Lower heart rate after cardioversion

[AKatieD]

HiI had a cardioversion on 21/6 which successfully restored normal rhythm.

My resting heart rate is now averaging 46 for the last week (a little over 65 before). Still on 2.5mg bisoprolol and edoxaban.

Is that good, bad or indifferent? Starting to feel a bit tireder again but not sure if that is the reason?

Thanks

[jeanjeannie50]

I would talk to your GP and say what you've put here. Hopefully, you may be told to reduce your Bisoprolol dose.

[AKatieD in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Ok, thanks. If that could be it, I can ask the cardiac nurses before my consultant follow up appt in a few weeks.

[Jalia]

I agree with what Jean has just said. Oddly my heart rate was much lower than normal after my last dccv a few weeks ago. ...low 50s and BP bordering on hypotension. I normally go back to my usual 60/70s

[Desanthony]

I would have a conversation with your GP, cardiologist or electrophysiologist (whichever one it is easiest to get in touch with or even the cardiac nurses at the hospital where you had your cardioversion about reducing the dose of bisoprolol with the view to maybe coming off. After my first successful cardioversion I was told before I left the hospital not to take any rate control medication or beta blockers - suited me because they took my heart rate too low anyway and just carried on on the anticoagulants. It is likely that reducing the bisoprolol will up your heart rate.

[Popepaul]

I agree with the above comments. In this situation I personally would titrate down the rate control medication.I do hope that your NSR lasts a long long time.

Regards

[OzJames]

mine was down to around early 50’s after CV and sometimes I noticed it at 45. It slowly picked up after a couple of weeks and then back up again when I lowered the dose of metoprolol which is a beta blocker. It was reduced after I mentioned the lower rate to cardiologist who suggested only a quarter tablet

[Ducky2003]

Mine always drops after a DCCV. As others have said, GP may need to look at reducing/stopping Bisoprolol but you need to be weaned off it.

[MalcolmCClark]

Hi there.I had a cardiac ablation 16/12/2022 so now 6.5 months post ablation.

I was on bisoprolol 1.25 pre ablation and had a resting heart rate between 45 and 50.

I saw my consultant just over a month ago and he advised me to stop my bisoprolol as my heart rate was too low as it was still 45 to 50.

Several weeks on and my heart rate is now between 55 and 60 beats.

I will probably need a repeat of the ablation as my AF is probably slightly worse and I also get multiple PVCs and generally feel off and dizzy.

I have no regrets having the ablation as it has helped a little so would not say it didn't work at all.

Speak to your cardio team and they may say cut down to 1.25 or stop all together or they may say wait and see.

Although I have stopped it is under the provision of starting bisoprolol again if my heart rate starts to go too fast.

I'm still on rivaroxaban medication though which I am totally happy with.

Hope that helps.

[Cabinessence in reply to MalcolmCClark]

Hi Malcolm. Sorry to hear the ablation didn't solve your AFib. I've got one at St Barts next Friday (NHS strikes pending) so interested to hear your outcome. You mentioned your AFib had gotten slightly worse post ablation but that it had helped a little. I just wondered in what way did it help?

[MalcolmCClark in reply to Cabinessence]

Hi thereI have Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial flutter and a heart rate that went upto 150 beats/min

Since the ablation my heart rate has stabilised at a more normal rate.

I still get the AF and PVCs (extra beats)

My cardiologist basically said that I did have a small positive out come.

From this forum I know that it can take several attempts at ablation before a more positive outcome can be achieved.

I'm staying positive because my AF has been recognised and they are trying to do something about it.

I went several years where my symptoms could not be proved and I received no treatment at all.

So I have no regrets over having the ablation.

It's a process I have to go through so I try to stay positive.

If you are down to have the procedure then you need it.

Everyone is different and everyone reacts differently to the treatment.

I hope you improve after this but don't feel down hearted if you do need further treatment.

Like I said it's a process we have to go through.

Because I am finally under a cardiac specialist they got me to have a cardiac mri which found I have had a heart attack in the past. That was a shock as I knew nothing about it.

So after so many years of complaining about chest pains and nothing being found I am now finally being listened to and receiving treatment.

Cardiac ablation is scary.

The fact that you are having an ablation means that you are now receiving treatment.

That's always a good thing.

I'm sorry for rabbiting on but I wanted to put across that the ablation is a positive thing and no matter the outcome you are getting the care you need and deserve.

[AKatieD]

Thanks all.

Turned out the consultant is on holiday but the arrhythmia nurse said she would take half or none of the bisoprolol, even though she did not want to commit to a formal answer without their say so.

So I have cut back to 1.25mg for now and will see how it goes for a while. Told consultant what I have done by email so they can comment if they want when they get back.

Thanks for all the help