AF with a low pulse

[Kendalghost]

HI folks, I had an ablation done in 2019 and am now in an NHS queue to see the consultant about having another one and have no idea how long I will wait. When I have AF now my pulse doesn't go up it stays at its usual of around 40 - 50 bpm is this normal? before the ablation my pulse used to go up to 100 or over 100bpm with low blood pressure. I don't know if this is normal has anyone experience similar changes in the way you react to AF following an ablation that now as I said needs re doing.

[Palpman]

I am sitting here wondering how you know that you have Afib if you have a relatively normal heart rate.

Is it that the ECG shows a chaotic base before the QRS? ie. No obvious P wave?

It could also be an AV Junctional Rythm or AV Escape Rythm at that heart rate.

[Kendalghost in reply to Palpman]

I had an ECG which showed AF what in March. My bp monitor shows an irregular heart beat now with a low pulse. Not all the time so it useful PAF I assume.

[wilsond in reply to Palpman]

I never had fast AF,just all over the shop pattern.

[Buffafly in reply to Palpman]

Believe me, you only have to feel your pulse to know it’s AF - dum….dum..dudum…..didilly didilly..dum….dum..dudumdudum….

[Ppiman in reply to Buffafly]

I can’t tell the difference between AF and when I get runs of ectopic beats (and even the Kardia has got it wrong twice). Only on an ECG does the lack of a P wave show it to be AF.

Steve

[Mickey16]

Hi Kendalghost,I can only relate my experience. I had AF and Bradycardia - (low heart rate). I had an ablation and initially my heart rate and AF improved but after a short while my heart started to slow again and I had a pacemaker and since then my health has improved as my pacemaker keeps things steady.

Everyone is different, but if you are feeling unwell with heart beats at 40 - 50, you really need to see an EP, as it strikes me that heart rate is too low.

I hope this helps and may be going back to your GP and asking him/her to review your situation will help with your referral.

[Kendalghost in reply to Mickey16]

HI Mickey16, my heart rate is usually in the 40s, on a good day it might reach the 50s. I would be interested in discussing a pacemaker when I finally get to see the consultant as I think it would improve my quality of life. Meanwhile I just keep popping the blood thinners and try to little walks when I feel up to it. I just hope that the consultant will listen to me when I do get to see him.

[Mickey16 in reply to Kendalghost]

I do hope you get help soon Kendalghost. I know how unwell I felt, particularly at night, when my heart rate would go lower as time went by.

[wilsond]

I had an ablation 8 weeks ago.for af and flutter. When in AF.my heart rate never went fast, only in flutter,so AF doesn't always mean racing irregular pattern.Hope you get seen soon

[Kennyb1968 in reply to wilsond]

Spot on - the difference is (as advised by my EP and AF nurse) when AF exists at a low rate then its less likely to lead to complications such as heart remodeling or other damage. I had heard of some people in this situation being given anti-coagulents (or nothing at all) and told to go and live a long and happy life.

[Buffafly]

I had an ablation in 2015, AF returned at fast rate after two years but now (with medication) is generally averaging a normal heart rate. The rate actually fluctuates between very slow and very fast.

[Palpman]

My wife has permanent junctional rhythm as her sinus node does not trigger and she has no atrial pulse.Her pulse varies between 50 and 80 within minutes.

This can be confused with Afib.

[2learn]

I had low pulse and cause was weak heart pump, so I had pacemaker put in now it stays above 60. Docs didn't like my heart rate being below 60.