Atrial Fibrillation

Do skipped heart beats and atrial fibrillation go hand in hand? In other words, if you have one are your sure to get the other and vice versa. I've read that with atrial fibrillation the heart beat is irregular. Does that means it skips beats. I've also read that atrial fibrillation has a fast steady beat. Which is it? Could you clarify this for me? If a person makes major lifestyle changes, could the atrial fibrillation reverse itself?

[CCF-M.D.-KE]

Dear Roland,

Atrial fibrillation is characterized by an irregular heart beat. In the absence of cardiac monitoring it can be difficult to differentiate atrial fibrillation from other rhythm disturbances such as prolonged ectopy. However, I often tell patients to palpate their pulse during episodes of  palpitations and we discuss what they felt during a clinic visit. Skipped beats such as premature atrial contractions (PACs) and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) do not suggest atrial fibrillation. Though they may cause the pulse to appear irregular during palpation, this is not atrial fibrillation.
Recording the heart's electrical activity with a holter monitor or an event monitor is the best way to characterize whether or not a rhythm disturbance is present. The holter monitor is worn from 24 to 48 hours and the event monitor is worn for up to one month.  These devices allow one to mark specific symptomatic events for electrocardiographic (ECG) comparison.
There are some life style changes that can be made to reduce atrial fibrillation which they include avoiding alcohol, caffeine and stimulants such as those found in decongestants.
I would recommend seeing a cardiologist for further evaluation if you are experiencing atrial fibrillation.

Thanks for your question,


CCF-MD-KE

[wingtip]

I've been diagnosed with cronic (chronic) a-fib for five years now. (Cronic (chronic) meaning full time 24/7).  The bear is really irregular, not just a skipped beat know and then.  My HR ranges from 20bpm at night and 210 when running.   From what my doctors have said, it doesn't just go away with lifestyle changes, but so far it hasn't caused any health problems other than needing to take coumidin.  My father is 64, has had the condition for quite a while and he still puts in 60 hours a week in the factory.  

On the flip side, I used to have PACs or short runs of vtac or afib and was told it was just stress.  Ten years later, when I didn;t notice any problems the doctor's found the abnormal rythm.  So with out making the lifestyle changes, your problems whatever they may be, may become a-fib.

[bella-life]

What does Atac or Vfib actually feel like?