High resting rate post op Maze IV procedure

[bethy67]

I had a Maze IV performed over seven weeks ago.  The EP that I saw recommended cardiac rehab to get me back on my feet.  When I followed up w him at about four weeks, he was aware my rate was high (107) and said it would continue to improve with my recovery.  I started the rehab program and one of the nurses told me my resting rate is way too high - its now 120.  I have been feeling lightheaded and dizzy more often.  I will be contacting the EP tomorrow but I wanted to know if anyone else had similar problems post Maze?

[GCP]

It is possible that your high HR is the result of anemia, which often happens after such surgery, especially if you had the open heart w/bypass procedure.  Ask to have your blood tested for low iron to see if that could be the cause.  You can expect a higher HR for weeks after such surgery, but my experience was that it would sometimes be around 90 at rest instead of high 70s.  Now, 9+ years later at age 69, resting HR is back to 55-60.

[GCP]

It is possible that your high HR is the result of anemia, which often happens after such surgery, especially if you had the open heart w/bypass procedure.  Ask to have your blood tested for low iron to see if that could be the cause.  You can expect a higher HR for weeks after such surgery, but my experience was that it would sometimes be around 90 at rest instead of high 70s.  Now, 9+ years later at age 69, resting HR is back to 55-60.

[Jerry_NJ]

I do not know what specifically the Maze IV is, a robotic procedure to do a Maze procedure on the heart?

I had a "mini maze" done several years ago when I was "open" for a valve repair.  The maze was done to cure atrial fibrillation.  It didn't hold, I went back into AFib about 30 days after the procedure.  The first sign I saw following surgery, and before I had my first follow up visit with my Cardiologist my resting HR was about 130.  My cardio confirmed I was back in AFib and some Atrial Flutter too.   I have been living with the AFib since that time with mediation to reduce clot formation and to lower my HR.  I take both a beta blocker and a calcium channel blocker and my resting HR is now in the 70s... I think in the high 60s when sleeping or really at rest.  

I agree a resting HR of 120 is too high.