Bradycardia, sleep apnea and now AFib

[Gatun]

I'm curious if anyone has the same condition/experience: I had (have) bradycardia all my life going back to when I was 20 years old with a low heart rate usually between 52-56. Two years ago my heart rate was dropping back and forth between the 40s and 50s so my DR sent me for an MRI, during my test my heart rate went down below 40. The test results showed my heart was strong with no blockage or issues at all but suggested a pacemaker will eventually be needed.

Now, two years later, I have AFib with a heart rate between 88-90, a sick sinus, and being retested for my sleep apnea (last tested in 1998), I do use an apnea machine every night. I'm perplexed how someone can go from bradycardia and in two years to having AFib. My cardiologist believes it may stem from my sleep apnea so put me on blood thinners (yuck) and sent me to be retested at the Sleep Center. I've been healthy all my life, I eat a well-balanced diet but do love fried fish and chicken twice a month, and currently, at the young age of 70, I drink less alcohol than ever before but was never a heavy drinker or took drugs (my mother would have kicked my butt if I did).

So does this sound familiar to anyone and what actions did your doctors suggest/take.

Much thanks for relies and best health to all.

[Hidden]

This sequence of events would be consistent with among other things, "sick sinus syndrome" for which a pacemaker and medication may be advised, depending on symptoms.

[Gatun in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the reply...

[BobD Volunteer]

Low heart rate can actually often promote AF .

[Gatun in reply to BobD]

Humm...this I will ask my cardiologist during my next visit. It would explain a lot. Thank you.

[S11m in reply to BobD]

Would that normally be Bradycardia AF?

[S11m]

My resting pulse rate was about 30 when I was fit - but that was not a problem when my heart worked.

Then I had AF, pulse 35, and SPO2 75 at night... I sometimes woke up paralysed from the neck down... so they gave me a pacemaker.

I will be 70 this month.

[Gatun in reply to S11m]

Thanks for the reply and happy birthday...!

[secondtry]

My understanding is that AF is caused by a cocktail of main issues not just one cause. I had low pulse, mild sleep apnea and poor lifestyle and those I believe sent me over the AF cliff edge. So I got Flecainide to stop the AF, buying me time to fix the other issues. Have succeeded for 5 years of increasingly good QOL but am not complacent and happy to accept AF may come back. Good luck.

[Gatun in reply to secondtry]

DITTO, very best to you in your pursuit of good health.

[Gatun]

Thanks for your input. Fortunately for me on day one at 47 I had no problem sleeping with a CPAP machine/mask. Prior to this, I was nickname RIP because I could sleep anywhere, under any conditions, even five minutes after running for five miles...out like a light.

[Madscientist16]

Sleep apnea has a causation relationship with AF.

[Gatun]

Just moved so I missed your reply.

I had similar issues as your wife, I'd go to a party and after two drinks I was looking for a table to fall a sleep under or place to hide to take a nap. Friends thought I was a drunk, I just wanted to sleep. Now I'm searching the relationship between sleep apnea and deviated septium, which I understand close to 50% of the population have the same issue but are unaware. The older we get the more the issues but at least we're getting older! Cheers...

[VioletG]

I am fairly new to this forum and just now saw your post. Your experience is almost identical to mine! Bradycardia since my 30’s. Resting HR 40’s to 50’s. Moderate sleep apnea, now using an oral mouth appliance which is shown to be working after having an overnight oximetry test while using it. Last summer, I consulted with an EP about my low HR, and was told that a pacemaker was likely in my future, but not yet, because I had no symptoms of heart failure and generally felt fine. Stress/Echo tests showed heart pumping strong and good. However, he did point out that bradycardia or sick sinus syndrome often leads to Afib, so he told me to buy a Kardia device and take EKG if I ever felt odd heart sensations. Sure enough, two months later, I recorded an EKG, sent to my EP, and it showed as Afib. Had several more episodes after that. Because of my slow heart, all drugs for Afib are out, as they all slow heart down. So he recommended I “cut to the chase” and have an ablation. Said the overall outcome is better, instead of waiting for more episodes to develop and become more frequent or persistent. I am three weeks post ablation now, feel pretty good in this recovery period. Now just time will tell I think. I am very curious how things have turned out for you, since your history is so similar to mine! Cheers!

[Gatun in reply to VioletG]

I'm back alive, above ground and sorry for the delay. My situation is still with Afib but no bradycardia (average 80 pulse, I'm 74), and still sleeping with apnea machine. Recent heart catheter showed one small lesion with buttloads of calcium in my blood but "no" sticking/clogging. The Cardiologist then said I was good but wanted me to go from 240MG of statin to 280MG...he didn't know I stopped taking statins for about six months prior. I then said goodbye and started looking for a new cardiologist. I've read too many research papers by leading cardiologist stating issues with taking statins, one is legs cramping which I had and except for 1% of population who are very sick statins do NOT work. Soon as I stopped statins my legs cramps went away. Now I'm having a problem finding a cardiologist who is not sold on pushing statins. The research I find online is piling-up around the world that statins do little help and have many side effects.

Might check out why high cholesterol is better than low cholesterol. Best ratio to look into is between Triglycerides and HDL, divide your HDL into triglycerides, a ratio of 2.5 and below is good and lower is even "gooder"...(I can hear my high school English teacher now

Very best to y'all.