I have had a low HR all my life, about 45bpm and I am not and have not been an athlete. I think it is genetic. I have now developed paroxysmal AFib and HR shoots up to 130 and stays there for several hours and then reverts to 40 or below. My Apple Watch tells me that the time in which my HR is below 40 is steadily increasing. In February this year it was never below 40 and now it is often below 40 for up to 5 hours. There has been a steady linear increase in the time HR is below 40 which correlates with the time in AFib which has also been steadily increasing. Has anyone else got a heart like mine and how was it treated. I am currently on flecainide Pip ( sotalol did not work). I am thinking ablation or pacemaker. Any advice would be gratefully received.
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I'm not an expert but suspect a PM may well help. It sounds like your AF may be bradycardia related so maintaining a rate of 60 or better could well stop this. Best discuss with your cardiologist.
Thanks for your response. I will certainly discuss with my cardiologist and also try to get a 2nd opinion. It is curious. Is the bradycardia causing the AFib or the AFib causing the increase in bradycardia?
Thanks for sending me the booklet. Do you have a detailed booklet on Sick sinus syndrome or brady-tachycardia. The main question is: Is the bradycardia causing the AFib, or is the AFib causing the decrease in HR and the prolonged time with a rate below 40? I think the answer to this question would determine whether ablation or a PM would be the answer. But how to find out?
Hey Sam, you might need to have a look at this brochure. It looks like it had an issue likely when being pdf’d and it makes for hard reading when the spacing has gone haywire.
A heart rate going below 40bpm is generally not viewed as good and generally leads to needing a pacemaker, but your circumstance where you've had a low rate all your life may be different. How do you feel when your rate goes very low?
Have you received any medical advice? I'm guessing you have as you have been prescribed medication.
Quite often when the heart rate goes low people can lose consciousness.
I hope that someone who has experienced what you have will come on the forum and tell you their story.
Thanks for your reponse. I feel fine even when my HR goes very low. I cannot tell it is low and have never fainted of had any symptoms. I am very active and swim everyday, even with a low heart rate. If I did not have my apple watch I would not even know. So the low heart rate doesn't give me any problems. It is the AFib which is causing the problems.
I have never heard of AF causing bradycardia but I have often heard of bradycardia ‘allowing’ AF. It would be interesting to know the answer to your question so please report if you find it.
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