Hi all, question on Bradycardia

[theoldgolfer]

Hi all, I had a heart attack back in January this year. 2 stents and a few short weeks I'm back to normal at 71 years old, golfing 2 or 3 times a week, and even playing in the morning and doing the cardiac exercising in the afternoon. The tablets sometimes caused issues and some required changing but it seems to have settled down now.

My only issue is bradycardia and while I was waiting in hospital the alarms on the monitor went off regularly as my pulse rate would drop as low as 32 bpm, no one seemed concerned and even now , 8 months later I do well if it only drops to 40 bpm every night. It seemed that only if I was fainting I would need to worry according to the cardiac team, but I now have a lot of light headiness and I'm due to see a consultant next week and unfortunately have to pay for the consultation as I can't get a NHS one for the near future.

I just wonder whether anyone has solved Bradycardia with medicines or is it always a pacemaker to resolve it?

Thanks in advance

[Hrty]

I frequently set alarms off whilst in hospital as my average resting HR is 48. After my HA I was prescribed 1.25mg of Bisoprolol as part of the package of meds I was discharged with. Whilst on that my HR regularly dropped into the low 30s, and not just at night time, so after about 3 months of walking round like an extra in a Zombie film that was stopped. I've felt loads better since. I suspect my low HR had a lot to do with me being a regular swimmer pre-HA. Nowadays I tend to warn nurses/HCAs that I'll likely trigger the alarms on their monitors so they tend to lower the threshold for me.

[theoldgolfer in reply to Hrty]

Thanks for your post. I was on Bisoprolol but was allergic to it so my medication was changed. I'm light headed most of the time so I need something done just need to find out what

[Hrty in reply to theoldgolfer]

You are welcome. I don't think me an "olols" are well suited. I was on atenolol many years ago when first diagnosed with High BP and it had a similar effect. I've found the practice pharmacist at my GP practice brilliant for discussing meds, their side effects and alternatives, I have to book a phone call with him but it's been worth it. Definitely sounds like you need to chase up. Good luck

[SchnauzerOtto]

I am 44yo and suddenly developed bradycardia at the beginning of the year, 2nd degree heartblock with unclear aetiology. HR dropped to low 30s in the night. Had a CRT-P implant in March, set to 55bpm base, which helped a lot with the light headedness.

[Smallbo]

Hi, I too had problems with a very low resting heart rate making me feel absolutely awful. Like SchnauzerOtto, I was fitted with a pacemaker and have felt so much better since. I did have a problem with a heart failure nurse who wanted to quadruple my Bisoprolol which I flat refused to do until I had spoken to the cardiologist, who was appalled. Hope you can get a speedy resolution.

[honeybubs]

I have Bradycardia, Bigeminy arrhythmia and low blood pressure. EF dropped below 32 so was told I had to have a pacemaker defibrillator and stayed on tablets as well that was last year. It’s quicker going privately and you actually get to see a cardiologist so research and make notes what you are going to ask him. Good luck

[timetabler]

Like others my HR used to drop to 31 ...I had a loop recorder fitted (easy op) on the NHS which proved the point and showed my heart sometimes stopped for a short time ...so they (NHS) soon fitted a pacemaker (not so easy) set to 50 bpm. All OK.

[Classic100 in reply to timetabler]

Hello. Sorry to hear about your problem with bradycardia. I to had this problem with very low heart rate readings. After being on heart monitor during hospital stay and then again for 24/7 whilst at home for a week it was decided I needed a pacemaker. This was fitted in February this year and set at 50 BPM. This was later changed on my request only to 60 BPMFeeling so much better after the initial shock I needed one. If in time it is decided by the medical professionals that you require a pacemaker please don't be afraid of having one fitted.

Wishing you well

[timetabler in reply to Classic100]

May I ask : why did you ask for it to be changed to 60 bpm?

[Classic100 in reply to timetabler]

Hello. Yes I asked for it to be changed from 50 BPM to 60 BPM . I was told there was no reason for it to be changed as 50 BPM was the normal for most but guess everyone is different and medical conditions all different. I just had it in my head that most people's resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 bpm so I was a bit worried as to why it was set at 50 BPM in the first place. They did reassure me for me 50 BPM was ok for me but I still asked for it to be changed which they did. However I guess this change to 60 BPM was ok for me but it may be different for other people depending on their own personal medical issues and history Hope all this helps

Best wishes

[timetabler in reply to Classic100]

Many thanks. I have read that 60 is the default setting but maybe for bradycardia they reduce it to 50 to help the battery to last longer?

My heart spends at lot of the time at 50 (because of the P-M) but that's much better than falling to 30 or stopping!

[Hidden]

I am 12 months post cabg. I have had bradycardia forever. I see it as a benefit. Just checked last nights heart rate and every hour it dipped to 38 beats.

I am physically active and even going 100% on the indoor bike my heart max was 130 beats per minute. Walking it goes to around 85bpm on average during my 4k walk.

All my life i was asked if i was a sportsman

[theoldgolfer]

Thanks for all your replies, I'm seeing a cardiologist on Tuesday and will post whatever the decision is. 👍

[theoldgolfer]

Thanks all for your posts. I finally saw a Consultant Cardiologist by paying private. I was able to take a copy of my 2 week Zio monitoring results and my Echocardiogram and some recent daily blood pressure results.

He was positive that I don't need a pacemaker or any other intervention, and put my light headedness as being most likely down to the medications and not drinking enough water, and was reluctant to change them as a any change could have been more damaging without showing symptoms.

As a result the letter he sent was good enough to allow my insurers to continue cover and now, my wife and I are looking forward to a nice cruise holiday 😁 I've stopped checking my night pulse rates as I'm not going to be fixated on something he said isn't a worry.