Asymptomatic Atrial Fibrillation: How do you monitor?

Posted by Myak @janet23, Mar 17, 2022

I have a three year history of short episodes of paroxysmal asymptomatic atrial fibrillation, PACs, PVCs, tachycardia and bradycardia. The abnormal heart rhythms were diagnosed on Holter and Event Monitor tests from 7-30 days long.

I started seeing an Cardiac Electrophysiologist instead of general Cardiology and I follow the lifestyle changes in the AFib Cure book; I was hoping to stay off medications until I had a seven hour AFib episode after my VO2 Max exercise test at Mayo this year. My only symptom was a little fluttering feeling in my chest, which alerted me to check my Apple Watch ECG multiple times, and it kept flashing the yellow banner “atrial fibrillation”. I took the patient shuttle from the Gonda building to the St Mary’s Cardiology and an ECG confirmed that I was in AFib. I did not have any symptoms while my heart was racing at 120-154. After I met with my Mayo Cardiologist, I took my “pill in the pocket” meds Flecainide and Metoprolol prescribed by my EP doc at home to use as needed, and walked back to my hotel. The meds started working a few hours later and I was back in sinus rhythm. I am now taking Flecainide and Eliquis twice a day. I feel better overall and no AFib.

I was surprised to learn from my EP Cardiologist that many patients do not have symptoms with AFib, like chest pain and palpitations, but the abnormal rhythm damages the heart. I was advised to check my Apple Watch ECG a couple of times a day and take my meds. I also keep an eye on my Apple Watch heart rate.

Does anyone else have this problem? What do you do?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

I am certainly on the same page as you! I am a snowbird and have 3 cardio doctors now, I am on Eliquis, Digoxin, and Metep. however I am hoping to get off all these pills with a method of a different kind, a device that may be helpful. I see 2 doctors in two different states and hope I get an answer of some kind this week. I am same, para and I have all symptoms as you do.

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FWIW (for what it's worth), I'm going to get the book, "Afib Cure." For now, self-diagnosed (hey, I can feel it and I can even feel my blood clots) and self-treating (vigorous walking and 1/2 of an adult aspirin each evening).

If I learn something useful from that book and find any recommendations that are efficacious (for me), I'll share!

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@kilh

Just read your comment. Why does my HR never go above 80 and right back down again? I thought a high HR went with afib. Why do I not have some signs or symptoms? I take my BP regularly during the day but it is more often low than high. Need Kardia mobile? I take both aspirin and Eliquis but was never given a choice. What does flecainide do, seems this appears alot in comments? I am still learning from everyone's comments and wonder why in my reading that no one stays in the hospital after going to ER for very long. I guess I was the lucky one to stay for almost 3 months.
Thanks to everyone who is sharing. It helps to make you not feel alone in this world. KLH

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@frenchie333 Thanks for the reply. Do you have anything to share about my questions above?

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@kilh

@frenchie333 Thanks for the reply. Do you have anything to share about my questions above?

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I have no info to share about your questions since I don't have any answers. Not an M.D. Plus, we're on parallel but different paths. My BP is low. We have that much in common. I know this only because of a home device. I know my pulse is high. I know this only because I used to donate blood.

I do not have a doctor despite being born with mastocytotis (started out as cutaneous only). It has escalated to GI MCAS (intestinal mast cell activation syndrome). I do know from sending a hair sample to a lab that my magnesium is low. Could be a contributing factor re: my A-fib. Never had any heart trouble that I know of until I took the Pfizer double jab. Then my intestines went berserk (up to nine bouts of diarrhea per day--for weeks)! The MCAS may be the direct result of the vax. And now, with a loss of precious electrolytes, I have heart palpitations. Not as disturbing as in the past. What have I done to calm them down?

I am dedicated to self-care (have to be since I've had so many disgusting experiences with M.D.s--both males and females) and devote one hour per day on research related to vitamins, minerals, herbs, enzymes, amino acids, holistic remedies and more. Learned about the book mentioned above. Learned from another source that interval aerobics can be good for A-fib. Also learned that our nervous system (especially the top of the spine, i.e., neck position) can have a direct impact on heart rhythm. Noted that my A-fib was remarkably worse when reclining on one of our daybeds with pillows behind my head putting my neck in a position that became noticeably uncomfortable after 20 - 30 minutes.

I promise if I learn anything useful or experience some success with a new technique I will share! Goodness is meant to be shared. Just today, I devoted an hour to composing a letter to my favorite cashier at Walmart describing my success in overcoming bilateral chondromalacia patellae, a torn rotator cuff and more! She's facing a TKR (total knee replacement) on August 3rd. I will do whatever I can to give her a chance of avoiding any other joint replacement procedures in the future! Steered her to natural products that gave me remarkable results. Not pertinent here so I won't burden you with the info. Suffice it to say, despite going on 70, acute and cumulative injuries from dance and almost 25 years in a factory, I feel terrific! Now, if I could just get my MCAS and A-fib under control! Oh, I am on ZERO prescriptions. Just two OTC antihistamines.

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@frenchie333

I have no info to share about your questions since I don't have any answers. Not an M.D. Plus, we're on parallel but different paths. My BP is low. We have that much in common. I know this only because of a home device. I know my pulse is high. I know this only because I used to donate blood.

I do not have a doctor despite being born with mastocytotis (started out as cutaneous only). It has escalated to GI MCAS (intestinal mast cell activation syndrome). I do know from sending a hair sample to a lab that my magnesium is low. Could be a contributing factor re: my A-fib. Never had any heart trouble that I know of until I took the Pfizer double jab. Then my intestines went berserk (up to nine bouts of diarrhea per day--for weeks)! The MCAS may be the direct result of the vax. And now, with a loss of precious electrolytes, I have heart palpitations. Not as disturbing as in the past. What have I done to calm them down?

I am dedicated to self-care (have to be since I've had so many disgusting experiences with M.D.s--both males and females) and devote one hour per day on research related to vitamins, minerals, herbs, enzymes, amino acids, holistic remedies and more. Learned about the book mentioned above. Learned from another source that interval aerobics can be good for A-fib. Also learned that our nervous system (especially the top of the spine, i.e., neck position) can have a direct impact on heart rhythm. Noted that my A-fib was remarkably worse when reclining on one of our daybeds with pillows behind my head putting my neck in a position that became noticeably uncomfortable after 20 - 30 minutes.

I promise if I learn anything useful or experience some success with a new technique I will share! Goodness is meant to be shared. Just today, I devoted an hour to composing a letter to my favorite cashier at Walmart describing my success in overcoming bilateral chondromalacia patellae, a torn rotator cuff and more! She's facing a TKR (total knee replacement) on August 3rd. I will do whatever I can to give her a chance of avoiding any other joint replacement procedures in the future! Steered her to natural products that gave me remarkable results. Not pertinent here so I won't burden you with the info. Suffice it to say, despite going on 70, acute and cumulative injuries from dance and almost 25 years in a factory, I feel terrific! Now, if I could just get my MCAS and A-fib under control! Oh, I am on ZERO prescriptions. Just two OTC antihistamines.

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Thanks again for the reply @frenchie333. I had an RSP a few years back and the right has a torn bicep and rotator, badly needs attention. Now regarding the back of my neck. I have had a radio on C3-C5 on both sides at least three times each. One procedure lasted 3 years. But now my spine at the top just snaps and pops. No cushions are left, only bone on bone. While in the hospital I missed my radio appt. on my neck again for the fourth time.

Here's to putting Afib under control and staying healthy and well. Take care and keep in touch. KLH

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@kilh

@frenchie333 Thanks for the reply. Do you have anything to share about my questions above?

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No answers or suggestions yet. Your situation is similar but different. I've got low BP but high HR. My A-fib is sporadic in terms of my feeling my heart flutter. Call me crazy but I've noticed that certain neck positions exacerbate the A-fib. Have yet to order that book, "Afib Cure." Shame on me. But I'm stretched to the max dealing with my mastocytosis which has escalated to MCAS/GI since the double jab. The chronic diarrhea (now almost under control after a months-long battle) may be the root cause of my A-fib (dramatic loss of electrolytes). I've been low in magnesium and am cautiously trying forms that are purported to be less laxative.

Would like to address the root cause rather than treat symptoms.

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@lenmayo

I had AFIB just after my CABG, my Left Kidney Removal, and an Appendectomy. I wore a Holter twice for a month each time after the CABG and kidney removal. There was no evidence of AFIB. My blood pressure monitors, which have the ability to detect AFIB, and my Kardia Mobile do not give any indications. My cardiologist insists on me taking Eliquis. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

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The biggest threat of AFIB is that you will throw a clot and have a stroke since there is stagnant blood in the heart during AFIB. Patients on blood thinners like Xarelto or Eliquis have no greater stroke risk than the rest of the healthy heart population, so why not just take them? I have been on Xarelto for years now, still have frequent AFIB, and I'm still here.

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@tedalmon

The biggest threat of AFIB is that you will throw a clot and have a stroke since there is stagnant blood in the heart during AFIB. Patients on blood thinners like Xarelto or Eliquis have no greater stroke risk than the rest of the healthy heart population, so why not just take them? I have been on Xarelto for years now, still have frequent AFIB, and I'm still here.

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Thank you for your reply.
I only had AFIB during my operations. I have had no other indication of it. After my coronary artery bypass, I wore a Holter for a month. My cardiologist then took me off Eliquis. After my left kidney was removed, he put me back on it. He said that he could understand AFIB during a heart operation but not a kidney one.
He wants me to have a chip (loop recorder) implant, but I decline. The problems with taking Eliquis are:
The cost-I get mine through a Canadian pharmacy.
Stopping bleeding when cut.
Liver damage

I know a man who had a Watchman implant for stroke.
https://www.watchman.com/en-us/how-watchman-device-works.html

Thanks, again.

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@frenchie333

No answers or suggestions yet. Your situation is similar but different. I've got low BP but high HR. My A-fib is sporadic in terms of my feeling my heart flutter. Call me crazy but I've noticed that certain neck positions exacerbate the A-fib. Have yet to order that book, "Afib Cure." Shame on me. But I'm stretched to the max dealing with my mastocytosis which has escalated to MCAS/GI since the double jab. The chronic diarrhea (now almost under control after a months-long battle) may be the root cause of my A-fib (dramatic loss of electrolytes). I've been low in magnesium and am cautiously trying forms that are purported to be less laxative.

Would like to address the root cause rather than treat symptoms.

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I was born with a rare 1 in a million birth defect. It has caused many problems including Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia, Bradycardia, A-fib, Spontaneous Blackouts and Spontaneous unconsciousness. I don’t want to get into the technical aspect of it but it’s all associated with WPW, Wolff, Parkinson, White Syndrome. My Electrophysiologist was concerned about the instant blackouts since I was 10yo, I’m 78 now.

So he placed a special $25,000 loop heart recorder just under my left breast. It monitors my electrical beat signals 24/7 and is checked every day by my team members in Oregon. My last major Tachycardia was clocked at 197bpm and it’s beating so fast you cannot feel each individual heartbeat. The monitor was inserted into me in August of 2021. I purchased one of the top rated blood pressure machines that give you 4 different heart signals
A-fib is one of the features. In October of 2021, on 3 consecutive days the bp machine indicates I was in A-fib. I contacted my doctor and asked did my loop recorder in my chest show I was in A-fib on those days. He said no, but that he adjusted my loop recorder to be more sensitive. I didn’t have any symptoms when my bp said I was in A-fib but since then, on March 4th of 2022, I had a major heart event not related to any electrical signal malfunction and 6 days later, I also had a major seizure of some kind. At present, my neurologist, Electrophysiologist and PCP are scratching their heads wondering what happened, since the loop recorder never recorded either event.

As for your situation, it’s like mine, events happen but they can’t explain why. Has your E Doctor suggested a pacemaker with a defibrillator. It shocks the heart back into rhythm and the pacemaker keeps it beating in the amount it is set for. Because of my heart birth defect, it won’t work like that in me. Hope my experience helped in some way. @becky1024.

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