Apologies in advance to those who aren’t Apple Watch fans. I had a cryo ablation followed by a cardioversion on Friday and feel fine so far barring a few aches and I’m obviously just taking it easy at home two days later.
I’m a big fan of my Apple Watch which is how I originally discovered I had AF. I’ve noticed since my ablation on Friday that my HR readings are extremely consistent and my heart rate variation is the lowest it’s ever been and also very consistent. My question is has anyone else noticed this and has it continued once they start to resume normal activities? Logically it makes sense but I’m surprised how stark the contrast is in terms of consistency of HR and how low HRV is. Not sure if it’s just due to the sedation lingering around or the heart needing to heal.
Written by
Daisy2908
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
If you're out of rhythm, like with afib, a HRV reading is meaningless, because it's going to be high by definition. Do you have a previous HRV reading while in an NSR, to compare your post ablation HRV with? But in any event, your heart is now in a healing phase so I wouldn't put too much credence in HRV right now..
Hi Jim thanks for your reply. I had PAF before so yes I’ve loads of HRV readings in NSR and that’s what I’m comparing it to now. But yes it’s early days so will see what happens.
When I had my first cryoblation, I too noticed the HRV went very low. I also did a bit of googling and found that others experienced the same thing and I think at the time, I found some posts on here that talked about it as well.
In the end I have to admit I have disabled the heart function on my watch as the anxiety that it caused me, fretting over all things to do with my HR, became a bit much. It was hard to come to terms with it initially, a bit like withdrawal symptoms I suppose, but after a week or so, I was much better psychologically, not knowing what it was doing 24/7.I have a Kardia and know if I’m in AF, so that helps of course.
For now at least , please lock the thing in a drawer, read our fact sheet on recovery and rest. Lots of very odd things will happen for a few weeks/months yet and best not to focus on them.
I don't go there at all with any form of equipment to monitor heart rate and my ablation will be 12 months this March. I find it too stressful and the anxiety makes my heart misbehave. If I feel ok that's good enough for me 😊
I find it fascinating and comforting so I’m afraid I won’t be doing that but that you for reading and replying. I’ve read the factsheet too thank you, useful to have.
Like you, Daisy, I find comfort in the information the Apple Watch provides. Accepting at face value what people write here, there are a few for whom such devices create anxiety, but for both of us, and I would think the majority of users (given the popularity of the Watch) that is not the case.
In my case, the Watch provides no more than a visual indication of what I am already feeling and without that confirmation, I am sure my anxiety would be higher since with the Watch, I can see quickly that what I am feeling is "the same old thing". If what I saw were to change worryingly, then I would want that investigating and would send a copy of the ECG to my GP, then, if need be, pay privately for a specialist.
In your case, I am guessing that the arrhythmias you were having arose from only the ablated areas and that has been effectively dealt with. The two parts of your heart that create NSR, the sino-atrial (SA) and atrioventricular (AV) nodes must be functioning to perfection, which is what the Watch is showing.
Whether there will be some "hiccups" over the coming weeks, well, that is quite likely I guess from comments on the forum and clinical research I have read, but, who knows - maybe not? Let's hope you are now freed from arrhythmia and hail and hearty!
Thanks Steve - I totally agree with you about how I use my watch, it’s a very useful tool and I use it to back up how I’m feeling. I’ve got everything crossed my AF is sorted but only time will tell. Having read your bio I hope you get your ablation soon too.
Yes, HRV dropped from average of around 50ms to an average just over 20ms immediately following my ablation and it’s still at that 14 months on, see my bio by clicking on my badge. Resting HR has slowly decreased and now it’s usually just over 60. I have a strong feeling that my slow resting HR prior to ablation was contributing to PAF episodes.
Thanks that’s really interesting. My resting HR has gone up to about 53 from the 40s so far. Anyway early days I know for me so will see how I feel over the next few months. Fingers crossed and best wishes to you too.
my HR went up to low 60s and HRV down to mid 30s immediately after ablation. My Frontier x device has a ‘readiness’ (for sport etc) indicator. That was v low! Now, beginning of week 10 post ablation, my overnight HR if rested is back down to around 53 and HRV up to low 50s. Which is all to be expected I think as your heart heals.
hi Daisy, am 7 months post ablation. Resting heart rate has steadied at about 70 from 53 pre ablation and HRV is about 18 from 40 pre. I am hoping both normalise in the next 5 months which was the EPs suggestion. I was very anxious about it all for 4 or 5 months after but EP just said that I should only worry if I have to change my behaviour. I work out 5 times a week and it doesn’t really affect me. I am having lots of PACs at the moment and the watch helps me keep it all in perspective and help me understand my triggers - alcohol, coffee, bloating etc. I even manage to ignore it all for long periods now! Good luck
Thank you, reassuring to hear I’m not the only one with changes at this early stage. All the best to you too, I hope things stabilise for you, I had a lot of PACs before my ablation and know they can be alarming.
My HRV reported by Apple Watch went from 50mS pre-ablation to 10mS post-ablation, and has only increased to about 15mS after a year. There is not much information out there about it.
Yes that’s exactly what’s happened to me. My hvr is incredibly low, around 33-38 most days and very rarely changes. This happened straight after ablation and hasn’t changed 2 years since.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Post ablation 
KardiaMobile and Apple Watch
Apple Watch and AF notifications 
apple watch
