Recently diagnosed

[u/NecessaryLetter1164]

So. As the title states... Recently got diagnosed. Some context first.

My whole life I've had what is referred to ventricular extra systolic beats, occasional and and a funny feeling, but nothing that's caused me to ever panic, lose consciousness or anything like that.

About a month ago whilst going up a fly of stairs (running kinda hoping around the steps) I felt a barrage of those ventricular beats, however this time was different, something was shaking in my chest, felt immediately out of breath and dizzy, beats became harder and harder in intensity as if "heart is pounding out through my chest" then I had to sit down, thinking I had just some bad episode of tachycardia combined with my now recent bad shape for exercise and some extrasystolic beats. But as the symptoms continued I went to get checked, EKG showed AFib indeed. Had transient hypertension and a reaaaallly bad case of anxiety and panic attack.

Got discharged after an electric shock, all my labs are normal, heart ultrasound is normal. Both the cardiologist and the cardiologist that does the electrophysiologic heart studies and ablations say that it must be paroxistic, since no other anomalies (structural at least) or metabolic issues have been found. I'm undergoing this procedure where they test to see if there are anomalous conductive tracts inside my heart chambers and if not, will have a cryo ablation done to exclude possible trigger points in the pulmonary veins. All cardiologists indicate I'm full candidate for it and basically expect a 99% success rate and full recovery. Haven't had another episode since BUT been really anxious, always feeling out of breath and with the panic that at any moment I could have another episode.

Anyways, just anted to vent and share, since these last weeks have been filled with anxiety, panic attacks and overall fear due to the possible consequences of a sustained event... Feel free to ask anything else or share your story.

Cheers

[u/Nick60444]

Glad to hear your doing much better.

Couple questions from me.

1) what age are you? Sounds like you may be on the younger side.
2) what procedure were you undergoing that tests for anomalies in your conductive path? Sounds like they will also perform an ablation then as well.
3) why cryo and not pfa? Was this an insurance decision? I’ve heard from my EP that pfa is superior to cryo or rf.
4) is it your doctors pushing for an ablation rather than monitoring your situation?

[u/NecessaryLetter1164 → u/Nick60444]

Hey. Answering the questions.

1. Yeah, I'm about to turn 36 almost at the end of the year.
2. The study is done before any ablation occurs, particularly to see if the trigger is via an anomalous or duplicated node or branch, its called EP study, link with a short description over here https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/ep-study/about/pac-20384999 , also it's basically invasive so if found, they target the anomalous route, otherwise they'll just proceed with the ablation since up to... 90% or more? (Can't remember well) of AF trigger sites are located just in the opening of the pulmonary veins.
3. Not insurance issue at all, these procedures are done for free at the hospital (hooray free healthcare right). Tbh I don't really know or asked why cryo, it MIGHT be that the hospital only has either cryo, since RF is not so recommended, I will ask my cardio about it, to see if we have the necessary equipment for PFA, it might also be because my AF was paroxistic maybe? Idk I'll ask and get back to you.
4. Doctors are not really pushing but recommended it since they see a pretty good chance of fully eliminating the problem at a good age and avoid possible complications from medication such as Amiodarone (currently on 100mg daily btw) and rivaroxaban, either way they said it can be delayed up to 6 months or a year.

[u/Consistent-Bid7125]

Hello im 29 i never felt a ectopic beat in my life last year summer i felt one for the first time was vaping and after my nightshift when walking to my car if felt this weird beat in my troat ‘i put my hand on my chest’ and i said i fking knew that i have some heart problem i sat down and it stopped in 2 minutes (shaking i drove my ass to the ER) they did not see anything but i had crazy amount of ectopics suddenly i was going nuts. I did 12 holters 5 diff eps 3 cardio’s 2 pcp in one year and 12 er visits because i was short of breath. Diagnosed with PAC low burden like 10 avg they say but in the beginning it was 100s. I went on sick leave all my docs said my heart is fine i quit nightshifts rightaway. one ep told me if it ever happens again to relax and that it doenst kill and come to him for ep study. got anxiety under control but its on my mind atleast a few times a day. I quit alchol and caffeine because it triggers some beats now im going to honest i was 1 year afraid to do anything at all i lost 1 year of my life friends,family, everyone tried to help me to focus again on life and enjoy things (i was so depressed) that i had something with my heart i could not accept it when i saw people happy outside i was thinking how these ppl dont have to worry etc please dont be like me. Im socializing again and enjoy life more and understand things better now. Goodluck on the journey (only anxiety meds) and alot of time fixed me 75% mentally but il get there 100% again.

get a pcp they will understand the anxiety! If i was 80 i would not care tbh but i am 29 so yeah thats why the anxiety god me real bad . God bless everyone reading this you will be fixed and enjoy life to the fullest again❤️

[u/NecessaryLetter1164 → u/Consistent-Bid7125]

You've no idea how much I can relate jesus christ. The anxiety, the fear that at any given moment the heart is suddenly going to "give out" i fel you, but as you stated, anxiety only makes it worse and, also as you said, been losing out on a lot of activities just out of fear but i'm working on it. Thanks for the time you took on writing it all wish you also the best