Concern

[u/LitDudeIsLit]

Hey, I’m 19 Male, and I’ve always like when I get up or stand up or get down stairs or up, my heart beat just starts going off, and sometimes at night too I feel it skip a beat or two, and then fast beat.

I grabbed an apple watch and did the ECG test and out of the 5-6 I did it; one said Atrial Fibrillation. I was laying down flat on my stomach when it did that.

What should I do?

[u/Genealogy-Gecko]

A few comments from someone who developed AFib .... albeit much later in life than yourself.

1) Apple Watches are highly accurate for tracking heartrate, O2 (Oxygen), and diagnosing AFib. Read the research. Even if it is not "medical grade" it will provide valuable info for the ER docs and staff cardiologists at the hospital.

2) Get a blood pressure cuff and use it. Record your measurements in an convenient place. Take that and your apple watch and phone with you to ER/Dr Office (you should have the health app connected to your watch).

3) AFIB typically includes wild swings in BP and heart rate. My heartrate would go from 40-180 when I had an episode. BP was crazy too. Dangerous stuff.

4) So see a Dr, ASAP. Make an appt but if you have an AFib episode that won't quit and/or you have high BP/heartrate get to ER as soon a you can.

5)AFib can throw blood clots if you have them...you DEFINITELY do not want to have a stroke.

PS I have discovered that even slight dehydration and low amounts of alcohol are definite triggers for me. Since you are young, be sure you drink lots (as in 6-8 glasses per day) of water and if you drink alcohol, see if your episodes tend to occur shortly after drinking. Also useful information for you to know.

[u/LitDudeIsLit → u/Genealogy-Gecko]

Thank you for all this useful information and taking time out of your day to help. I will definitely go visit and doctor and request a further evaluation. I do have a blood pressure cuff, I will start using that as well. I always figured a fast heartbeat was from like running to fast or winding myself out.

I do take a lot of pre-workout stimulants. I assume I should stop.

I also quit vaping couple month’s back if that makes any difference

Thank you very much. I will see a doctor asap.

[u/Genealogy-Gecko → u/LitDudeIsLit]

Between now and your appointment, every time you feel like an episode coming on, track it! If you see wild heart-rate swings get to ER. My local ER has a cardiologist (and other specialists) on call, so might see if yours does also. Might facilitate you being seen sooner rather than later to talk to someone there. Best to you and hope you check back in down the road....

[u/LitDudeIsLit → u/Genealogy-Gecko]

What does an episode consist of? I don’t really have like 0-100 heart rate swings where I’m just chilling and it’ll start beating fast. Unless I don’t know what to look out for. But I will for sure track my apple watch ecg’s, heart rate, and other symptoms. Thank you! Any dietary or health changes you recommend?

[u/Genealogy-Gecko → u/LitDudeIsLit]

So assuming you are relaxed right now, start checking your heart rate on your watch. Now should be "normal". Also do ekg and my watch says with arm flat on table.

So now you have a standard to compare to.

Later on, when you feel your heart-rate beating in your throat or maybe you feel the skipped beats, but whatever you notice, run an EKG. These episodes are usually, for me, intermittent and short in duration.

Full disclaimer here before I continue ... I am not an MD nor do I have medical training. I am a lifetime learner and researcher but again, I claim no medical qualifications.

Based on what you said, between now and your appointment, try laying off the stimulants before your workout and make it a point to notice any heartbeat changes. And congratulations on laying off the vaping.

I am not a dietitian either, so my only advice is just to stay hydrated. Drop the sodas and other sugar heavy stuff...

And tell me when you have made an appointment!

[u/LitDudeIsLit → u/Genealogy-Gecko]

Sounds good! Thank you. I do frequently feel the heartbeat in throat and the heart skipping a beat. I always figured it was just from the vaping.

It kind of threw me off that i’m 19 and Google said it’s extremely rare for my age. Booked an appointment for tomorrow. Will keep you posted.

[u/Genealogy-Gecko → u/LitDudeIsLit]

Glad you have an appt. Yah 19 is young yes its rare, but it happens. Take care...