High pulse rate and low blood pressure!!😬

[Sozo]

It appears to me from reading here on the forum that many people have had a higher pulse rate after their ablation. I had my ablation five days ago and since then have a constant high pulse rate 95-109 as well as low blood pressure. Of course I am very fatigued! So this is normal? Has anyone’s experience with this been over with quickly or does it always basically take many weeks or months? Anyone have the low blood pressure as well? Grateful to anyone that could help?

[etheral]

IMHO having any procedure done while having only apparently benign atrial arrhythmia is asking for potential complications /his assumes you are taking an anticoagulant . Best,etheral

[etheral in reply to etheral]

Sry,, wrong recipient ☹😒

[BobD Volunteer]

Of course you will be fatigued. You should be resting as we explain in our fact sheet on recovery. I have sign posted to this many times in the last few days so -please read it.

Raised pulse is very common post ablation and blood pressure can do whatever it wants so unless you have chest pain or fainting fits just accept it as part of recovery for now and REST.

If you feel that there really is something wrong then contact your arrythmia nurse.

[Sozo]

Thank you BobD, I read it. My concern was that is the low blood pressure and the high pulse rate being non stop, but I guess that is normal too. Okay I will try not to worry. I see my electrophysiologist next week.

[DawnTX in reply to Sozo]

I’m glad to see you are meeting with your doctor. He knows you better than anyone here see what he says.

[H48007]

When I had my ablation and was in the hospital the nurse said my blood pressure was low and to drink more water. This helped. yes I was very tired for a few weeks . 3months on blood pressure is fine and heart rate is lower than when I first had ablation..it takes time .

[Sozo in reply to H48007]

Thank you H48007

[Ppiman]

I think it's easy to underplay an "ablation". The areas of burning or damage created on the inside of the heart take a good while to heal and to form what are called “mature” scars. During that time, the body copes with the damage in various ways, some of which will cause changes to the heart rhythm, rate and blood pressure.

I think doctors look to twelve weeks for the system generally to settle, but, if I recall, studies seem to show 6-12 months can be a common period before the full success of the procedure becomes apparent.

Steve

[Sozo in reply to Ppiman]

Thank you Steve!

[Jajarunner in reply to Ppiman]

Yes, that's exactly right. There was an American study where everyone took more than six months to be back to pre ablation fatigue levels ..ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Ppiman in reply to Jajarunner]

Thanks for the link. I remember reading one large study that followed up after ablation showing that even after a year many still had AF and ectopics but after the second year (the limit of the study) most were free.

Steve

[Norfolk_spaniel]

I have had high blood pressure since my thirties, I'm now 70. After my ablation in October my blood pressure dropped to normal and I'm now off all blood pressure medication. It took 4 months before I got my energy levels back, a lot longer than I expected.

[Sozo in reply to Norfolk_spaniel]

Thank you for your reply Norfolk_spaniel!! May I ask how your pulse rate was after your ablation and if high, if it was constant? Glad to hear you have your energy back now and are med free!

[Norfolk_spaniel in reply to Sozo]

I had persistent AF and not on any medication for it as I could not tolerate anything. Pulse rate went from the low 60s in AF to the low 70s after the ablation.

[Ppiman in reply to Norfolk_spaniel]

That’s a fascinating thing to read. Goodness - you must have been pleased.

Steve

[KMRobbo]

I had a raised pulse rate for years after my ablation. It was not as high as yours 84 ish. If you are not in Afib I would not worry about it. As for the tiredness, what meds are you on? Beta blockers or calcium channel boockers dont help, but mine went on for ages., couple if monghs and in fact got worse. A blood test showed low Vit B 12.

I had been prescribed lansoprazole to offset possible acid reflux owing to taking Pradaxa. The Prazoles block absorbtion of B12 ( and other things) from the stomache.

I stopped the lansoprazole as the only reflux I may have had was immediately after the ablation , and a month later I was no longer so tired.

Always worth checking meds for this side effect, its not just prazoles that block or reduce absorption of things.

Best wishes

[KMRobbo in reply to KMRobbo]

Should have said I am not medically trained, its just what happened to me.

[Sozo in reply to KMRobbo]

Thank you KMRobbo! I am only on Eliquis! I drink a lot of water and eat well! Hopefully will be doing much better soon! Blessing your way..

[Ctchrise]

I had a 3rd ablation in July, 22 and had episodes of fast heart rate. I still get it occasionally but it has resolved for the most part. I am on Metaprolol 50 mg. Bid and Eliquis.

[Sozo]

Thank you!

[mav7]

Sozo May I ask what is your blood pressure ?

If I recall correctly, anything above 90/60 is considered acceptable but of course not the norm and can cause fatigue. As others indicate, increased HR and lower BP likely norm post ablation.

[Sozo]

Thank you mav7! My blood pressure is hanging in that vicinity. It actually has even moved up a bit today and I feel a bit better.

[DawnTX]

I always have a good blood pressure that can go low if anything. On the other hand, I have had my heart rate between 120 and 150 since last April I have to be careful when it’s hot out because for whatever reason it makes my blood pressure drop even lower. I originally had high blood pressure for years. I don’t know where it’s gone, but I’m glad it is. Because it is only five days I would not panic. Do you have a follow up visit shortly? My doctors have all followed up within a month. If you don’t have one and you are still constantly a high heart rate, I would call them.

[Sozo in reply to DawnTX]

Thank you DawnTX! I now have an appt for tomorrow. 🙏

[DawnTX in reply to Sozo]

I was so glad to see it will be with your doctor today. Keep on it OK if I didn’t have such a recent experience as I am dealing with right now I wouldn’t be so persistent on this. Just as I did not know much about a fib. I did not know anything about heart failure. this is not the way to learn about it by finding out you have it. Right now mine according to the doctor it is because it has strained so much to pump with the heart rate as high as it was. If one person can prevent what I have been dealing with then I feel good. Please let us know that you’re doing OK and remember we are all here for you.