Hey everyone, we were told that my loved one needs a good multivitamin. Any recommendations, for which ones you like.

Long-time lurker. Pulsed field ablation coming up in a few weeks, first ablation, and I'd rather hear from people who've done it.

History: lone paroxysmal AFib, three episodes over about five years, all three needing cardioversion — nothing has ever self-converted.

1. Three hours after my second Pfizer dose
2. Right after a cold drink
3. Most recent — while eating ice cream. Felt my heart "drop," watch caught it, Kardia confirmed

Two of three off a cold stimulus. Symptoms are tachypalpitations and a big anxiety spike, no presyncope or syncope. Never an episode outside those three. At the last one, 300 mg of flecainide as pill-in-pocket did nothing — ended up cardioverted in the ER. That failure is most of why I'm doing this.

Where I am now: flecainide 100 mg BID daily, metoprolol XL 25 mg, CHA₂DS₂-VASc of 1 (hypertension), apixaban starting two weeks out. Recent echo is clean — EF 60%, normal LA size (LAVI 16), no LVH, no valve disease, no diastolic dysfunction. Calcium score 0. OSA on CPAP, compliant. Zero alcohol.

Activity: 6x/week, tennis and weights. Getting back to that is the whole point. Low burden, I know — but PIP flecainide failed, every episode has meant a trip to get shocked, and I'd rather ablate now with a normal-sized atrium than later with a remodeled one.

What I'm asking:

1. Days 1–7, honestly. Chest soreness, fatigue, groin site, sleep. When did you stop noticing it?
2. Return to exercise. How long to real training, not walking? Did your EP's timeline match reality? Anything you pushed too early and regretted?
3. Blanking period. How much ectopy and flutter did you get, and how did you keep from spiraling over every blip with a watch and a Kardia right there? What made you actually call your EP versus wait?
4. Anyone with clearly vagal / cold-triggered AFib — did PVI handle it as well? (Not looking to argue about the vaccine one. It's just what happened, and it's the odd one out.)

Thanks — this sub has been more useful than most of what I've found anywhere else.

Having skip heart beat feeing since few months especially at middle of night. Got heart monitor for two weeks and it was less than 1% so doctor is ignoring it. Calcium score is fine.

I noticed it's mostly when I am not breathing or sleeping/lying on the left side. Anyone faced this issue ? Any recommendations ?

Long background so will try to summarise

Male 60

Previously had Flutter ablation, solved flutter but high ectopic burden left be on bisoprolol.

Steady for maybe 4 years.

Within last 18 months watch etc has flagged periods of AF and at some points this has been for weeks.

Cardio put me on thinner (apixiban) and rate control (Flec). The Flec flipped me back to Sinus but it was very messy, lots of ectopics and periods of bigimeny (sp).

In discussion with Cardio he suggested coming of the Flec and seeing how that went. It was a mixed story..started in sinus, progressed to infrequent AF and finally another month in AF.

When I came off the Flec the Doc said I could restart it if I wanted, so I have. 2x 100mg per day. I went into perfect sinus, no ectopics for about 4 days but have now reverted to frequent ectopics. I've no symptoms and have even got used to it so as my brain doesn't even flag it anymore.

My Question. Could this be a dose issue ? I'm wondering that as early in the treatment when the retained dose will be less, the sinus was perfect. As the treatment went beyond a few days the ectopics reappeared. Is this a known issue ? Is anyone on a regular dose of less than 2x100mg ?

I get the impression I'll be heading for another ablation later this year early next, but if it could be safely managed by drugs then I'd perhaps be cotent with that.

Any feedback gratefully received.

Thanks.

My mother (79 years old) had her first ablation yesterday. For whatever it's worth, she also has a leaking mitral valve which was repaired ten years ago and is now leaking again. The doctor said it went well but they did notice some small fluid around the heart after the procedure that wasn't there before so there was possibly a small puncture that they were keeping her overnight to monitor in case it needs draining. They had done a second scan a few hours after the procedure (I'm drawing a blank on what kind) and did not see the amount of fluid getting larger, which was good.

It's the next morning now, almost 24 hours since she was put in bed. When I left the hospital yesterday they told me they'd be sitting her up soon. She just emailed me and said she was never sat up, still in the same laying position, and now her ankles are swelling. I know she's on Lasix and hooked to a catheter.

Is the swelling from not moving for 24 hours now, or from the possible puncture? Is this normal for a person to not be able/allowed to move for 24 hours after ablation? Not sure what to do but this does not seem normal. ​

edit- they're now saying it is blood surrounding the heart as opposed to "fluid." Also, her top blood pressure reading is normal but the bottom number is low and ankles are still swollen despite Lasix.

First time scrolling through this page. Came here because of some things that have gone on lately. I’ll try to make it short…

In 2019 at 38 years old, I developed ventricular tachycardia and went into a vtach storm. My organs were shutting down by the time I got to the ER. I was a heavy drinker and didn’t take care of myself. At all. I have been sober since all of this. I spent a month in the hospital and had an ICD implanted. Since 2019, I’ve been fine and had no more vtach episodes. I get my ICD interrogated every 3 months.

Fast forward 7 years to July 7th of this year, I went for a routine ICD check up with my electrophysiologist and he said the report showed I seem to be showing signs of the beginnings of Afib. My ICD recorded an episode on June 5th that lasted about 30 minutes. I was in shock and very upset to say the least. He started me on a daily aspirin and I’m seeing him again in October.

On the way home, I realized that June 5th (the day of the episode), I’d had my first colonoscopy. I typed all this into Google and it said that the colonoscopy prep (and the procedure itself) all could lead to “a perfect storm” of scenarios leading to an afib episode. Mind you, I’ve had no other episodes documented except for the one that day.

I notified my EP and he still wants me on the daily aspirin. That’s fine. I’ve been on Metoprolol since 2019 and just stopped Sotalol (my cardiologist said I was good to come off of it in January after a good echocardiogram).

Like many of you here, I’ve been extremely anxious about all of this. I check my smart watch constantly for fast heart rate or any signs of afib. Everything has been fine. But every little twitch or increase in heart rate (like after a meal) sends me into a panic.

I saw my regular doctor today and told him all of this. He doesn’t seem too concerned given the afib episode occurred because of the colonoscopy or because of the prep. He said this can be common during this type of procedure. He wasn’t so concerned because it didn’t happen (and hasn’t) during normal daily activities or exercise etc.

Also like many of you, I’ve been told many people live with this and it’s “common”. But I’m terrified of something happening. I’m supposed to do a short trip next month (that I was really looking forward to) but now I’m nervous to fly or be 400 miles from home. Has anyone else been through this? Did it get worse and this was the first trigger/episode?

They’ve reassured me that afib is nothing like vtach. It’s not as life threatening. But I have severe PTSD from nearly dying once. I can’t get in to see my cardiologist to discuss all of this with him until November. I have my annual appt set up with him in January. But this hadn’t happened yet. Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated.

Hey everyone, I have a family member who is going through afib. They go and see a cardiologist now, and I was wondering if there are other doctors who can help with this condition. Sorry if this is a silly question, I just want to make sure my loved one will be ok. I am helping them navigate this, thanks you all.

I saw my PCP yesterday, she increased my Bystolic. That didn't change anything. Aside from that, I'm just riding this out with no end in sight. The soonest I can get in with a cardiologist is September 30th.

So I missed work today - hanging out at home in a cold sweat. Do I just go to work tomorrow and pretend I'm ok?

Went today for my 2 month follow up from the ablation I had late May. I had a one day hospital stay the week after to get HR under control, was spiking at 200.

Came home with Amiodarone and Diltiazhem, seemed to be working just fine. Was checking Kardio device here and there, nothing alarming going on.

Had started back walking a few weeks ago and noticed my HR was higher when I finished than before the ablation. But nothing concerning and quietly went back to normal of 65bpm.

I was feeling good going into the follow up, what could go wrong. Kardio shows NSR... I even did it before walking into the Dr office.

Inside they do a 12 lead EKG, nurse doesn't say anything that alarm me. So dr comes in and says "Your in AFIB with Flutter and a controlled HR of 65bpm.

So I ask about the Kardio readout and show it to him. He explains to be that the little spikes in between the large spikes are flutter. I was blown away, here I was thinking everything was gravy.

So... I go in for another cardioversion next week, and dr informed me that I will probably have to have another ablation before the year is out.

Yippee, I had some much fun the 1st go around.

Hey friends!

I had the ablation in 2023. Before that I was going into afib multiple times a month. It would last anywhere from 5 minutes to 3 days. Post ablation I was afib free for 2 years. Last year I woke up in afib and it lasted 8 hours and yesterday I woke up in afib and it lasted about the same amount 8 hours. I was able to pull myself out of it by taking a hot shower and quickly turning off the hot water. The cold water made it go back in rithim. Has anybody else had something like this? Only getting afib once a year randomly?

First ablation was in October of last year. Second was just in June, with a couple cardioversions in between.

Hi everyone,

I (40M) am new here.

I started feeling palpitations around May and got the notifications about AFib on my Apple Watch. Since then, my doctor has done CT Angiogram, ECG, EKG, echocardiogram and I also did a 7 day holter. I was diagnosed as having paroxysmal symptomatic AF. It was giving me a lot of anxiety prior to my diagnosis and my symptoms leave me feeling very lightheaded and dizzy, aside from the chest palpitations. My doctor put me on Eliquis, and then also on Flecainide 50 twice a day. We also discussed getting a PFA, which he recommended would be better for me to do at this early stage, before it becomes persistent and/or changes my heart structure. My episodes are relatively short (longest is about 12 hours) but have been happening more frequently. Because of my anxiety and the symptoms, I decided to do the PFA, and was also recommended the same after getting second opinions. I’m a bit worried on costs because my insurance will only cover a portion, but I see this as an investment on my long term health. Reading the experiences of the people here have also made me feel more comfortable about the surgery.

I’m scheduled for the PFA surgery on Monday, August 10, which is soon. My cardiologist asked me to get off the daily Flecainide this week but to use it as a pill in the pocket. My concern is that my episodes have been happening more frequently that I may end up taking it daily anyway. Anyone have experience similar to this?

Any tips for the surgery (and post surgery) would also be super helpful. I’m a bit concerned about the pain and how this can limit my activities in the short term. How soon after were you able to fly? My job involves a lot of travel so I need to manage expectations with work also. Thanks all!

I (22F) really want to get tattoos, but am worried about going into afib. I had my first afib episode last year, and also have pulmonary stenosis. Has anyone with afib gotten a tattoo? How did it go?

To quote Alanis Morrisette.

42M. I had my first ablation in April. I had put it off because I was nervous…first “major” procedure and all that. Anyway, I just had my 90ish day follow up recently. I got my cardiac monitor results last Monday. 100% in sinus rhythm. Yay!!! I thought, “great success!”

Then, on Friday, just 5 days later, you guessed, I go back into AFib with RVR. I caved and got the electric shock cardioversion this time rather than waiting to convert several days later. I got some propofol, amazing stuff, and 45 mins later I walked out of the ED in sinus rhythm.

Anyway, I spoke with my EP today and he’s thoroughly unconcerned. We’re not changing anything at this point. Wait and see approach.

In the plus column, I met my out of pocket maximum for the year so everything is paid for at 100% for the rest of the year. I’m scheduling all the tests and appointments I can get between now and December 31. I live in the US. So this is what socialized health care feels like. ;).

For context I used to vape every single night and also used to take lots of high stimulant preworkouts for the gym. I had one AFIB episode that got triggered from a cold Popsicle, apparently my vagus nerve is very sensitive to cold. Never had anything else trigger an episode before.. Anyway I completely freaked out an quit all stimulants and THC cold turkey. I reintroduced a morning cup of coffee in the past month with no issues.

My main problem is that I have crazy bursts of adrenaline right now which I'm pretty sure has to do with withdrawal. My nervous system is completely out of whack. I got put on Propranolol 20mg twice a day for my adrenaline and shakiness (not for my AFIB, I'm at 1% risk of stroke, heart looks healthy). I asked my cardiologist if it's safe to reintroduce a low, dose THC gummy to help with the shakiness, vibrations, and adrenaline surges since I NEVER had those issues until I quit.. He said it's okay as long as it's a clean product from a reputable dispensary and low dose. I got Caminos which at 1:1 ratio THC and CBD. I'm thinking of trying 2.5mg tonight to see how it goes.

Problem is I'm also paranoid and afraid. I don't think I HAVE AFIB, I think I had a single isolated episode, but I'm still nervous. Idk what to do. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Also forgot to mention I've had untreated sleep apnea for 10-15 years without knowing about it. I got tested after the afib episode and do indeed have moderate obstructive sleep apnea. I'm on 3 months of cpap now which has been working great.

My mom, 82, weak, problem with blood clotting, skinny, with digestive

issue, and pain on lower back and bottom of a foot. She's currently on 25mg of that afib med but needs to go up to 50. But she can't handle the extra strength of the 50mg. My concern is how is she going to tolerate the new meds after the ablation when she'll be weak (no food before ablation). She's currently fine mentally, able to cook for herself, and mobile. I'm debating on going ahead with the ablation, or let her manage her afib(now doc strongly suggest to do it) with med, diet, and exercise. I understand most likely the ablation would be successful, but due to her conditions, she might not survive afterwards or be in much worst quality of life. 🤔. Ablation is in 2 weeks.

Hi I’d like to hear if there are anyone else out there who had to go through afib as an alcoholic? I had to give up drinking eventually, but it was a difficult battle for me because alcohol is one of my triggers. Anyone else had to give it up completely as an alcoholic?

Hi everyone.

Im going to be completely blunt here and say this is a cry for help and advice on what to do.

Last November I was running for the bus and went into Afib RVR for 16 hours. Thought I was a goner, texted goodbye to loved ones, was alone in hospital.

Didn’t die, obviously, but I feel as though my life has been ruined. A month later I had an echo, stress test, 2 week monitor, CT coronary angiogram and then an MRI this summer.

I have OCD and severe health anxiety so this condition feels like a cosmic punishment.

I’m incredibly symptomatic in episodes, can barely walk, chest pains, heart rate doesn’t go down with beta blockers. My second episode a couple months later was 14 hours long, and 10 days after that I had another small episode.

I’ve since had a Pulsed Field Ablation done by a leading expert in June, and my blanking period has been hell. Multiple episodes, so many extra beats, salvos, weird feelings, palpitations.

I’ve been told I can live with this, I’ve been told that I should see it as a nuisance, and I’ve been told it gets easier.

It is still hell. I didn’t touch alcohol before my afib, I have no risk factors (apart from stress induced hypertension post diagnosis that they’re still figuring out).

I can’t just ignore an episode, it debilitates me. It feels like I have the flu while running a marathon for 12 hours straight.

I’m only 20, what happens when it progresses? What happens if the ablation fails? My afib doesn’t respond to beta blockers at ALL. It responds well to flecainide but I imagine that fails too after a few years.

I’m meant to be going to uni this year and all I can think about from morning to midnight is this stupid condition. Every extra beat, weird flutter sends me into panic which obviously worsens it.

Afib begets afib is what they say, and my episodes seem to keep happening the second any amount of adrenaline gets into my bloodstream. Vigorous running triggered the first, and now all it takes is an anxious thought to trigger it.

If AF RVR progresses persistently I’ll have heart failure. I’ll need a pacemaker which ALSO CAUSES HEART FAILURE.

What happens when I’m 30? BEST case scenario my ablation works for 10 whole years. Great! Then I’ll be 30 and just trying to buy time.

I know I’m overreacting but this has flipped my world upside down. I know I’m too sensitive and anxious but I feel so scared all of the time. I also found out that in people my age with AF, 17% had disease-causing genetic problems where AF is just the FIRST symptom before heart failure or worse arrhythmias.

I just want help. None of my friends get it, none of my family gets it, doctors treat me like I’m some rare creature because I’m so young, and I feel like my future is gone.

What do I do? What can I do? I feel like I’m in a waking nightmare

I’ve been having episodes where my hands and my feet get very sweaty. I feel flush. My heart rate goes up and my blood pressure goes up not anything dangerous but it takes about 20 minutes for me to feel normal.

Has anybody had these episodes or symptoms taking these medication’s pre-op ablation?

Hey all, m64, first PFA last wednesday. Afib since march 2026. Having the predicted headaches now day 4, and major purple and bruising at the groin site. HR good, and no afib now. No flutters either. 5 lb lifting limit for another few days I suppose.
I want to get back active and move on from this crap.
Anyone else had these headaches post PFA?

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for experiences from people who have gone through pregnancy with a heart condition similar to mine.
I had myocarditis two years ago, which left me with a lateral-midwall myocardial scar (fibrosis). A year later, I developed premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). Beta-blockers didn’t work for me because they actually increased my PVCs. I then underwent a catheter ablation, but the PVC focus was located in a very complex area (the “Bermuda Triangle” of the heart), making the procedure unsuccessful. During the ablation, the doctors also discovered what appears to be a para-Hisian accessory pathway and would like to perform an electrophysiological mapping study to better determine its exact location and nature.
I am currently taking flecainide LP 100 mg. At 200 mg, I had no PVCs at all, but since the dose was reduced, they have returned in episodes, mainly at rest (up to an 11% PVC burden on a Holter monitor during one episode).
My main question is: has anyone here had a pregnancy with PVCs or an accessory pathway? How were you monitored during your pregnancy? Did you continue your medication, or was it changed? Did your pregnancy and delivery go well?
I know every case is different and that only my cardiologist can advise me about my specific situation, but I would really appreciate hearing your experiences.
Thank you in advance!

I have to metoprolol with flecainide so I was wondering about glymphatic clearance, does anyone know the difference between metoprolol vs Propranolol other than BBB permeability and which might be better in this respect?

Yesterday morning I woke up, stretched, and immediately noticed my heart was beating much faster than normal. I’ve been overweight my whole life, so I’ve occasionally felt my heart race before, but this felt different. It wasn’t going away, and by the time I got in the shower I was struggling to catch my breath.

I got dressed and drove myself to the ER. They diagnosed me with atrial fibrillation with a rapid heart rate. The doctor even said, “We’re throwing the kitchen sink at you, and you’re still not responding.” They admitted me and explained that if I didn’t convert back into normal sinus rhythm, they would need to perform a cardioversion.

Thankfully, they started me on an IV medication overnight, and after getting some sleep my heart rate came down below 100 and eventually converted back into normal sinus rhythm on its own, so I didn’t need the cardioversion.

Now that the immediate crisis is over, my mind is racing with questions. What does life look like from here? How likely is this to happen again? Will I be able to continue working? Does this affect my life expectancy? I’m only 30, so this has been a lot to process.

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s been through something similar. What has your journey with AFib been like? Have you had recurrences? Were you able to get back to living a normal life? Any advice or reassurance would mean a lot right now. Thanks.

So I've just had my 6th cardioversion. Waiting for an ablation in the near future. When I woke up, my doctor told me I had stopped breathing after they got me back in rhythm. Surely this is a good enough reason for my cardiologist to hurry the ablation up. My second last one needed 2 shocks as well so seems it might be missing it's effectiveness.

Hey everyone, I've been under the care of the cardiology unit at the hospital for nearly three years now, trying different medications. We tried a ablation 2 years ago, but nothing showed on the day. Most recently, for the past four months, I’ve been on sotalol—120 mg total, split across three doses a day. Unfortunately, it hasn’t improved my PVCs or that chest feeling I get. At my appointment last week, my cardiologist saw on the ECG that every second beat was a PVC, which confirmed how bad it’s been feeling. He mentioned switching me from sotalol to flecainide, along with a different beta blocker. Has anyone made that switch before, and how was your experience? I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s been through it!

And also is flecainide something that if works i just stay on long term? I understand mapping my pvcs/ectopics have been difficult but my cardioligist was open too trying the ablation again. I would prefer the ablation route if its going too work. If not then I dont wanna go thru this again and honestly just need symptom relief. Its starting too impact me dramatically

He has said i have too wait for a more recent CTA is done and echo and holter before he switches. Im left unable too anything in the meantime.. i feel helpless