I have just reverted to NSR after being in AF for approximately 34 hours. I passed out and came round on the floor which has never happened before. My heart rate has gone down to 47 and BP 106/66. Has anyone else ever experienced this and should I consult my GP.
Thanks Clarrie
I have heard of this before but not common Clarrie. I think what happens is the heart pauses for a few seconds as it re-sets so you faint. Same sort of thing as when you do valsalva and go dizzy.
Thanks Bob
I should have added that you must not drive until you have had this investigated of course.
Because I usually come over feeling very dizzy before I revert to NSR I never drive when I am in AF but have never passed out before.
If this has ever happened you must not drive --at all. DVLA state that if AF causes distraction or incapacity then driving is not allowed. Very much suggest that you see your doctor about the way forward.
This happened to me about 3 or 4 times, always putting it down to low sugar or stress before I found out what was happening. It happened to me on a street where the public called 999 and I ended up being rushed to hospital and being advised I needed an emergency ablation. So maybe best advice is get it checked as soon as you possibly can.
Yes you should, or at least inform. It has happened to me but luckily I was sitting at the time. Hope you are feeling ok, definitely contact your GP if not 💜
I would at least let the GP know this has happened incase there is another cause unlrelated to the AF. Maybe run some bloods on you.
Thanks. In view of the current situation will contact my GP if it happens again
Hi I work in a GP surgery please call your GP they would want to know so they can log on your records it will be a telephone consolation it’s business as usual so please call
Bob is absolutely right in his explanation of why it happens. I had this problem every time I went from Afib back to NSR over five years ago. The problem was solved by having a pacemaker fitted and I have never had it happen since then . I would advise you to see your GP asap
Hello Clarrie,
You mention that your BP dropped quite significantly. Fainting with low blood pressure is quite common. We would suggest you call and discuss with your GP. They might wish to monitor you over a period of time to investigate and offer the best treatment if necessary.
Best wishes
Rachel - AF Association Patient Services
Thanks Rachel.
I think you need to discuss the possibility of having a Pacemaker fitted. Although I didn't actually pass out I had 'white' outs shortly after ablation and this apparently is a pre-cursor to passing out, a pacemaker was fitted and all was well. Good luck
My heart rate was often slow during my lifetime then Afib started. When Afib began to occur I would feel faint when it converted back to NSR. However after a Cadioversion it became even slower in between episodes usually about 48 but sometimes lower about 35. Whenever i went for a check it was 48ish and hospital said i was worrying unnecessarily. I knew they were wrong. Eventually i was given a heart monitor. Three days no problem, two days of Afib. then another 2 good days, but no faint feelings. When I dropped off the monitor for testing, I was contacted later and told to come in immediately. My heart rate every night was 30 ish and stopping for up to 8 minutes. I was fitted with a pacemaker with minimum heart rate of 60. This solved the slow heart rate. I have had the pacemaker for six years now and been really well. I do occasionally still get Afib but not as bad and it reverts back.. So do not assume everything is ok.
This happens to me, I have heard it called, slow sinus node recovery. Very frightening. My understanding, in my case anyway, is that the actual betablocker I am on can lead to this reaction, also an ECG showed that I have the beginnings of Heart Block, which also causes it and I am on the List to have a pacemaker to overcome this. You really do need to get it investigated but I guess, like me, you will struggle to make contact with a Consultant (which, whilst understandable to some extent, to my mind, is so wrong - those of us who have medical problems should not just be ignored, which is what is happening where I live). Good luck
This happened to me I think you should tell your doctor, I now have a pacemaker and have never had it since
Definately should phone doctor to tell them. It needs to be checked out. There are other causes that need to be ruled out too. Your doctor will ring you so you wont have to go in. Blood tests can be done at GP or you can be driven by someone in your household to a drive through blood centre thats doing general blood tests NOT COVID19 testing. So if youre worrying about being put at risk it can be done with minimal contact.
In my humble opinion, passing out constitutes a medical emergency, irrespective of how one feels afterwards. I would strongly advise ringing your GP - even a telephone appointment is better than nothing. Of course there is also 111. It’s all very well to theorise about AF etc but there could any number of reasons.
Take care.
I also had this - pacemaker worked for me. It sounds drastic but my BP is now the most stable it’s ever been in my life & knowing there will be no more dizziness or blackouts is very reassuring.
You’ve had very good advice - don’t delay in talking to your GP.
I am a retired GP with pacemaker and you need a pacemaker very soon due to sinus asystole length of time being too long .
I have come close to passing out when converting back to NSR a couple times. Always figured it was the change in BP or a rush of oxygen or something.
Yes, having had pauses when converting from a fib to sinus rhythm. The pauses in my heartbeats got longer as time went on causing me to think or feel like I was going to faint. The last time it happened caused me to be so extremely weak I could barely move. I had a loop recorder for three years so they were able to tell how long the pauses were etc.
Less than two months ago I got a pacemaker, which is supposed to solve the problem.
I might add that I was not able to take any kind of medication such as beta blockers or heart medicines as it would slow my pulse drastically. Now if I need such medications I should be able to take them without the slow heart rate.
The usual suggestions: drink plenty of water, reduce as much stress as you can, and pay attention to the medications you’re taking.
Best to you as you talk with your doctors and get the help that you need.
According to my reading, passing out is a significant concern when related to AF and needs to be reported. My own concern with my dizzy and light-headed tendencies is that I will fall and hit my head. On an anticoagulant, that can be deadly.
marcyh
Clarrie, best call tomorrow and let them know what has happened. If it happened once, it can happen again...... and again. I have a pacemaker and am so glad I had it placed. I had 8 second pauses too. So, you’ve gotten a majority of replies recommending you call the doc. Give yourself peace of mind. And Let us know what they tell you. Sarah
Agree, you probably had a long pause after which your sinus node took over.
Yep happened to me and my heart heath is great except for Afib. I was at the gym after being in AFIB for like 72 hours. After doing leg presses I noticed that my heart rate felt more like NSR. I stood up went over to the tricep curl standing rope and started to feel like I was going to pass out. Called for an ambulance and by the time it arrived I was okay. I thought maybe I had taken too much atenolol since I had greatly increased it during the AFIB ( my usual dosage is a very low 10mg per day) and thought well now that I am at NSR I had excessive atenolol which lowered the heart rate too much. BUT that doesn't make sense cause 20 minutes later I was fine. So Trish's sinus node theory may have some validity...
Once happened to me when returning to NSR. Always used to feel strong "hot flush" when reverting, from the lower body to head. Since taking Magnesium Glycinate (see details on Magnesium supplements elsewhere) the reversion stage is noticeable but not serious/significant anymore. Worth a try?
No I didn't pass out but while sitting I experienced a very lightheaded moment after that I checked my pulse and back normal sinus again
Live with AF or try to revert
Reverting to normal rhythm
Self converting to nsr 
Heart rates in Afib and NSR
