Well, just finished my 11 working day fortnight on Friday, an energetic day tidying up The Courtyard yesterday ..... today a day of resting AND BINGO! another day of low HR, hovering between 47 and 56 bpm!
It's been like this, following this same pattern, for the last 5 or 6 years. This AF thingy sure is weird. Got used to it now.
Could you have become a bit dehydrated yesterday when working in your courtyard? Though I doubt you drink more fluid when driving buses?
I usually manage to have a day of high energy and then the next day my AF revs up more. Could that be the same for you?
This annoying ailment, we have to put up with, certainly is a weird thing!
How do you feel when it happens carneuny? And what does your doctor say about it? I'm in normal sinus rhythm since a successful cardioversion in January, and my pulse varies between about 44 and occasionally up to 60, generally upper 40s - low 50s. GP lowered my dose of Bisoprolol from 10mg to 8.75mg when it first went down to 44, but seems happy with that dose now, despite my pulse staying low.
Sorry - posted that in the wrong place!
Hi Jean,
Yes, that's interesting and I have to admit that's a distinct possibility. Interestingly, at my recent consultation with my Nuritionist she suggested that in her view I was a bit dehydrated and that she wanted me to increase my water consumption.
I pointed out to her that I drive buses and that if I drank more I'd need to stop more and take a comfort stop - and that wasn't possible. Most shifts are structured around 3 to 4 and half hours before taking a break from driving.
Whereas in Australia, where I have done most of my bus driving - even in more modern air conditioned buses - one tended to drink more, and always have a bottle of water or soft drink in the cab with you. One drank more and sweated more. Not really true here, silly I know but here because I don't sweat, I don't drink. 
I know I still should be drinking.
High energy one day .... and AF the next. Again, that's possible but if that is happening I am not aware of the AF kicking in or trying to kick in ( but then again years ago my Cardio guy did tell me at times I could be asymptomatic). There again, generally, if I tend to edge towards AF both my BP and HR tend to increase and I feel totally rubbish.
I am beginning to think that these falls in HR as I described reflect the handiwork of Bisoprolol of which I am on 5 mg daily, taken at night.
I'll add a bit more to this to my reply to Belle11.
John
What is your BP doing while your pulse is so low?
Pretty normal Jean. Around 127 to 130/70
The thing that pops into my mind is why don't you see about reducing your Bisoprolol to say 4.5mg and see if this improves your low heart rate periods. I think we're all a little obsessed with keeping our heart rate below 70, but as the normal heart range is between 60-80 a rate just over 70 would be good.
It sounds as though your attacks just come on when you're relaxing for longer periods than normal, wouldn't happen at work because the strain of having to concentrate while driving (and performing in public on the stage of life) would keep your heart rate up, the same when you're doing any physical work at home.
Jean
You are pretty much thinking along the same lines as me. Indeed, I was planning to see my GP when this Coronavirus thingy popped up, so it's on the back burner for now. In fact none of my meds have been reviewed since I was put on them 10 years or longer ago. The exception is Warfarin which is always reviewed at each self test. And yes, I agree with your last paragraph too. Based on experience an ideal HR for me is 72 to 75. On the other hand where I was at 88 to 90 is too high.
The interesting thing about Bisoprolol is that these days it seems to be prescribed for both Blood pressure and also for rate control. I was originally told it's for rate control. Must say I just don't understand this dual purpose/role.
John
GP's are still doing telephone consultations, so you should be able to speak to someone about your concerns.
My GP and EP were not worried when my HR was in the mid to high 40's on bisop, but I felt terrible at that rate. When I was going in to the low 30's I stopped bisop all together (that's a whole different story!)
As for it's dual use, yes it will do both, lowering your HR has the side effect of lowering your BP but in your case I would think it has been prescribed for rate rather than pressure.
If you are dehydrated your heart rate increases so I doubt that it is lowering your HR.
I think it would be worth while speaking to your GP and ask them about reducing the dose or maybe even stopping it and using as PiP?
All the best
Thanks Mikee,
Will keep this at the back of my mind for when this virus thingy is subdued. I'll have a look at a telephone consultation with my GP but it maybe a problem in that I work driving a bus at the moment 11 days a fortnight, so getting a timeslot that works is gonna be a challenge.
Thanks again.
John
Thanks for all you are doing John.
Just a fyi as all GPs are different, we called our GP today for an appointment for our daughter and he phoned back withing 2 hours.
I think people are avoiding doctors at the moment.
All the best
Mike
Great! Maybe I could try that for a day when I finish early. Thanks for that.🙂
That’s the HR range mine has been. Just measured it now at 56. On static Flec but was this low before I started the Flec and I’ve only recently “clocked” that it ought not to be this low. I run 5k comfortably 3 times a week but I’m by no means an athlete! I intend to mention it at my next check up which has just been rescheduled for July. Often when I stand up after sitting I need to take a few seconds as I am so light headed but have never actually passed out or anything (touch wood it stays that way!). Interestingly my wife who does not have any diagnosed heart issues, has a really wide range. Hers gets really low sometimes (47) but has been up to 180 when exercising. My HR has never been that high as far as I’m aware. Her doctor doesn’t seem too concerned. Anyway, good to share similar experiences, thanks.
How do you feel when it happens carneuny? And what does your doctor say about it? I'm in normal sinus rhythm since a successful cardioversion in January, and my pulse varies between about 44 and occasionally up to 60, generally upper 40s - low 50s. GP lowered my dose of Bisoprolol from 10mg to 8.75mg when it first went down to 44, but seems happy with that dose now, despite my pulse staying low.
Hi Belle,
Hmmmm .... how do I feel.
After a high energy day as I described, I generally feel normal, perhaps a bit weary, but not ill.
However, there are often times when my HR plummets, when I'm home ( and not doing anything energetic) on a day or a weekend off, does this about 3 or 4 times a year and my extremeties go ice cold, hands, fingers, feet and my HR has been known to drop to 44 and I feel I'm knocking at deaths door. I deal with this by going to bed with a mug of hot sweet coffee, electric blanket turned well up and ( yeah I know what your reaction is) I hug a hot water bottle to the left side of my chest.
I then fall asleep for about 3 or 4 hours, wake up, feel washed out but apart from that feel normal. Always happens on a day or during time off work - NEVER -when at work.
I am sure its the 'Bisoprolol effect' which ordinarily keeps by HR at 65 to 68 bpm. My pre AF HR was always around the 88 to 90 bpm - the top end of the normal range.
In the past my GP has reduced my Bisoprolol only to find my HR zoom back up to where it wants to be 88 plus but where my Cardio guy doesn't want it to be.
So, in summary, sometimes my HR drops and I have the coldness. Other times my HR just drops with no impact to speak of, other than perhaps a weariness.
If I tend to lurch toward AF it usually follows something I've eaten when my BP takes off and my HR too ....kicking along up to 140 plus. Thats why I use the term 'the Bisoprolol effect'.
All very weird.
John
Just seen this on Facebook and have put the Youtube link for you:
youtube.com/watch?v=cHYpLab...
You'll that there's also another one on there relating to a slow heart rate.
Jean
Exercise to reduce HR
Self cardioversion with elevated HR
How high is too high for HR
Racing HR
Increased hr
