Have you ever experienced a sudden high heart rate and a strange fluttering in your chest? That’s precisely what happened to me when my heart’s fickle friend, atrial fibrillation (AFib), paid me a surprise visit.

It was a scorching Sunday afternoon, and I was sitting relaxed in a chair, sipping on some refreshingly cold water. Suddenly, I felt a strange fluttering in my chest, and my heart rate skyrocketed. My pulse oximeter showed 121 bpm, almost double my usual heart rate of 62 bpm.

An EKG strip showing a chaotic heartbeat, atrial fibrillation.
The EKG shows a heart rate of 120 beats per minute with no P waves and a rapid and irregular heartbeat. A typical atrial fibrillation pattern. – Note: EKGs should always be interpreted by a qualified healthcare professional, such as a cardiologist or an electrophysiologist. They consider the clinical context, patient history, and other EKG findings to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.

My portable EKG confirmed my suspicions: my heart was in atrial fibrillation!

I had read about the possible link between AFib and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPHChronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension CTEPH is short for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, a rare form of high blood pressure in the lungs caused by blood clots or narrowed blood vessels. High blood pressure in the lungs is often also called pulmonary hypertension.), so this episode didn’t come as a surprise. Nevertheless, it remains a stressful experience. The quivering in my chest and the unnaturally high heart rate were irritating and exhausting.

Last October (2022), I experienced my first episode of atrial fibrillation, prompting me to look into the issue. Although AFib isn’t necessarily dangerous, there is a risk of stroke caused by blood clots forming in the atria. However, this risk is relatively low in my case because I take blood thinners (anticoagulants) for CTEPH.

In summary, I wasn’t extremely concerned, just annoyed.

Enough!

After three days of continuous AFib, I decided to see an electrophysiologist, a specialized cardiologist who diagnoses and treats cardiac arrhythmias, including AFib. The doctor recommended treatment (catheter ablation) and medication to manage my symptoms.

The Unexpected

However, something unexpected happened. After returning home from the consultation, my AFib episode stopped without any intervention from the doctor or medication. My heart returned to its normal sinus rhythm. – Bye, bye AFib!

I felt a sense of relief but also knew it could happen again without warning. I need to eliminate the root cause and apply a solution that works well and lasts long.

Considering Treatment

It’s not good for the heart to experience repeated episodes of atrial fibrillation. The irregular and rapid heart rate that occurs with AFib puts extra strain on the heart, potentially leading to the weakening of the heart muscle or heart failure over time. For this reason and for lifestyle reasons (I don’t like this awful feeling when in AFib), I am considering catheter ablation, the proposed treatment.

Takeaway

Know your medical condition. Take the time to educate yourself, and don’t panic if something unexpected happens. Seek advice from your doctor. Never medicate or treat yourself.

AFib Resources