I thought my atrial fibrillation was perhaps stress due to my unemployment, uninsured situation until I ran into other (young) people suffering from this who urged I check it out (chose community pay-what-you-can hospital). I knew enough going in that it probably wouldn't happen at doc's office, but I was recommended a doctor who knew something about this. He put me in touch with specialists who had me wear a portable heart monitor for 1 month. Even though I'm being told I haven't done my heart any real damage by leaving this untreated, I urge other young people TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT. If only to restore normalcy to your life. I'm taking 1 beta-blocker per day (metoprolol) at 25 mgs. The light-headedness and breathlessness and racing/pounding heart I endured have all settled down. Considering ablation surgery down the road once insured. But for now, the beta-blockers are working and have not really noticed any side effects. Best of luck. You can get fixed.

I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation when I was 46. The medications that were prescribed for me are no longer working, so my doctor is starting to talk to be about alternatives. I want to get to the root of this problem so I can enjoy my life with my son instead of always feeling tired and out of breath.

My 62yr old husband was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation after suffering symptoms similar to heart failure i.e. pain in chest and difficulty breathing. A year onwards, he has had medication and the disappointment of 2 electro cardio-version treatments; the first didn't work at all, the second worked for 3 months, but reverted 4 days ago. The medics have been efficient as far as we know, but rather dismissive in terms of dealing with the sense of devastation one feels after things don't work,especially for a man who has only ever seen a G.P. half a dozen times during adult life! Also, we still have no real idea of why he got it or if [as he's inclined to do] he can live with it and not bother with doctors anymore. I feel we should be better informed about prognosis and available treatments. As it is, I'm surfing the Web to see what options he might have.

I am a 45 year old female who has had a heart attack at 42, mini stroke at 45, and now atrial fibrillation. One day at 3am my heart started racing to 180. I went to hospital it took 36hrs to get it under control by medication. I spent 5 days in the hospital. I am too young for this.

Treatment for my wife is exclusively daily use of warfarin, as determined by blood tests every 10 days to two weeks. It seems to be successful. She has had atrial fibrillation for about 9 years.

I am an 87 year old female recently diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Mine occurs only at night. There has been no pain only a feeling of breathlessness along with the fluttering. It occurs upon waking and seems like my heart is trying to catch up to a waking rhythm. While going on my pulse is slow but then I have just been asleep. The length of the episodes is different, but lately have been lasting a half hour or more. I also have a bigeminal ventricular arrythmia that I take propanolol for. So far my doctor has not prescribed any additional medication.

I discovered AF after my blood began to coagulate with the result that I had water retention and breathlessness through the congestion in the lungs. One day in hospital on diuretics medication and the water/urine flooded out. Since them I have been on warfarin; I lost about 30lbs and lots of muscle and fat. Pulse around 57, systolic around 130, diastolic too low around 54. No serious AF symptoms but the warfarin etc killed my appetite for months; I see the cardiologist next month, fingers crossed. Sent by 81 year old Caucasian male still playing golf (but not as well!)

I had persistent A-Fib which was treated by cardiac ablation in April. The symptoms recurred after only two weeks. In August I had my second ablation - and that fixed it. It is now end of October and I have not had any recurrences. I am off all drugs which was my goal. I would highly recommend the procedure. My doctor told me he could do up to four ablations if necessary.

I am having tests done to see if I have a-fib. After reading other peoples stories I am worried. 13 years ago I was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome and the symptoms are very similar. I had a heart rate of 230 bpm, was de-fibbed, put on medication and had 4 ablations. Now a-fib!!! I was advised not to drink caffeine based drinks and foods (chocolate!) also when having palpitations to put my face into a bucket of ice, massage the neck where the pulse is and to sit on my haunches while holding nose and blow(like trying to unblock ears)but not all at the same time! Can't say that worked for me but hopefully that will work for others.