Low blood pressure following AF episode

[MPA9]

Does anyone else experience low blood pressure after an episode of AF?

I had an AF episode yesterday afternoon which continued until the early morning. Now my heart rate is back to normal sinus rhythm but my blood pressure is very low (87/52). This has been happening for the past few episodes and the BP usually gets back to normal after a few hours.

Thanks all!

[BobD Volunteer]

I think since we are all different and AF has so few commonalities, whilst many people will agree with you , for others it works the other way round. I always found my BP shot up during AF but returned to normal when back in NSR whilst others found their BP fell dramatically and rose again when AF terminated. The important thing is to recognise what happens with you and accept it as your normal.

[Physalis]

There seems to be a connection. I had episodes of feeling faint and having to lie down for half an hour or so because I couldn't really move. I think this was because my blood pressure dropped. I couldn't tie it up with my AF but in the nine months since my ablation it hasn't happened once.

[Singwell in reply to Physalis]

I look forward to this!!

[Singwell]

Yes, sometimes. If you needed to go to the loo often during the episode then you might simply be dehydrated. I once got low on electrolytes and my BP dropped to 60/40. Not nice. Maybe check that aspect out and see if it helps? I now drink.orgsnif coconut water after an episode, which seems to help and sometimes I have a cup of miso soup. Those rates are on the low side but it's the low systolic you really need to worry about and 87 is only 3 measures into low.

[doodle68]

Hi MPA9 I am pleased you have posted this today. I don't take my BP during episodes it is too unpredictable and scary being all over the place.

I came out of P-AF about 4am and still feel odd. I have been feeling faint this morning and took my BP which is low 88/74 HR 38 and my extremities cold so I raised my legs higher that my head /drank some warm tea/ took slow deep breaths and I am monitoring it. Oxygen levels went low but are ok now at 98

I have had a lot of P-AF episodes in the last couple of weeks and wonder if this is my body complaining about all the variations.

Edited to add..

Because I didn't feel myself l I took some Kardia readings this morning and they were odd . At one time it registered Possible AF while my pulse rate was normal .

I am wondering if I have been slipping in and out of 'slow' P-AF hence the strange BP readings.

I have been monitoring how it goes, my BP is back up slightly higher than normal.

If you are in the UK and concerned try ringing 111.

[momist]

I'm another who would avoid taking my BP during or after AF. When in AF, your BP is very unlikely to be 'normal', as your heart is pumping on empty or nearly empty chambers most of the time. It would take time to rectify that, as the vascular system would no doubt be adjusted to try and correct things.

I agree it's important to try and keep hydrated. Lots of warm water, in my case.

[MPA9]

Thanks all. My BP went back to normal as predicted.

[cuore]

Currently , after my third ablation, when I have an AF episode, my blood pressure drops during the episode. Before I had my second ablation, my blood pressure was very high while in persistent AF. Directly after my third ablation, my blood pressure was very high maybe due to poor eating habits while traveling. In other words, my blood pressure has been all over the place while in AF, and directly our of AF.