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 recently ran/walked 5 marathons in 5 days in 5 states. The first one was in Dalhart, Tx. Within a minute of starting, I went into afib. Walk, run, stop, gasp for breath, walk, run, stop gasp for breath etc. for a couple of hours. I took half a 25mg metoprolol and came out of afib about halfway through the marathon. I guessed that I had triggered the afib by starting too fast.
The next day, in Guyman, Ok, I started a lot slower and gradually picked up the pace. I never really pushed it and I never got afib.
The 3rd day, in Ulysses, Ks, I started slow and kept it slow until the last 2 or so miles and really picked it up, determined to "finish strong". With about a mile to go, wham! Afib. Mostly as low walk to the finish but ran the last 50 yards or so across the finish line. I got some very light headed, in part from the afib and in part from hypotension. I asked my carpool partner to drive the car as I was far too lightheaded to drive. Took a dose of metoprolol and about 2 hours later was in NSR.
The 4th day, in Lamar, Co, I took it very easy the whole way. No problems.
The 5th day I gradually picked up speed, both to limit my chance of triggering afib and because I needed to go faster to combat the cold. It was 15 degrees at the start with snow and ice on the ground. No afib even though I finished the last couple of miles running very hard.
This last Sunday I competed in a 10 mile race in Sacramento. I began warming up 40 minutes prior to the start and was running at race pace when the other competitors started, but I was about a quarter mile from the start. I was a bit late crossing the start line but still managed to race the 10 miles and ended up with a decent race time of a little under 78 minutes. That was a good time for a guy over 65.
What I've learned from this is that:
1. I can still race with a very slow start and gradual warm up.
2. Make a mistake and I get afib
3. Metoprolol takes about 2 hours to get me back into NSR.
4. I don't need to fool with additional medications yet
5. I can put off an ablation for now
6. All of my afib incidents have started when I've been running
7. A very slow warmup has, so far, avoided triggering afib
Before I left to do all this running, I consulted with my cardiologist. He offered me additional medication and an ablation if I wanted them. We discussed the options thoroughly and I passed on them with the idea that if it gets worse, they are still options.
I know triggers are different for different people. I'm hoping that someone else may find this helpful, particularly if they are new to afib.
Todd
The next day, in Guyman, Ok, I started a lot slower and gradually picked up the pace. I never really pushed it and I never got afib.
The 3rd day, in Ulysses, Ks, I started slow and kept it slow until the last 2 or so miles and really picked it up, determined to "finish strong". With about a mile to go, wham! Afib. Mostly as low walk to the finish but ran the last 50 yards or so across the finish line. I got some very light headed, in part from the afib and in part from hypotension. I asked my carpool partner to drive the car as I was far too lightheaded to drive. Took a dose of metoprolol and about 2 hours later was in NSR.
The 4th day, in Lamar, Co, I took it very easy the whole way. No problems.
The 5th day I gradually picked up speed, both to limit my chance of triggering afib and because I needed to go faster to combat the cold. It was 15 degrees at the start with snow and ice on the ground. No afib even though I finished the last couple of miles running very hard.
This last Sunday I competed in a 10 mile race in Sacramento. I began warming up 40 minutes prior to the start and was running at race pace when the other competitors started, but I was about a quarter mile from the start. I was a bit late crossing the start line but still managed to race the 10 miles and ended up with a decent race time of a little under 78 minutes. That was a good time for a guy over 65.
What I've learned from this is that:
1. I can still race with a very slow start and gradual warm up.
2. Make a mistake and I get afib
3. Metoprolol takes about 2 hours to get me back into NSR.
4. I don't need to fool with additional medications yet
5. I can put off an ablation for now
6. All of my afib incidents have started when I've been running
7. A very slow warmup has, so far, avoided triggering afib
Before I left to do all this running, I consulted with my cardiologist. He offered me additional medication and an ablation if I wanted them. We discussed the options thoroughly and I passed on them with the idea that if it gets worse, they are still options.
I know triggers are different for different people. I'm hoping that someone else may find this helpful, particularly if they are new to afib.
Todd
That is, will a lack of events keep afib from progressing over time? My understanding is, probably yes--or at least it will slow the progression. Conversely, having more events accelerates the progression.
But maybe it 's not so straightforward.