Afib: What causes an episode? What if I don't notice?

I have permanent afib brought on by high blood pressure. My doctor says there is no treatment for me. I'm devastated. How do I cope with this?

@kates1221, I too have permanent A-fib brought on by high blood pressure and have been under treatment for it for more than five-and-a-half years. Troubling as it has been, I have never been frightened by my arrhythmic heart beats, because I have been under medical treatment for it since mid-2014. My confidence is probably bolstered by the fact that 1) I rarely feel my irregular heart beats (although they show up on my BP meter every time I measure my blood pressure), and 2) constant medical treatment has kept my fears at bay.

Treatment started with Coumadin to prevent formation of clots in my atrial chambers. At the same time, dampening my heart beats was helped, first, by calcium channel blockers and, later, by the beta blocker Carvedilol. My cardiologist (an electrophysiologist) is prepared to prescribe other medications that provide "cardioversion" to overcome irregular heart beats that are more threatening. He also described the surgical procedure, "ablation," that he'd perform for even more serious and resistant heart rhythm problems.

My main threats come from hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and stroke — not from A-fib or any other heart ailment. So in addition to a Cardiologist, my medical team includes a Nephrologist (treating BP and kidney disease), a Neurologist to deal with strokes, and a Pharmacy PhD who helps me manage my Coumadin anticoagulant.

I hope your conditions are not more trouble than mine. Would you mind sharing why your doctor feels there is no treatment for your A-fib? Have you had the chance to discuss with your doctor any of the possibilities that have helped me?

Martin

Did he offer to put u on any meds?

Definitely for me is stress. I was under a lot of stress recently and, when I lay down in bed, Afib started. It is the first time I have felt it even though the doc said I have it. I just went to sleep and, when I woke later on, it was gone. I also had just eaten a spicy pizza so that may have had something to do with it.

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!