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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Bouts Of Breathlessness While Treating Atrial Fibrillation?

Hi I have been diagnosed with Afib and recently I have suffered from bouts of breathlessness which last about half an hour and then my breathing becomes regular again. There is no pain but still quite scary. Should I seek help when I am experiencing an episode of irregular breathing?
Wed, 2 Nov 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Short answer: Yes, you should.

Long answer:
Hi there,

It is possible that some people experience shortness of breath during the episode of atrial fibrillation, but it appears as though you were diagnosed with it before your symptoms came. In that case, your breathlessness is a new development, and should be investigated.

It would be important to consider what brought on the atrial fibrillation to begin with, because it is likely that the same factors that made you develop atrial fibrillation can make you develop other types of heart problems as well. Most importantly, we want to rule out angina, or an impending heart attack, since blockages in your coronary arteries can give on and off symptoms such as yours. Or it could be that other types of rhythm problems have been triggered off, again something that needs to be treated.

It is important that you seek help as soon as you feel the breathing problems, because the signs and ECG changes will often disappear once your breathing normalises.

Hope this helps, and all the best to you.

Regards,
Dr. Teh
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What Causes Bouts Of Breathlessness While Treating Atrial Fibrillation?

Short answer: Yes, you should. Long answer: Hi there, It is possible that some people experience shortness of breath during the episode of atrial fibrillation, but it appears as though you were diagnosed with it before your symptoms came. In that case, your breathlessness is a new development, and should be investigated. It would be important to consider what brought on the atrial fibrillation to begin with, because it is likely that the same factors that made you develop atrial fibrillation can make you develop other types of heart problems as well. Most importantly, we want to rule out angina, or an impending heart attack, since blockages in your coronary arteries can give on and off symptoms such as yours. Or it could be that other types of rhythm problems have been triggered off, again something that needs to be treated. It is important that you seek help as soon as you feel the breathing problems, because the signs and ECG changes will often disappear once your breathing normalises. Hope this helps, and all the best to you. Regards, Dr. Teh