Stopped Flecainide

[Mgal]

I have suffered with AF since 2012. At first it was paroxsysmal but in the last year it has become 'permanent'. I was taking Flecainide for many years but my cardiologist has said that since AF is now permanent there is no point in taking Flecainide to control the uncontrollable!

However since coming off Flecainide I notice my heart rate is much lower - used to be 70-80 but now it regularly dips into the 40's. Don't feel ill (albeit tired) so I'm not panicking - just wanted to know if this is a common occurrence?

I've had an Echocardiogram and cardiologist told me my heart is in excellent condition!

[jeanjeannie50]

It's good to hear that you are doing so well. I wouldn't worry about going into the late 40's bpm but would if it was in the low 40's. Are you taking beta blockers at the moment?

I have permanent AF too and I still take a beta blocker (Metoprolol) to keep my heart rate lower, it usually stays in the 60-90bpm range now.

Jean

[Mgal in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks Jean - no betablockers. My HR doesn't seem to follow the AF trend and averages 70-80. Resting HR can be 45-55. If I didn't have a 'smartwatch' I wouldn't know and I wouldn't care! The curse of technology!

[Rugby422]

Flecainide stopped working for me after I was on it for about 25 years!

Recently I had an ablation and so far ( 2 months) I have had no Afib or flutter.

My heart rate is in the high 40’s - low 50’s but .Cardiologist is not concerned about the low heart rate as long as I am feeling OK.

[Spoiler]

I took it off and on at different doses over a period of 7 years. Eventually it started to make my afib worse, my Dr said the heart remodels and it changes how you respond? None the less, I did not give up hope and had a 3rd ablation 16 months ago, no afib and no antiarrhymic meds since then. Previous to the last surgery continuous high rate afib for 8 months. We all are different, we can all hope. What does your Dr say about your changed heart rate?

[Mgal in reply to Spoiler]

My cardiologits says the same as most - if the low HR is not causing any problems then don't worry. I assume that, even at the ripe old age of 74, I'm really a fine tuned athlete!

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Just for thought.

If your heart rate rises at rest to over 100 I hope your cardiac specialist will consider CCB Diltiazem CD.

It works quickly and has an additive effect as an anti-arrhymic action does.

cherio JOY. 75. (NZ)

[Mgal in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

I already take Diltiazem which is now my only 'AF Drug' - apart from warfarin! The only time HR exceeds 100 is while exercising!

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

My Diltiazem is AM 120 CD. It seems you could take lower dose of Diltiazem.

180mg was too much for me when H/Rate Day went down to 51. Now it's 60s Day and leaves my natural 47avg bpm h/rate Night alone.

cheri JOY.