I'm both a very open and a private person.
i have to have a reason to share information with others.
I share all AF info with my live- in friend. I share medical info with close friends in my condo building, several volunteer ushers and AF friends in CLIR, a senior group I'm very active in.
I'm not noticeably symptomatic. I avoid telling people when I'm having an episode so as not to scare them or elicit their concern.
Before AF i was into cocktails and wine with dinner when eating out.
I find that staff in restaurants we frequent are concerned that I'm not drinking. I'll tell them about AF and that for me alcohol is a trigger.Once in awhile I'll have a cocktail and it 'll be OK. Usually not!

Annette

Interesting comments,
I have a friend with migraines, and another with IBS and they talk about THAT very openly!

When I was diagnosed with cancer I told my friends, relatives and coworkers because of the major impact it had on my life. I have not told anyone about my afib because I felt most people are not familiar with afib (about 2% in my age group) and I did not think it was that big of a deal (e.g. life threatening) compared to cancer. In addition, since my afib is primarily asymptomatic it has had minimal impact on my overall physical life and relationships with people. I also think by telling people it gives the afib more power and visibility than I want it to have.

opsyn

Interesting discussion by all.

I've told family and friends out of necessity. I manage a group of 20 people so I need to tell them when I am out... been hospitalised six times in the last 30 months plus in 2011 I missed 8 weeks of work.

My last attack started when I was on a business trip in CA. HR ran to 125 and never went back. my coworker noticed I was not feeling well, so I told her. She was concerned, she invited me to come stay at her house in case something happened that I needed to go to the ER.

As mentioned, if you are traveling it is a good idea to let someone know. Recently with the airplane crash, I will have my medic alert bracelet with me.

Finally, I havent had to think about the career impact as I hope to retire in 2014 (at 57).

Robert
PS: I used to think afib was more a nuisance than life threatening. After the last prolonged episode, I'm not so sure now. My EF went from about 55 down to 30. Also forgive my typing as I am on a tablet.

Hi Marikay -it is interesting and revealing to consider your personal approach to sharing health details (barriers and freedoms).
I tend to forget about the persistent AF that I suffer from because I am mostly too occupied with the Heart Failure (HF) problem....even though it is the AF that annoys me the most and makes my life difficult.
Also, I find people in general have a hard time understanding HF and so it is just too much to take in the AF as well. Only people who have AF seem to really comprehend how it changes life.
cheers
leanne

As an Italian guy originally from New Jersey, I don't like to reveal anything that could be perceived as a weakness... you know, " Not AFIB . Dizzy -- breathing -- chest pain attacks." petey

(I don't get thosesymptoms btw... that came from Analyze This-Billy Crystal as the psych- I love that movie-reminds me of home)

I love that movie, too, Petey, as well as The Dream Team.