Pulse Rate

[JoKelly]

I had the ablation three months ago and have had one further AFib since.  This last week, I couldn't sleep for the loud pulsing in my ears which I can hear has some occasional irregularity, not AF but just a missed beat or two.  My pulse rate which is normally around 56pm rose to 77 during this time.  Last night, the sound faded and I was back to 58 again.  Now I can work out that the loud pulsing and feeling of head pressure is down to a speed up of the heart rate.  I am to wear a Novacor monitor for a week on 10th Jan as a routine after the ablation.

What I wanted to ask, as so many have had ablations in this forum, did anyone else experience these pulse rate wide variations?  I know the heart is healing even now and changes can be expected I suppose - but what changes?

[JoKelly]

I love this forum as it is a great way of reassurance and not feeling on your own and you can be sure that every worry you have is the same for someone else also.  I wish all a happy and healthy time ahead.

[dmacd74]

Hi.  I had an ablation on November 26th.  Since then I have only had about 5 skips a day.  I thought they were pacs, but I had a holter monitor (standard after ablation) recorded 3 pvcs.  I can obviously live with this since I had upwards of 17K per day of pvcs.  

Since the ablation, I am being weaned off the 75 mg of Metoprolol.  It is slow going.  I have been experiencing positional dizziness.  I am down to 25mg.  I do not need the drug because I don't have high blood pressure.

Like you I have noticed variable heart rate.  Sometimes it is 80 up to 100.  Sometimes it is 60.  It could be related to the reduction of Metoprolol or it could be healing from the ablation.  Nevertheless, my EP tells me that everything is fine and it sometimes takes up to 6 months to fully heal.  I hate when the rate goes up, even at rest, but I have been reassured that that is normal after ablation.  I am just thrilled to be free of the pvcs.  I am drinking caffeine coffee again (one in the am) and am loving it.  Also had some chocolate during Christmas.  I know those can cause heart rhythm probe, but not having them when having numerous pvcs didn't seem to make a difference.  I have also had some pinching chest pain when exercising, but had a stress echo and EP and Cardiologist all say don't worry.  I hope we both feel better soon.  Debbie

[MichelleP_3811]

That is an interesting comment, that you feel better at the lower rate.  I actually have a normally high pulse rate in the 80s resting and a lot of times in the 90s.  Now that I am exercising more the rate is going down but I am finding some discomfort when my heart rate drops into the 60s resting.  I guess it just goes to show our hearts get use to beating at a certain pace.  I hazard to guess once our hearts get use to a new beat rate they would adjust just fine but I suspect in your case your beat will slow down eventually to where it was but it is just that the heart does take a long time to fully recover and I think afib ablations are even more taxing then accessory pathway ablations so just take it slow until you feel strong again.  But if you sense something is off do contact your doctor and go and get checked out.  Sometimes that peace of mind can do wonders for us.  I wish you have a wonderful New Year as well.  Take care.

[JoKelly]

Thank you for replying.  I guess I am just getting anxious that the procedure was unsuccessful and it is good to hear of another with the same pulse variations.  I actually feel much better when my pulse is at my normally low rate, but perhaps the 'new' heart layout is going to place me in a different range.  It is such a 'wait and see' thing over an indefinite period.  Have a Happy New Year.

[MichelleP_3811]

My heart rate was all over the place for quite some time after my ablation.  The procedure really does get the heart irritated and it takes a while for it to settle down so just try and take it easy while your heart rests up.  Though you are normally low a 77 reading isn't too concerning.  I guess if you have other disturbing symptoms with the higher rate I would contact the doctor but other than that I think you are likely fine.  Sometimes when I start to hear my pulse I change positions and that seems to help it go away.  Take care.