Low HR after SVT ablation

[JLT1976]

Hi all,

I am 5 weeks post ablation for SVT today. At night when I relax to read, my heart rate drops far lower than before.

It can drop into the 40s but usually mid low to mid 50s. I don't feel unwell with it but indescribably tired and just not used to rates quite that low. They were healthy, around 60s before unless I was in SVT of course, which wasn't very often anyway.

Can anyone shed any light?

Thank you!

[Chinkoflight]

Hi, if you are on beta blockers or similar eg bisoprolol then you would expect your HR to drop, that is partly their function as well as reducing BP.I have bradycardia, long before any heart issues, and my HR is typically around 40 at rest, and at most relaxed can be 37 on my pulse. This might include 1 or 2 'dropped' beats.

I take bisoprolol in the morning when I'm most active. By the evening it will wear off somewhat.. In hospital I had bisoprolol in the evening and it had more impact combined with resting, so one evening HR fell below 30 setting off the nurse station monitor, they came and shook me awake!

I'm conscious that after hospital interventions I have been less active in recovery. I can feel the loss of fitness following even a week of inactivity. Therefore an activity seems more tiring. Also I have had an event or procedure and this too must impact perception of fitness and any 'normal' exercise seeming more tiring.

These seem the rational explanations in my mind.

It's the motivation to gradually improve my fitness and activity levels.

[JLT1976 in reply to Chinkoflight]

Thank you for your reply. I don't take any medications at all. That was my motivation to have the ablation was so I didn't have to I'm surprised by why people who have ablations then still need medication.

I also returned to my active life in full 9 days afterwards because I don't get paid if I don't work so neither of the reasons can be an explanation for me.

Perhaps things will change in time. Hopefully my EP will get around to checking on me at some point.

Good luck to you in your health and fitness...it's what we all crave. Thank you for your message!

[Chinkoflight in reply to JLT1976]

A good reason to remember everyone is an individual and generic population information is just that. Hopefully you'll find some answers.

[Eeee13]

hi

My experience is my heart rate was always low 40s sleeping 56 normal. Always been tired my whole life. Always been cold.

I’m Tachy/Bradicardic low blood pressure. AFib (over 500 times in 24hrs) arrhythmia, arterial flutter. Ectopic beats, heart rate goes anything between 23 & 184 only became aware January 24

Had right atrium ablation April 24 - Bp went 60/40 and heart went AFib. some success and 2 unexpected suprises, my peripheral temperature has gone up (I’m no longer cold 😊👍) and my blood pressure went up abit. My surgeon said he’d never had this happen before in 20 years. My 2nd Ablation Jan 25 my heart rate was 73/74 stable for the first time. It was great sadly only lasted 2 1/2 days and has been racing 150+ ever since during the day and drops to 42 at night. Tried cardio version again in Feb 25 lasted 15 minutes. I’m meds intolerant so nothing works.

Waiting another Ablation in left Atrium again urgently. With New tech - Optrell mapping catheters as trials have shown a better success rate in trials an only approved for use October 24. I’m now classed as a complex case🥱

Not sure if my blood group has any influence. O-negative and low blood pressure.

Every one I’ve met and know (9) who have had success with Cardio Version or Ablation all had high blood pressure and non were O-negative 🤔

Will be interested to hear of others experiences.

Good luck

[JLT1976 in reply to Eeee13]

I'm sorry to hear about all these procedures and the rollercoaster you are on. I hope eventually you will get the result you need... you raise some interesting points about blood groups and condition prior to treatment. I'm sure that there are things even the experts may never know.

I wish almost that I hadn't bothered as I wasn't that bad before. Unlike you, I have known for years....every ectopic, every run of tachycardia.(no matter how not particularly serious)...the anxiety of things getting worse drove me to it so shows you that you do need something worth zapping to start with. Hopefully you will have your good health soon.

Take care.