Blood pressure after A Fib episode

[Flaka]

Has anyone noticed that their blood pressure gets low for days after an A Fib episode. I seem to be having more episodes than normal. They also last longer. I don’t see my cardiologist until June so I thought I would see if anyone else had lower blood pressure after an episode.

[Dianemary]

Hi Flaka, I have wondered about that too, I have atrial flutter after having had an ablation for atrial fibrillation, it is persistent but I have noticed that when my heart rate is very high my blood pressure is quite low, last night it was 87/47, I really don't know why that is so not much help to you I'm afraid.

[jemurphy in reply to Dianemary]

I have AF and noticed after an episode I have very low blood pressure and a high pulse rate. I don't know why either but must find out.

[Dianemary in reply to jemurphy]

Yes, I see a cardiologist on Wednesday and I will ask him, please let me know if you do find out and I will do the same.

[jemurphy in reply to Dianemary]

Good luck Dianemary. I see my cardiologist in March and will be asking questions. He wants to refer me for ablation but I'm a bit unsure.

[Dianemary in reply to jemurphy]

I had my first ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in June last year and was absolutely fine until December when I went into atrial flutter, I'm hoping to have a second ablation which is why I'm seeing the cardiologist on Wednesday, hopefully he will refer me to Glenfield. It is scary, but worth it I think. I felt so much better after the first one! Good luck and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions! Let us know how you get on.

[jemurphy in reply to Dianemary]

Thank you. I have had PAF for 15 years but was told initially I wasn't 'suitable' and not recommended for ablation. Now all these years later, and a different cardiologist, he is suggesting I go to Liverpool for ablation. I have been taking Flecainide in huge amounts, and Bisoprolol and warfarin. Now on his advice reducing all the medication, except the warfarin of course, but this has increased the episodes of AF , ectopics and arrhythmias which are really getting me down. I need to get an ECG while I am having AF but they usually occur during the night so up till now have not been able to get an ECG. It is a bit stressful. How long did you have AF before been sent for ablation?

[Dianemary in reply to jemurphy]

I had persistent AF so no difficulty getting the ECG results, I'm not sure how long I've had it but the symptoms were bad enough for me to be taken into hospital about 18 months ago, I was diagnosed in the September and had the ablation the following June. I only realised when I started to feel better that I'd been unwell for some time. I would say that if they think it's suitable for you go for the ablation, it made a huge difference to me and even though I have problems again now I don't feel as bad as I did before the ablation. Wishing you loads of luck!

[jemurphy in reply to Dianemary]

Thanks. That's encouraging.

[Flaka in reply to Dianemary]

Yes please ask him as I don’t see my cardiologist until June. Just wondered if this was normal or something to worry about.

[Dianemary in reply to Flaka]

I'll let you know what he says

[jemurphy in reply to Dianemary]

Yes, good luck Dianemary for when you see your cardiologist on Wednesday, and do let us know what he says.

[Dianemary]

Have just seen the cardiologist and asked the question, he said that when the heart rate is high it can't pump as efficiently hence the drop in blood pressure, he didn't seem unduly concerned about it. Hope this helps ☺

[Flaka]

Thanks. Seems my a fib is coming more often and lasting longer. I have ordered a protocol of natural poly nutrients recommended by a natural doctor, Bruce West, that has cured the a fib for some people. Hoping it will help me as I really didn’t want to have an ablation.