Heart Rate after exercise

[Jjda]

I normally walk a couple of miles a day, and get my heart rate up to the maximum during the walk, as well as keeping it in the "training range" for 20-30 minutes. Yesterday, I walked with some friends who set an aggressive pace, and after I finished the walk, my heart rate would not come down below 100 for several hours. I almost took one of my left over Metorprolols that the doctor let me stop taking a month ago. I checked on my Kardia and it showed no Afib, just Tachycardia. Finally, the heart rate did come down. Has anyone else had this happen? Thanks.

[BobD Volunteer]

It might be 9 months since your ablation but raised HR post ablation is very common and many of us found it taking up to a year to fall to "normal levels" so i wouldn't worry too much. Speak to your arrhythmia nurse if you aer worried though

[jeanjeannie50]

I understand totally, because when I walk with my friends (all late 60's) I'm fine, but with my daughter and her husband I feel I'm in a race and often have to ask them to slow down. It's so annoying isn't it! Was always a fast walker myself at one time and long walks in the countryside were my passion. I'm guessing you may be a little younger? I think having AF makes us slow down a lot and it's not always easy to get back to how we were before.

Did you feel that you were struggling to keep up with your friends and perhaps pushed yourself too much? Or was it just afterwards that you had the problem.

Jean x

[Jjda in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I am 67, and my friends are the around the same age, but without Afib. I felt I was struggling to keep up, and there were more hills than where I walk every day, so I probably over did it. It did scare me some to still have a heart rate in the 98-105 range two hours later. Usually, my heart rate goes back to 70-75 within minutes of stopping. I hope it was a one time thing.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Jjda]

I don't know if you are the same, but some days I feel energetic and others I tire very quickly. Walking on the flat is usually no problem, it's the hills that are. At one time I was thinking it was me out of condition. Also sometimes I think my energy levels depend on how well I've slept the night before. I've lived in a bungalow for 28 years and I don't think that has helped my stamina either.

I've been pleased to discover that when out shopping friends get tired just as quickly as me.

It doesn't sound right for your heart rate to have stayed at the high level it was for hours. I wonder whether taking just a quarter or a half of a Metoprolol pill, before you started the walk, would have prevented your heart rate from going so high and allowed you to have more energy. It's all so annoying isn't it - oh to have a normal heart!!!

[Jjda in reply to jeanjeannie50]

That's true. Some days are better than others. Today is a good day, so far. Heart rate came down from 125 while walking to 85 within a few minutes. Right now, it's 94, but that is after vacuuming the house and having a cup of coffee! Thanks for the support and advice!

[Morzine in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Yes exactly the same...my chums and ihave a walk and talk.....my husband and daughter go so quick ...yes I stick with it a bit and then fall back, then have to say slow down...it really annoys me as I can’t hear what they’re talking about!......

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Morzine]

Yep know the feeling, silly but it makes you feel quite unwanted!

[Morzine in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Yes exactly....and you feel they think oh mum keep up.....where I live there’s so many inclines I just flounder and they march ahead....i have to say what’s that your talking about as I catch up........aaargh!

[Lien-Ju]

Good morning from France, I had my ablation on November, it's been almost 8 months. As you at the beginning I had my heart rate above 100 after exercise and it took few hours to calm down. Today it takes 1 hours to settle down for my heart, I keep focusing on my breath to increase the results.

[RichMert]

Yes. I was concerned that my heart rate remained high but NSR for a long time after a brisk walk (2 hours). This was following ablation but all ok now.

[Goldfish7]

Hi, I had my last ablation in November 2018 and am still finding that my exercise is very limited (also have mild left ventricular hypertrophy). I'm finding that if I 'over do' any form of activity that my heart rate can go well over 100bpm for the rest of the day or even longer. Sometimes it appears to worsen an hour or two after exercise when fatigue sets in. My exercise is generally fairly light gardening and very slow - as flat as possible walking.

I have also noticed if I accidentally try to lift heavy items that a similar issue arises with faster heart rate that can last for the rest of the day and linked fatigue.

I have taken additional beta blockers at times (part of my Pill in Pocket arrangement) to prevent BPM getting too far out of control and endangering another PAF attack.

[Jjda in reply to Goldfish7]

I hesitated to take the metoprolol, but if it happens again, I think I will. thanks