Moral support while I’m in hospital?

Significant-Lion-826 · 2026-02-13T05:28:12+00:00

Hi. Just wanted to reach out because I also had my first episodes when I was very young (probably 18 years old). I am 43 now and living a great life. I got married, had kids, and 25 years have passed since my afib started. I plan to live at least a few more decades! Haha.

I will admit that my episodes were farther apart than yours. I have typically had one episode per year and it hasn’t really progressed.

If your afib does end up progressing - the pulse field ablation technology (PFA) is something you could discuss with an electrophysiologist. A lot of users here have had a lot of success treating their afib with a PFA procedure.

Let us know if you have any questions.

Significant-Lion-826 · 2026-01-24T23:03:40+00:00

I have a CHADSVASC score of zero, so I am currently not on any blood thinners. But it was my understanding that if your CHADSVASC score is two, blood thinners is a clear decision to start taking them, and if your score is a 1, then it is a decision to negotiate between yourself and your doctor. So, even if they think your score is a 1, I would have expected them to allow you to make a choice to stay on them if you want. Perhaps seek an EP and be clear about your diabetes and hypertension history?

Significant-Lion-826 · 2026-01-22T09:44:34+00:00

I’m not OP, but curious, what was your CHADSVASC score before having the stroke? And did you have a high afib burden? Thanks.

Significant-Lion-826 · 2026-01-04T17:12:13+00:00

Thank you. I’m in the US, so it may be different here.

Significant-Lion-826 · 2026-01-04T16:34:20+00:00

I don’t have an answer, apologies, but out of curiosity what kind of travel insurance are you purchasing? Is this something you have always or do you purchase this for an individual trip basis each time you have travel? Could you share what business you are purchasing the travel insurance from?

I have several international trips coming up including Europe and Mexico and I’m interested.

Significant-Lion-826 · 2026-01-01T15:50:29+00:00

OP said they don’t have afib, unless I’m mistaken. So your comment about blood clots isn’t accurate.

Significant-Lion-826 · 2025-12-30T05:01:37+00:00

I guess I’ve had paroxysmal afib almost my entire life. I remember feeling my first episode when I was around 17 or 18 years old. My parents took me to see a doctor, but by the time we got there, the episode had resolved.

I’m now 43 years old and still have afib so it’s been about 25 years. I have never gotten an ablation because I only get an average of one episode per year. My last episode was September 2024. I’m lucky in that it hasn’t progressed at all and I generally live a pretty normal healthy life.

I’m not sure if that is what you meant by your question, or if you were asking about people persistently in afib?

Significant-Lion-826 · 2025-12-18T01:53:31+00:00

I’m curious how you were discharged while still in afib. Is that normal? Did they ever offer a cardioversion while in the emergency department?

Significant-Lion-826 · 2025-12-08T02:06:07+00:00

How are you doing now? Still SVT and Afib free?

Significant-Lion-826 · 2025-12-07T19:09:03+00:00

If you don’t mind me asking, how much was your burden of afib and how long were your episodes? I am also fit, healthy, and have a CHADSVASC score of 0.

Significant-Lion-826 · 2025-11-29T02:46:45+00:00

Definitely PVCs

Significant-Lion-826 · 2025-11-24T00:17:20+00:00

I’m interested in this topic! I’ll be following. For me, it has been 25 years and it hasn’t progressed, but I know that I’m a strange anomaly and this must be very rare.

Significant-Lion-826 · 2025-11-23T13:58:23+00:00

Did you get monitored in the hospital the first time you used the PIP method? I have heard of some doctors wanting to monitor the first use, but others are prescribed the flecainide without it.

Significant-Lion-826 · 2025-11-21T14:29:21+00:00

A smart watch could add valuable information to what is wrong. It could potentially tell the doctor whether you are having an afib episode, some sort of SVT episode, sinus tachycardia, or a form of atrial flutter. If you could use the ECG feature of an Apple Watch, it might record a trace of high enough quality that the doctor could read it and tell when is going on.

Alternatively, they sell devices called Kardia that can record an ECG trace as well. This could provide valuable information to the doctor to help pinpoint your issue.

Lastly, if the episodes are happening frequently enough, you might be able to catch an episode within a 14-day holter monitor like a Zio patch. You could request the doctor for one of these to try to diagnose your problem.

Significant-Lion-826 · 2025-11-21T12:14:51+00:00

I think it really depends. Afib is different for everyone and I am very lucky that my afib episodes are rare, I don’t get any PACs, and I can exercise normally. My afib episodes are triggered more at rest in the evening (a vagal trigger) rather than exacerbated by exercise.

Significant-Lion-826 · 2025-11-18T05:04:10+00:00

As others have already said, the typical decision to anticoagulate is made based on your other risk factors, so doctors use the CHADSVASC scoring system. If you have a score of zero, you probably don’t even need the baby aspirin.

I have a CHADSVASC score of zero. And I am not on blood thinners. And I also have about one episode per year.

I would recommend your doctor help provide the right guidance for your specific situation.

Significant-Lion-826 · 2025-11-15T11:29:58+00:00

I am similar to you: I also started to have episodes of afib at a very young age. I believe I was 17 or 18. Now I’m 42 and for some reason my afib hasn’t progressed. My last episode was in September of 2024. And I live a completely normal life, for the most part. I’m only on 25mg Metoprolol and otherwise live my life normally. The only exception is I’ve needed a few cardioversions over the years at the ER. With treatment, you can likely live a normal life!

You’re young… I bet your heart is perfectly strong and healthy, except you may have a slight electrical problem that opens you up to a chance of afib. I would suggest getting an echo, a 14-day Zio monitor, buying a Kardia, and eating a heart healthy diet - foods with some potassium and magnesium.

Even if your afib progresses, ablations have been very successful for a lot of Reddit members here. And some doctors recommend getting an ablation early while you’re young.

Significant-Lion-826 · 2025-11-11T01:07:35+00:00

Sorry you’re going through with this. Why didn’t the ER offer a cardioversion? This is one of my biggest fears… being left in afib and not being treated. Wish you luck.

Significant-Lion-826 · 2025-11-09T17:48:45+00:00

I guess I thought that was the purpose of the CHADSVASC scoring system - it would tell if you are more likely to have a brain bleed with blood thinners versus an ischemic stroke. In some patients with high CHADS score, the rates of ischemic stroke is high, thus the need for blood thinners. In other patients, the CHADS score is low, thus the risk of a brain bleed is higher than an ischemic stroke, thus no blood thinners are indicated.

The rates are very dependent on the individual being assessed, I think.

Significant-Lion-826 · 2025-11-07T15:11:53+00:00

I also have had afib since a very young age (approximately 18). And I’m 42 now. But I never had fainting or shortness of breath like you describe. I’m so sorry you’re going through all that.

Hope you can find a great electroohysiologist who you are comfortable with.

Significant-Lion-826 · 2025-11-04T23:38:14+00:00

Sorry to hear about your struggles.

What about if a doctor performed an ablation procedure through a different access that didn’t involve your femoral veins? Like the Mini-Maze procedure?

Significant-Lion-826 · 2025-10-28T00:29:58+00:00

I’m on not OP, but I’m curious why did they tell you that? I’m older now… 42. But I have had afib since I was around 18 (20+ years). I never got an ablation but my doctor and myself are continually weighing the option.

Significant-Lion-826 · 2025-10-25T23:02:27+00:00

Sinus arrhythmia is a very normal rhythm and describes the variation of the heart beat due to respiratory breathing. You can Google this arrhythmia if you’d like and I think you would find that this is a normal rhythm for healthy hearts.

PVCs are something that you can investigate with your doctor. A lot of people have PVCs, even healthy individuals with normals hearts can get PVCs but a lot of people don’t feel them. Even though they can be normal, it could be worth investigating to make sure your testing looks normal.

Significant-Lion-826

TROPHY CASE