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.

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rhess27 03/09/2017

I was just diagnosed with AFib, and my cardiologist just put me on Metoprolol (25mg time release) and Xarelto (20mg). The Metoprolol is in addition to Cozaar/Losartan that I've already been on for a long while and has done well for me in keeping my BP under control. The Metoprolol, obviously, is more to treat the irregular heartbeat. Anyway, all this started very recently--I first noticed some very strange heart rhythm issues about 3 weeks ago---sudden rapid heartbeats that seemed to come out of nowhere when I was exerting myself only slightly. After the third episode of this, I went to the cardiologist. All tests (EKG, Echocardiogram, blood tests, x-ray) were fine except that there were "extra beats" on my EKG and Echo. Otherwise, he said my heart was in great shape. (two day nuclear stress test is coming up next week yet---the last time I had that, two years ago, all was well except for some "calcification of my coronary arteries" but it was not in any way impinging on me, so they saw no need to take action). Holter monitor confirmed the extra heartbeats and whatever other signs, if any, of AFib, and the cardiologist put me on the meds two days ago. NOW... the question I have is... starting only a few days ago, I began going completely out of breath after only the slightest exertion. I wasn't noticing this at first--all I noticed was the rapid heartbeat. But now it's almost like the palpitations and odd heartbeats have retreated a bit, and I'm left with this (really even more distressing) symptom of being starved of air. I feel like I constantly have to try to take deep breaths, but I can't get there (i.e., I can't take a satisfying breath) and god forbid I actually exert myself in any way beyond a short walk or whatever---I go totally out of breath and can't get back to "normal" for several minutes---and I really don't, of course, get totally back to normal. I first noticed this when I was walking uphill to my work---a walk I've made millions of times before with little effort. This time I had to stop halfway because I was so out of breath. I had tightness in my chest and even some minor pain. This, of course, has happened again when I exert myself, though I've frankly been trying to avoid it.
So my question is----is this something anyone else has experienced with AFib? Did medication alleviate it and, hopefully, get rid of it? Because this, to be honest, is almost worse than the irregular/fast heartbeats. I am a fairly active person---I'm a cyclist and I love to walk and hike, swim, etc. But this is scaring me. I don't want my life limited to only the shortest walks. I'm hoping this is just a common symptom of AFib which quickly goes away with treatment. Thus far I haven't been able to find anyone who can confirm this. Anyone?

AgentSmith 03/09/2017

I can't really answer your question but just wanted to let you know that I'm in the same boat. I get out of breath at the slightest exercise and feel like I can't catch a deep enough breath. Sometimes, I'm just sitting down when this happens, no exercise. I saw a cardiologist this week and am going next week to get the monitor. So far, I haven't been diagnosed but I have all the symptoms that people with afib complain of and I have a high genetic predisposition. It is very frustrating because I've been a very active person my entire life but in these last few years I have no energy and feel extremely fatigued all the time. I hope you are able to find some method of alleviating your symptoms.

rhess27 03/09/2017

Thank you.... very sorry you're going through this too. I guess we just both have to hope that the meds will take care of it (along with whatever lifestyle changes we can manage). I just want to be able to walk somewhere without losing my breath. Best of luck though.

wmhar 03/10/2017

It's the Metoprolol; it's job is to keep the heart from beating too fast to control Afib. A side effect is that if you exert yourself, like walking up stairs, your heart can't increase it's rate to move more blood as it would normally do. I hated that med because of the side effects. They had me on Flecinide to control the heart rhythm and the Metoprolol to control the heart rate. Short of breath and sweating constantly.

rhess27 03/10/2017

Ah.... I WISH I could say it was the Metoprolol.... but unfortunately, this breathing problem preceded my starting the Metoprolol. In fact, the cardiologist advised giving the Metoprolol a few days to see if it would take care of the breathing issue. So it's not that. Though I'll definitely watch for it making the problem worse, thanks.

Mmom71 07/28/2017

rhess27, have you gotten any info on this problem from your medical team? I am interested because may very fit and trim daughter has these same symptoms. Also started approx 3 weeks prior to seeking medical attention. She is currently wearing a monitor (72 hr) but reported that she seems like she just can't take a deep breath. I am worried about a blood clot because to this point they have only seen her in an ER and did blood work, Ekg. She doesn't see a Dr. until Tues. (4 more days). So I was hoping you may have found out something since yours was in March, and now it is July. Anyone knowing anything about this thread please feel free to join. Thanks.

gentlefootprint 08/17/2017

Hello rhess27. I hope by now your issues have resolved themselves. My experience with shortness of breath came before I was placed on metoprolol, so I don't equate the problem with use of the medication. However, when my amiodarone was doubled to address the afib I had to be taken off the metoprolol because combined they were slowing my heart too much. My average heart rate is 55-60 bpm but has gotten as high as 214 bpm - without exercise! Good luck to you!

1Paintmaster 09/17/2017

I'm in the same boat and I'm scared to death because I have regular bouts of gasping for breath when I'm not even in afib.... and I'm on a cpap and I wake up gasping and feal like I'm dying every night. It's a nightmare. I don't understand it!! I'm barely over weight!

AndreN10011 10/05/2017

@Rhess27: this is indeed puzzling. Could it be that your body has gotten intolerant or used to your meds? or something else is happening that the docs haven't figured out? Have you considered getting to the next stage and have an ablation done to treat the AFIB? Figuring what EP (electrophysiologists) to go with for that procedure is another big issue to address. Let us know what you decide and how you are progressing.

FYI - I also have had persistent AFIB for many years, and only found out about it after I had a mini stroke. This explained why I did lack energy and couldn't jog and exercise as well as I could some years ago (I thought it was lack of training). It was also found that I had a bicuspid valve, not functioning too well, but sufficiently well that my cardiologist only wanted me on meds - presumably till things got worse. As I insisted I didn't want to wait for that, I got OK'd for a mized ablation. Fortunately (I think) the surgeon who was going to do this recommended instead to treat (replace) the faulty valve, do a maze ablation, close my lAA (left atrial appendage) and more importantly replace part of my ascending aorta which was at risk of rupturing.
So far (one month after the operation) my AFIB is still present altho probably less severe than before, and I am on metoprolol (which I was prior to the operation, with minor results, frankly) and on amiodarone. I am still recuperating from the operation, so going uphill is straining and I can definitely not jog, but I expect to be better than before once the whole thing heals. Knock on wood!

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