low Heart rate

[Linkj]

I had a second ablation nov 22 for tachycardia paroxymol AF, it went very well and now off all medication except apixaban. In the last few months I have had incidents where I feel very wiped out for an hour or two and my Apple Watch records heart rates as low as 41. My resting heart rate is down from mid 80s to low 70s. I had a telephone appointment with EP at St Thomas’ in May when it was beginning to happen and so had a 24 hour monitor, I have a review appointment Feb 24. I get the impression I will hear nothing from them until my appointment as this was the case last time. Any ideas on whether I should just ignore it or should I try (try being the word) speaking to someone at St Thomas’ hospital.

[jeanjeannie50]

Have you had your thyroid function checked recently? I was blaming my feeling tired on AF, but then discovered my thyroid was underactive. Medication for this gave me my life and energy back.

Jean

[Linkj in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks Jean, I have an under active thyroid and my dose was reduced pre-op to try and slow my heart down , it is due to be checked, I will mention it then

[Desanthony]

I would check that it is not something else causing this. A resting heart rate of 70 is not too low. My average resting heart rate is 56 to 58. When on bisoprolol it went down to 36 one evening and I had to call out the paramedics as I felt so bad - just couldn't move.

[Linkj in reply to Desanthony]

Thanks, for your reply. I know 70 isn’t low but it’s showing I am running generally lower than before ablation, which has to be good. I felt grotty at HR 41 but lying down and it passed, you must have felt terrible at 39 bpm.

[Desanthony in reply to Linkj]

Yes it was not good.

[JudiHalf]

I had problems with a low heart rate and found my Kardia was excellent at recording these episodes, mine went into low 30s, I also have PAF and the EP that phoned me after waiting nearly a year since being referred by my GP asked me if I wanted a pacemaker or an ablation, I chose a pacemaker as I found the low heart rate worse than PAF, he seemed keen to give me an ablation and said it might increase my heart rate, with the pacemaker my heart rate won’t go below 60bpm and on my check up it showed I was being paced 40% of the time and no AF episodes.

Try and keep a record of all your low heart rate episodes to show your doctors.

[Linkj in reply to JudiHalf]

Thanks Judi, I have an Apple Watch which records all incidents except when I don’t wear it at night. I might try wearing it for a few nights and see what happens then. My biggest problem is such poor communication with St Thomas’ hospital, other than that they are brilliant.

[2learn]

You've probably tried ringing and/or emaling your EP/consultant, thats what I do and I usually get a response within a wk. Also whats your GPs response?

[Linkj in reply to 2learn]

What GP? I do have a prescription review in a few weeks so I might try then and I will try emailing the hospital but no reply last time! Communication does seem to be the main problem

[2learn in reply to Linkj]

Sorry if what I say you've done, but ring your consultant's secretary and /or email her direct. GP don't you have one? How did you get referred to St Thomas.

[Linkj in reply to 2learn]

Hi, yes I have a GP, just very hard to get an appointment, I will have waited 6 weeks for a routine telephone appointment in 2 weeks time

[Tapanac]

In my experience with a heart rate of 41 you should get in touch with your EP. All the best

[Linkj in reply to Tapanac]

Thanks Tapanac

[Hometeam2016]

Hiya how long does it last for ? Do we measure if the number is there for literally 1 second mine mine is in 79-89 but when I didn’t wear watch I see on screen was 41 but I never recall it being that

[Linkj in reply to Hometeam2016]

Interesting, I have an Apple Watch and so checked, averages about 10 minutes. I am not usually aware but when I first noticed a HR of 41 I felt wiped out and had to lie down. I think I shall just keep an eye on things and as suggested before, my medication for an under active thyroid is due to be checked soon, I’ll see what that shows.

[Hometeam2016 in reply to Linkj]

I feel fine it’s only because I’m just paranoid and I just keep

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