I have lived years with this diagnosed as panic attacks. the diagnosis didn't seem to fit, but I went to a shrink, had anti-depressants pushed at me. Finally learned after being on this board and getting info from the hospital, that my symptoms are normal for Afib. the meds I am taking help, but will not stop a full-blown Afib attack. My atria are also enlarged and that may make some of my problems worse and mean that my chances of an ablation working are less.
It's reassuring that "it's not in my head" because I have often thought that if I just tried harder and exercised more often that I would be able to walk without using a snail pace or stop so often. Yes, your comment helped. Thanks, edallasedallas
My Afib makes me dizzy at times and like I might faint. The Atenolol I take has dizziness as a side effect, plus I take Xanax to keep the adrenaline in check, and it can make one dizzy. I often have to stop too. I use an umbrella as a cane (too vain to admit I need a cane I guess), and take my husband's arm, or watch for places to rest or lean against as I walk.
A co-worker of mine has an enlarged heart and she has to stop frequently walking into work. So I think it is common.
Hope this helps. Good luck.