Heart rate increase

[Tellingfibs]

Over time, my NSR events have lessened and been replaced by SVEs most of the time - so my Kardia tells me. I have felt ok physically with this as when I told my GP, he said it only really mattered if the rate went up considerably, and as it is always below 70, ( usually around low 60s ) he was happy. Mind you, it is 5 mgs of Bisoprolol twice a day that keep it so ! On Friday morning after breakfast I felt a bit ‘woozy’ as I stool up and when I felt my pulse it was unusually fast. I used my Kardia then and found the rate was 85 ( I know, not that fast for many people but fast for me. ) Accompanied by Afib. As you can imagine, I used my Kardia a lot after that. My rate soon went up to 114, then 80s, 90s, then 103. All this over about an hour. All Afib, until suddenly I got an SVE reading ( never thought I’d be so pleased to get one of those ! ), but afterwards HR mainly in the 80s. It has reduced back to normal now and then over the weekend, but on average, it remains in the 80s I am feeling better now than over the weekend, and for one reading, I did get an NSR ! The SVEs are accompanied by Sinus Rythmn, so Kardia says, but I’ve never understood how you can have Sinus Rythmn AND ectopics. However, I’m drifting into a general discussion here, sorry, when I just wondered if any of have any suggestions why my HR has suddenly risen. Of course I have looked for triggers but found none. The reason I am in 10 mgs of Bisoprolol is because of sudden high rates, but I am in the maximum dose of that drug now so I can’t imagine what can be done next. I know my cardiologist has said in the past that I could always change to Sotalol if my afib worsened, but I know that drug is mainly for rythmn control, not rate control. I feel that there is slow improvement since Friday, but wondered if any of you had any wise words/suggestions. ( those of you who have had the patience to read this up to here ! ) I don’t find any particular breathing helps, except for calm, regular ‘normal’ breathing through my nose - but without ‘big’ breaths or any breath-holding. I am feeling more myself but anxious about the higher HR. Fingers crossed someone will write a soothing reply !…..

Annie.

[Ppiman]

I get more ectopic beat troubles than AF. My Kardia often reported NSR with them. I think it is limited by what its AI algorithm is allowed to report. I stopped using it because of this but also my case is complicated by my having LBBB (left branch bundle block), which Kardia also gets confused by.

Has your specialist not mentioned flecainide as an option, only sotalol?

Steve

[Tellingfibs in reply to Ppiman]

Hi Steve. My cardiologist has never mentioned Flecainide, but I haven’t seen him for about 18 months. I had an Echo about a year ago because I whined to my GP about my increase in SVEs. After My cardiologist saw the results, he reported ‘no significant change’ from my Echo the previous year, which in his words was ‘encouraging’. However, I can’t think what caused this sudden increase in HR . Today, my HR is mostly in the 60s, my usual rate, but I am mostly in mild Afib now, with a few SVE results, instead of the other way round. All these results are Kardia’s interpretation, and I have to say I am managing to live my every day life without real difficulties. Always tired though ! You mentioned your LBBB, and I wondered how that was discovered and what symptoms accompanied it ? Some ( not a lot ) of my traces show heart beats that seem to be in a neat, even pattern - more especially Kardia’s interpretation beneath the trace ( not sure what this is actually ) which shows a tall spike then a shorter spike repeating until the end.

Annie.

[Ppiman in reply to Tellingfibs]

The LBBB seems to cause tiredness for me, even when the beat is “NSR”. It shows as a wider peak on the ECG.

You can see it on the Kardia trace below.

Your increase in rate might have been caused by your heart’s “second” own pacemaker, called the AV node. This regulates the electrical activity going on in the atrium above, luckily, and sets a more “normal” heart rate. When the atrium is hyperactive, as in AF, most signals from the atrium get blocked but still they can have an impact. This varies, which is, I gather, why some people struggle with very fast AF and others cope with a lower rate.

Steve

Kardia ECG showing LBBB (wide QRS)

[Tellingfibs in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks Steve. You do know a lot ! Interestingly, I do get the odd ‘Sinus Rythmn with Wide QRS’ result on Kardia. Not often though. A long time ago I asked my cardiologist if it was serious and he said ‘don’t give it a thought ‘. Perhaps because it was a rare occurrence then - and as I said, not frequent now. I will mention it when I next see a medic. Because I’m feeling mostly ok at the moment, I won’t rock the boat. Thanks for your response Steve.

Annie

[Ppiman in reply to Tellingfibs]

Half a lifetime in the pharmaceutical industry, Annie taught me a lot! Happy days!

The wide QRS is usually caused by a “block”, I gather, which comes and goes. I was told the same as you. I think many get them in older age.

Steve

[Tellingfibs in reply to Ppiman]

Well, at nearly 73, I suppose I fall into the ‘older age’ bracket 😄, but I’m fortunate that I have nothing at all wrong with me other than Afib, so only taking Warfarin and Bisoprolol. I appreciate your wise words, and no doubt I will be asking your for opinions again in due course.

Annie

[lwm1198]

Like you I'd been having episodes of rapid heart beats, in my case normal is 70;s and 80's and fast is 120 when I'm just sitting reading or watching TV. Had a Holter monitor for a week and seems there's nothing off in the rhythms so did up my dose of Metoprolol from 25 to 37 fo,r a while. Been doing BP and heart records and have seen both fall back into normal ranges (over a period of two months) Never could figure out a cause...but it was definitely worrisome.

[Tellingfibs in reply to lwm1198]

I guess we want answers to everything dont we. I hope not knowing the why and wherefore of aches, pains and general malaise. Afib has such a variety of symptoms, and the heart in general is so complex. Thank goodness for this forum that reassured us we are not alone, even if our symptoms are really weird !

Annie

[Doggiemomma]

I’ve had much the same results on my Kardia—sinus rhythm with SV ectopics as well as sinus rhythm with wide QRS. It’s a puzzle!!!

[Tellingfibs in reply to Doggiemomma]

Well Doggiemomma, I’m sorry you have had that worry/puzzle, but for me to hear this is a reassurance that I’m not alone with this ! 😐 Thank you !

Annie

[Doggiemomma in reply to Tellingfibs]

Annie, you are definitely not alone!!!! 🐕‍🦺

[mav7]

Keep in mind stress can also increase the heart rate. I also worry when heart rate goes above 100 or exceeds normal, but 114 is not really that high - key is it comes down and does not remain.

Suggest you ask your cardiologist or GP to wear a holter monitor or other medical device for a continuous period. Key being continuous unlike the Kardia. This will give an evaluation and help with the proper dosage and prescription of medications. Best to You !

[Tellingfibs in reply to mav7]

Thank you mav7, I hadn’t thought of a Holter. I was wondering if there was a patch or something that I could buy that might keep a continuous trace going, but if there was, it would be very expensive. Good idea of yours - thanks.

Annie.

[mav7 in reply to Tellingfibs]

Google the Wellue Monitor. There is a patch model that provides continuous monitoring that sells for about $270 (I think, not positive). Also, an Apple Watch will provide continuous monitoring as I understand.

But first would go with the Holter thru your doctor. We are all concerned about our heart rate, but as BobD often says, don't be overconcerned with monitoring with devices unless symptoms persist.

[Tellingfibs in reply to mav7]

Thank you for those suggestions mav7. I will look into those devices.

Annie