Is it normal to have a faster heart rate days after an atrial flutter episode

[LakesLad]

Hi unfortunately on Sunday I had an atrial flutter episode that lasted just over 2 hours.I went to the local hospital and had three ecg's whilst there. Before this episode my resting heart rate was around 56 bpm it is now around 72 bpm ,is this normal and will it return to the levels before this episode. I have had two ablations for afib

[CDreamer]

72 doesn't sound high to me at all but then that is my norm, 56 sounds a wee on the low side unless you are an athlete?

Can't say about AFl but often when I have had AF episode it take 24-48 hours to settle back. Some people find it goes the other way and goes lower.

If you are concerned you can always ask your GP as it is unusual to take 4 days to settle, but if you are not experiencing any symptoms I wouldn't be unduly concerned if I were you.

[traveler65]

@LakesLad The abnormal heart electrical behavior following an ablation may be caused by a number of things:

Are you on any prescription medications? ex. diovan and angiotensin receptor blocker (arb),, hydrochlorathiazide diuretic for high blood pressure, sotolol ( anti arrhthymia and beta blocker for afib); warfarin or other blood thinner???

These meds will cause your body to be depleted of Co Q10, magnesium, zinc, vitamins, trace minerals---the lack of which will cause the symptoms for which you take the meds.--however paradoxical that seems.

So you have to replace the depleted substances, but at least 2-3 hours separate from the meds as some of them bind to each other which inactivate both the meds and the nutrients. You need magnesium, CoQ10 and T3(the active part of your thyroid hormone) in order for you mitochondria to produce ATP (your body's only energy)- without this you would not be alive, and with sub optimal amounts of these things your heart does not have the energy to function properly because it will be under stress.

Maybe you should have blood work for a complete thyroid panel (this includes: free T3, Free T4, Total T3, Total T4, T3 uptake, reverse T3, thyroid hormone binding globuline, thyroid antibodies,Tsh)--(If your dr. only wants to test TSH,and Fee T4 and Use synthetic T4-if necessary--find another doctor.

There are many triggers to afib and atrial flutter:

1) alcohol dilates the left atrium so it is a big no no for afib and atrial flutter.

2)sugar

3)chocolate

4)processed food

5)large macrolide anitbiotics such as azithromax and biaxin (possibly because they can increase the QT interval - the time it takes your heart to recharge after the initiating electrical signal completes its course)--(this is measured in milliseconds, but if it is too far outside normal parameters it creates a problem)

6)Quinolone antibiotics (probably because they increase the body's production of the excitatory neurotransmitter dopamine). Quinolones go under various names: cipro, leviquin,. avalox, and most drugs ending in ..floxin.

7) anything to which you are allergic

8)epinephrine- another excitatory neurotransmitter ( is used in novacain at the dentist and in some surgeries because it stops bleeding by constricting the arteries by raising angiotensin I)

9) there are other triggers I cannot think of at this time.

10) MOST importantly, it take s a while for your heart to learn to behave normally again. the body works on a sort of behavioral memory mode. It behaves the way it has been behaving. If you change things it takes a while for the body"s mechanisms to adjust. Also if you just had an ablation your body is dealing with a large amount of inflammation. ( oh that reminds me--2 other triggers are inflammation and viral infections)-- So until the ablation heals (remember you just had your left atrium slightly scorched)- you will have intermittent irregular heart rhythm.

Sometimes, as with myself, it takes 8 months for things to become completely normal. there is also an effect involving coordinating the 4 brain waves (alpha, beta , theta, and delta). This can be accomplished by Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Zen meditation. If the 4 brain waves are coordinated your heart will behave in a more healthy manner. It would be a good idea for you to take a Tai Chi class. The international Taoist Tai Chi association has chapters with classes in many countries. If you are in England or Ireland etc, you can go on the web site

for this organization and find a class. I strongly advise you to attend. i am sure it will improve your situation tremendously.

Also, if you want to read about coordinating the 4 brain waves and about their individual characteristics etc, go onto the website biofoundations.org and search for coordinating the 4 brain waves.

That particular post is very interesting.

Also sitting too long may have an adverse affect. This is because when your body is in that position, the veinous blood flow up the leg back to the heart becomes slower and the arterial blood flow from your heart to your leg and foot becomes faster. So possibly just taking a 40 minute slow walk outside may improve things.

Definatly look into the Taoist Tai Chi class. I have been doing this for about 1 and 1/2 years and find it tremendously beneficial for all the heart function and for everything physical, mental, emotional. It is a very profound practice in the degree of benefit it will afford you.

I hope this will help you.