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.
Background: 36 year old a-fibber. EP aborted ablation procedure one month ago due to clotting on instruments but otherwise no clotting observed in right atrium. He sent me home on baby aspiring. One week later, I'm in ER after an acute chest pain, resultant shortness of breath, a-fib, and shock. X-ray negative. Ativan calms me down. I go home. Following Monday, hematologist says get yourself on Xeralto while we test your blood. 2 weeks later, I discontinue Xeralto and return to baby aspirin on EP's advice.
Fast forward two weeks. I have several a-fib episodes this week. 9 hours ago, I had my first real indoor bike workout in weeks. Easy going but 40 minutes long. About 3 hours ago, while driving on the road, I all of a sudden felt a strong, acute chest pain, hot flash through my face, and a hot flash in my feet. In my feet! Followed by general tightness in my chest that passed.
Has this ever happened to anyone? I was concerned that the exercise may have loosened up a clot. Was this just acute onset anxiety? I've been an anxious wreck for last 2 months.
So I got to an UrgentCare which called 911. I administered myself a Klonopin so I wouldn't go in to shock (as easily as last trip to ER). I had also chewed up 3 baby aspirins just in case. The paramedics worked me up and noted normal sinus rhythm and that I was no longer having symptoms. They let me decide whether I needed to go to ER.
I chose to head home. 2 hours later I'm okay, here writing. What would you have done? Was that a transient ischemic attack or massive anxiety attack? I'm not sure the ER docs would have really been able to assess.
A-fib. I mean. This disorder really sucks.
I immediately pulled over. An UrgentCare was nearby. Not sure if I needed UrgentCare of
Fast forward two weeks. I have several a-fib episodes this week. 9 hours ago, I had my first real indoor bike workout in weeks. Easy going but 40 minutes long. About 3 hours ago, while driving on the road, I all of a sudden felt a strong, acute chest pain, hot flash through my face, and a hot flash in my feet. In my feet! Followed by general tightness in my chest that passed.
Has this ever happened to anyone? I was concerned that the exercise may have loosened up a clot. Was this just acute onset anxiety? I've been an anxious wreck for last 2 months.
So I got to an UrgentCare which called 911. I administered myself a Klonopin so I wouldn't go in to shock (as easily as last trip to ER). I had also chewed up 3 baby aspirins just in case. The paramedics worked me up and noted normal sinus rhythm and that I was no longer having symptoms. They let me decide whether I needed to go to ER.
I chose to head home. 2 hours later I'm okay, here writing. What would you have done? Was that a transient ischemic attack or massive anxiety attack? I'm not sure the ER docs would have really been able to assess.
A-fib. I mean. This disorder really sucks.
I immediately pulled over. An UrgentCare was nearby. Not sure if I needed UrgentCare of
Can you call your EP?
I am hoping this is anxiety. Issues with my heart creates a lot of anxiety for me, when it is happening. Seems like the Klonopin worked.
3 baby aspirin, almost an adult aspirin.....hummmmm. IDK...~
Do you ever practice deep rhythmic breathing in times like this??
I take daily 81 mg aspirin Pradaxa (2 doctors- and EP and GP said it was ok). I asked my EP, what if I have a headache. She said it was ok to take a second one on a 1 time basis. I asked about bleed risk and the reply was that the biggest bleed risk is with the over 75 group.
petey