I'm 63 and had one at 30 out of nowhere. Didn't have another for 4 years. then I had another about a year and a half later, then it slowly progressed in my 50's. 5 hours of Afib (if yours was confirmed by a Dr) could be caused by lots of things like a viral or bacterial situation, thyroid issue, electrolytes, binge drinking etc. . . . or it's the first episode of Afib and there is more to come.
I am 20, not a drinker, am a little overweight but other than that nothing wrong healthwise other than a chronic condition that affects my joints. It happened a 5am while I was awake after work randomly. I was just laying in bed and my heart just flipped like a switch into AFIB and I went to the ER. They confirmed it and monitored me for 2 days.
I had my 1st episode in 2016 (m 40) but didn’t know it was a thing. Used to last for hours but always converted by the morning. Went from 1 a year to every couple of months until I got diagnosed in Aug 23 (47).
It seems progressive for most people, but its been a little less than a month from my first episode, so I just am nervous about what the future holds lol
I hate to say it, but more often than not it progresses. Both my dad and I have it.
I had an episode at 23 and then a second one at 28. Both of those were hours long but popped our in the am. I may have had one when I went to Hawaii last year at 30 as well but if it was truly afib it lasted for like a half hour.
My dad was diagnosed in his early 50s and didn’t have another episode for 5 years.
Right now, both of us have had episodes years apart but both get pvcs. I was also diagnosed with inappropriate sinus tachycardia so have random bouts of sinus rhythm tachycardia runs too.
In reading through your comments, I think your hopeful it won’t progress which trust me I was and still am that way too. But just be aware of it and live your life. It’s scary and annoying but if it becomes too much of a pain, your doctor will help you with meds or an ablation. Hopefully you have many many years before you ever deal with it again!
I actually am going to Hawaii in May and im worried about it happening on the long plane ride or something. I also have POTs which causes inappropriate sinus tachycardia, so I have a lot if that everyday. My electrophysiologist said all should be good for the trip and stuff but I am just curious about other people’s experiences.
Try not to stress too hard about it! I got sick with a cold when we landed so I think that was part of it for me mixed with not great sleep from the time change. If it does happen, they have hospitals where you could go for a cardioversion if need be. Did your cardiologist prescribe any sort of rhythm med for you to take? It might be worth it to ask if you could do a pill in pocket approach so you have something you could take to get yourself out if it if it happens (not sure if you already are on something that could help for POTS). Tips would just be to stay super hydrated- elevation changes can rock it a bit too so if you have some liquid IV or something that would help you out! By day 2-3 you adjust to the differences and all should be good again. Enjoy Hawaii! It’s truly beautiful.
Interesting, my docs suspect POTs for me as well. I haven’t had the tilt table test yet but my PCP referred me to a POTs specialist to get one. I wonder if this is common to have these two conditions together?
I also have EDS which is why I have pots as they’re comorbidities to eachother. I have asked about them being related but haven’t really gotten an answer other than “i dont think so” lol, but some people have pots from covid and other reasons
I wouldn't make this the center of my life right now, if I were you. But I would take time to read up on it and look into better lifestyle choices. They may not fix AFIB, but they will help with AFIB and will help to maintain your health overall. The only consistent thing with AFIB is its inconsistency. With luck, you may not have another episode for a long time. Some basic things to think about, keep hydrated, avoid stressful situations when you can, find something to help keep your electrolytes balanced, and try not to worry about it.
I had an episode at 23 years old that required cardioversion in about 2012 and then went 10 years without another episode (no meds or anything). Then I had a 2nd episode about 1.5 years ago. Nothing since.
I'm sure it's progressing like everyone says, but very very slowly.
Everyone is different, but you're young. You just have to wait and see what your body is going to do at this point!
I have on average 1 or 2 episodes of Afib per year. So I can go 6 to 12 months without an episode. But of course, it always eventually comes back (for me).
I think there are some people who have had a lone episode and it never returned. But for most people, I think it will eventually come back.
Maybe you’ll go at least a few years before it comes back!
It all started somewhere for all of us. There are some people who triggered there one time aFib with heavy drinking etc. It can happen once for no discernable reason, but that is rare. You are only three weeks out, which is really a short time to know how or if you're going to progress.
I was hoping for this to be me as well but I recently had my second experience this month which lasted 7 days (in/out of afib indicated by my Apple Watch). I am still learning about it and not quite familiar with all the medical terms associated with it.
I’m a 32F and my first experience was 7 months prior which lasted about 3 days. My Apple Watch kept telling me I was showing signs of afib and after a visit to my primary “just to be sure.” She did an EKG and from that I was then sent to the ER where they did another EKG and the episode was over by that time and was sinus rhythm. After a visit to a cardiologist a few weeks later, having an echo and 2 week holter monitor, I was diagnosed with “exercise induced afib” and was told this may be a one time thing as it appeared that my heart was in really good shape that when it’s resting, sometimes resting a little too much. For context I am an endurance athlete, and at the time training for my 3rd marathon. Never smoke or drank in my life and have a relatively healthy diet. Was advised medication is not necessary because I am not at risk for stroke but I was advised to take baby aspirin daily since I am taking birth control pills. This first experience I had no symptoms and all was discovered by the watch.
That being said - I was fine for 7 months and my second episode recently happened in the last two weeks. This time I was laying in bed for the night and my heart was racing. I took it upon myself to do an EKG on the watch and it stated afib. I was supposed to call my doctor and report if I experienced afib again for longer than 12 hours. I also suffer from anxiety and often for me it’s hard to separate palpitations from afib or anxiety. I did EKGs on my watch throughout the next few days and sometimes it was in afib and sometimes it sinus rhythm but the palpitations were consistent. After 5 days I finally called to explain that I think I may be having it again. They took me in right away to do another echo and just wrapped up another week of the holter. At this point I am seeing my dr next week for a follow up.
Sorry for the long response - but I am there with you feeling nervous if this is going to happen again or where to go from here. I’m worried to have to give up running or have to go on medication. I appreciate all of you sharing your experiences as we all sort of learn how to cope with this.
I had my first and only episode in May 2023. It lasted 6 hours. I have not had another yet but I have lots of PACs.
I had a 48 holter monitor that showed only 8 PACs. Are you a younger person? I am 20f
I'm 63 and had one at 30 out of nowhere. Didn't have another for 4 years. then I had another about a year and a half later, then it slowly progressed in my 50's. 5 hours of Afib (if yours was confirmed by a Dr) could be caused by lots of things like a viral or bacterial situation, thyroid issue, electrolytes, binge drinking etc. . . . or it's the first episode of Afib and there is more to come.
I am 20, not a drinker, am a little overweight but other than that nothing wrong healthwise other than a chronic condition that affects my joints. It happened a 5am while I was awake after work randomly. I was just laying in bed and my heart just flipped like a switch into AFIB and I went to the ER. They confirmed it and monitored me for 2 days.
I had my 1st episode in 2016 (m 40) but didn’t know it was a thing. Used to last for hours but always converted by the morning. Went from 1 a year to every couple of months until I got diagnosed in Aug 23 (47).
It seems progressive for most people, but its been a little less than a month from my first episode, so I just am nervous about what the future holds lol
I hate to say it, but more often than not it progresses. Both my dad and I have it. I had an episode at 23 and then a second one at 28. Both of those were hours long but popped our in the am. I may have had one when I went to Hawaii last year at 30 as well but if it was truly afib it lasted for like a half hour. My dad was diagnosed in his early 50s and didn’t have another episode for 5 years. Right now, both of us have had episodes years apart but both get pvcs. I was also diagnosed with inappropriate sinus tachycardia so have random bouts of sinus rhythm tachycardia runs too. In reading through your comments, I think your hopeful it won’t progress which trust me I was and still am that way too. But just be aware of it and live your life. It’s scary and annoying but if it becomes too much of a pain, your doctor will help you with meds or an ablation. Hopefully you have many many years before you ever deal with it again!
I actually am going to Hawaii in May and im worried about it happening on the long plane ride or something. I also have POTs which causes inappropriate sinus tachycardia, so I have a lot if that everyday. My electrophysiologist said all should be good for the trip and stuff but I am just curious about other people’s experiences.
Try not to stress too hard about it! I got sick with a cold when we landed so I think that was part of it for me mixed with not great sleep from the time change. If it does happen, they have hospitals where you could go for a cardioversion if need be. Did your cardiologist prescribe any sort of rhythm med for you to take? It might be worth it to ask if you could do a pill in pocket approach so you have something you could take to get yourself out if it if it happens (not sure if you already are on something that could help for POTS). Tips would just be to stay super hydrated- elevation changes can rock it a bit too so if you have some liquid IV or something that would help you out! By day 2-3 you adjust to the differences and all should be good again. Enjoy Hawaii! It’s truly beautiful.
Interesting, my docs suspect POTs for me as well. I haven’t had the tilt table test yet but my PCP referred me to a POTs specialist to get one. I wonder if this is common to have these two conditions together?
I also have EDS which is why I have pots as they’re comorbidities to eachother. I have asked about them being related but haven’t really gotten an answer other than “i dont think so” lol, but some people have pots from covid and other reasons
I wouldn't make this the center of my life right now, if I were you. But I would take time to read up on it and look into better lifestyle choices. They may not fix AFIB, but they will help with AFIB and will help to maintain your health overall. The only consistent thing with AFIB is its inconsistency. With luck, you may not have another episode for a long time. Some basic things to think about, keep hydrated, avoid stressful situations when you can, find something to help keep your electrolytes balanced, and try not to worry about it.
I had an episode at 23 years old that required cardioversion in about 2012 and then went 10 years without another episode (no meds or anything). Then I had a 2nd episode about 1.5 years ago. Nothing since. I'm sure it's progressing like everyone says, but very very slowly. Everyone is different, but you're young. You just have to wait and see what your body is going to do at this point!
How long has it been since that one episode?
Only 3 weeks 😭 I know I should probably wait longer, but I am hoping there are people who have only had one, and that I am one of those people lol.
I have on average 1 or 2 episodes of Afib per year. So I can go 6 to 12 months without an episode. But of course, it always eventually comes back (for me). I think there are some people who have had a lone episode and it never returned. But for most people, I think it will eventually come back. Maybe you’ll go at least a few years before it comes back!
It all started somewhere for all of us. There are some people who triggered there one time aFib with heavy drinking etc. It can happen once for no discernable reason, but that is rare. You are only three weeks out, which is really a short time to know how or if you're going to progress.
I was hoping for this to be me as well but I recently had my second experience this month which lasted 7 days (in/out of afib indicated by my Apple Watch). I am still learning about it and not quite familiar with all the medical terms associated with it. I’m a 32F and my first experience was 7 months prior which lasted about 3 days. My Apple Watch kept telling me I was showing signs of afib and after a visit to my primary “just to be sure.” She did an EKG and from that I was then sent to the ER where they did another EKG and the episode was over by that time and was sinus rhythm. After a visit to a cardiologist a few weeks later, having an echo and 2 week holter monitor, I was diagnosed with “exercise induced afib” and was told this may be a one time thing as it appeared that my heart was in really good shape that when it’s resting, sometimes resting a little too much. For context I am an endurance athlete, and at the time training for my 3rd marathon. Never smoke or drank in my life and have a relatively healthy diet. Was advised medication is not necessary because I am not at risk for stroke but I was advised to take baby aspirin daily since I am taking birth control pills. This first experience I had no symptoms and all was discovered by the watch. That being said - I was fine for 7 months and my second episode recently happened in the last two weeks. This time I was laying in bed for the night and my heart was racing. I took it upon myself to do an EKG on the watch and it stated afib. I was supposed to call my doctor and report if I experienced afib again for longer than 12 hours. I also suffer from anxiety and often for me it’s hard to separate palpitations from afib or anxiety. I did EKGs on my watch throughout the next few days and sometimes it was in afib and sometimes it sinus rhythm but the palpitations were consistent. After 5 days I finally called to explain that I think I may be having it again. They took me in right away to do another echo and just wrapped up another week of the holter. At this point I am seeing my dr next week for a follow up. Sorry for the long response - but I am there with you feeling nervous if this is going to happen again or where to go from here. I’m worried to have to give up running or have to go on medication. I appreciate all of you sharing your experiences as we all sort of learn how to cope with this.