Spasms of very rapid but regular pulse after AF

[IanB48]

I'm three months post AF and stopped my beta blockers three weeks ago. I felt well and thought I was doing fine but this week I've been woken twice in the early hours with a racing pulse - my guess is about 140 bpm. Weirdly, it seems to be regular and with deep breathing gradually settles within about half an hour. Also, I'm not affected during the day. Has anyone else experienced this after AF? If so, what did you do about it?

[BobD Volunteer]

Sorry Ian I am confuse by you saying "after AF. " Do you mean after an ablation for AF or just after an event? Episodes of tachycardia which you describe are not uncommon post ablation. If you had an AF event then you have AF and such things may well happen from time to time. It may well be SVT or atrial tachycardia but unless you can get it recorded on ECG then difficult to diagnose. Best speak with the doctor or if indeed you do mean ablation then the EP who did it.

[IanB48 in reply to BobD]

Sorry, Bob! Not fully awake! No, it is after ablation.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to IanB48]

Then yes Ian this is not uncommon. After two of mine I had to have DCCV to kill the 140 rhythm but OK after that. In fact I had one last year six years after my last ablation but for Atrial tachycardia so not AF which is good news.

[IanB48 in reply to BobD]

Thanks for replying, Bob. That has made me feel slightly less anxious.

[dedeottie]

Yes, following my ablation i had this. I wasnt cardioverted as the rate was only 130 (only!) But over the next 4 weeks the rate came slowly back to normal. Unfortunately the A.F. returned so now awaiting ablation number 2. X

[IanB48 in reply to dedeottie]

Very reassuring. Thanks for taking the time to reply. Hope your next ablation is more successful.

[Kodaska]

Ian, you may be experiencing the opposite of what happened to me. My first ablation was in May 2014 to correct a-flutter, which gave me a pulse of ~150. Paroxysmal AF developed some months later, and a year later I had a second ablation to correct that.

Your anxiety is misplaced. There's nothing to worry about. You aren't dead, and AF isn't likely to kill you. So, starting from that point, what's the worry? Relax, keep a diary of your symptoms, and get the best diagnosis and treatment you can.

Best of luck.

[IanB48 in reply to Kodaska]

Thank you Kodaska. Much needed and very sensible advice which I will take on board!