Post cardioversion...heart rate lowering

[Fullofheart]

Cardioversion today. Successful. Horay. Regular heart rate for first time in 17 years.

I left hospital with a HR of 55 to 60 and BP 86/55. They expressed a little concern but as I felt fine and usually have lowish blood pressure, and previous to AF HR was around that, it was decided just to keep an eye on it BUT last hour or so my resting HR has dropped to 49/ 50. Got a bit of headache but otherwise feel fine.

I have the option to come off bisoprolol (only 1.25 mg) if required but just wondering if I should be concerned in the short term.

Appreciating no-one can offer medical advice but wondering if anyone has thoughts based on their experience? My first time at this.

Thank you!

[jeanjeannie50]

What is your BP now?

[Fullofheart in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi jeanjeanie, thanks for replying. It's 50/51 now.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Fullofheart]

Your blood pressure is 50/51 and heart rate 49-50?

If your blood pressure is that low I would dial the NHS 111 no and ask advice. Heart rate is low, but ok I'd guess, but I'm not medically trained. Ring the NHS 111. Meanwhile drink a glass of water to see if that will raise your BP.

Jean

[Fullofheart in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Sorry Jean, HR is 50. I have no idea on blood pressure. Don't have a machine.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Fullofheart]

A heart rate of 50 is ok, sounds like you have no need to dial NHS111, unless it goes below 40.

Don't ever worry about ringing that NHS111 number if you're concerned about anything, especially when it's your heart we're talking about after a cardioversion.

Panic over.

[Fullofheart in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Sorry for causing any panic. Not fully focused...been a long day... and misunderstood/ misread the acronym. Thanks for the reassurance and will bear that in mind. I'll ring if it goes lower or if I feel unwell. As I say, I feel OK, was really just wondering if that seemed normal. Thanks again. Please feel free to "stand down" and thanks for replies/ advice both of you. 😊

[Fullofheart]

Thanks john6. As per reply to jeanjeanie, I'll take medical advice if I feel its required. Thanks for your reply.

[Palpman]

I'm sure your GP will discontinue your BB and that will increase your HR and BP a little.A HR below 50 could precipitate AFIB again.

[Fullofheart in reply to Palpman]

That's very interesting and helpful to know. I wasnt aware of that. I guess I'll have to wait til Monday now, but will follow that up with my GP or the nurse practitioners with cardiology. Again, your reply, and knowledge, is very much appreciated. Thank you!

[Ppiman]

That all looks good to me. Both your pulse and BP are on the low side, but many people have values in that region. Bisoprolol, even at 1.25mg, might be partly responsible as it is not linear in its effect and people respond variously to it.

A cardioversion, I gather, is often not a long-lasting treatment, but I have read of many people for whom it did the trick.

Live long and prosper!!

Steve

[Fullofheart in reply to Ppiman]

Many thanks for your reply. I'm in my 40s so hoping to keep going a while longer!And yes cardioversion not intended as long term answer. Period of assessment with longer term plan of ablation, depending on results of this. Thanks again.

[Nick1957]

Glad your doing well!! . You mentioned 17 years with irregular heart beat!! How come you didn't have a cardioversion before now?

[Fullofheart in reply to Nick1957]

Thanks very much. Bit of a rough night but could be much worse!Only just been offered it is the answer to that nick1957.

[Nick1957 in reply to Fullofheart]

Crikey!! As soon as I had an appointment with arrythmia nurse (about a year after diagnosis) she suggested it straight away! Anyway good luck. Great feeling nsr 🤞

[Fullofheart in reply to Nick1957]

I think it might depend on where you live a bit but also the timing. I was discharged about 12 years ago...told not to worry about it.... I had serious allergic reactions to the meds they put me on and at the time they suggested there was no alternative so they discharged me. As I say this was a while ago plus I was paf at that time, so they wouldn't have offered cardioversion and they said I wasn't a candidate for ablation. I get the sense that's changed a lot.Went permanent a few years ago ...maybe 5 or 6...not quite sure tbh as I seemed to tolerate it quite well and I managed it without meds. I meditate, do yoga etc and was running, boxing, pretty fit. Only back on a cardiologists books (and now a different health board) since March 2021 when it suddenly became really problematic, I think following a bout of covid. Breathing difficulties, dizziness, fatigue etc. The change could possibly also be a prolonged stress response as I was/ am working for the NHS through that, as well as family members becoming unwell, it's been a tough year. Hard to unpick the causes isn't it, just know something changed and echo picked up physical changes in the heart, so back under cardiology who, luckily, have been much better than my previous experience. So, hopefully, cardioversion will work long enough to assess if ablation is a goer! That's the plan 🤞😊

[Fullofheart in reply to Nick1957]

Ps I haven't got that "great feeling" yet. To be honest it just feels weird!!

[Nick1957 in reply to Fullofheart]

Hopefully the feel good feeling should kick in. We're you asymptomatic of AF condition? Cardioversion worked for me and it signposted recent cryo ablation. Hopefully same for you if you sustain nsr for a long period of time.

[Fullofheart in reply to Nick1957]

No, been very symptomatic, just only this year. Well, the long story is that I was very, very unwell when first experienced it in 2003-4 but then adjusted over about a 2 year period. Symptoms came back with a vengeance this year hence now on a treatment pathway.Really looking forward to that feel good vibe! 👍

[Nick1957]

My AF was vagus nerve induced.!! All down to poor diet etc spicy foods late night eating. Luckily I was asymptomatic of symptoms. Just on this one isolated AF occasion it didn't self revert to NSR like it normally did or does! . Then the dreaded cycle of meds were prescribed!! Wish you the all best stay healthyx

[Fullofheart in reply to Nick1957]

Thanks nick. That's really interesting. I developed a salycilate allergy following prescribed aspirin. I swear that going on a low salycilate diet (which means no spicy food, low alcohol, quite big changes) meant that I could manage the af without meds for many years. Doctors seem to scratch their heads when I say that but I think there's a lot in it. I also think meditation helped me a lot and staying active. I don't know enough about the correlation between af and vagus nerve, but I'll read a bit more. Appreciated.

And will certainly try. You too!! ✨

[Janith]

The blood pressure cannot be that low! They would never have released you! Heart rate is ok. Best.

[Fullofheart in reply to Janith]

Hi janith. BP was 86/55. It was the lowering HR I was concerned about, but will discuss with GP on Monday.

Thanks for reply.

[Janith]

That is still exceedingly low blood pressure … on occasion my heart rate goes down into the forties but rarely. Best, Jan

[Fullofheart]

They were a little concerned but not too much. They checked a few times. I feel fine. I usually am dizzy on standing but haven't had that at all since coming round from the anaesthetic. I think my heart rate, maybe blood pressure too, will go up with adjustment to the bisoprolol. Gonna chase that up Monday.Thanks for replying.