Questions for my doctor

[Calypso76]

I've posted on this forum before about my bradycardia, which hovers between 48 and 55 when I wake up in the morning and which, I believe, is the cause of my lightheadedness and difficulty walking. (I could be wrong), but anyway, I have an appt with my cardiologist this week and I would like to know what questions I should ask him. I feel (I know) I'm not being treated for A-fib. I'm only on Xarelto to prevent stroke. I feel worse now than I did when I first went to him. This is my first year visit since my diagnosis and I would really like to know what is going on. As always, thanks for your help.

[CDreamer]

Do you monitor your HR and BP during your day? I take a full month’s report to consults from self monitoring devices - BP monitor, Apple Watch for HR variations and Kardia for ECG.

Is the bradycardia only first thing in the morning? You obviously have other issues apart from your AF so my questions would be:-

What is causing my symptoms?

Should I be concerned about bradycardia?

Overnight monitoring?

Sleep Apnea?

Is there an appropriate treatment for my AF?

If not why not?

If you don’t ask, you don’t get vey often.

[Calypso76 in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks, CDreamer. I'm making a note of your questions to ask him. I monitor my BP and HR in the morning and they are usually quite low - around 103/45, HR around 45. It goes up during the day but the HR rarely gets to 60. You mentioned sleep apnea; that's something I never thought about. How would I know if I have sleep apnea?

[CDreamer in reply to Calypso76]

You would need to go to your GP & complete questionnaire- Epworth sleepiness - if you score appropriately GP will refer you for overnight sleep monitor. I suggested that simply because my nocturnal AF was triggered by low O2 sats and low HR.

Worth ruling out if nothing else.

[Calypso76 in reply to CDreamer]

I saw him today and he's going to fit me with a 24-hour monitor, but he didn't give me a questionnaire. Would that do the same thing?

[Ronnieboy]

My heart rate is the same as yours and has been for years, I don't have any problems with it ,it very rarely gets above late50s and is mid 40s first thing.Blood pressure is OK . The doc doesn't see it as a problem,if he's happy I'm happy.I don't sleep that well but I don't get tired during the day so I guess I'm getting enough.

[Calypso76 in reply to Ronnieboy]

Good for you. I would be happy too if I could walk or stand for a few minutes without feeling I would topple over. My cardiologist is doing another echo and a stress test, so we'll see what happens.

[Vonnegut]

It sounds as if the dose of whatever you have been prescribed might be too high for you and as we all know but doctors don’t seem to, we are all different. Good luck!

[Calypso76 in reply to Vonnegut]

Thanks, Vonnegut!

[Madscientist16]

From what I am reading, it looks like your heart rate may not be the problem, but it may be your blood pressure. Have your doc check into the doses of you meds and possibly if you have sleep issues since you are having issues upon waking. Good luck to you.

[Calypso76 in reply to Madscientist16]

I suspect my doses may be too high. I have to go back for an echo and a stress test so we'll see what happens next. Thanks for your comment.

[Madscientist16 in reply to Calypso76]

Good luck to you!