1st Timer

[Guest guest]

I'm brand new to this forum, as well as to AFib. I had my first (and

hopefully last) attack early in the morning on the 13th of June, and

had to have cardioversion (3 times, last time = 300 joules) performed

the following afternoon to get back into NSR.

I am in the military overseas, and I do not have access to a Dr that

can provide me with much insight/information regarding AFib. All

I've been told is no alcohol, caffeine, smoking and chocolate. Which

seems to be common knowledge.

I stumbled across this website as well as the LAF forum yesterday,

and have discovered quite a bit of information. Unfortunately, I

feel a little bit overwhelmed, and have a lot of questions.

Hopefully you won't mind taking the time out to answer them, since

you have the experience.

First, I guess, is my story. I am a 36 YO male, non-smoker, very

limited caffeine intake, and very moderate alcohol intake. I lift

weights 5 days a week to try and stay in shape. I'm no Arnold, just

a guy who wants to stay active/healthy. Anyway, I was at the gym

when my attack happened. It was about 5:15 AM, and I was doing some

squats, albeit light weight, when my heart started pounding

uncontrollably. Unfortunately, I didn't think it was a big deal,

just assumed I was tired or whatever, and continued on. I was

pushing myself more than normal that morning, cutting down on my

break time between sets. I noticed that my endurance suddenly was

greatly reduced, and so I ended up going home after a few more sets.

The last time I consumed alcohol was about 6 weeks prior to the

incident, and I hadn't consumed any stimulants, either. And, as I

said, I do not smoke.

Next, I guess is what can I do to put myself in the best position to

avoid this in the future? That's what led me to the web research and

the following questions:

1. Upon release from the hospital, the only meds I was put on was an

aspirin a day. That's it. Supposedly due to my age. Does this

sound right?

2. How can I tell when I am in AFib? This may sound stupid, but

I've read posts where individuals claimed that their pulse was in the

80's and they were in AFib. I was in the 190 –200 range, so that is

the only experience I have to base it on

3. How do I know whether I have Adrenergically-mediated or Vagally-

mediated AFib, and what is the difference?

4. I've read that I should ask my Cardiologist to perform a " Heart

Rate Variability Analysis " (HRV) . What information will this

provide?

5. I've been a believer in vitamins for most of my life. I take GNC

brands, twice a day. I take the MegaMen multivitamin, Ginko Biloba,

and a 1 gram tablet of vitamin C. I've just started to take B

complex last week, although it's not a GNC brand (does brand

matter?). I've read numerous posts stating that the following are

must takes for AFibbers: various fish oils, Magnesium, vitamin E,

Coenzyme Q10, selenium, L-carnitine, Hawthorn, Niacin, and Folic

Acid. Any comments? In what quantities/combinations?

6. I've read that AFibbers can be found to have very high levels of

mercury. I've always eaten a lot of tuna (high protein/low fat). I

assumed that this was a good thing to do, and helps me get the fish

oils. Am I mistaken, and am I actually raising my mercury? Also,

how do you detoxify from mercury?

7. I've read that: " Maintenance of GI motility and avoidance of

flatulence or GERD are often important. Over-the-counter calcium-

carbonate based indigestion remedies, maybe with proprietary silicon

based defoamers, are found by some sufferers to be effective. " What

is GERD and GI motility? Is the use of Calcium Carbonate a good

idea? I do have gas quite a bit (belching), and I noticed that while

I was in AFib I was belching a lot.

8. I just recently started lifting weights again last week, as well

as started running. Is this a good idea? The running seems to

present no problems. My heart rate goes up and comes back down just

fine. But, towards the end of weight lifting yesterday, I was seated

at a preacher curl machine, and I started to get really light headed

and my endurance dropped. I left the gym immediately out of fear,

and fortunately everything turned out ok. It spooked the heck out of

me though, and now I am really paranoid.

9. Do you ever get over the paranoia? I feel like my life was taken

away from me. Every time I get a little bit nervous, or if my heart

rate goes up, I think it could be happening again.

Well, that's it for starters. I really appreciate the information

and time you folks have put into these websites. It looks like they

will be lifeline.

Take care,

Mike