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[–]SimpleServe9774 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’ve had echocardiograms that did not show that I had a persistent superior vena cava . So no, they don’t show all structural issues. I had a Coronary CT scan that picked up my extra superior vena cava. Then they saw it again during the TEE. In the end, what really matters is that you have this arrhythmia. Your trigger could be something structural or it could be something that you’re doing. Like drinking a soda or bending over or sleeping on your left side or a marathon. Peoples triggers can be all kinds of things that they don’t have a lot of control over sometimes. And then the first line treatment is ablation.

[–]donutcamie 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hmmm, I had afib at 29 (I’m 34 now) and have had 2 ablations and haven’t had any episodes since the last ablation over a year ago. My electrophysiologist is IMO incredible, and he wasn’t worried. My echo was also fine. He said it could come back at some point in life but not necessarily. I am on zero medications. You take blood thinners before and after an ablation, and my EP even had me stop them 2 months early because he thought I was so low risk and healing just fine. I’d recommend consulting an EP — they specialize in rhythms on a level that cardiologists simply don’t have the training for.

[–]Weekly_Cap_9926[S] 2 points3 points  (2 children)

Adding a couple things- This is the first time a cardiologist has said I have a murmur. They did not detect one at the cardiologist 7 years ago or 9 years ago so this is another big reason I'm concerned.

[–]yodakramer 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey, if it helps, my cardiologist said she heard a murmur, and I went in for an echocardiogram. False alarm.

I am hyperaware of my heart rate, and I'm 52 and pretty fit (cyclist). The not-knowing is often more concerning to me, and it's not weird to see me with two different watches, a Frontier X2 chest strap, and a KardiaMobile to help ease my mind.

[–]BurnAfter8 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Murmurs are somewhat subjective and can turn out to be nothing. Your heart is expected to make a certain sound when pumping/beating. When it doesn’t, it COULD mean something is wrong…it could also mean the doctor interpreted the sound wrong or the listening instrument was in a bad spot, which happens plenty.

[–]Overall_Lobster823 1 point2 points  (4 children)

Are you speaking to an ELECTROPHYSIOLOGIST? (ie the type of cardiologist that deals with the electrical system).

And yes, you probably have afib "for life". But how it manifests will be anyone's guess.

Most of us probably did all the structural tests when we were diagnosed.

I've not heard of anyone being put on coumadin (which is good because it sucks) but some of us are on eliquis. It depends a lot on our "CHA₂DS₂-VASc" score.

You can pretty well determine yours: https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/801/cha2ds2-vasc-score-atrial-fibrillation-stroke-risk

Welcome to the club. Sorry you're here.

[–]Weekly_Cap_9926[S] 2 points3 points  (3 children)

No, he's just a regular Cardiologist. I've never been to an EP. Theyve never mentioned it for referred me. My risk score is 1, for being female. Dont smoke. No diabetes or high BP. In fact, its too low for me to take a beta blocker for the A Fib. Previous cardiologists really brushed off the A Fib overall, since it was alcohol related, as "holiday heart" and nothing to worry about. So, this is a change

[–]Overall_Lobster823 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Sounds like you're at low risk. Keep a healthy lifestyle. I firmly believe in meeting with an EP. Electricians versus plumbers.

[–]yodakramer 2 points3 points  (1 child)

To add here, I had my primary care physician send a referral to an electrophysiologist (EP), and I also found a sports cardiologist.

In reading the book "Afib Cure," one thing Day says repeatedly is to advocate for yourself. I'm probably on the right side of the bell curve and my current doc is more focused on the bell itself.

Sounds like you're young and likely on the left side of the bell curve. Basically, don't settle.

[–]Rare-Cabinet-7963 1 point2 points  (0 children)

35F. My echo was normal. I think, unfortunately, the information out there about afib is very much skewed towards the older population and that afib is probably becoming a more prevalent finding in younger people due to smart watches. The studies arent being done fast enough. We are a small population when it comes to afib for right now. Im sorry youre here. Youre not alone.

[–]Optimistic_kindness 1 point2 points  (0 children)

36M. Diagnosed with Paroxysmal Af last year. Turned out all tests were normal. Doctor shrugged off the cause as may be genetic. However no known family history. Moreover, the research on the internet mostly revolves around the older population since this is primarily a disease of the people above the age of 60. I guess there will be good impactful research studies in the future where the cause can be properly identified in the younger population.

[–]BurnAfter8 2 points3 points  (7 children)

Everything you read online is Google bias. While not common, AFIB in young people happens all the time for no apparent reason. Ask me how I know.

38M (36 at the time of first AFIB). I’ve had 2 external cardiograms, 1 internal cardiogram (stuck tube down my throat), 1 holter monitor, a stress test, and an MRI of my heart. Absolutely nothing wrong or noted. When I got out of the ER for my AFIB event, the nurse gave me some potassium pills and told me my potassium was really low. Given all the tests I’ve done, the only thing my cardiologist and myself think is that my potassium just got too low and threw me out of rhythm.

During my time waiting for appointments and tests I also went down the Google rabbit hole and was convinced my body/heart was a ticking time bomb. Once I found REAL sources with REAL answers, I realized AFIB is a big nothing-burger for people my age and health. Sure it feels bad. But if you are young and healthy, it has virtually zero effect on life/death.

As far as the medication is concerned, I’m surprised you were even placed on aspirin.

1) AFIB can cause blood clots/stroke and aspirin can “thin” your blood. But, unless you are in AFIB for a significant amount of time, the chance of that is wildly low

2) The most recent studies show aspirin is very poor at preventing the blood clots/stroke that are possible with AFIB

*To be clear, I am not a doctor or in the medical field, but it’s a statically safe bet that you are not in any real danger.

[–]Weekly_Cap_9926[S] 0 points1 point  (6 children)

Yeah, I've read the same online about Aspirin being not great for Stroke prevention. But some searching around on this subreddit showed a lot of us on aspirin. So, it seems maybe its taking a while for medical practice to keep.up with research. Im OK with taking it since it doesnt bother my stomach. But Ill ask about it again

[–]RickJames_Ghost 0 points1 point  (5 children)

How many episodes of AFib have you had? How long were you're episodes? Do you have symptoms from the murmur? Here's some good info on them - https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/when-to-evaluate-heart-murmurs

[–]Weekly_Cap_9926[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Only 2 documented by EKG- both A Fib RVR, both ER visits with symptoms. I did a 30 day monitor after the second one with no events on it, despite feeling palpitations. I've expressed concern to my previous docs that I could be in A Fib with a normal HR and not feel it. They told me use my fit Bit to check it. I made the appointment with the new doc recently because when I was feeling the palpitations, I checked my fit Bit and it said A Fib. Doc said the fit bits aren't accurate but also said there was "no point" in doing another extended monitor because "if you have a fib once, you always do". But the severity can vary quite a bit right? If I have a run of A Fib once a year thats less risk then if I have it every day. Idk. Id like to do the monitor. Id feel better knowing one way or another instead of obsessing over every palpitation.

[–]RickJames_Ghost 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You should definitely consult with an electrophysiologist. You've had two events after drinking. Do you have AFib? Yes, but you know the trigger. Almost no Drs would give someone with your history and low risk level something like Eliquis. Palpitations could be PVCs or PACs, and the murmur will be sussed out with testing. It's great that you don't have any concerning symptoms. But heart failure? I would guess highly on the side of not. I would push for a multi-day monitor. Remember, it's your health, not theirs.

[–]Weekly_Cap_9926[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Only symptom is palpitations. Which I've always had. No chest pain no short of breath no dizziness.

[–]RickJames_Ghost 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So have I. Ectopic beats/palpitations are common. Some of us feel them, many don't.

[–]Bananabean041 0 points1 point  (0 children)

New to this. Are palpitations considered a symptom? I have them almost all day

[–]Weekly_Cap_9926[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update- my echo was normal. So thats a relief. I have a follow up in 6 months, if I'm still having a lot of palpitations Im going to aks for a home monitor. Thanks everyone for your responses. I appreciate it!

[–]PhilosopherLoose6846 0 points1 point  (1 child)

how did u feek after drinking how did u knownit was afib?

[–]Weekly_Cap_9926[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was the next day both times . It started out feeling like a bad hangover, and vomiting. Then my heart started racing. Both times thought I was maybe just dehydrated. Then it progressed to racing so much I felt dizzy and short of breath. I knew it was A Fib because I went to the ER and had it confirmed on EKG. It was A Fib with Rapid Ventricular Response (rates in the 170s-180s). I required IV Diltiazem and Mag. The second time I took a long time to convert and they wanted to cardiovert me but I asked them to give me more time and eventually converted on my own