bradycardia interrupting sleep

[Reidel]

I’m waking up during the night with low heart rate 42-48 bpm and a feeling that my heart is labouring. This is usually twice in the night and I often can’t get back to sleep after 4.00am. I think sleeping on my back doesn’t help ( I try not to) and my other half tells me I snore. Tried all the sleep advice ( cool room, no tech, etc etc) and some supplements but can’t crack it

I’m on Apixaban for PAF but otherwise fit, healthy weight and 71 years old. I recently had an ECG which was normal but Kardia shows possible atrial fibrillation occasionally during the day.

Should I pursue this with my GP or is it just something I have to put up?

And thoughts gratefully received.

[BobD Volunteer]

You need to be tested for sleep apnoea and yes speak to your doctor about the AF. At the very least you should probably be anticoagulated.

[CDreamer in reply to BobD]

As an aside to Bob - what is adrift with some of these GPs?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to CDreamer]

Really beyond me CD. MIne now is very very good but back in the nineties my GP was treating me for stomach problems when we now know it was AF! Plus ca change plus ca la meme chose.

[CDreamer in reply to BobD]

True - if you have a choice which is becoming less available.

I have FINALLY got appointment withe Sleep Disorder Clinic in Sussex - only had to wait 14 months, they had no information from the RD&E or any medical records so everything starts from ground zero. Moral - don't move if you can possibly help it!

[etheral in reply to BobD]

Readel said he was taking apixaban. I assume this is on a regular dose and should provide the anticoagulation.

[CDreamer]

Sleep Apnea - text book symptoms for you to ask your GP to refer you to Sleep Disorder Clinic for an assessment! Easily treated without drugs and makes a HUGE difference.

Insist! If your GP doesn’t react, seek second opinion.

[Reidel in reply to CDreamer]

thank you. I’ve made an appointment to see the practice nurse in the first instance but first available is 1 August.

[CDreamer in reply to Reidel]

Usually first step is to complete GP online questionnaire which the practice nurse should be able to go through with you there in then. If you score over a certain score, you should get a referral. Depends upon where you live as to how long you may have to wait to get into the system but once in, I found the service outstanding both here in Sussex and back in Devon where we used to live.

Good luck

[Truffles2]

It could well be sleep apnea. I had similar symptoms and was referred for sleep studies by my lipid clinic. I’ve been lucky was quite quick. Was diagnosed with sleep apnea and have now got appointment to be fitted with a Cpap machine to treat it. Not sure how I will get on with that

[Reidel in reply to Truffles2]

thank you Truffles2. Good luck with the Cpap machine.

[Ppiman]

You can buy home continuous O2 monitors at good prices, these days, also. O2 Ring by Viatom seems a good one with a design award and lots of good reviews.

Steve

[Reidel in reply to Ppiman]

thank you Ppiman. I’m going to look into that.

[secondtry]

I have the same waking issue sleeping on my back; sleeping on the left side is usually a No No for AFers. I don't think your mid 40s HR is uncommon.

I have found Breathright nasal strips help.

I live in Hampshire and just completed last week a sleep questionnaire as wanted to have my previously recorded mild sleep apnoea trend checked. Don't know whether I will get referred to the sleep clinic as my q. score was only 10 ie borderline. I have to say the GP was very good (unusual in the post Covid world) and also prescribed me some melatonin to try and improve the sleep.

Re possible AF, I would work on a wide spectrum of lifestyle changes; just one example - improving breathing only through your nose day & night (using a lip strip) as I understand this improves nitric oxide, which benefits heart function. For more info on breathing check out James Nestor and Patrick McKeown on YouTube & their books.

[LaceyLady]

I’ve started getting bradycardia at night and sometimes while sitting for a period. I wake up early hours on occasions, Consultant takes no notice neither did GP. Just say ‘it’s normal’ but it’s NOT normal for me. No wonder seniors fall over.

[JudiHalf in reply to LaceyLady]

Do you know how low your heart rate goes? I’ve just had a pacemaker fitted for Bradycardia, mine would go down to low 30s bpm.

[LaceyLady in reply to JudiHalf]

it can go down to 48, which by some isn’t that low but my body doesn’t like it and I will wake, which is lucky I think.

Bisoprolol used to cause it when I was taking it, now on Dronedarone and that may be causing it 🤷🏼‍♀️

[kocoach]

Hello Reidel, my HR at rest not asleep is 55-48 and at night I've taken HR check and it's down to 37-42. My EP doesn't seem to be concerned about it as much as I am, it really plays head games with me. He has offered me a pacemaker just recently but I said definitely NO, just tweak my meds which is amiodarone 200mg. Then I realized what I was afraid of was heart rate going too low and dying but now I don't care. When in the war most of us felt "when it's your time to go it's your time to go". Somehow I've gotten away from that mindset but now I've got it back again. I'll still keep fighting my EP about amiodarone as I don't like it but he still refuses to take me off of it, I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea but have never worn the mask as it's too darn uncomfortable, during the sleep apnea overnight study they make you wear a mask all night which I couldn't so I took it off ahnd told the DR I was done which he replied because sleep apnea had already been detected. Hope this helps. GOD Bless! I've had afib for 32 years and am 77 years young now.

[Reidel in reply to kocoach]

Thanks kocoach for you reply and hope you get on ok with your issues. I did think that the mask must be pretty difficult to get used to.

[DawnTX]

I was going to mention with Bob just did. I don’t know about for you, but we actually have an at home kit they send you now instead of staying over somewhere.

it wouldn’t hurt to show them the Kardia only because as we know, if you are not having an event, nothing will show on an ECG. That can be frustrating. It’s like when you go to the dentist and suddenly the tooth ache is gone.

Best of luck

[Reidel in reply to DawnTX]

Hi DawnTX Thanks for your reply. Is the home kit you mention an NHS one and is it for monitoring sleep apnea of for monitoring heart rate?

[Reidel]

thanks for your reply BlossomsInSpring. Your reply is really helpful and good to know that my overnight heart rate is not low compared with other folks. My main issue is that it’s uncomfortable and feels like a worn out engine and wakes me up - then I don’t sleep after that - 3.00am this morning. Too early especially for a Sunday!