Fast hear rate but regular

[Jajarunner]

Last night in bed my HR suddenly increased from its usual 40-50 and went up to 80-90. It felt like it was trying to leap out if my chest. I understand if it is regular I should just ignore it, but how can you sleep like that?!?! Took my usual flecainide this morning and it's now in 70s but I feel really jittery, like I'm about to do something v scary like a v important exam. Help!

[CDreamer]

As that sounds quite normal, for me and well within my ‘normal’ range, no problems!

What your body is noticing is the big difference of your normal rate to the increased rate and raising your internal alarm level because it’s something out of the ordinary for you. Do you practice slow breathing, relaxation techniques which I highly recommend in these situations.

I suffer pulsatile titinus with high HR and tachycardia is often 150-180 so the only way I can sleep is to put headphones on and listen to a good book or soothing music or a relaxation tape - soon asleep and usually the tachycardia has gone by the tine I wake.

Have you any idea of anything which triggered the increase? Is this the first time this has happened?

Hope that helps, best wishes CD.

[Jajarunner in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you. I suppose I am terrified of missing signs of afib esp as I am not on anticoagulants due to a bleeding disorder. I'm aware that blind panic does nothing to lower the HR too!!!

[CDreamer in reply to Jajarunner]

It is normal and appropriate to feel the anxiety - but we don’t help ourselves when we start the ‘what if’s’ and go into monkey brain mode.

I can well understand the extra anxiety of not being on a/c’s.

Are you aware of the Watchman Device for people who can’t take anticoagulants?

[Jajarunner in reply to CDreamer]

Yes, I did read about that. Hopefully my planned ablation will work for me with a Watchman in the future. Thank you for your help

[Paulbounce]

It's a catch 22 Jararunner !

HR goes up and you panic = heart rate goes up even more = panic more = HR goes up even more.

You get the picture

Your HR at 80 - 90 is acceptable regarding the 'ideal' of below 100 BPM. One thing occurs to me. Did you eat / do something different the night it happened ? Sometimes having a big meal or something spicy can trigger your heart rate to rise. It could be something else you did - drinking something new or having a stressful day ?

You do feel jittery when your HR rises - you know about it when it happens ! You get stressed and worry the a-fib will return making it more likely to happen.

However if your a-fib returns flecainide can be a great PIP to help keep it at bay. Don't take extra on top of your regular dose though without talking to your doctor first. I find that when my HR rises I can go back in to a-fib - following my cardio's advice I neck another 100 mg right away (300 mg a day max).

This has two effects. One I relax more which means my HR comes down. Two it helps stop an a-fib attack. It works for me (at the moment).

Have a chat with your doc and see what he / she thinks.

One last thing. If my rate goes up the worst thing I can do is check it. My resting heart rate is 55 these days. If I can feeling it going up a little, and I check it, it shoots up. Panic sets in and the 2nd or 3rd reading (one after the other) is always far lower. Sometimes it's best not check and just try your best to relax. Easy to say I know !

Paul

[Jajarunner in reply to Paulbounce]

Great advice, thank you, Paul. I think I didn't drink enough water yesterday. That may be my trigger, but it's tough when it's so cold!!!!

[Ianc2 in reply to Jajarunner]

About 2.2 -2.5 litres a day of water. Doesn't have to be cold, I usually have a pint of water on rising, warmed up in the microwave, dash of cordial , while I prepare my porridge. Keep hydrated.

[stagecoach]

I sometimes get the same but waking in the night. 4am and the pounding wakes me up.

When it first started I was concerned my ablation hadn't worked so I took Kardia readings an bp readings and as Paul said, just spirals from there.

Now I'm at the stage if it happens again, it is just anxiety or food related, I don't take my bp, I don't get the kardia from the drawer. I do breathing exercises and go back to sleep. over time the number of episodes has reduced.

I had mentioned them to arrhythmia nurses, EP and GP and no-one was interested, resting pulse never gets over 100, I'm in NSR, no problem. Just listen to Headspace or calm or read a book and relax.

[Jajarunner in reply to stagecoach]

It's all common sense stuff really isn't it. DON'T PANIC. If only I had some!!

Will definitely try all the tips. Thanks for all your support x

[lwm1198]

Having much the same experience. pulse rate in 90's and sometimes above while doing nothing special...and a strange hollow/anxious feeling. My EP has ordered a Holder monitor for a week to see what if anything else happens at those times.Had an ablation and have in NSR for over a year now. Being more careful what I eat and drink (no more cocktails!) and seeing a gradual lowering.