Heart Rhythm Conditions – Welcome to the group

Getting in to see an EP cardiologist is a nightmare. I've been given months down the road for first available appointment. Am working with my regular doctor to change that.

I haven't, but I have read of numerous accounts by apparently real people claiming that the MRNA COVID vaccine and the disease itself had put them into much more frequent and longer bouts of AF.

The aphorism in the heart rhythm science is that 'AF begets AF.' Once you have it, it will return, and for the majority of sufferers, it will return more frequently, and possibly last longer each time. For now, you appear to be okay, but if you're spending as much as six hours and up in AF two or three times a week, you should consider an ablation. The reason is that the fibrillating heart remodels itself, and the process of remodeling is not always completely reversible once your AF is controlled better....if ever. Ablation will stem the propagation of the extra electrical impulses that tend to issue from the ostia (mouths) of the four pulmonary veins that empty oxygenated blood returning from the lungs into the left atrium. The ablated tissue prevents propagation of the impulses around the entire endothelium, which causes the underlying muscle to contract.

The remodeling usually involves two things: more fibrosis, and enlargement or thickening of the atrial walls. This makes it harder to beat over the normal distance that the muscle moves itself, meaning you won't have the same volume of blood as before. The remodeling can take many months, but the more AF you have, the more remodeling takes place. So, again, if you're beginning to worry because you're more frequently in AF, and it doesn't seem to be abating over time, then you should at least consult a good cardiologist or ask to see an electrophysiologist for an evaluation.

Hi,
I am 67 and have been treated for AFib for about 8 years.

I have been relatively symptom free for that time with the medications prescribed.

I recently had a COVID vaccine and developed daily AFib symptoms.

Has anyone else experienced a connection between vaccines and the uptake of AFib symptoms?

New to Afib. Two months now. Test shows mitral valve regurgitation, so it looks like maybe a surgery is in my future. Awaiting the results from the 7-day monitor I wore 2 weeks ago. Seems like since I turned 60, things have gotten...weird. Fell, broke my foot, took forever to rehab (foot impacts ankle, knee, hip). And now this new Afib.

@teacher2001 I gave up dairy 20 years ago and still produce plenty of mucus. In fact, I was hospitalized for COVID despite avoiding dairy, gluten, nuts, avocado, salmon and chocolate- all my food issues.

The position of my body, mainly reclining, definitely can be a trigger for afib if I have eaten anything. Seltzer can also be a factor. Or gas. Gas-X often helps me.

We are all individual. If positioning at the dentist is even a remote possibility as a trigger, it is easy enough to address by remaining angled and using a pillow!

Thank you. 🙂

Interesting - good to know. Thank you.

You are right. Thank you for the explanation. 🙂

@dgalvez3135 so glad you are doing well.

Hello everyone,
My name is Dana and I am 58 years young, lol. I have been having Afib for the past 4 years. I have had 2 ablations, and the second one was done about 1.5 years ago. I have been taking flecainide since my ablation and have not had one single Afib attack. I can feel when my heart is not in rhythm. I've been told not everyone knows when they are in Afib. The ability to know is not any fun, and I don't feel lucky at all! But, I cannot control it, so I try not to stress out about it too much because I can bring on an attack from all that worrying. So my best advice folks is to try and take it easy, don't let the small things consume you, and smile, it never hurts to do that.
xoxo, D:)