Atrial fib

Can you have slow heart rate and have atrial fib?  Last time  I had atrial fib my heart rate was high. I feel the irregularity and pounding buts it's really slow.  Maybe the meds I'm on is what's making it slow???  

[Brooke_38]

Hello...

Yes, you can have Atrial Fib accompanied by a slow rate....It's how the ventricles receive the impulse that determine how slow or rapid your heart rate may respond during Atrial Fib. This would most commonly be referred to as AFib with SVR (slow ventricular response) vs. AFib with RVR (rapid ventricular response) The latter would need to be treated promptly as rates can exceed 200+bpm and the heart cannot withstand this for too long.

What medications are you currently taking for this?

[susan95062]

I take flecanide and toprol.  When I went to the er 2 weeks ago for this my heart rate was pretty high. But I have the same feelings. But heart rate is 60.  I just finished 24 hour monitor yesterday.  

[Brooke_38]

Hello...

What did they do for you in the ER? Did they have to cardiovert you by use of medications or cardiovert with electricity?

Other than Afib, have you ever been diagnosed with PVC's (premature ventricular contractions) or PAC's (premature atrial contractions)? These too can cause a pounding sensation. You're now taking Flecainide as an anti-arrhythmic and a betablocker (Toprol) for rate control....what about an anticoagulant? Are you taking Coumadin or at least an Aspirin? This is very important as with Afib, there is a real risk of clot formation due to the blood that pools in the atria related to the fibrillating activity. This can lead to stroke. Many cardiologists use the CHADS scoring system to determine what the risk is and then base their decision on whether the patient should take Coumadin or that it is safe for them to take a full stregth ASA (325mg).

If you continue to feel the way you do and you are feeling concerned or anxious then you may want to make a trip to the ER to find out if in fact you are in active Atrial Fib.

I hope that you get to the bottom of this and that it is quickly resolved:) Please keep us posted.

[susan95062]

I was originnaly diagnosed with svt after I passed out for no reason.  They told me if there were enough pauses there that could had made be pass out.  We tried ablation after I passed out the second time.  But I had no success with It.  So he put me sotolol for  a little while.   I was stll having svt he switched n me to rythmol. I stayed on that for a for months.  So now I'm on my current medications.  Still having PVC and svt.  But thY a fib was twice asbad then it.   So now my heart rate is now slow and iregular today.  Friday it was when I did a holter

[susan95062]

In the er the only thing they did was give me a flecanide and a toprol and kept me overnight.  My heart rate converted several hours later.  I was not given coumadin or aspirin.  I won't see my dr until April.  I was not told to take an aspirin after the er visit.  

[Brooke_38]

Hello...

I can't say that I'm at all shocked that you were not told to take any kind of anticoagulant by the ER physician. Their goal in many cases is to "treat and street" the patient. I am assuming that you have seen a cardiologist since that trip, given that you just finsihed a 24 hr holter monitor. That said, and since you don't have an appt to see him/her until April....I would strongly advise that you add a daily dose of Aspirin to your current medication regime.

This can only help protect you against clotting that occurs with Atrial Fib. Howeever, if there is some reason that you are not abe to tolerate this due to gastrointestinal problems I would suggest you calling the Dr's office. You can then ask him/her why you were not advised to take something to reduce your risk of stroke.