Atrial Fibrillation

[papaley]

Is it possible to be in a-fib and really not feel it at all? I have been told by my doctors that I have a very high risk for it due to stenosis of the mitral valve, enlarged LA 42mm. Isn't that measurement borderline and can you be in a-fib with a normal size LA? Other people say that if you are in a-fib you can't HELP but feel it. I have times where my h/r is very slow 45-50 accompanied by low p/b 90-100/50, symptoms at these times are light-headedness, and extreme fatigue. I have daily episodes of short runs of tachycardia, that end as suddenly as they start. Why would there be a concern if many people live their entire lives in a-fib?
thank you,
confused

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear papaley,

Yes, it is possible to have atrial fibrillation without noticeable symptoms.  However, many people do notice that they feel better and less fatigued when they are back in sinus rhythm after a protracted episode of fibrillation.  It is possible to have afib with a normal sized atrium.  The reasons to try to maintain sinus rhythm include reduced risk of stroke, decreased symptoms, and decreased risk of cardiomyopathy.

[lambo]

this is steve . i have had all the tests and everything is alright. my cardiologist says i have a strong heart. i do have a fluctulating bp. i take zyac and my pressure is always around 110 over 60. i have never felt my afib. i went to a new doctor and he found it during a routine visit. my cardiologist thinks i have had this for some time but my old dr. could never find anything to explain my being tired and trouble sleeping. my heart stops at night while i sleep for a period of around 2 and a half seconds and my rate would drop to 35 bpm while sleeping. my average bpm was 66. my only symptoms are fatigue, lack of energy and shortness of breath. hope this info helps.   steve

[Lyn2]

Hi,
This comment is actually for both of the last posts, because it seems like you have identical problems, which is pretty funny.  I'm not a doctor!  But it sounds like the same problem I have which is called sick sinus syndrome or some say tachy-brady syndrome.  It is when your heart beats either too fast or too slow.  I was given a pacemaker, although, my pauses were up to 7 seconds, and I am in a-fib.  With the pacemaker they were able to treat me with anti-arrythmic meds. for the afib.  They could not do this without a pacemaker because of the fact that the heart rate also drops too low and those meds, can really slow your heart down.  It really does sound like your problem.  I wonder what your cardiologists will say?  Good luck to you both.

[papaley]

Thank you for your comments. Steve,you are in afib constantly, or do you go in and out of it.  Do you feel it when you convert to NSR?

CN, thanks for  your insight.  It does sound as if you have exactly what I'm experiencing.  How bad is the EP study, (I assume you had one), and how is the pacemaker? Do you have any heart disease. How are you dealing with all this?  If I may ask, how old are you?  Sorry for all the questions.
Thank you.

[Lyn2]

Papalay,
I have had an EP three times.  I have also had many ablations. My ep studies took an average of 8 hrs.  It is quite something to go through.  I did have problems with getting sick during the middle of all of them.  Apparently the meds. they used to sedate me did not agree with my stomach.  I know it sounds awful, but if there is any way they can get rid of some of the rhythm problems I guess it is worth it.  I got my pacemaker as a result of the last ablation causing sick sinus syndrome.  Now I am actually worse off than before the ablations. Oh well.  I am 33 years old and the pacemaker itself is no big deal, but all the rhythm problems, including a very fast afib,  has been the real difficulty.

From what I understand an ablation for a-fib is not always possible.  They told me they may want to ablate my av node which would leave me in afib but I wouldn't feel it, and 100% dependant on the pacemaker.  Big decisions.  Please keep me updated on what they decide to do with your situation.  Good luck!

[rsexson]

wow, i am glad I found some other people like me!
I am 33 female and am wearing an event monitor.
I really don't know what's wrong with me.
I have had pvc's for about 7 years now but they were not too big of a deal, but then about 2 months ago i had pvc's all day and the doctor ordered a halter monitor and an echo.
The echo showed regurgitation in the mitral valve and the halter showed the pvc's with heart range from 39 to 190 bpm I think.
Anyway, they decided to do this event monitor and when they called in the base line they said I was in atrial fib.
So the hospital did a ekg and found (MI) ? and some other stuff I can't remember but they said I was having small heart attacks.
I am not too sure about all this.
They weren't too bad because they gave me aspirin and sent me home with alot of urging from me :).
I had heard with atrial fib that you really could feel it.
But I really can't feel it some times.
Most of the times I just feel like I want to pass out.
Today my chest hurts, and I am light headed.
I keep thinking that it is all in my head, so I hesitate to push the button.
If I were a man in my family it would be one thing, all my uncles and grandfather have passed away before they were 50 from heart attacks.
The women have things wrong with their heart, but at least their a live!
I am glad that I know it is normal not to always feel stuff, but it is too bad that this event monitor doesn't always record even if you don't push the button.
Because I will be sitting here and it will go down to 40 bpm and then climb back up and may jump up to 200. But it doesn't really bother me.
Well, could you tell me what MI stands for on the ekg?
And thanks for listening.