Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): How can I manage it?

Hi, @knowing. I liked hearing how you're handling your a-fib episodes. I don't have to handle them, because I don't feel my symptoms; but they show up on my EKGs every time. I'm on Coumadin for clot prevention and had the misfortune of having one thrown out of my heart, causing "a small stroke" 3 weeks ago.

That experience prompts me to warn you about "going to emergency" or bypassing the emergency room altogether. I didn't, and that was dumb. My posture now is a rigid commitment to "call 911" if I experience any symptoms related to my heart or my brain or my motor nerves. Moreover, my family and friends all know that I will not drive to the emergency room or ask them to. I'll only ask their help in getting a 911 call made without delay, because that can mean that I'll come under medical care a lot sooner — maybe 15 minutes before the EMT ambulance gets to where I am rather than a longer time for making the trip to the ER without EMT care, plus complications from trying to check in. I won't take the risk again. Hope you won't either. Martin

I’ve had about 5 episodes of Afib tachycardia fast heart beats. So far they last about 5 minutes. How do u stop it with vagus nerve? What does that mean, how do u do it? I’m 72 years old still have decafinated coffee. It’s scary when it happens. About the length of duration or time. I love the way you deal with your episodes and will try doing the same. Thanks for the info. I’m on Eliquis for thinning blood. I am afraid to take it as prescribed because it causes my nose to bleed etc. I’m also on cardivilol for hypertension and Norvasc or Amlodopine , also 40 mg pravastatin for cholesterol. I’m not a strong believer in taking strong medications because of side effects and messing up other organs. But I know it’s taking a chance. I just don’t know what to do.

@carnes, I'll let @knowing respond to your concern about your tachycardia and the vagus nerve, because my A-fib is nearly without symptoms.

I am interested in your medication because it's much like mine: Coumadin instead of Eliquis as an anticoagulant; Amiloride (diuretic)instead of Amlodipine (blood vessel relaxant) to reduce blood pressure ; Atorvastatin instead of Pravastatin (anticholesterol); and like you, Carvedilol. In my mind, strong medications can be minimized by reduced dosages (although 40mg statin is "strong" for sure), but my dosages are "strong." Norvasc can have a double purpose — slowing the heart beats and reducing blood pressure. Same with Carvedilol — a double-purpose medication.

My medication brought my BP under control — always below 140/90 (not bad for someone 82 years old) — but when I get up in the morning, it reads a little above that until my morning meds take effect. We have started to scale back the BP meds, thanks to careful nutrition adjustments, loss of weight, and life style changes, including special exercises designed to repair nerves and muscles impaired by my "small stroke." When I doubted my meds a year ago, I tracked down a couple of doctors and got second and third opinions on what to do. Maybe you would benefit from the same strategy. Martin

love these posts…helpful

Had cardioversion 6 months ago. Lasted one month. Now on. Metropolol And cardiazam was on eliqui s but after intestinal and brain bleed. Had to get off blood thinner. Had the watchman put in yesterday and now have to be back on eliquis for six weeks . Hopefully eventually off blood thinners. Next is ablation and pacemaker.

Hello 1943,

I had the Watchman implanted a year ago and have been doing just fine since. I was on Eliquis for 6 months following the implant and have been on a low dose aspirin after I stopped the Eliquis. All went well with my implantation and I have had no problems. I pray that your results are as successful. Do you have other heart problem? I'm just curious as to the ablation and pacemaker.

Mary

Hello @rubywitch67 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect,

We are happy to have you posting. Afib can be a very intimidating disorder. We currently have an Afib discussions group, just click on this link and you can see other posts regarding Afib, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/a-fib/

As you read the posts of others, feel free to click on the "Reply" button and ask questions or comment on what others have posted. This is a very supportive community and I'm sure that you will find the support you need.

You said that you were just diagnosed. Have you been prescribed meds at this point? If so, how are they working for you?

hopeful…..thank you SO much for emailing me. I am not the brightest crayon in the technology box and I fear I get myself lost quite often! Long story short, 8 years ago I had 2 heart stents placed as I have CAD they say was caused by having hypocholesteremia. After the stents, I developed PVC's and have spent these past 8 years learning to live with those and not be terrified. A couple weeks ago, I had 3 episodes of what I believed were PVC's that oddly began each night around 8-9 pm after I had eaten. They lasted about 3 hours and seemed to be one continues PVC! I also have panic disorder, so you can imagine the mess I got myself into! I called my cardiologist and he put me on a 72 hour event monitor. I felt like it was Murphy's Law, because during that 72 hours, I hardly pushed the button at all. For those 3 days I had less PVC's than normal. But this past Monday (the 10th) he called and told me I had AFIB!!!! He said he called in a prescription for Zerelto (sp) to my insurance company (I'm 67 and on Medicare and a supplemental plan) I am waiting for the meds to arrive, but have done some reading about these types of medications and now I'm scared to death to take them! I'm also sitting here waiting to drop dead from a stroke! I'm a mess. I will be going in for an echocardiogram in 2 weeks and seeing my cardio the next week. Can I assume that if he thought I was in imminent danger, he'd have me come in immediately? I live with my husband of 40 years and love him dearly, but he is not the most supportive person. I am so scared and feel so very alone. I had another episode last night. This one didn't start until around 11:30 pm while I was lying in bed reading and went on until almost 3 am. This one had a bit more of an "ebb and flow" feeling to it, but I had another major panic attack which I know just makes everything 10X worse. I'm sorry for rambling. Guess it's obvious I need someone to help me. Thank you, again. RubyWitch

Oh, @rubywitch67, I can understand your anxiety. Rapid heartbeats of any type or description are very intimidating and scary. If you are prone to anxiety and panic, it makes it that much worse.

My mother, age 92, has been taking Xarelto, for several years now with no ill effects. It has prevented strokes and that is the goal of that med.

You said your last episode started at 11:30 and lasted until 3 a.m. does sound quite long, however, while I have heart rate problems, Afib is not one that has been diagnosed. Even though your appointment for the cardiogram isn't until next week, you might consider calling your doctor and letting him know about the length of the episode. Perhaps he will see you sooner. I am going to tag another Member of Connect, Martin, @predictable. He has had many different heart problems and he will be glad to support you as well.

Hi hopeful, thank you for replying so quickly. Rapid heartbeats are fine if you're playing a rousing game of tennis, but when they come out of nowhere while you're laying in bed doing nothing does make them VERY intimidating! That your mother, who is 92, bless her heart, has been on Xarelto for 2 YEARS (I had no idea it had been out that long) and has done just fine on it, has given me a slight nudge toward calming down. Thank you for that. However, I had no idea that 3 hours was considered somewhat freaky for an episode of AFIB and now I'm really scared again. I wonder if my panic and all that adrenaline being dumped into my system is not prolonging them? When I had those 3 episodes before calling my cardio, I DID tell his triage nurse how long they lasted. Perhaps that's why he ordered a 72 hour event monitor? He told me on the phone the monitor had picked up a 6 hour episode! What's scary is that I didn't think I was having very many PVC's while wearing it…..maybe 10-20 all day! How could I have not felt 6 HOURS worth? If I can't tell if I'm in AFIB, how do I know to go to the ER? Oh dear……..I'm REALLY scaring myself now. I would truly appreciate you talking to Martin. I will gladly take all the support and advice I can get! I can't thank you enough for reaching out to me. I'm still very, very scared but at least I don't feel so alone anymore. Linda