Slim Jim,
Afib is much more common than people think, however a triathlete’s lifestyle; exersice, eating right (or at least better than the average American) should recduce your risk (not eliminate) Check these links out
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4451
Did a doctor tell you that you have AF or did you just self-diagnose?
sorry, but i’m with jhendric. just what is your problem? that your heart is too big for your chest? not likely.
if you’ve been to a competent cardiologist and he/she did not diagnose a-fib, you don’t have it. it’s pretty easy to spot.
for people with a-fib, if they do not take anti-coagulants, likelihood of stroke increases…
This is such a long shot that I probably shouldn’t even mention it – disclaimer about internet diagnosis here --, but if you are very tall and thin you could have Marfan syndrome, which can be asociated with aortic aneurysm, which people do describe as having an enhanced sense of pulse and fullness in the chest. If you have extremely long fingers that can encircle your wrists and leave a gap, or a very high palate, those are associated signs.
Not to be a smart ass but.
You should cut down on your caffeine intake if that is what is causing your symptoms.
Palpitations are just the sensation of being aware of your heart beat, the causes of feeling them is varied, PVCs, PACs, Afib. etc etc etc etc etc
Having palpitations with caffeine intake is extremly common
so be sure to get enough rest and cut down on the coffee and listen to what your doctors say
and yes I am a doctor
This is just a thought - but have you always noticed these symptoms after eating or drinking - if so you may have indigestion or the more severe form - GERD.
I didn’t diagnose anything, nor did my cardiologist (aside from a minor irregular heart beat), nevertheless I often have significant palpitations and afterwards a general discomfort in my chest, that coincides with caffiene intake and exercise volume (usually I notice it most during rest days).
You may have PSVT or SVT’s
I have them as do many others. How long do they last?
Do they seem to be lasting longer as time goes by?
There are many triggers & although some cardiologist say caffeine is not one of them it sure was for me.
Anyway you may want to read up on them & see if it sounds like what your having.I only got them at rest too. Usually laying down at night.
The actual name is
Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia
It can be scary as hell but for the most part are not life threatening in an otherwise healthy person.
They can be controlled by meds or sometimes fixed with an ablation.
It is actually an electrical problem & not really a heart muscle problem.
Anyway this may or may not be what you have & you should see a doc.
I know what you mean about the stress test etc. Pretty useless if your use to pounding out miles at high heart rates.
Another problem with diagnosing these types of heart problems is if your not on the doctors table when one happens they really can only guess at what it could be.
I was lucky to catch one on a EKG after more than a year of the doctors scratching their heads.
Good Luck
I did read what you posted, and you never mentioned that you were actually diagnosed by an MD (which you mention later that you weren’t). It seems like a reasonable question to ask.