No Rhyme or Reason to A-Fib

Posted by Krav Maga @kravmaga, Mar 22, 2023

Recently I was returning a supermarket cart in a parking lot after putting my packages in my car.
As I was walking back a car comes speeding by I had to jump away or I would have been hit by the car.
The car sped away before I could do anything, It happened so fast.
Needless to say I was angry, upset and generally pissed off,as well as happy it missed me.
I go back to my car check my heart rate and its 55 bpm (when not in A-Fib I usually have a low heart rate in the 50’s or even 40’s over the years told I have been told i have an athletic heart from all my working out)
Was back home in 10 minutes checked my Kardia Device normal sinus rhythm hear rate 53 bpm.
I was told and heave read about all the trigger points for A-Fib.
Stress, anxiety, exercise, food, alcohol, caffeine etc.
I was clearly stressed anxious and angry about what occurred yet no A-Fib.
Other times I can be relaxed sitting around watching TV basically doing nothing and go into A-Fib.
If it was just managing the trigger points to stay out of A-Fib then you can have a strategy or game plan.
At least for me it’s NOT.
And I find it extremely frustrating.
It makes no sense that’s why I say no rhyme or reason.
I find this to be insidious because I can’t come up with a strategy to combat it.
Its not like when I plan things out when I box or do martial arts.
Wondering it anyone else experiences this?
Thank You for any feedback

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@windyshores

Make sure the V-8 is low sodium.

My heart rate goes up over 180 and diltiazem lowers my already low bp so last time I ended up in the ICU.

I always wish they would do short term blood thinning (I read a study on this).At least the ICU did an echocardiogram to check for clots.

I have declined blood thinners for years now because I usually have an episode once a year. They are dramatic when they happen but infrequent. I have not had any since 6/21 knock on wood.

I also take Klonopin if I feel as if I am going to have afib. And I use Gas-X (simethicone) if I have GI gas because that is also a trigger.

1000mg Magnesium in a day is a lot! I take 600.

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Yes the V-8 is low sodium.
That’s great that you have not had it for such a long period of time.
I seem to get it every couple of 3 days.
As I said in my original post I usually have low heart rate.
In A-Fib i can be in the 70’S maybe 80” even in the 60’s.
So I’m pretty much asymptomatic.
It takes a lot for me to get my heart rate up.
Basically what I have been told is just get on with your life.
I guess treat it like an injury and just work through it.
But that’s easier said then done.
Having A-Fib and they way I feel I got it (dont know if you’ve seen any of my posts I got it after the 1st covid booster shot) has impacted my life negatively.
i do take a blood thinner and cholesterol med.
I HATE taking any meds.
I believe if the disease doesn’t kill you the cure will.
So sorry to hear about you being in the ICU,
However it sounds like they did right by you so that’s a good thing.
Stay in touch

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Everyone has their own set of triggers. They are by no means universal, and many will argue that your trigger has absolutely no bearing on their own brand of AF. So, the ones I have read cause others, or myself, AF as apparent triggers are:
Caffeine (no credible evidence that it does anything but make your heart even more efficient, but in moderate doses (

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@gloaming

Everyone has their own set of triggers. They are by no means universal, and many will argue that your trigger has absolutely no bearing on their own brand of AF. So, the ones I have read cause others, or myself, AF as apparent triggers are:
Caffeine (no credible evidence that it does anything but make your heart even more efficient, but in moderate doses (

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thank you for your response,
I never drank coffee however i do drink tea now i have decaf tea.
I’m not even sure if regular tea ever put me in A-Fib just thought id go decaf since i head caffeine can be a trigger

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It really is a learning experience (if taken seriously and done well..), but the dividends are that one can live with this scourge known as atrial fibrillation. My strong advice, and that given all the time by people who run another forum dedicated to helping those with AF, is to see a good EP and get a first ablation done before the disorder progresses too far. For some, that can be less than a year.

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@gloaming

It really is a learning experience (if taken seriously and done well..), but the dividends are that one can live with this scourge known as atrial fibrillation. My strong advice, and that given all the time by people who run another forum dedicated to helping those with AF, is to see a good EP and get a first ablation done before the disorder progresses too far. For some, that can be less than a year.

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i actually am seeing an EP today. however i am very hesitant about ablation because i hear so much how they do not always work and just the idea of someone playing around with my heart really gives me hesitancy.
so i’m hoping to get some clarity today
Thanks again

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@kravmaga

i actually am seeing an EP today. however i am very hesitant about ablation because i hear so much how they do not always work and just the idea of someone playing around with my heart really gives me hesitancy.
so i’m hoping to get some clarity today
Thanks again

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I had an ablation about 5 years ago. It is not a cure, but it stopped my AFib for a few years.

I now get AFib about once a month for about 8 hours per episode. No rhyme or reason as to when or why.

I only take eliquis.

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@bobstokes11

I had an ablation about 5 years ago. It is not a cure, but it stopped my AFib for a few years.

I now get AFib about once a month for about 8 hours per episode. No rhyme or reason as to when or why.

I only take eliquis.

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Thanks for your response.
Glad to hear that you rarely have episodes.
And that’s for sure as my original post was titled no rhyme or reason to A-Fib
That’s what makes it all the more frustrating.

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If it helps, first ablations have a 30-40% failure rate, depending on the skills and experience of the EP. Subsequent ablations run around 80% success rate. But, again, the performing 'artist' determines those numbers, not so much the patient. I can't stress enough that you must find and secure the help of the top 15 EPs in the country if at all possible.

Again, if it helps, I am one of those unfortunate statistics, and I'm still haunting the www posting encouragement, coaching, and advice to those who seem to need it. In fact, I have been in the ER five times since my July ablation, all due to flutter or AF. My EP accepted the graphic depiction of my HR from my Galaxy watch as evidence that his first work hadn't worked, and he called to chat and to say he'd be willing to try again. Happily, on February 14th, he went in and found that he had to re-do the isolation of three of the four pulmonary vein ostia (mouths, where they empty oxygenated blood returning from the lungs to the left atrium).
Not only that, but as soon as he burnt the last gap, my heart immediately resumed Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR), at which he and his team stood back and high-fived. He told me he didn't even have to shock me back into rhythm, which is almost always the last necessary step for a heart as disordered as mine is/was.
Ablation isn't kids' stuff, but it's more-and-more routine and necessary for the heavy majority of AF sufferers. It may only buy you several years until the problem returns, but then you go and have a touch-up again, which is really all a second or third ablation is. And, one last time, the person moderating afibbers.org forums has had seven ablations. One poor woman who posts there daily has had over 50 cardioversions, and finally had to settle on a pacemaker to keep her alive. That's another story and best left to another conversation. The point is, you have options, none are what could charitably be called lethal or dangerous, and they offer a much better quality of life when all is said and done.
Don't shy away from skilled help, and don't be afraid of ablation. It's not open heart surgery after all.

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@gloaming

If it helps, first ablations have a 30-40% failure rate, depending on the skills and experience of the EP. Subsequent ablations run around 80% success rate. But, again, the performing 'artist' determines those numbers, not so much the patient. I can't stress enough that you must find and secure the help of the top 15 EPs in the country if at all possible.

Again, if it helps, I am one of those unfortunate statistics, and I'm still haunting the www posting encouragement, coaching, and advice to those who seem to need it. In fact, I have been in the ER five times since my July ablation, all due to flutter or AF. My EP accepted the graphic depiction of my HR from my Galaxy watch as evidence that his first work hadn't worked, and he called to chat and to say he'd be willing to try again. Happily, on February 14th, he went in and found that he had to re-do the isolation of three of the four pulmonary vein ostia (mouths, where they empty oxygenated blood returning from the lungs to the left atrium).
Not only that, but as soon as he burnt the last gap, my heart immediately resumed Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR), at which he and his team stood back and high-fived. He told me he didn't even have to shock me back into rhythm, which is almost always the last necessary step for a heart as disordered as mine is/was.
Ablation isn't kids' stuff, but it's more-and-more routine and necessary for the heavy majority of AF sufferers. It may only buy you several years until the problem returns, but then you go and have a touch-up again, which is really all a second or third ablation is. And, one last time, the person moderating afibbers.org forums has had seven ablations. One poor woman who posts there daily has had over 50 cardioversions, and finally had to settle on a pacemaker to keep her alive. That's another story and best left to another conversation. The point is, you have options, none are what could charitably be called lethal or dangerous, and they offer a much better quality of life when all is said and done.
Don't shy away from skilled help, and don't be afraid of ablation. It's not open heart surgery after all.

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thanks for your response info and concern.
I’m glad to hear success with your Feb 14th procedure.
On Valentines or Heart day
all the best

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Thank you for posting (again), Krav. The unpredictability of our mRNA C19 vaccine-caused Afib (mine started with the 2nd mRNA C19 Moderna booster...with incident myocarditis)...is maddening. Yes, environment (namely, diet...including supplementation) is critical in management of & recovery from myocarditis-caused Afib. I've not had subsequent cardiac MRIs but in my consultations with who I regard as a progressive cardiologic researcher (not a clinician) I/we believe I have some form of left ventricular dysfunction (causing my unpredictable Afib). I am unwilling to invest the time, effort, & money that would be required to fully pursue this or some other diagnosis. I recorded--with my Apple Watch 8, my first daytime incident Afib...on Tuesday morning. I slept very poorly Monday night (as indicated in my Apple Watch, Fibit Charge 4, & Garmin Venu 2S data). The Garmin data indicated inexplicable high stress levels throughout my sleep--even as I slept without awakening. I awoke in an awful state & observed my pulse racing to an unusually high level , 80-90 bpm, sometimes approaching 100. My average RHR is 45--so this got my attention. Then I took an ECG with my Apple Watch--& it recorded Afib! I've begun keeping a diary as I search for answers. In addition to the stressful sleep (my Garmin Body Battery--a metric that Garmin has developed that combines HRV with RHR & saturated oxygen, was only...21--out of 100 (I usually awake with a 75-85 score, upon awakening), I noted that I had eaten about 1/3 of a bag of salty sweet potato tortilla chips Monday evening. In addition, I have been trying out the Oura ring (since the myocarditis I have become obsessed with collecting health--including sleep, data) & on Monday I tried the temporary Oura ring on a new finger--my left ring finger, with a very tight, constricting fit (which was very uncomfortable). Seems irrelevant but I do not ordinarily wear a ring (of any kind) & Tuesday I came upon a peer-reviewed paper observing that wearing a metal ring on the 4th or 5th finger can result in elevated...troponin I levels! Consistent with my dysfinction in my left ventricle. Here's the abstract to the paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20578646/. So I am returning the Oura ring (sticking with my Garmin, Apple Watch, & Fitbit). At any rate, since the myocarditis I am suddenly & acutely sensitive to salt intake. After the Tuesday incident Afib, I am eliminating the salty chips (I stopped adding salt to my food after the myocarditis diagnosis). And as I do continue to supplement with MCT/caprylic acid/Bulletproof Brain Octane twice a day, which acts as a keto supplement (the kidneys excrete more sodium with either a keto diet and/or keto supplementation & there is a delicate balance between sodium and other electrolytes, particularly magnesium & potassium). Turns out I learned that I was slightly hypokalemic, which could well be a proximate cause of my paroxysmal Afib. So I have to be very mindful of my electrolytes. I drink water with added electrolytes (sodium, magnesium, calcium, & potassium) throughout the day. In addition, I supplement with magnesium taurate, 1500 mg per day (across 3 doses) & potassium orotate (600 mg across 4 doses). I continue to work out but realize I may have exacerbated the focal inflammation caused by the myocarditis (following the bivalent Modern mRNA booster)...by continuing to exercise in the period following onset & diagnosis of myocarditis. Typical recovery includes at least 2 months without intense exercise. So I may have inadvertently exacerbated the damage caused by the mRNA-caused bivalent booster (both the S1/spike protein & the lipid nano particles are likely culprits in producing the widespread distribution of the S1 mRNA & lipid shell...resulting in the pro-inflammatory cascade...particularly in the heart & other organs). Since the myocarditis diagnosis, I also supplement with nattokinase & serrapeptase...to target degradation of remaining S1 protein & to dissolve blood clots. Two weeks ago when I realized my error of over-exercising--after being lectured by the progressive cardiologic researcher, I reduced my extreme fitness routines (e.g., Insanity Max Interval Circuit) to half the time & half intensity (e.g., Beach Body T-25 routines; 25 minutes each). And I deliberately lower my intensity, bring my average heart rate down from 137-140 bpm ( with 200-205 bpm peaks) to 120 bpm (with 155-160 peaks). Going to bed now. I could go on & on. Praying for a night free from Afib (I've reactivated my FitBit Afib tracking algorithm...after having turned it off last weekend to rely on the weekly Afib summary provided by the Apple Watch 8). Let's keep sharing--& be sure to wear your N95 respirator in congregate settings. No more mRNA vaccines for me!!!

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