I am convinced that my main trigger is my low pulse and/or low blood pressure. When I am inactive for a long time, I first get missed beats and then convert into afib.

I know you guys have discussed this before but I simply can't find it using the search engine. I know it's there - can anyone help out approximatedly when it was discussed so I can read the posts?

Specifically, I need to address;

1 - Are these two related (low bp and low pulse rate)?
2 - How does one increase their pulse or bp? One can't be exercising all day.
3 - VERY IMPORTANT - what can I do to alleviate this situation when I'm asleep when both the bp and pulse goes down?

I can't believe I'm the only one facing this problem, barring some answers in those previous posts that I can't find - any suggestions to my dilemma? I'm going nuts looking for something proactive to do. Again, you guys are great for sharing knowledge.

Shawn o'R.

Shawn,

Are you on beta blockers or any other meds?

Richard

Shawn, I recall that Hans did have something to say about that, but it was probably a year or more ago. One issue that I have had is that my HR is normally low (in the 40's at rest), and sometimes at the end of the day, driving home, I can tell that it is really slowing down. It is kind of weird to be at a stop light at 5:30 PM or so and have a HR of around 40 to 45--one would think driving would be stressful enough to raise it! Anyway, if I have one of those days, I do something active when I get home rather than just sitting around. I go out in the driveway and shoot baskets or run or even just walk briskly--that gets the HR up a little and it seems to pass.

It has something to do with being vagally mediated. Your vagal tone at the end of the day can slow your HR down and then the heart tries to step it up or something and you can go into afib. THere is a quite scientific explanation that I do recall seeing here, but I don't remember it. The only other thing I remember is Han's mentioning that a nicotine patch might help that issue for vagal afibbers, but I can't remember why. I haven't ever tried that.

John

Please read my post of my first episode. I think maybe a suddend change in hr might trigger it. For example, I am sure my HR was high when I slugged down my ICE cold drink. I think this stimulated a slow pulse, followed by afib as my body could not tollerate the slow pulse at thie time.

I feel for you, it is very scary. My pulse went nuts (185 BPM) and felt like it was trying to escape from my chest.

Tom