HRV low after ablation?

[thumpthump]

Hi all, I’ve noticed since my ablation in Jan 20 my Heart Rate Variability is very low compared to pre ablation.

I’ve read under normal circumstances this is not ideal but for ablation patients could actually be a good sign?

Can anyone shed any light? Thanks!

[jeanjeannie50]

Can you give us some figures, so that we can understand a little more just what's going on?

[thumpthump in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi yes sure, so the average over the last month 9th Feb - 10th March is 11ms, pre-ablation was around 50ms.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to thumpthump]

So sorry, I have no idea what your figures mean. I don't think I could help even I did. I'm guessing this may be why no one has answered. BobD are you able to help?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Sorry all greek to me too to me. Heart rate variation is how much the rate varies over time, This is something I have never heard anybody worry about. Our hearts beat according to the demands put on them.

The measurement ms would sggest milliseconds so maybe talking about QRS complex?

[thumpthump in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob thanks for your reply. I’m not sure myself, it’s something the Apple Watch tracks and research suggests under normal circumstances the number has some meaning. I think given my recent ablation I can probably disregard anyway during recovery.

[thumpthump in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks anyway

[johnMiosh]

I am guessing that you were using HRV to maximise your training response prior to your AF.

I have not used HRV as a measure in my own training, but I think the following is correct. A high HRV usually indicates a healthy level of exercise, but it can be lowered by anxiety, stress or overtraining.

You are not long post-ablation, so you are probably still in recovery; your heart will be inflamed, you will be anxious and ablation itself artificially increases heart rate, which reduces HRV. My own HR took more than 18 months to get back to normal after my ablation.

Bear in mind that training was probably a major factor in your developing AF and it would be wise to consider cutting back a little. I would recommend continuing to monitor your HRV (data is always useful to look back on) but I wouldn't worry too much, and definately do not use it to maximise your training.

[thumpthump in reply to johnMiosh]

Thanks for your thoughts on this, all in line with my thinking too. I actually only recently noticed the reading on my Apple Watch and was just intrigued. Not stressing about it. I hope you continue to feel well 👍

[johnMiosh in reply to thumpthump]

Sorry, I was being a little presumptuous as you are a "38 year old guy into sports and fitness". A lot of us here were similar once, and in a lot of cases that is why we are here.

I used to train to HR, always pushing myself, but had to step back and reassess after the AF diagnosis. It is still early days for you, doctors and EPs may tell you that you should be back to normal in a week or so, some may talk about a three month blanking period. The evidence of people in this forum points to a much slower recovery.

Feel free to read my posts; althernatively, I did an extensive post ablation recovery report on my blog. afibandcycling.wordpress.co... details my recovery after the minimaze ablation

[thumpthump in reply to johnMiosh]

Thank you appreciate your response on this, I certainly agree that the recovery is far slower and more complex than an EP might suggest, it’s been a journey for me for sure! That said I’m 7 weeks post op now and recovery symptoms seem to have faded drastically. Fingers crossed!