Heart rate too high

[PennyMary]

I had a second ablation two weeks ago as I reverted to AF after 18 months from the first ablation. Everything was going well until a few days ago when my heart rate shot up to 113bpm. Phoned hospital who told me to take Adizem XL 240mg every day and sent a prescription to my pharmacy. Heart rate now down to between 80 and 90 which is still too high. Looking at the leaflet Adizem does not claim to reduce heart rate. I am waiting for an appointment with cardiologist to discuss this. Has anyone had a similar experience

[BobD Volunteer]

As we explain in our fact sheet on recovery from ablation raised HR post procedure is common and can take many months to return to pre ablation levels. 80/90 it typical. Mine had been at this level for many years and causes no problems. Normal HR is between 60 and 100 by the way

[PennyMary in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob. I panicked when I saw the 113 bpm. Will calm down now. I still don't understand why I have been given Adizem. However the consultant will explain I hope

[Buffafly in reply to PennyMary]

Adizem (diltiazem) does reduce heart rate. I am in AF at about 90bpm at the moment but top rate was over 120. If I wasn’t taking diltiazem it could be 160+. I presume you can’t take Bisoprolol which seems to be the go to choice. I can’t.

[angiesuggs in reply to Buffafly]

I take diltiazem daily along with flecanide. This combination works for e=me.

[PennyMary in reply to Buffafly]

I have been in sinus rhythm since the ablation and am on amiodarone and adizem. I was worried that the high bpm would put me back in AF but apparently this is fairly common. I am sure it will sort itself out and I must not panic ! I am asthmatic and don't tolerate beta blockers well

[Cookie24 in reply to Buffafly]

Yes, Diltiazem does reduce heart rate. My dose was recently increased from 240 mg to 300 mg extended release.

[dcoughey in reply to BobD]

I suggest that the HR should be checked when at complete rest and done the same way every time. One's normal HR, at rest, should not vary between 60 and 100.

My normal HR, at rest, is 60 and is prevented from going lower by my pacemaker. However, when it suddenly rises to 75 and above, I have very bad results such as sweating, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and nerve pain.

I control the rate with Lancora, and the rest with Prednisone and Nitro. I had two ablations that took care of the AF and my issue now is Tachycardia if I don't control it. If it goes out of control, it develops quickly into AF again, and extreme cramping, etc. After 10 years, I am still undiagnosed. I suspect Pacemaker-induced Tachycardia and Cardiac Sarcoidosis are very much part of the root cause. Peter Munk, Mount Sinai and one other Toronto Hospital are now trying to get to the root of the problem. I am controlling my own meds as none of the specialists know what to do. I have to adjust the Nitro and Lancora every day based on the circumstances at the time. I cannot wait months for doctors to revise meds. They support me as they see that it works and their drugs don't.

Nitro has been a life-saver and has kept me off the prescribed Lyrica and it's horrific side effects.

[mjames1]

Is it possible that you went back into afib or is your heart rate very regular? At that heart rate you should be able to check at your wrist. Alternatively, you could get an ekg at your doctors or with a home device like the Kardia.

Jim

[PennyMary in reply to mjames1]

I am having an ECG on Friday. I think I am still in sinus rhythm. It was the high heart rate that frightened me and I thought I would go back into AF.

[mjames1 in reply to PennyMary]

Probably but less us know.

[Jetcat]

I had a high rate after each of my three ablations. It can last from weeks to months sometimes.?

Don’t worry too much because it will gradually start to level out.👍

[PennyMary in reply to Jetcat]

Thank you. It really scared me as I did not have this after the first ablation. I have calmed down now !

[Jetcat in reply to PennyMary]

No worries penny. I unfortunately had it after every ablation.😡It is a pretty common occurrence actually. X

[PennyMary in reply to Jetcat]

Thanks. I realise this now but the hospital did not mention this on the discharge notes. Many things were mentioned such as pain and flutters etc.

[Ppiman]

Sounds normal to me. I had a very fast heart rate after my ablation for flutter, which then became AF, but bisoprolol resolved it. Diltiazem is a drug that reduces both heart rate and blood pressure and so allows the heart to work without so much stress. I wouldn't think a specialist would prescribe anything other than what is needed to help.

Steve

[PennyMary in reply to Ppiman]

Thank you. Everyone has made me feel a lot more confident. I feel much more nervous and conscious of symptoms after the second ablation as I am sure everyone does