I was told by a nurse with a specialism in arrhythmia that short flutters when resting are caused by the heart growing in response to exercise. The electrical pathways change as the muscle develops, which causes the sporadic flutters.

Thanks!

outfbreath: it’s not uncommon to have an episode of paroxysmal AF start at night after exercising. Apparently it’s down to stimulation of the vagal nerve.

According to google, if you have the ‘vagal’ kind of paroxysmal AF (which matches my ‘symptoms’) you’re fine. There’s no associated risk of stroke and it typically doesn’t worsen. Maybe it’s wishful thinking but I’m hoping it’s that. Time will tell.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26310988

Unfortunately AF episodes tend to get more frequent/longer over time in most cases. To the point that it becomes permanent. There are interventions, like PV ablation, that work in people with non-permanent AF. When it’s permanent, it’s very difficult to resolve.

Yeah, in my case it’s not worsening at all, but I’m painfully aware that I’m bucking the trend and that could change.

Apologies if you know all this already. I don’t want to be condescending and I’m not a medic, but I would seek a bit of advice if I was in your shoes.

Not at all, I really appreciate you posting. I’ve seen a specialist about a year ago who diagnosed it but I was so relieved that there was nothing physically wrong with my heart that I failed to ask any of the sensible questions I should have. (Frankly the specialist should have given me a bit more information at the time – no mention was made of the stroke risk, for instance, which strikes me as critical information since he gave me the option of conservative or treatment.)

Since then I’ve done some google research and there’s a fair amount I would like to ask a pro. I’m tempted to go back to the GP and see if I can get another NHS appt or pay for a single private consultation just to ask all the right questions.

When it’s permanent, it’s very difficult to resolve

but not impossible.

outofbreath, the surgeon I saw in Sheffield is amazing. the cox maize procedure I had is 1 cure for perm AF. he sorted mine out.

outofbreath, the surgeon I saw in Sheffield is amazing. the cox maize procedure I had is 1 cure for perm AF. he sorted mine out.

Thanks Ton, very reassuring if it ever gets to that point. Glas it worked out for you.

If I was a surgeon doing that op I would *deffo* have drawn a cock and balls on the inside of your heart!

Excellent write up OP, and hope things stay good.

I found out a few months ago that I’ve got a hole, a Patent Foramen Ovale. Also fairly common (25%) and doesn’t do much, apart from maybe causing a stroke.

Currently waiting to find out if the NHS are going to close it.

Have you had the tests to find out how big it is?

beej,

Medium, is all I’ve been told!

I was told by a nurse with a specialism in arrhythmia that short flutters when resting are caused by the heart growing in response to exercise. The electrical pathways change as the muscle develops, which causes the sporadic flutters.

My understanding is that the pathways stay the same, but the increase in heart muscle/tissue causes the issue. Bit like a tattoo on your auld fella; gets bigger, but the writing stays the same.

When you lot are getting AF how long does it last?

Richmars – Well, mine was large, so hopefully you’ll be fine for the easy closure method. I’m not that well read on PFOs though! One document I was sent ahead of my procedure covered PFOs as well as ASDs and mentioned the device they use for PFOs is more of a mesh than a plug, with your heart growing over it in time.

There was no real rush to get mine closed – I was very very low risk of stroke and I’d already had it 48 years – but they were clear from the start it needed doing.

That’s the surprising thing. Had mine for 57 years, done all sorts of high intensity stuff, with no problems, no pain or anything. If it’s closed, they go in via my groin. PFO closures have only been an option on the NHS since the summer, after being removed a few years ago.

When you lot are getting AF how long does it last?

Have you had an ECG molgrips?

AF is a …usually long term problem… not a temporary thing.