afib But low heart rate

[Afib_girl]

I had my cryo ablation at the end of June and have had a hard time still with afib almost everyday… well it finally slowed down to once a week ish but now when I get afib (according to Apple Watch) my heart rate doesn’t go very high. It’s between 60-100 fluctuating. Is that even still afib? Am I still healing? I got an appt w ep earlier than the 3 month checkup but idk if I should keep the appt. It’s a 2 hour drive.. I don’t want to go just for him to tell me to wait another month.

The episodes also last a few days before self terminating. I’m still on metoprolol and Eliquis

[wilsond]

I rarely had high rate AF so could be. Perhaps a phone consultation might help

[Kennyb1968]

That would be considered managed rate Afib which some will argue is less damaging than PAF. I'd still be taking anticoagulant though

[pottypete1]

I had AF off and on for 30 years and rarely did my heart rate climb above 80-90 bpm.

It is definitely possible to have AF without a higher heart rate.

Pete

[Norfolk_spaniel]

I have persistent afib . The first episode was 10 years ago when my heart rate was over 100. Since then 5 more episodes but not with high heart rate. In the latest episode, my heart rate is under 60 and my blood pressure is low. This makes it difficult to treat with medication as these lower the heart rate even further.

[momist]

Very early days yet, yes, you are still healing. My ablation at the end of June last year didn't stop my problems for a long while. I had a very rocky road for months, and my last event was a session of mixed AF and tachycardia in April this year - 10 months after the procedure. I've been clear since April, but am still in the "lets see if it's worked" area. Good luck, and try to be be a patient patient! 😀

[Snowgirl65]

Can you instead have a video conference with your EP and send in a Kardio reading beforehand? If you had your cryo in June, you're still in the blanking period and I fear your EP will say the same.

[Afib_girl in reply to Snowgirl65]

Yea that’s y I most likely will cancel don’t want to waste whole day driving

[Magson]

I had AF for 20 years on an off . I never had a racing heart. You are only 2 months post ablation. It took me over 3 months for my heart to calm down after ablation. But you should at least check things out with your medical team. Go well.

[MrJD]

My AF was always between 60-90 at rest. Like my normal sinus which is about 60.

I had a. Cardioversion this week. Now sinus 45-50 bpm. Confuses me so I appreciate your concern post ablation. Still early days for us both.

I should imagine the electrical impulses are taking time to settle and that your AV node is controlling ventricular contraction.

As the normal atrial electrical conduction re commences I expect it to settle as you recover.

The metoprolol will naturally slow you but as long as you mount a chronotropic response to exercise etc (ie your pulse increases) and your not symptomatic with dizziness or shortness of breath your cardiologist should be happy.