1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

Medical and other procedures triggering afib episodes

Posted by anngunion @anngunion, May 16, 2023

I have paroxysmal afib episodes that seem to be primarily triggered by specific body positions, breathing patterns, acid reflux and swallowing too fast. Wanting to learn if others have encountered problems with appointments that require/involve specific body positions and/or different breathing patterns. In my case these situations have/may trigger afib episodes. I basically need to have my head in an upright position. I have had to terminate dental appointments as the required reclining position of the chair triggered an episode and also required that I change my breathing pattern. I breathe primarily through my nose - taking in air through the mouth is often a trigger. I have also avoided having a colonoscopy since this requires specific reclining positions, and am also concerned that swallowing prep liquid before that procedure might be a trigger. Another situation might be having a hair treatment that involved putting the head in different positions. Any suggestions on how to manage such appointments would be greatly appreciated!

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

windyshores | @windyshores | May 18, 2023
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@anngunion Hi Ann. I see you have had a lot of responses, but what you said..." + (show)
@jenniferhunter

@anngunion Hi Ann. I see you have had a lot of responses, but what you said about beauty parlor appointments may be pointing to an issue with your cervical spine. Moving the neck in different positions can bring on symptoms in a person with spine problems. That was a clue to my own diagnosis of cervical stenosis, not a beauty parlor, but moving my neck in different ways could reproduce symptoms. Some people have had strokes because of the head position over a sink at a beauty parlor when they tilt your head back. That can kink some of the blood supply to the brain in some people. It might be worth asking a few questions of your doctors about checking to see if you may have a cervical spine issues. Some spine patients do have increased heart rates because of spine issues.

Are you able to lay down to sleep? and if so, what do you have to do to support your neck so you can go to sleep reclined?

Jump to this post

@jenniferhunter I mentioned spinal issues with hairdresser above and am glad you posted in a more thorough way. I carry a note from my neuro telling providers that they cannot bend my head back! I am thinking of getting a medicalert bracelet because resuscitation and surgery both often mean putting the head back. Dentists are wonderful on this- and I bring a pillow!

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | May 18, 2023
In reply to @windyshores "@jenniferhunter I mentioned spinal issues with hairdresser above and am glad you posted in a more..." + (show)
@windyshores

@jenniferhunter I mentioned spinal issues with hairdresser above and am glad you posted in a more thorough way. I carry a note from my neuro telling providers that they cannot bend my head back! I am thinking of getting a medicalert bracelet because resuscitation and surgery both often mean putting the head back. Dentists are wonderful on this- and I bring a pillow!

Jump to this post

@windyshores That's great idea to bring a pillow to the dentist and have a medic alert bracelet. My dentist has offered me a bean bag filled neck pillow like a small strip for this purpose and it helps. I always tell them about the cervical spine surgery.

REPLY
anngunion | @anngunion | May 19, 2023
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@anngunion Hi Ann. I see you have had a lot of responses, but what you said..." + (show)
@jenniferhunter

@anngunion Hi Ann. I see you have had a lot of responses, but what you said about beauty parlor appointments may be pointing to an issue with your cervical spine. Moving the neck in different positions can bring on symptoms in a person with spine problems. That was a clue to my own diagnosis of cervical stenosis, not a beauty parlor, but moving my neck in different ways could reproduce symptoms. Some people have had strokes because of the head position over a sink at a beauty parlor when they tilt your head back. That can kink some of the blood supply to the brain in some people. It might be worth asking a few questions of your doctors about checking to see if you may have a cervical spine issues. Some spine patients do have increased heart rates because of spine issues.

Are you able to lay down to sleep? and if so, what do you have to do to support your neck so you can go to sleep reclined?

Jump to this post

Thanks for your post, Jennifer. A barium swallow reported cricopharyngeal bar at C4-C5 and mild mass from small osteophytes. Was told these would not be triggers but I need to get more opinions on this.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | May 19, 2023
In reply to @anngunion "Thanks for your post, Jennifer. A barium swallow reported cricopharyngeal bar at C4-C5 and mild mass..." + (show)
@anngunion

Thanks for your post, Jennifer. A barium swallow reported cricopharyngeal bar at C4-C5 and mild mass from small osteophytes. Was told these would not be triggers but I need to get more opinions on this.

Jump to this post

@anngunion Thanks for your reply. A good question to ask is about the mechanics of movement of your neck and how different positions affect it considering the osteophytes. In other words, what are the osteophytes pressing into? Does that change with different neck positions? Also consider that bending the neck will move your spinal cord inside the spinal canal, and is it running up against an obstacle such as osteophytes? There can also be issues with an enlarged ligament on the back of the spine that can add to compression issues. I agree that getting a surgical opinion would be a good idea. Do you have a good spine specialist that you can see?

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.