Post-ablation : Sudden episodes of heart going into fast rhythm lasting up to five seconds. Daily light-headedness.

[Hartey23]

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and I wish this finds everyone in good spirits.

I am a post-ablation patient, it's been seven months since I underwent the procedure. Till date, I am experiencing persistent light-headedness and there will be random sudden episodes of my heart going into fast irregular rhythm that lasts 4 to 5 seconds each time and resuming sinus rhythm after. I've noticed the episodes will either precede or happen after a gastric-like discomfort or tightness at the inner lower left chest/stomach position.

Have told my EP about the happenings but he has been advising me not to worry about it. While I take 6-day a week walks for an hour each time and also stretching/warm-up exercises, I am still experiencing cold/clammy hands & feet (especially when I don't feel well), frequent gastric/digestion issues, difficulty achieving a full deep breath and a sense of weakness in my left arm sometimes. Also, a pain at the groin incision site developed recently and feels painful to the touch/when pressed.

Anyone here who has/have had similar experiences? Any advice/insight is appreciated. Thank you.

[BobD Volunteer]

Although most of what you say seems fairly common (see our fact sheet on recovery - heartrhythmalliance.org/res... ) the groin pain needs to be investigated as this is not normal at this time frame. Please see you GP about this .

[Hartey23 in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob. Thank you for your reply.

Ok, I will go seek medical advise on the groin pain. Any idea what issue it may be since the time frame isn't normal for a groin pain?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hartey23]

No idea but not right so get it checked.

[jeanjeannie50]

What medication are you taking and do you know what your blood pressure is? Sometimes low blood pressure can make you feel lightheaded.

As Bob has said you need to see your GP about the groin pain.

Jean

[Hartey23 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean, thank you for your reply.

My BP is on the lower end, 90+ usually and can sometimes drop to low 80s. Interestingly, my BP will be higher than usual when I don't feel well. I am on Nebivolol and Apixaban.

Yeah, I will seek professional advise about the groin pain. I've not had any discomforts there in a long time since post-ablation and it found its way back all of a sudden out of nowhere.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Hartey23]

When you say your BP is 90+ are you confusing what I've asked with your heart rate? Blood pressure is usually two numbers such as 120/80.

I do wonder if you have infection in the blood vessel that leads to your heart, whether that could infect your heart too. Please make sure you seek advice.

Jean

[Hartey23 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean. Apologies, I only mentioned the systolic figure of the BP, hahah. Mine is usually 90+/60+, and would usually go down to 80+/50+ after taking my meds.

Infection sounds serious. Can it happen this long after the procedure? I also feel a dull ache/tension-like sensation higher up near the bladder, and also the side of my right lower flank.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hartey23]

If mine was that low I would not be functioning let alone feeling light headed. I tried nebivolol but it made my heart rate too low and I started getting pre-syncope (feeling faint)

[Hartey23 in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob. Yeah, most of the medical staffs are surprised my BP is this low on a normal basis. To be honest, I'm not sure if it's good or bad for the BP to be at this level. I did not know about my low BP till I suffered pAF and became a regular patron at the hospital.

For me, I faced the same issues when I was put on Bisoprolol - low heart rate and I was feeling pre-syncope persistently to the point I could not really function.

[Dodie117 in reply to Hartey23]

Sounds very low. I would discuss with GP as can be a problem and can make you light headed and dizzy.

[Hartey23 in reply to Dodie117]

Hi lallym. Have discussed it on numerous occasions with my EP, but he doesn't seem to be concerned about it, saying some people just generally have a lower baseline BP and I am not the lowest he has seen.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Hartey23]

You really need to speak to your GP. Sorry, but there's no point me or anyone else guessing what may be wrong. There could be an infection anywhere along where that vein goes, or it could be something completely new.

[Hartey23 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Ok. Thank you for the reply Jean, I'll speak to my GP about it.