Hmmm... you are only 39, and it sounds like this was your first event. Let's assume that when you were in the hospital, they checked your thyroid levels (which can create AFIB). Your heart structures seem to be normal. A lot of caffeine can make your heart go nuts. I think you should start seeing a cardiologist on a regular basis and follow up on this over the coming years. This may be an isolated event. Build a good relationship with the cardiologist. The cardiologist may want you to wear a heart monitor of some sort for 1-30 days. If there is more to this problem he/she might refer you on to an EP. In the interim, keep the caffeine and alcohol to a minimum, and come visit with us on occasion. Your cardiologist may suggest a more effective anti coagulant than baby aspirin. If he/she does suggest this, take it religiously. The biggest risk with AFIB is stroke.

BTW, confusion is normal with AFIB, it unpredictable, and irrational. We all get involved in trying many ways to control it, but for many of us it seems to have a mind of its own. Hopefully, with minor diet adjustments, your issue won't reoccur. However, don't ignore it, AFIB tends to worsen with age.

Hi Seven, You are one of us now.

When the electrical system gives a signal to a cell other than in the sinus node, that potential will always exist for afib....unless it is ablated successfully.

In my experience it is a hit or miss phenomenon as to when or why it will happen.

Some folks can include caffeine and alcohol in moderation and be fine....others it is a trigger to bring on an episode. Some folks can go years without an episode, some have to use medication to stay out of it.

I hope you will be one who will go years without another one...but however long you go....once in afib, you are an affiber ( someone with the potential for an episode)

PS....it is not the worst thing that can happen to a person. And as we all know "things happen to us mortals".

I think once it hits you are stuck with it, you may go years and not have another episode, hoping that is what will happen for you. Yoga cat is right about the electrical cell, the potential is always there once it shows it up.I think it is a way our body is telling us we are not taking very good care of it and something is a-miss.Could be anything and as Paul says getting your thyroid checked fully is a must. It can also be hereditary. So many causes, best thing you can do is get on an anticoagulant, eat well, loose weight if you need to and stay away from stimulants as best you can. Keep up posted on how you are doing. Lots of great people here.

thanks everybody for keeping me inform i go to my primary on Wednesday and see my cardiologist 3 months from now so far so good havent been on meds since the day it happened only baby asprin prescribed by the cardio no fluttering no skipping beats no chest pain besides burping my anxiety is at a all time high im scared to go to sleep

You might ask you PCP about a prescription for a beta blocker for you to take in case you do have another episode. This treatment is called Pill in Pocket. You take a beta blocker to bring your heart rate down.. Some folks convert when they take it. I don't convert, but my rate drops enough to be in a safe and comfortable heart rate, until I convert.
I take Metoprolol, there are several choices.

I use affirmations, deep breathing exercises and guided meditations to relax me and focus me more on better things than afib. Find a way to help yourself know you will be OK.....cuz you Will!

The anxiety can be a killer, especially when newly diagnosed, Ask your PCP for something to help with that when you go, I have xanax and used it often in the beginning of this ride but now just knowing I have it is enough to keep the anxiety at bay and the deep breathing also helps. It is very rare I will take any these days. I have the lowest dose there is and would only take a half of that, It takes time to get yourself where you can move along and the fear will settle down and if you should need some help as many of us did and still do once in awhile that is okay, You are not alone.

Hi Seven. I hope things stabilize for you ASAP. I'm still amazed at the fact that you were electro-converted on your first visit to the hospital. I've been to far too many ERs and hospitals and have never even heard of this as an option my multiple EPs/Dr/Cardios. None-the-less, great group here on DS and all the very best moving forward. Hang in there. - Tom ;)

i think i learned more about afib from the people on here then my doctors i purchased a heart monitor with a built in ekg still in sinus rhythm since i got zapped over a month ago seems like the only thing i get is my heart feels like its beating through my ears but thats about it my heart rate at rest is 74 i see my doc in the morning im still not on meds only baby asprin but i want to get it fixed before down the line it gets worst but the cardio keep saying my heart is fine no signs of heart disease nothing maybe i need a second opinion or i may just be paranoid lol but my anxiet about this whole thing is kicking my butt i will ask him about xanax something to cut the edge

Anxiety is a bitch. It is the very unpredictability of a-fib that drives one nuts. I have been in NSR for 23 days and hoped to make it a month. i was feeling great this morning, took my 2 mile walk, did not get winded, all was so well. Then like a lightning from blue sky, I was in a-fib. The BPM, normally around 40 went to 127 up and down, my heart flopping wildly in my chest. It has been going on for 7 hrs and slowed to 70 (due to Sotalol). They say it gets worse with age but in your case time is on your side. New medicines and treatments will be developed, relaxation techniques will be used more. Your heart is healthy (so is mine but I am twice your age). Good luck in choice of doctors. Marya

all right this the update i went to the er again thought my heart was skipping beats i got to the emergency room they through me on the slab table put ekg's all types of stuff on me i found out my heart was regular sinus rythm my heart beat got up to 105bpm but to me it felt like it was beating 200bpm the final prognosis was i suffer from anxiety and had a panic attack the doc put me on a low dosage of anti axienty meds 5mg man i must say i feel great cardiologist say no need for heart meds this most likely is all caused by stress

That is great news you were not in afib and they gave some anxiety meds and you are feeling better. Hope this continues for you! Not to rain on your parade but Afib is a strange beast, Afib can beget panic and panic can beget Afib so play close attention, do not just assume it is just a panic attack. I have both panic and afib and sometimes it is hard to tell the difference. Learn to check your pulse and rhythm so you can verify what is really going on, the stoke risk for us magnified and you do not want to take that chance. Happy NSR to you!

My first experience with heart problem stsrted with a lone svt episode. Then I started having panic attacks regularly. Which finally a few years later when I developed afib I realized it was my heart was triipping out in turn which was causing my body to panic. Antianxiety meds do help take the edge off. I hope this was an isolated event and its a good thing to stop drinking caffienated drinks. Good luck.

yes me too i must say ya are the strongest people i ever met in my life i tip my hat too all of you i read your storys and it makes me feel im wining like a big baby with my story but if i ever go into afib again im going straight for the ablation with no hesitation