Can anyone help with this please?

Hi. I have a question to ask please. For those of you who have been following my story...I had an ablation 9 days ago for focal atrial tachycardia. Originally I was going to be having a sinus node modification with possible pacemaker, but my EP found I actually had atrial tachy (& not IST) so did an ablation which went very well.

My question is this. My resting heart rate since the ablation is 80. Before the ablation it was 100.....so it has come down. But I've been going on walks this week, as part of my recovery & trying to get fit again...& when I walk (at quite a fast rate) my heart rate only goes up to 88. Even after half an hour of constant walking it is only 88. I feel ok while walking, no symptoms. But shouldn't my heart rate be going higher?

Before my ablation my heart rate would shoot up to 130 as soon as I did any exertion. So for it to stay at 88 is great & it has stopped my arrhythmia symptoms. But is it too low at 88 on exertion? I'm just worried in case it should be higher.

Does anyone know? I don't have a pacemaker.

Thanks
Janey

2 Comments

What Is Fast Enough

by SMITTY - 2010-08-05 06:08:48


Hi Janey,

It is my understanding that the heart rate is not as important as is the amount of blood it can pump at any given rate. If at 88 BPM during exercise your heart is supplying enough blood to your body to keep you from being short of breath or getting more tired than you should then that must be fast enough. For me activity that would send my heart rate to 100 or above (I'm old, fat and out of shape) may only send a young athletes heart rate to 70 or less.

I woud think your heart rate would go higher than 88 during exercise unless you are in very good physical condition. The answer for your question will have to come from your doctor.

But to repeat if you start getting winded or real tired with what is a normal amount of exercise for you and your heart rate is not going above 88, then I woud take that as an indication you need a higher rate and it is time to see the doctor.

Good luck,

Smitty

Give it time

by nat36 - 2010-08-05 10:08:47

I think right after an ablation your heart is still healing so it may change in a month or two. I had a sinus node ablation and for a while my heart rate would not get above 50. I had to get a pacemaker but as time went on it did start going back up. I know yours was different but unless you start feeling bad when walking I wouldn't worry too much about it yet:) Good luck!

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