A-Flutter and heart rate: hi to you all... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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A-Flutter and heart rate

fairyfeathers profile image
20 Replies

hi to you all

Yesterday did my BP as had been feeling a bit off. It was 97/49 pulse 199. Shocked me a little. Pulse remained high for 5 mins then went back to BP 104/68 65 pulse which is high for me. Should I be concerned with the blip at 199 which didn’t last long. I’m on Edixaban 30mg daily with Bisosporol of 1:25mg at night.

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fairyfeathers profile image
fairyfeathers
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20 Replies
fairyfeathers profile image
fairyfeathers

Should have mentioned after the high pulse reading which when reduced I started to suffer with Flutters for An hour although BP remained stable in the 80’s. Thanks all for any responses

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

How many times did you use your BP machine and find yourself at that low rate?I often find that the first reading I take is incorrect, but the next one fine. Don't know why that is.

If you feel that your BP and heart rate were truly at those rates I would advise speaking to your GP.

Jean

fairyfeathers profile image
fairyfeathers in reply tojeanjeannie50

Thanks Jean.

My GP is aware I have very low blood pressure. What the A&E

Cardiologist was concerned about was my narrow complex regular tachycardia that’s why I was prescribed Bisosporol 2:5 mg which was reduced to 1:25mg a few days later due to my low BP. I’m on Edoxaban 30mg as coagulant. Apparently I have Paroxysmal Atrial Flutter possible Atrial Fib.

I had taken my BP twice before and it was 89/48 with 64 pulse next one was 92/56 with 68 pulse. Then the following reading was the 199 pulse rate which thankfully only lasted for 5 mins or so. My subsequent readings were 104/68 with 65 pulse and 99/56 with 67 pulse but machine said I had arrhythmia/atrial flutter for those two last readings. It all settled down in around 30mins and went back to my normal BP which is around 89/49 with 65 pulse. I’m waiting for a 48 hr Holter device.

This is all new for me and I’m trying to get my head around it so thank you for your support and advice.

JaneChapple profile image
JaneChapple in reply tofairyfeathers

A few years back I was on bisoprolol but it made my BP/HR drop too low so got taken off it. You could ask for another type. Ive heard that Bisoprolol can do this.

Out of interest do you have a thyroid issue? This can affect the heart too.

Janexxx😣😎❤

fairyfeathers profile image
fairyfeathers in reply toJaneChapple

Hi JaneChapple thank you for your response.

I do not have a thyroid problem thank goodness.

I was told when I had radiotherapy on my left side for breast cancer my heart might go a bit stiff but this was very unlikely.

As for Bisosporol, my GP has contacted cardiology to ask about alternative due to my low blood pressure but has heard nothing yet. So early days on my AF journey. 😀

JaneChapple profile image
JaneChapple in reply tofairyfeathers

Do you get or ever have thyroid checks though? I think they only test non-thyroid patients every three years, if at all?!😣😎❤

fairyfeathers profile image
fairyfeathers in reply toJaneChapple

Hi had a full blood test recently at my GP surgery and when I was in cardiology a couple of weeks ago and was told thyroid levels were ok?? Do I need to mention this to my GP just in case? Thank you

JaneChapple profile image
JaneChapple in reply tofairyfeathers

Hi Fairyfeathers

Its best not to accept normal over the phone. You need to find out what they tested and what the results actually were. I expect the Cardiologist's secretary could tell you those, or they might be included in a letter to the surgery, but they could just say normal and not say what was included. If your hospital has an electronic system you will eventually be able to see the result there, but as I say just phone the secretary and ask what the results were, together with their ranges which is usually beside the test. They can also send you a printout of all the tests they undertook which is free ofcharge.

They normally only check TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) but this is just a pituitary hormone and only tells them uow much thyroid hormone is in the blood at the time of the test. What they should check are the actual thyroid hormones FT4 and FT3. They often wont do these unless the TSH is out of range. Even then they will only check FT4 rarely the T3.

Your surgery also probably has an electronic system so if you dont have access just ask for a form to complete which will give you log in details. You will be able to see what they tested with the ranges. If not just ask for a printout which again is free of charge.

Low thyroid hormones can cuse issues for the heart so it would be worth checking both at Cardiology and the surgery. They will probably have only checked your TSH though if you have no history of thyroid problems.

It would also be worth looking to see if either of them checked your TPO (Thyroid peroxidase antibodies, Tgab and Trab antibodies, Ferritin (iron) full iron panel, B12, folate and Vitamin D. You could then post any results on here for people to comment on.

If they have only checked the TSH and not done some of the other tests mentioned above, you could have a word with your dr first but if he refuses you could do a home finger prick test either through MonitorMyHealth who do offers on Thursdays or MonitorMyHeLth who do TSH, FT4 and FT3 for £29. You can get discount if you join Thyroid UK.

Best wishes

Janexxx😣😎❤

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

It’s very hard to say as with Flutter your rate can go very high and BP all over the place so I go more on how symptomatic I feel. BP machines are notoriously unreliable when in AF or AFl also. BP readings below 90/70 are not good so hydrate & keep legs higher than your heart will help.

Best wishes

fairyfeathers profile image
fairyfeathers in reply toCDreamer

Thank you so much CDreamer. I take your point about BP machines. I have just bought a watch but need to set it up. I felt really off all yesterday so I just rested up. I do not drink enough so will make more of an effort to drink more water. I’m getting concerned as since I have been on Bisosporol I am putting on weight as I am lacking in energy so must push myself to walk more. So much to learn about this.

wilsond profile image
wilsond

In flutter,mine could vary wildly. It acted like Atrial Fib almost. I can only describe it more organised chaos! I went as low as 35 bpm.sometimes ,then up to silly figures. Like the Big Dipper...I was told to take maintaince dose of 2.5 at the time of Bisoprolol,but too much for me. Ridiculous tiny tablet floored me. So..1.25 daily dose but if it all kicked off....extra 2.5 straight away.

I had an ablation 10 weeks ago today for Afib and AFlutter.

Surgeon said he was absolutely pleased with flutter work,said likely never have it again.

Hope you settle down soon xxx

fairyfeathers profile image
fairyfeathers in reply towilsond

Hello wilsond thank you so much for your reassurance and I’m so pleased you’ve had your ablation and all is well. Gives me hope that all my fluttering and scary heart issues could possibly be sorted too.

I take 1:25mg of Bisosporol daily, at night as knocks me for six and I really do not like the fact I have no energy. Mind you I could be blaming this little pill for everything, whereas in reality the lack of energy is being caused by my heart racing and reving and misbehaving? All very new for me at present and hopefully I will get some answers soon after the Holter is fitted. Should be in the next few weeks. The Cardioligist did warn me that having the Holter fitted did not mean anything would show up as I would need to experience an episode whilst actually wearing it.

I will ask my GP about taking an extra dose of Bisosporol if my heart goes into F1 mode 😀.

I wish you well

Singwell profile image
Singwell

BP rates are notoriously fickle during runs of AF, so you can expect it to fluctuate quite wildly. Think it's something to do with our body actually having 2 BP systems- cardiac and peripheral. I'm guessing that when the heart is beating at abnormal rates it'll affect the cardiac levels which presumably impact on the peripheral BP levels. I'm not sure if the cardiac BP is a closed system. BobD might know as he's an engineer. In any case, all you can do is stay hydrated, keep an eye on electrolytes if you pee a lot and make sure you have a phone to hand if you tend to feel faint. I've had BP levels lower than yours following an AF episode and you do have to lie flat and elevate your feet. I also keep organic coconut water in the house for electrolytes and usually ask my other half to make me an instant miso soup. Does seem to help.

It's good your GP is keeping an eye on things. Hopefully you can get information to take you to a more stable place.

fairyfeathers profile image
fairyfeathers in reply toSingwell

Thank you so much Singwell for all your helpful information. I am trying to drink more water and will look into buying some coconut water to have at home. I think once I get more information I will settle a bit more, the unknown is making me more anxious so need to calm down and behave myself😂.

Singwell profile image
Singwell in reply tofairyfeathers

Ifs hard isn't it - rhe part that is unknown.

oscarfox49 profile image
oscarfox49

What is the maximum heart rate for your age? (220 minus your age I think) As long as it only lasted a relatively short time and does not recur frequently there should be no cause for concern. My doctor told me to stop worrying about the frequent surges in BP I was suffering as they didn't last long and overall my BP was ok. I would imagine the same applies to pulse rate.Coincidentally I have been feeling ill this morning and got very anxious that my BP was only 82 over 66, with pulse of 100! So I can understand how worried you must have been. Everything went back to normal for me in five minutes!

Do check up with physician but I expect he or she will tell you this is a normal fluctuation for those of us with AF and similar.

fairyfeathers profile image
fairyfeathers in reply tooscarfox49

Hi oscarfox49, thank you for your helpful response. My max heart rate should be 149 so I was above that but only for a short time. Sorry you have been feeling poorly this morning I hope you are feeling better now things have gone back to normal for you.I am going to try and remain calm as my anxiety is making things worse. My GP is a little out of his depth with heart issues so hope I get an appointment with Cardiologist after Holter check. I will look at going privately to see a EP if there is a very long wait. Thank you again.

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman

I wonder if it was a blip or a reality as my Apple Watch occasional shows a brief very high rate which I am sure isn't real.

If it was a genuine rate, how long did it last?

Steve

fairyfeathers profile image
fairyfeathers in reply toPpiman

Hi to you, lasted about 5 mins then reduced considerably but at this point showed I was having arrhythmia for 20 mins ish then all over and done with.

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply tofairyfeathers

It must have been some kind of arrhythmia in that case. These things are sent to try (and worry) us. I find that if the scans all come up okay, then the doctors aren't over-worried by these occurrences.

Steve

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