Advice on af/atrial flutter/heart rate readings

[Conzobing]

Guys any one else had an ablation and after heart rate low I had one in July last year but last few months heart rate has been dipping down below 50 normally in around 42/44 been feeling off tiredness starting to creep back a lot dizzy spells and light headed a lot more haven’t had review from hospital yet from ablation was done just thought I’d reach out and ask others for there advice as I’m new to the whole AFib/Atrial flutter

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea afib and atrial flutter from what I was aware maybe 2 half years ago heart rate was shooting high and out of synus rhythm for 4/15 hrs at a time I’ve had 3 dc conversions done and the ablation I have changed my life style alot and lost weight etc so any advice welcome im 39 years old from Northern Ireland

[CDreamer]

May I suggest that you head toward the Atrial Fibrillation forum where this is a very common topic of discussion. To be honest, I’ve never heard of an ablation for low HR as AFl especially tends to be at very high rates but then you mentioned that later in your post so I assumed you had high rates with AF/Afl and now experiencing low rates?

Because you are symptomatic I would be heading straight back to Arrythmia nurse clinic or Consultant or GP asking for referral back to clinic. Where did you have your ablation? I know Healthcare can be difficult in NI and some people travel to UK or Ireland. Usually you would have a heart monitor of some sort to see what’s going on and if Bradycardia or SSS diagnosed, then a pacemaker.

Yes, many people find their HR either drops or increases after ablation. The HR number is less important than what was normal for you in NSR prior to the ablation and how you feel. Some people don’t worry with HR of 45 because they were atheletes and for them, that was their norm, whilst others felt they were near passing out at rates less than 60 because their norms were in the 70’s pre ablation. BP also plays a part so good idea to monitor.

Do you have a Kardia and able to monitor ECGs yourself? Than can sometimes shorten the referral times if you can present evidence.

Electrolytes - you say you changed your diet and lost weight - how attentive are you to ensuring your Electrolyte balance is good? Super, super important in this very hot weather (least in the South of England) we are experiencing.

Fatigue and low HR are signs of electrolyte imbalance - thehealthy.com/nutrition/si...

Surrey AF support group had a Zoom talk a few weeks ago on just this subject and the organiser was going to ask if some of the slides could be made available to AF forum members.

Best wishes

[Conzobing in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks for replying yea my heart rate was all over place few years ago so had 3 dc conversions and meds then the ablation last year and things seemed to settle a fair bit less of high rates for hrs on end but last few months noticing the dip and not feeling 100% but I think it’s time to call the docs and push the review appointment to make sure all ok thank you for replying

[jaffacake8]

Hi there. I'm new to the Atrial Flutter thing as well. I was admitted to hospital as an emergency with heart rate of 145 and had an ablation as rate was not coming down with meds. This was about 4 weeks ago. My heart rate is on average 50-53 but it's early days for me. I was also told I have a leaky mitral valve which couldn't be assessed at the time as danger of blood clots so was discharged with anti coagulation apixaban and waiting to hear for tests to ascertain condition of valve. I don't know if a lowish heart rate is to be expected or not considering other things going off with heart. I'm finding it all a bit overwhelming and still trying to get my head round it so nice to talk to others about their situation. I wish you well😃

[nilmonisikdar40]

I never had any personal experience of ablation. Were on any drugs like Digoxin or Beta blocker before ablation, what was the heart rate before ablation. It is not heard of so low heart rate for atrial flutter/atrial fibrillation. I hope everything works out in the end.