Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.

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Heart, Blood & Circulation
/ Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

cardiac ablation post heart rate

jannie63
jannie63
I am on my 5th day post-ablation recovery. I found it difficult. Today very saddened as my heart beat at rest had previously been 40 and since Monday after procedure i have held at 76 - UNTIL today when my pulse dropped to 54. I thought it was a very positive sign that my pulse almost doubled - I thought it indicated the ablation was a success ... any comments?
daisy0808
daisy0808
Heart rates very with each of us. Post ablation for me i stayed in the high 80's and 90's, took a few months for it to taper out to high 70's. I had lots and lots of afib the first couple of weeks too. I was bummed. You are still over your normal low pulse. Try to be patient it will all even out with a little time. Hope you feel better soon,
pacyetep
pacyetep
jannie

You're fine. Everyone's different based on their own physiology or where/how much you were ablated. Be glad your heart rate isn't 150 or 0.

petey
jannie63
jannie63
Thank you for your responses... I realize I must be patient... I did not expect it to be this hard - I have never known anyone with afib.us My pulse is all over the place now and my heart is thudding and thumping ...but still in the realm of 55-75... it hurts - but I hear you both to give it time.
snowshoedude
snowshoedude
Jannie, I concur with others. I think it took me 20 months to get from the post ablation 70 to 50s and occasionally dipping under. Pretty much what my EP said would happen. Good to hear things are going well with recovery. The "blanking period" can be a bumpy time so hang in there!
jannie63
jannie63
May I ask precisely what is the 'blanking' ?...what does that mean precisely ? Sorry - this is my first ablation and hopefully my last LOL
daisy0808
daisy0808
Blanking period is the first 3 months after an ablation, they say it takes at least that long for your heart to settle down from the procedure. Many go thru with flying colors, for others it can be a really rough patch as it was for me for the first month at least and then it tapered off. and gradually got better. hang in there!
pacyetep
pacyetep
jannie: Who did your ablation and could you describe your experience and recovery more? petey
tvanslooten
tvanslooten
Jannie:

I'd be curious how did your ablation as well and what your history was with afib prior to the ablation. Did you have it for many years? Were you taking drugs to treat it?

As for your heart rate, my resting heart rate was around 52 prior to my ablation. It has been in the 80's ever since. The thing is, I can't even tell. If I didn't check my heart rate monitor I'd think I was humming along at 52 beats per minute. Do you have discomfort or feel any difference with the increased heart rate? Regardless, don't worry about it. Your heart rate is going to be much higher for a while. It might take several months before it settles down to your pre-ablation heart rate - and it may never return to that rate. You may always be slightly higher moving forward.

For me, I consider it a blessing. I was never comfortable having bradycardia, which is what you have as well (a slow heart beat). If my heart settles back down in the 60s or even the 70s (which is actually more normal), I'll be very happy. Hell, I'd be happy if it stays in the 80s as that's still very normal.

Travis