feeling faint when going back into NSR

[Sandyc2705]

I have had AF since June 2016 but as far as I am aware I have had only 14 episodes all recorded on my Kardia

Most episodes I can link to Covid and ibuprofen - I am on Apixaban and take bisoprolol as a PIP

Out of the blue I woke at 2,00 this morning in AF - I took my normal meds and tried all the relaxation techniques

My question is that I experienced the strangest feelings when going back into NSR and I wondered if that was normal

I suddenly felt very faint (I was sitting up in bed) and then what I can only describe as a thud type feeling in my chest

My husband was about to take me to A&E when I checked my Kardia and I was back in NSR - heart rate then and now 57

I feel ok now but I have never been aware of going back into NSR before

I don’t think I should be concerned but just checking with yourselves

[BobD Volunteer]

Some people report this. I suspect there is a slight pause in heart beat as you transfer from AF to NSR which causes this effect.

[Buzby62]

Yes, I nearly always had the pause when reverting to NSR prior to my ablation. Was quite scary in the beginning but then I used to look forward to it as it was the end of the episode.

Best wishes

[Sandyc2705 in reply to Buzby62]

Thank you for replying - I was quite scared as it’s the first time it’s happened

[fibnum]

I seem to have lower BP shortly before, and a few minutes after, returning to NSR.

[Frances123]

I get these at times and it is called a Conversion or Sinus Pause. My EP said if it is only a couple of seconds and I didn’t faint then just to keep an eye on it. Anymore or any fainting then a pacemaker is considered. He asked me about driving but as I don’t drive the conversation didn’t go any further. In hindsight I’m guessing if I was a driver and pauses were longer I would have to inform DVLA and be declared fit to drive if necessary?

[President2012]

Hi. I was having conversion pauses which gradually became longer and I would blackout (syncope). I had to have a pacemaker fitted which solved that problem. I have had nine since and hardly know when I have converted nowadays. I would consider talking to your cardiologist/EP. Hopefully it will not get worse but it could. Best of luck

[Tricia239]

I used to suffer with this; my EP referred to it as Slow Sinus Node Recovery and arranged for me to have a pacemaker fitted which I found reassuring because it is a horrible and scary feeling, especially if you live alone as I do. Good luck.

[MaryCa]

It's called a conversion pause. I've actually caught one 4.25 second one on my kardia. It's scary seeing a straight line with no pulse on an ecg. It's literally the heart trying to reset. Beta blockers make mine worse.

[MaryCa]

As above

Conversion pause caught on kardia

[Sandyc2705 in reply to MaryCa]

Thanks for your reply - it was a first for me and scary - I felt like my heart jumped