Violent Afib/Mild Afib

Dmaz...I was diagnosed with afib when I went to the emergency room because I fell on my back at that point they gave me metoprolol and eliquis I don't know if I had a bit before I entered the hospital or not

Each heart is different. Different genetics, different morphology at any one time of age due to diseases, diet, lifestyle habits, lack of exercise/too much exercise, sleep problems, etc. Then, there is the mind and how it deals with the unwanted intrusions associated with ectopy. A more symptomatic body will have a more unsettled mind trying to hang on....for dear life.

I don't believe ejection fraction can be a cause of AF or the rate at which it 'fires'. Instead, like the other symptoms one feels (or doesn't....some feel nothing), the ejection fraction is a RESULT of mitral valve disorder, and mitral valve disorder is associated with aging, atrial enlargement, or disease. AF causes atrial enlargement over time, so this can, often does, lead to mitral valve problems. With a prolapsed valve comes more fibrosis around the valve, and this can exacerbate AF.

About 90% of all initial onset of AF can be pointed at the ostia of the pulmonary veins (their mouths, all four of them, where they empty oxygenated blood returning from the lungs). What happens is endothelial tissue from the atrial inner lining migrates, as a heart ages, into the ostia, and when it gets far enough it makes physical contact with a focus where the Vein of Bachman sets electrical signaling (this is what I understand, it might not actually be as I describe it). When the endothelial tissue makes contact with that signal, it propagates it along the inner surface of the atrium, just like the signal issuing from the Sino-Atrial node that went about 10 milliseconds before it. Two signals, two beats. But they're not in synch, and that is the cardinal sign of AF...irregularly irregular beats signified by the varying R-R interval. That and no P wave is visible in the ECG printout.

Not every patient has RVR (rapid ventricular response, meaning for each beat the atrium decides it's going to do, the ventricle also beats in concert). Some AF is merely SVT, or supraventricular tachycardia, where only the atrium beats too quickly, but the ventricle doesn't....it only beats according to the signal sent on from the AV node, or the Atrio-ventricular node.

What you should know is that AF, on its own, is not a death sentence. It's not going to kill you. It can go on for a very long time, but....and here's what you must keep in mind....the longer it goes on, the worse things get for the patient. More atrial enlargement, more fibrosis, more mitral valve disorder, and eventually chronic heart failure (it doesn't really 'fail', it just weakens and becomes 'insufficient' for normal activity).

Also, the longer you allow it to progress (it IS a progressive disorder), the more difficult it becomes to treat and the more resistant it is to the gold standard of care, a catheter ablation. So, you want it controlled early, firmly, and reliably, as long as, and as early as, you can. See an electrophysiologist before long if you keep getting RVR-AF and you can't seem to beat if back with metoprolol, diltiazem, bisoprolol, flecainide, Tikosyn,...whatever the experts (not me!!) says is best for you. If you can't abide the drugs, then please investigate catheter ablation and seek the best EP you can find within a day's drive and a couple of nights in a motel.

Thanks for the info. I am 22 days post RF Left Atrial Ablation. Afib has increased 1000+ percent.
A doctor did tell me RVR is the left ventricle compensating for the quiver or insufficient atrial contraction during AF. Metoprolol Tartrate 25mg seems to help control/lower heart rate during an event but nothing has helped prevent or stop AF. There are many triggers: Cold drinks or cold temps, Hot tub or hot temps, aggravation ,fear and anxiety, etc.

I feel and hear my heart beat as well but hear rate is high with just a small walk or doing things which should not raise heart rate sometimes a hundred beats and above but not in a fib need solutions

RVR is caused by the same electrical impulse, the extra ones, that cause the atria to fibrillate. However, the signal enters the ventricle either via the Bundle of His' branches, low in the heart, called the bundle branches and then via the Purkinje fibers. Or, it can enter the ventricle in a focal point, also called a re-entrant. This is my understanding...it might not be gospel. The point is that, while supraventricular ('above he ventricles') tachycardia (SVT) is only atrial tachyarrhythmia, RVR means the two lower large ventricles are trying to match the beat and rhythm of the atria...so the entire heart is thumping along at whatever the AF rate currently is. This is serious, more serious than AF by itself, and the patient needs urgent medical care.

If you're not already seeing a cardiologist and an Electrophysiologist, please research one of each and make an appointment asap. These things can be corrected quite simply if you act swiftly. I would get some Vital based devices for your ability to monitor heart rate and rhythm. I use typical "Pulse Oximeters and a Portable ECG Monitor called "Emay® Model #EMG-20. These help me keep an eye on things and give me peace of mind. There are a series of medications that can help your issue but it would take a diagnosis to treat you.

Good Luck and God Bless!

Sorry if I didn't address your issue correctly. I was having the same symptoms earlier in my treatment. I had a stent placed in 2017. It was only 2.5 mm, and my mid Left Anterior Decending Artery was 4.0mm wide. It sat in the middle of the artery blocking blood flow. In 2022 I had another stent place to correct the 2.5mm mistake. I was having the sane issues you are experiencing prior to the new stent. Short walks and simple tasks would get me heart rate going. I was telling the doctors about my increased heart rate but they were perplexed. Once the new stent was placed, the rapid arrhythmia subsided. In conclusion, the clogged artery may have been causing the rapid heart rate.