Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
I have paroxysmal Afib and have been mostly lurking. I'm 63 and will be 64 in April. Enjoy the information that's been posted. I'm not in the same league as most of the posters here as I guess my Afib just isn't that bad. I was diagnosed with Afib in November 2013 after trying to go on a run and getting breathless. I thought it was EIA so took a couple of puffs of albuterol. It didn't help. ER visit confirmed Afib. Refused the offered cardiac-conversion and resumed NSR 17 hours later on my own. Was put on warfarin for the second time. The first was after idiopathic bilateral pulmonary embolisms. I need 12.5 milligrams to maintain an INR between 2 and 3. Reading that some of you get by on less than 5 just amazes me. Cardiologist gave me the option to get off warfarin and told me that I could probably do just as well with an aspirin a day so I'm on aspirin.
I still run and can compete but occasionally will have an episode that just pretty much stops me. Then it goes away usually within minutes. Ran 50K Feb 1 and finished under 4:50. Made a mistake with my electrolytes or I would have done better. No Afib.
Ran a hilly race yesterday and managed a 7:31 pace despite a couple of problems with breathlessness (EIA or Afib, I'm not sure?). I'm getting ready to do a 50 mile race April 5th. Caffeine is a trigger and since I avoid it like the plague now, I've had far fewer problems. The 50 mile race is a big test for me. I'm still a little anxious about how running hard for 10 hours or so is going to impact me with afib and I know any mistake with electrolytes, hydration or fuel can have a drastic effect. It's been 5 years since my last 50 mile race.
Comments about low heart rate in the 30s seem strange to me as before the episode in November, that was my normal. So I have to filter a lot of the comments to try to find those that may apply to me. I appreciate anything that's said having to do with exercise and afib as that's closer to where I'm at.
I've read the blog on the ultrarunner who has continuous afib and he's an inspiration. Thanks Petey!
I appreciate all of your comments and information. Keep posting.
Todd
I still run and can compete but occasionally will have an episode that just pretty much stops me. Then it goes away usually within minutes. Ran 50K Feb 1 and finished under 4:50. Made a mistake with my electrolytes or I would have done better. No Afib.
Ran a hilly race yesterday and managed a 7:31 pace despite a couple of problems with breathlessness (EIA or Afib, I'm not sure?). I'm getting ready to do a 50 mile race April 5th. Caffeine is a trigger and since I avoid it like the plague now, I've had far fewer problems. The 50 mile race is a big test for me. I'm still a little anxious about how running hard for 10 hours or so is going to impact me with afib and I know any mistake with electrolytes, hydration or fuel can have a drastic effect. It's been 5 years since my last 50 mile race.
Comments about low heart rate in the 30s seem strange to me as before the episode in November, that was my normal. So I have to filter a lot of the comments to try to find those that may apply to me. I appreciate anything that's said having to do with exercise and afib as that's closer to where I'm at.
I've read the blog on the ultrarunner who has continuous afib and he's an inspiration. Thanks Petey!
I appreciate all of your comments and information. Keep posting.
Todd
I'm totally shocked at the amount of Coumadin you are taking. After I came home from my stroke, my cardiologist put me on 5mg, four days latter my INR was 10, and I had to go get Vitamin K pills (expensive since these are no generic). The web recommends a trip to the ER with an INR of 10, I was bleeding through some of the pores on my face. We've about the same age, I assume you are a lot thinner than me. If you have been following the threads, you know I had a stroke a few weeks ago while I was on aspirin. I am no longer a fan of aspirin.
You seem to have already learned ways to cope with your particular A Fib.
A few people have posted here about their low heart rate, and how they deal with it.
After I found this site, learned a lot about A Fib in a short amount of time.
Admire your taking on a 50 mile race. Hope it goes well.
Please keep us posted.
D.