Apple Watch could be a contributing factor - electrical impulses affecting the heart electrical system? Also, the effects of the Covid Vaccinations? I have been reading some of the other posts. I am on 5mg Eliquis twice a day, and Metoprolol twice a day.
Hope this isn't too much information, but I am concerned about why I have these episodes, and what causes them. I will continue reading posts to see what others with afib do to mitigate the feelings when they have an episode, and am curious to know if others experience these five hour bouts as I do. Thank you! And best wishes to all afib affected patients.

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I have bouts of 2-7 hours about once/year with very high pulse and always end up in ER via ambulance. The pattern you describe seems to point to some sort of trigger. I will not wear an Apple watch for the reason you describe (I am sensitive to EMF). I use a Kardia device. Mine are also at night and I stop eating at 6pm, which has helped. As I wrote elsewhere, there are vagal and adrenal afibs, and one of them does not do well with beta blockers. I will try to find the info. I use diltiazem as needed, so once a year, and nothing else so far.

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Thanks for your response. Sorry to hear about your ending up in the ER. I am trying to find a trigger but nothing is consistent, except that all my episodes, except for one, occur when I lie down to go to sleep. Since 10-14-21, the start of my episodes this year, I have completely quit alcohol, only drink decaf, finish dining by 6pm, lost 4 pounds, and have been very conscious of salt in my diet. I exercise 2.5 miles every day, do weights every other day, in addition to a lot of daily moving around. I am on Eliquis and metoprolol. Had another episode last night - nothing extraordinary during the day that I could perceive as a trigger. I am picking up a 30 day heart monitor at Mayo tomorrow, with a cardiologist visit on 1-25-22. My doctor says danger is not imminent, but I am the one feeling this and it scares me.
Thank again for your response. I am going to look further into emf from my apple watch.

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Hi, my name is Erin and I've recently been diagnosed with tachycardia, I had worn a monitor last week, and the resuslts are that my heart rate was average 93, 36% of the time. no arrythmias recorded. minimum rate was 68, maximum 157 bpm, i was dizzy at 127 bpm according to the test results. My internist wants to prescribe a beta blocker. Shouldn't he refer me to a cardiologist?

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@windyshores

I have bouts of 2-7 hours about once/year with very high pulse and always end up in ER via ambulance. The pattern you describe seems to point to some sort of trigger. I will not wear an Apple watch for the reason you describe (I am sensitive to EMF). I use a Kardia device. Mine are also at night and I stop eating at 6pm, which has helped. As I wrote elsewhere, there are vagal and adrenal afibs, and one of them does not do well with beta blockers. I will try to find the info. I use diltiazem as needed, so once a year, and nothing else so far.

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Thanks so much for your reply. I have been doing research on the emf's from apple watch, and my doctor said it wasn't anything to be concerned about. It sure has been helpful. I will look into vagal and adrenal afibs. I picked up the heart monitor this morning, so hopefully it will tell them something.

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