Low resting heart rate (50's)

Well I am one for the books. I’ve had Afib for 40 years and I’ve had a low heart rate all my life, 46 resting. I am not an athlete nor do I have any symptoms of tiredness, dizziness, and or shortness of breath. I am 76 and in good health with bounds of energy. I only experienced episodes of Afib once or twice a year until I had Covid for a month two years ago. Since then, I get more Afib episodes at least once or twice a month. I’ve only been to ER 4 times since then. They put me on a diltiazem drip and two hours later my heart corrects. The cardiologist gave that drug to me in pill form which usually takes two hours to correct. Since I am getting them more frequently they suggest an ablation. I am very hesitant due to potential risks. My blood pressure is usually 117/75. I don’t drink anything caffeinated and watch my sugar intake. I also keep very hydrated with electrolytes. So my concern is the getting an ablation.

Everyone is different, but here is my experience. I had AFIB, severe left atrial regurgitation, atrial valve not opening properly, no comorbidities. I had mitral valve repair, ablation, and LAAC at 78, over a year-and-a-half ago. No more AFIB (it can work permanently). I exercise and eat smartly (low in calories, sugar, salt, and caffeine). I got off of Eliquis after four months by wearing a heart monitor for 30 days to be sure AFIB was gone. I had to push my cardiologist to put me on the monitor. My vital stats while sitting average 116/66, heart rate 68. I have also now weaned myself off of 12.5mg metoprolol daily and 81mg aspirin daily. (Read recent JAMA article that said low dose aspirin causes brain bleeding over time. Now it is recommended only for stroke and heart attack victims as I understand it. I have also read that metoprolol interferes with sodium and sugar levels. Too low an amount of sugar or salt can cause dizziness as I read it.) Vitals and alertness are better than ever. Daily, I do take a magnesium glycinate supplement containing 29% of RDA. Pure Encapsulations is the best brand I have found. I have read that magnesium and moderate exercise help folks to stay out of AFIB). I had a great surgeon at WakeMed in Raleigh, Dr. Boulton, who did all of the heart stuff. That was key of course. He also supports magnesium supplements. Overall, I feel extremely fortunate. Lastly, be sure to read "The AFIB Cure".

Hi! Great questions. I am on Metoprolol Succinate, too. Question....how long have you been taking it? I have been on it for 2 years. Had the same symptoms. However, with time, the side effects dissipated. My resting HR is in the low 50s. Sleeping HR goes in to 40s.

I'm thinking the medication will cause the fatigue and other symptoms. Especially if you haven't been on it for 6 months to a year. I speak with people who are athletes and they aim for their resting HR to be in the high 50s. Your sleeping HR is really good.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Unless the symptoms are interfering with your ability to function and daily life, I feel you're OK. Speaking from a long heart journey of medication games and tachy-brady syndrome I was diagnosed with. Took over 2 years to sort it out. Have had scares of when my HR dropped to the low 20s and increased to 150 when I was resting. Found out I had arrhythmia after open heart surgery. Ended up having ablation to fix arrhythmia. Doesn't sound like you have arrhythmia at all. You don't want a pacemaker unless absolutely necessary. Doesn't sound like you're a candidate for one.

Again.... how long have you been on the metoprolol? Also.... do you take it with food. The side effects of that beta blocker are a nightmare without food. It will tank your heart rate. Take with food if you're not already.

Hope this helps. Stay strong, heart warrior ❤️

My ablation procedure was at age 73, since then No AF events. First EP kept me on Eloquis. Second EP said you have worn monitor two times since ablation with no AF events. He took me off Eloquis, 8/23. I also had a pacemaker implanted 8/23. Find EP that you trust and follow their management of your condition. FYI, I went to second EP who my cardiologist recommended.

Good info--Thanks, Did it take long for you to get use to pacemaker? and what precautions do you take?
I am 77 and still do a lot of projects around house and mechanical work
Thanks again and take care
jer22

@bill0996
I have had a ICD/Pacemaker since 2006. I am on my 3rd one. They last about 6-10 years.

It takes about a year to get used to the first implanted one. That is because you have a foreign body in your body.

Mine was placed below my chest muscle because I am so active. The first few months (EP and cardiologist will give specific limitations) you have to watch moving your arms aggressively and jerking arms. There is a restriction on letting anything impact the area on your chest where the pacemaker is. This restriction is forever as you can damage the wires and or pull them.

There are a lot of precautions you have to take. The most important one is not letting the pacemaker get close to electrical devices. Cell phones, I phones, electrical devices etc. should be kept away from the device but we are talking about a foot or so. MRIs are an issue but can be done with precautions taken. The new devices/wires are MRI compatible. Mine is not nor the original wires placed on my heart.

I don't even know I have one now unless I raise my left arm above my head. That causes my pacemaker to move and let me know it is there. It is just a slight move but I know not to raise my arm extremely high over my head.

I see you do a lot of mechanical work. If should be fine if you just remember not to let the equipment get really close to pacemaker. When you get one your EP section will go over all precautions and you can always go on line to the maker who have tons of information and advise along with answering any questions.