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Sjogren's and Heart Block?

Posted by JohnWBurns @johnwburns, Jul 7, 2016

I've been dealing with kind of a sudden onset bradycardia, HR low 50's to 60, and trying to figure out why its happening. I had an EKG today and the nothing abnormal other than the slow heart rate. I have been diagnosed with Sjogren's and carry anti-Ro antibodies. I don't know if I carry anti-cardiolipin antibodies. Here's 1 case report of anti-Ro causing arrhythmia: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3110856/

If anyone has heard of this, or has it, please share it. Thanks.

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Martin Jensen, Volunteer Mentor | @predictable | Jul 8, 2016

@johnwburns, I'm glad to see you back this morning and hope that your experience with a "slow" heart beat is not a problem for you. Your EKG yesterday was normal and not indicative of an arrhythmia. A pulse rate of low 50s to 60 may be a good sign rather than a disappointment. For years, my heart rate was between 48 and 55, and even now, my cardiologist says I'm fine if it's 50 or higher. In my case, A-fib is a factor, and my hypertension is treated with a beta blocker that slows the heart. Since I'm not typical, I contacted my medical team for a discussion and closely monitor my heart rate every day.

REPLY
2 replies
JohnWBurns | @johnwburns | Jul 8, 2016
In reply to @predictable "@johnwburns, I'm glad to see you back this morning and hope that your experience with a..." + (show)
@predictable

@johnwburns, I'm glad to see you back this morning and hope that your experience with a "slow" heart beat is not a problem for you. Your EKG yesterday was normal and not indicative of an arrhythmia. A pulse rate of low 50s to 60 may be a good sign rather than a disappointment. For years, my heart rate was between 48 and 55, and even now, my cardiologist says I'm fine if it's 50 or higher. In my case, A-fib is a factor, and my hypertension is treated with a beta blocker that slows the heart. Since I'm not typical, I contacted my medical team for a discussion and closely monitor my heart rate every day.

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Thanks for the encouragement. I wouldn't care about the slow heart rate if it were not for 2 things, its accompanied by symptoms, and the drop was the 70's was abrupt. Since it dropped into the 50's I tire a lot easier and have zero inclination toward any activity. The GP said the heat here is probably a factor, over 105 every day, as well as dehydration. I don't doubt that either or both are factors. Thinking of moving east to get a milder climate. I've seen where a slower heart rate may actually be protective, but only in a healthy individual, which at the moment I don't feel qualified to say that I am. So you're on a blood thinner for the a-fib I assume. From the daily monitoring I assume that its warfarin?

REPLY
Martin Jensen, Volunteer Mentor | @predictable | Jul 8, 2016
In reply to @predictable "@johnwburns, I'm glad to see you back this morning and hope that your experience with a..." + (show)
@predictable

@johnwburns, I'm glad to see you back this morning and hope that your experience with a "slow" heart beat is not a problem for you. Your EKG yesterday was normal and not indicative of an arrhythmia. A pulse rate of low 50s to 60 may be a good sign rather than a disappointment. For years, my heart rate was between 48 and 55, and even now, my cardiologist says I'm fine if it's 50 or higher. In my case, A-fib is a factor, and my hypertension is treated with a beta blocker that slows the heart. Since I'm not typical, I contacted my medical team for a discussion and closely monitor my heart rate every day.

Jump to this post

Yes, @johnwburns. Warfarin it is. Stable anticoagulant factor. No symptoms from that. Now on a beta blocker for hypertension, and it slows my pulse rate, which usually falls between 60 and 70 -- 10 beats higher than before a-fib showed up. Do you think your medical team can pinpoint what caused your pulse rate to drop suddenly?

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