Eric S.

Well, I spent some time in a hospital last week with atrial fibrillation. I first thought my shallow breathing may have been a Covid symptom and was tested for that - negative. My first entry into dealing with whatever I had was not very focused so I walked away from it and hooked up with a good cardiologist on the recommendation of a friend.

I don't live my life like I'm a triathlete but the Dr. was surprised it was happening to me given my level of activity and age (early 50s). I'm a die-hard bike commuter in a region that doesn't have "seasons" so I may have been riding too much, too long - averaging ~150 miles per week. I did come to find there is a history of it on my mother's side of the family.

After being stabilized by meds and a cardioversion I've been resting at home. I have a follow-up appointment in a couple weeks, at which time I'll probably receive some info on what I can engage in.

Any other A-Fibbers out there?

canklecat

I get occasional arrhythmia. Docs haven't said it's anything to worry about. Seems to correspond with my occasional migraines. A small as-needed dose of a beta blocker helps with both.

reverborama

Yep, I've had it for about 10 years. I take Flecainide twice a day and Metoprolol at bedtime for it and it's well under control. I know other people who've needed pacemakers and ablation with varying levels of success. I still ride plenty though not as much as you do. The doctors say I have nothing to worry about and I really have no side effects from the medications.

Carbonfiberboy 

Go back out to the Pills and Ills subforum page. Over on the right at the top of the forum is "Search this forum." Click "advanced search" and enter "Afib." You question is thereby answered.

Kabuki12

I am the youngest in my family and the only one who has not dealt with this issue. I have been checked by a cardiologist but was told I was ok. I will soon be 66 and occasionally I am just sitting in my recliner and my Apple Watch gives me a notice that my heart rate is like 120. This is usually after a long day at work. Riding my bike up hills and flat out at a rapid cadence is never a problem even after 40 miles. I live on top of a hill so the last 3 blocks are brutally steep. I showed my Dr. my heart rate under physical load and he said my heart is fine, I don’t get a high heart rate often enough to be too concerned as my resting heart rate is around 50 or so due to the amount of exercise I get. I have low blood pressure for my age. My parents both died of heart disease and my 2 brothers and my sister have all had surgery for a fib.

reverborama

That is one of the weird things about AFib. I can totally feel it when bouts occur. The cardiologist tells me this is unusual and that most people don't realize they have it. I have confirmed this with several friends who have it and can't feel it. Luckily the meds I take have it well under control. Sometimes if I do a very long, hard ride in hot weather and drink something very cold afterwards that will trigger it but it hasn't happened this season anyway.

3Roch

here ya go...

https://electrophysiology.onlinejacc...9/921.full.pdf

fastcarbon

I had A Fib for several years. Mine was a little more rare type. It would happen when I was riding close to my max heart rate of 162 bpm. My heart rate would jump to 220 bpm and would stay there until I soft pedaled several strokes. It happened in TT's and in group rides when off the front with a small group. I fainted on the bike twice but by the time I got to the hospital the heart was normal and they didn't suspect arrhythmia . I finally saw it on the heart rate monitor and was sent to a cardiologist. I have had ablations on three occasions and they have allowed me to get back to cycling. My current Electrophysiologist/ Cardiologist wants me on the bike and allows me to ride as hard and as long as I wish. I do take Fleccainide twice a day and an anti-coagulant. I am happy though that my heart is structurally at 100%.

grizzly907la

I had a takosubo cardiomyopathy in 2018. I don't remember having it. I didn't go to the hospital for about two after I started getting symptoms (water retention, fatigue, weakness, and high blood pressure.) I finally crawled my way to the hospital and I was at deaths door. I also developed kidney disease because I didn't go to the hospital sooner. I also develop a blood clot the size of a half dollar, in my right ventricle. While in the hospital I developed a stomach bleed after they put me on blood thinners. It was so bad that I had to have the nurses help me off of the toilet. The next day I got a blood transfusion and then had two stomach ulcers stapled. I also had a series of micro strokes because the blood clot in my heart broke off and traveled to my brain...they said it didn't do much damage because I was young (48 is young?) I spent a total of 19 days in the hospital. Two weeks the first go around and 5 day after they discovered the blood clots in my brain. I was riding my bicycle from the train station to the hospital the week after I was let out, the second time. I was pissed because I couldn't complete the ride from the train station to the hospital, because it was an incline and I couldn't get all of the way there. I didn't have a proper respect for my condition.


Long story short. I credit riding my bike around DTLA, with saving my life. I would've probably bought the farm if it wasn't for me riding around on bike. That's good news for you. I have done some things to improve my health since what I call "God's gut check."


1. If you're on medication, then take your meds as prescribed and take them everyday.

2. Start taking Coq10. It works wonders for the heart. I've been taking it for almost two years.

3. Prenatal multivitamins. Prenatal vitamins are more potent than the standard vitamins.

4. Take a multimineral vitamin.

5. Capsacum aka cayenne pepper supplements. Capsacum works wonders for the heart and can stop a heart attack dead in its tracks when taking during a heart attack. They make capsacum capsules that don't burn the stomach.

6. Garlic supplements.

7. Change your diet. I am doing Keto...not so much right now, but its good for overall health.

8. Take it slowly, but don't sit around too much. Get up and move around. Take a small walk to begin with. Ride your bicycle but take it slowly and don't be so rash, like I was.


You're going to be fine. I've had brain tumors, almost died in 98 from that, still rode my bikes, survived alcoholism, homelessness, and the latest near death experience in 2018. Ride on!

philbob57

Got a pacer almost 3 months ago because of both brady- and tachycardia. After 7 weeks on the pacer, my cardiologist said it reported a-fib. He recommended Xarelto, with Plavix as 2nd choice. I accepted the Xarelto reco. It's a scary drug, since it increases the risk of a hemorrhagic strokes, but it significantly reduces the risk of ischemic strokes.

Eric S.

Appreciate the responses. I hadn't come back to this thread after the comment saying there is already plenty of discussion to view here.

I had an echocardiogram on Sept. 8 and met with the cardiologist a couple days later. He said normal heart "capacity" is 55-70% and I was at 60% so all is good. The only prescription I'm staying on is metoprolol (beta blocker) once per day. My next check-up is in March 2021.

grizzly907la

Excellent!!! They have you on a 6 month follow up, and that's a good sign IMHO. I would urge to do your own research in regards to supplements, and especially CoQ10. Here's an article on the benefits of Coq10. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition...C_TITLE_HDR_10

10 Wheels

I had an AFIF caused by and Electrical Problem with my Heart beat,
All my valves are good.

The Cure was procedure called PVA. It worked for me.
Look it up on Google.