AF and Bradycardia
I have had Afib for over 15 years. It was acquired from decades of intense training. I had a congenital heart defect(bi-leaflet Aortic valve) and was stricken with Endocarditis after a dental procedure.
After the successful valve replacement the doctors had me on Tykosyn (Difatulide) but because of my resting heart rate combined with Afib (below 50) they took me off that med and tried twice to cardiovert me without success. This was in 2008. I never had a tachycardia event since my diagnosis, but have had exercise intolerance recently. I had an electrophysiologist examine me to see if ablation could help resolve my Afib and allow me to tolerate exercise again. He told me that after 12 years, my heart has remodeled and the probability of an ablation correcting the problem was low. He said it would probably last only for a brief time.
I then consulted with my CardiacThorasic Surgeon from Stanford who performed 2 Trachea dilations post surgery because of a stenosed Trachea caused by prolonged intubation. He recommended a Pulmonary Function test to make certain my airways were able to reach capacity when inspiring or expiring. This will occur in March. The electrophysiologist thought my resting heart rate was slow from years of exercise, but advised me that I may need a pacemaker when I’m in my late 70’s. I have studied about Heart Rate Variability, Heart Rate Recovery and cardio fitness and adopted a hybrid high intensity interval training program based on my lifetime of exercise and research on professionals training regimes. I’m confident I can live with Afib and still improve my running speeds to levels of elite for my age.
Heart rate in afib and when to go to ER or A&E
Afib caused by low heart rate? Ectopics when exercising.
High heart rate after AFIB episode. 
afib But low heart rate
