AF - Is it temporary or here to stay

I have been told that I have AF.  I have only had one episode and since then every ECG is coming back normal aprt from the siting of the PWAVE. (Apaarantly this is a little too close to the big tall needle like part of the ECG)  I had been binge drinking the night before the incident which I am not proud of but would like to hear from anyone else who has had a similar episode or attack.  What I am really wondering is if the P wave that is in the wrong plce can get better and move.  On previous ECG's of 3 months ago it was not where it is placed now.  Does this mean that it is going to stay dangeously close to the other needle thing permanently.  If you have an answer that might relax me please post.

Many thanks and lots of love
Yorkshire Terrier

[tc1414]

well, the good news is that A-fib in and of itself isn't a fatal thing....it can, however, increase the risk of stroke in someone who experiences it. most folks who have a-fib take a daily blood thinner like low-dose aspirin to help protect against that. a lot of people that are diagnosed with a-fib never knew they had it, and don't feel any different at all while going through it. that's a possibility in your case, too.
i only had one instance that i know about of a-fib, but because a-fib had to do with electrical abnormalities in the heart, it can come back at any time. i'm currently on a low dose of bystolic daily, and am going to see an electrocardiologist about a possible ablation to rid myself of the fibs once and for all.
not sure if that's super-encouraging, but hope it helps!

[yorkshireterrier]

Thank you for your reply.  The doctor has not told me to take any asprin so I am very wary of taking meds until I am told to.  I have had an ablation before on the lower chambers in my heart and this was succesful though very painful so If I can stay away from this procedure I would prefer it.  Do you know if the P wave can rectify itself without an ablation?

[Hopeful39]

I too had one lone a-fib event.  It lasted 20 hours and I had to be convereted on IV medication.  I wore  a holter monitor for 24 hours several weeks later that showed no a-fib.  i am confident that I know when I am in it.  I am on baby asperin every day and am currently taking an ACE inhibitor to bring down my bp (it was 130/90).  

You really need a professional opinion on the ECG read.  Did you where a 24 hour or event monitor to obtain the results or was it in office.  A long term monitoring will tell you if you go into a-fib and back out without knowing it.  

wrt the drinking, the a-fib is sometimes associated with alcohol drinking (more than a moderate amount....called holiday heart).  

Good luck.

[Sweetwaterguy]

It is my understanding that for many with A-F the next episode comes easier than the previous one.  Often there is a trigger that sets it off.  Excessive alcohol consumption and caffeine are a couple of the most common triggers.  

[moon86]

hi there.. we have the same case.. i was diagnosed with a-fib after a night of heavy drinking. The doctor said it was holiday heart syndrome. The rythm converted to normal in less than 24 hours. I had sveral test like blood chemistry, echocardiogram, ecg and stress test. everything came out normal. Three weeks later from my discharge, i went back to my cardiologist for a check up. he did an ecg and it was normal. a month later, annother ecg and it was normal. then the last was the stress test then the result was ok. he said it wil not come back unless the same behavior is repeated then the syndrome will come back. the doctor said that if you drink, you must control and limit your alcohol consumption or never drink at all. hope this helps..

-mo0n