Afib: What causes an episode? What if I don't notice?
yesterday I had episodes of afib. I was just laying down when my heart started beating fast. Over 100 beats per min, What are possible casues of these occurances?
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My doctor has me on Eliquis (a blood thinner). I also have high blood pressure and one of the drugs I take for that (Amlodipine Besylate) is said by some people to cause Afib. I also have kidney insufficiency and am taking drugs for that. I am wondering if the Amlodipine has caused my Afib since I have been taking it for some time.
@predictable. You should consider Eliquis to replace warfarin. You never know if diet or other factors move warfarin inr out of therapeutic range causing a mini stroke or worse. No constant blood monitoring needed with Eliquis so easier to be in safe range.
I have considered it @tdrohan, but chose to stay with Coumadin. One reason is that my HMO has a very good program for managing Warfarin medication use. I get regular blood tests to ensure that my level of anticoagulation remains within bounds. My mishap that resulted in my stroke is understood as to its cause, and I don't think that will happen again. Finally, an antidote is readily available in medical facilities across my area of the country, making it virtually certain that I won't bleed out from Warfarin. In contrast, there has been no antidote for Eliquis. Finally, Eliquis is focused on possible clotting problems from a short list of circulation maladies. Coumadin is more generic and used on a wider range of maladies. Martin
Just a suggestion. Could the not getting enough air be COPD? Chronic obstructive pulmonary Disease. Going to a dr. Like a pulmonary specialist. A breathing specialist. I know how a fib feels I was diagnosed couple years ago. I have been sleeping on a chair. But I do only get a couple hours sleep a night. I probably have sleep apnea but when I went for the testing twice they couldn’t get a reading because I don’t sleep. I’m so tired, I can hardly move at times. I also feel my a fib, sometimes tachycardia fast other times feel like skips and thumping out of my chest. Isn’t life grand. Lol. I’m grateful for another day of life. My best to you.
I replied to a post on A fib and I don’t see it on here. Am I doing something wrong?
Oh dear… It sounds like you need to be put in hospital and a total workup done on you. With a-fib that is not controlled you can be 'air hungry', needing to take big breaths in order to get enough oxygen. I don't know what meds and treatment you receive, but it sure sounds to me that your issues are not being addressed. In hospital, over a few days you can have various specialists see you and tests done, blood taken etc..all at once. Good luck!
Hi @carnes, I see your post here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/afib-2/?pg=2#comment-365091 Is this the one you mean?
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I suffered through awful Afib until I finally had an ablation and a pacemaker at age 66. My cardiologist kept asking me to get a sleep study. But I had none of the symptoms of sleep apnea. Finally did what he asked me to do and had the study. Sure enough. Severe sleep apnea which according to my cardiologist was consistent with what he found when he did the ablation. Good thing to get that checked when you are trying to figure out your AFib problem. I feel great now and love my pacemaker and tolerate my Sleep Apnea machine! On Eloquis and that is all. Can drink coffee and wine etc……just do nothing to excess! Hope this helps!
The Apple Watch will monitor and alert you when you’re in a-fib. It would need to be Series 3 or 5.
Needs to be a Series 4 or 5 Apple Watch (not a 3 for EKG). Also know the limitations-doesn’t check all the time for AFIb (& checks are test). Also check the settings for high & low heart rate…those only check when at rest & HR has to stay at/below the set levels for 10 minutes straight. Best is to run an EKG if things feel “off”. My BP monitor was showing irregular heart rates on multiple occasions on 3/10/19. Plus was getting very short of breath & couldn’t stay on my feet. Ran 9 EKGs & 7 came up AFIb. Only got 1 irregular heart rate warning from the Watch after I gave up for the day & decided to just stay in my recliner. Had appointment with my EP on 3/15 & showed him EKGs. Was put on meds for rhythm control & also Eliquis. Had ablation done on 7/29/19 & now feeling the best I have felt in years. Seeing him on 2/14/2020 & the plan is for a loop recorder to monitor so I can stop taking Eliquis.
For all with A-Fib that is related to caffeine use, please note that a lot of cosmetic products, shampoos, etc. often have caffeine. I have a friend who avoided caffeine in her diet but if she had a little in a skin product it would set her off into an A-Fib episode. I did not know that these products have caffeine but some do so it's good to watch the labels.
@lucy1002 Good information, thank you!