I’m not medically trained Malhouse, but as far as I know, calcium channel blocker like Diltiazem will slow the heart and Flecainide tries to keep this rate regularly but doesn’t make any significant difference the rate….if I’m wrong, I’m sure someone will comment……
That’s my experience with flecainide as it’s a rhythm control drug but I’ve never taken Diltiazem either on it’s own or with fleccainide or with anything else.
My average resting HR with flecainide is around 75bpm which has been my usual pre afib heart rate. I think my latest cardioversion shocked my heart back into NSR and HR and the flecainide helps maintain a steady rhythm at around 75.
You don't say what your heart rate was before the Flecainide. Presumably it was lower? Or would you just prefer it to be lower? 70s and 80s are still in normal range. If you're worried about it, feels like palpitations etc., discuss with your cardiologist or EP.
My heart rate dropped on bisoprolol which was stopped years ago. It has remained between 55 and 65 ever since on Flecainide and no I am definitely not fit!!.
Diltiazem is what reduces your heart rate and you are on quite a low dose, but of course the more you take the more likely you are to have side effects…..
Thank for your replies. When discussed with my cardiologist and since am in permanent Afib we decided to stop taking Flecainide. Am now on Dilzem and Nebilt ( beta blocker). My heart rate now 67-74.Presume all of you are in Paroxysmal Afib . hence the importance of Flecainide.
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