Fast heart rate.

[Martina63]

Hi all I'm knew to the sight, got a little question, I had Cardioversion Dec 2023, it was successful although I've been told I will be taking Apixaban and Bisoprolol for the rest of my life, woke up early this morning with a headache and my heart is 126, it's now 3hrs should I be worried.

[BenHall1]

Not qualified to comment but if you want clues .... think back to what you ate and drank last night. Could be a chance it was one of these (or both ) things that kicked it off. Also, try not to dwell on 126 .... anxiety often makes things worse. A CV is no guarantee your fixed for life ... I think you're lucky you been so good for so long.

[BobD Volunteer]

126 is not that high in the grand scheme of things though if you have any chest pan of feel faint then seek medical attention. If you take your pulse you will be able to tell if it is radnmly irregular in whioch case likely AF or just fast which is less worrying.

All told you have been lucky to stay in normal rhythm for a year.

[Rainfern]

Welcome to the forum Martina. The cardioversions I had only kept me in normal synus rhythm (NSR) for a few days. I bought a blood pressure monitor that also records AF so was able to see I was back in AF along with raised heart beat. I let my cardio team know and was hauled in for an ECG.

CV does tend to be a temporary measure though for some it can work for longer, even years. The good news is that if the CV works even for a short time you can be offered further treatment and in my case I opted for an ablation.

Good luck on your AF journey and make sure you get an appointment with an EP (electrophysiologist).

[Blearyeyed]

Just keep an eye on how you feel.Having a heart rate over 100 and higher is common with a headache or migraine and isn't always a heart related symptom.

As someone else said think of what you did and ate or drank yesterday.

This might have caused over exertion or stress ( even if it was fun stuff) that could have triggered the headache and other symptoms and with rest and relaxed breathing and treatment for a headache things would go back to normal.

If the high heart rate and symptoms remain or get worse after treating the head ache and resting , and you don't have symptoms of an infection then contact your GP for more advice.

If you get more intense head or chest pain , Afib symptoms, dizziness or nausea get out of hours help.

[Martina63]

Hi thx for your replies, it's good to know people care, well my heart rate went up to 145 so I was advised to go to A&E , they were lovely, they did ECG , bloods and xray, the Dr thinks my betablockers may need to go up and wants my own dr to refer me back to cardiology, still got a blinding headache but at least my heart rate is now 120. Thx once again .

[jayjay10000 in reply to Martina63]

Hi there, I had the same as you from the 30th December, had a really bad headache for two days and chest tightness and my heart rate was aound 115bpm to 127bpm, I didn't know weather to go to A&E at Darlington with the symptoms I had, once the headache had gone my heart rate went back down to 95bpm but continued to have a tight chest, I still get chest pain near to my left armpit everyday, iam not coping very well at moment, I have a appointment at my local doctors tomorrow at 6pm, so hopefully I get some answers but most likely I won't

[Martina63 in reply to jayjay10000]

Hi, my heart is still around 130, I went to the Dr's yesterday and he has referred me to cardiology he's also put my betablockers up, I also get the pain your describing, my Dr said if heart rate goes up any higher to go back to A&E. I'm glad your symptoms have eased a bit, hopefully you'll get some answers tomorrow ,😊

[FraserB]

Given your cardioversion and current meds, a sustained heart rate of 126 bpm, especially if accompanied by a headache needs attention. It could indicate a recurrence of your arrhythmia, which may require an adjustment in your Bisoprolol dosage. Elevated heart rate with a headache can also suggest high blood pressure, so it's important to check your blood pressure as well. Best to contact your doctor to discuss your symptoms, and an ECG could help identify any underlying arrhythmia. And go over where you are and what can be adjusted so your treatment is on track.

[mike1961]

Martina,

What did the folks at A&E say ? Is your BP OK ? Did they say what was going on with the fast HR - e.g. AF or atrial tachycardia ??

[Martina63 in reply to mike1961]

Hi, my BP was slightly high, they said I need to be referred back to cardiology as I will need a heart monitor for a short while to see what's going on, they also think my bisoprolol needs to be increased, 30hrs later my heart rate is still around 126 so I'm going to ring my Drs tomorrow when they open, just take it from there.

[mike1961 in reply to Martina63]

OK Martina, but what was the verdict on your 126 HR ? Did they say it was NSR but just more rapid than normal ?? OR did they say it was an arrhythmia rather than NSR ? Or didn't they say ?!

[Martina63 in reply to mike1961]

Hi they weren't overly worried as it's been quite a bit higher before but they did say it was more rapid than normal which is why they want me back at cardiology .

[mike1961 in reply to Martina63]

Keep us posted !

[Scottymac6]

Don’t be worried but please get checked out.

[Martina63]

Hi, been to see my own dr, he has upped the betablockers and my blood pressure tablets and referred me to cardiology, my heart rate is now at 132, he wants me back in on Monday but said if my heart rate rises anymore to go to A&E so we'll wait and see, just wish I could sleep 😴 .