Another "almost" fainting episode. Getting worried!

[bundleblocker]

I posted earlier about a fainting episode I had after being in Afibs during the night. Have seen my internist and don't have blood results yet. He thinks it was due to dehydration or maybe low blood pressure (although my BP is usually high and I'm on Diovan and Metroprolol (for the Afibs)

I think perhaps Diovan & Metropropol in combination is too much and making my BP drop. What do you guys think?  

In any case, I just had an episode of extreme slowing of my heart beat. Felt light headed for a few seconds, but did not pass out (although I was debating if I should lie down on the floor) Heart rate felt faint and very slow.

I haven't been able to get a hold of my cardiologist yet  Should I see the internist again?

I'm getting nervous about this as I live alone.

[bundleblocker]

Thanks to both Musikbox and Jerry:

Your information was very helpful!.  

From what Musikbox said about low heart rates it is possible my heart rate was that low and that was the reason I passed out last week while in Afibs.  It seems odd though, because usually when in Afibs the heart speeds up.  

I guess there is just no way of knowing exactly what my heart was doing. The blood tests are back and everything is normal.  It could just be stress causing the fainting episode and the "almost fainting" episode.  I've really been stressed out since the hip surgery. For someone who is used to walking/jogging/running 3 hours a day it is very difficult to be housebound.  Hopefully, in a few more weeks I will be healed completely.

Thanks again guys!

[musikbox]

whoops, sorry, that comment was for bundle blocker

[musikbox]

I'm on Atenelol (a beta blocker like Metalprolo), once a day, 25 mg, and it's taken my heart rate from 180 bpm to 70/80 bpm.

However, I don't take it anymore because I can't stand beta blockers. Going to see if my arrhythmia can be cured via ablation instead.

Your heart rate is slower when you sleep, 35 bpm is fine.

It's when your awake and your heart is beating at 35 bpm, that is the problem.

However, if your rate was extremely low during rest and you were not sleeping, chances are that you wouldn't even have been conscious (though this depends on the person).

My sister has said she has seen heart rates in the 20's in some patient, but like I said, they were unconscious and hence why they were in an ambulance to begin with.

(My sister is an EMT who gets done with Paramedic school in June)

When you exercise, your heart rate jumps. 170 is also acceptable depending on your age and the activity you were doing.

My heart has shot up to 180 bpm just by sitting down, and has gone to 200 bpm when I walk slowly. It ***** and I do have some sort of problem that the cardiologist is trying to figure out.

[Jerry_NJ]

I'm sure you have checked your HR, but given your rather low rate, I've never seen anything in the 50s in my best days, running days.  As for the 172, that could be fine if you are under 40 yr.old.  And the range could indicate a athlete's heart .. Otherwise, slow down.

[bundleblocker]

Hi Jerry:
I'm only on 25 mg Metoprolol and 160 mg Diovan, but when I had a holter monitor last year (before getting the Metopropol) my H.R dipped to 35 during the night  Neither doctor seemed concerned.  (It also rose to 172 when jogging up a hill, so maybe a big difference like that means a healthy heart?)

I just think maybe the HR dips even further now with the 2 BP medicines and worry about that.

I have heard your heart does a kind of "kick start" if it drops to 30.  So maybe I'm worrying for nothing.

Thanks!

[Jerry_NJ]

I guess it is an individual thing, but I'd think low dosage of beta blocker would not cause the problems you describe.

I have taken as much as 200 mg Metoprolol (100 by 100) to slow down a HR that wanted to run around 130 at rest.  This made me very sensitive to a change in physical load, e.g., standing up.  I never passed out, but did sit down on the floor on a couple of occasions.  I have subsequently gone down to one 100 mg a day, and have little or no trouble, but it is still a good idea for me to stand up slowly, then start walking, never "jump" up and take off.

What dose are you on?  Are you doing better yet?

Best,