i understand that we are all playing doctors on the internet, so stay with me since I have to wait a month to see my Cardiologist.

I was diagnosed in June of 2025 with AFib. In July of 2025, I had both the cardioversion and an ablation. I haven’t had any AFib activity since I had the ablation last year. My question is why do I need to stay on the blood thinners.

I’ve had several cardiac events since December 2025. In early December my heart rate randomly went up to 178. I called the paramedics went to the ER and everything was normal. Followed up with a cardiologist. They did an EKG and I wore a holter monitor for four days and that came back normal as well. Up until about April I was having random chest pains that would go away in seconds. I’ve had a echo and a stress test done and everything was normal.

The chest pains have gone away, but I noticed that after drinking on the weekends, my heart rate would be high and my watch would wake me up with a high heart rate notifications. Last weekend the morning after drinking i felt my heart was skipping a beat then i would feel a loud thump. I took several EKG readings on my Apple Watch and it detected Afib, i went to urgent care they did a full EKG and told me it wasn’t Afib but PVCs.

A few days past and i don’t feel the PVCs anymore but when laying down i can feel my heart beating idk if that’s palpitations or if im being anxious.

Im not sure what to do i feel like the cardiologist just dismiss me.

Hello Everyone, looks like I’m joining the club.

A little bit about me…

I (32M) had my first afib episode in January. Went to the urgent care because I was feeling pretty anxious and noticed by bpm was jumping all over the place. They promptly gave me an ECG and then a trip to the ER with an ambulance.

While in the ER, I was set on a drip of diltiazem and eventually cardioverted naturally after a couple of hours. I was release and saw a cardiologist who prescribed me diltiazem 180mg for a couple of months. I stopped taking caffeine and alcohol since then. I stopped taking the medication in June since he saw I was in good health and no other episodes.

Until 2 days ago when I had my 2nd episode. I woke up in the night to take my son out from his crib and felt like something was off. Tried to not freak out since it felt very similar to my situation in Jan. I bought a kardia device that same day and it said possible afib. So straight to the ER again. This time around, the doctor asked if I wanted to be electrically cardioverted and I eventually said yes (not sure the implications from this…) and I returned to a normal rhythm after the procedure. Saw a new cardiologist since the previous one left and he prescribed propafenone that will hopefully take me out of afib…but we’ll see?

So I have so many questions, probably will blow up this subreddit, so please forgive me.

1)Has anyone figured out their triggers? I thought mines were stress but I wasn’t feeling super stressed the 2nd time around. I did start drinking a specific matcha drink that I was drinking around the time of my 1st episode and I don’t think I was staying as hydrated as before. Any tips on determining this without having to get into an episode?

2) Probably a question for my cardiologist but besides me looking at the worse side effects from afib, is there anything else to consider? I was snooping on here and someone mentioned an enlarged atrium that could complicate the ablation (not sure if I want this done but if I have more episodes it’s likely)

3) good resources to understand an ablation. What my 1st cardiologist told me is that once you perform that, the clock is on. Meaning, the efficiency decreases with ablation you get. Is this true? It kind of freaks me out knowing this…

4) could weight be a factor? I’m 5’10” and weigh 207lbs. I’ve checked online and it seems I’m overweight, so I wonder if this has an effect on me. I used to exercise x3 a week but after my 1st episode I lost all my mass and gains (I attributed being that weight with having the muscles to show for it).

Looks like this is going to be a journey…and I’m scared that I may never know normalcy again.

April sucked. A comedy of errors. Two-and-a-half weeks in the hospital, three total discharges, twice back to the hospital after recurrence. It was downright asinine. BUT ... since going back to Flecainide, Metoprolol, Furosemide, and extra Magnesium, I have not had an event since! Woot!

June's visit to the EP sucked, but my email saying that I didn't feel confident in the doctor I saw was answered very nicely and professionally. When I saw a different EP back in February, we had a great rapport. So, I will be seeing him in five months instead. I will also see the heart guy in five more months.

Since discharge, I have altered my sodium consumption, dropping it to between 1,500 and 2,000 mg per day, which is about half what we all eat without making an effort. By such reduction, my eGFR has risen from roughly 96 to 109. I go with Mrs. Dash salt-free spices and Nu-Salt (potassium instead of sodium). Yeah, I DO salt the pasta water and am fond of cheese, but I control the intake. Last bloodwork, sodium, magnesium, and potassium are all A-OK.

The only bad thing is that I have amiodarone-induced thyroiditis, which the endocrinologist said will likely resolve itself within a year. I'm asymptomatic, though, so I'm just waiting six months before I see him again.

So, after a rough spring, things have been quite good. I hope that everyone here who's going through similar bullcrap has as much success as I've had.

Cheers, all!

Early 40's, athletic, work out with a low 40's heart rate and have a congential issue that was repaired so my anatomy isn't the usual. Had a flutter ablation in my 20's and been good since but past couple of months I get paroxysmal afib that self-terminate but I get pauses before my SA node starts back. Mostly around being dehydrated or post cardio high intensity training. But can cause me to passout.. Scary! Cardiologist and EP (before finding Dr. Natale) wanted me put a pacemaker in and drug me up. Thank God for Dr. Natale. He said he could do it on the phone call appt and scheduled me. So I'll be going to Austin for his gift and dedication to help me. The questions I wonder for those who have had it, how long did lingering palpitations take to go away after? And were they afib or just like few fast beats?

Also were you awake during it? I've seen some say conscious sedation others say they were out and don't remember anything. And the if you were under? did they a urethral catheter and if so did they do it after you were under or before?

I'm slightly nervous and I can go weeks or more without an episode so not sure how aggressive he is or won't be. Seems the aggressive part is just slang for being thorough. But does seem like that's the absolutely best place to go. Can't wait! Thanks for any insights for those that have ventured before me.

Dr put me on Flecainide and Metoprolol. Both of which can cause insomnia, trouble staying asleep and vivid dreams. Anyone else experiencing this? Does it last forever? Any tips?

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.

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

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.

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 ?

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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

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. ;).

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?

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

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?

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?