Mild AFIB, LBBB, Bradycardia and Tachycardia after Round of Golf

@4aces4me Sounds like we may be dealing with similar heart conditions. Fourteen and a half years ago, I had Afib 100% of the time and ended up having open Maze surgery to correct it. From then until the night of April 10th, I hadn’t had any heart issues and wasn’t taking any heart meds. But that night, between 9 and 10 p.m., all my heart rates suddenly jumped 20–30 bpm (or more) — and they’ve stayed elevated ever since.

My heart seems to behave like yours during and after activity. It revs up with exercise, then refuses to settle back down when I rest. For example, I’m sitting in my recliner typing this right now, and my heart rate is at 122. Earlier this morning, I was outside doing yard work and some heavy lifting — I saw my heart rate hit 150+ a few times. Here’s a quick snapshot from the Apple Health app:

9:51 – 126–149 bpm
9:53 – 128–135
9:55 – 128–170
9:57 – 128–138
and it kept jumping around until 10:09, when I came inside for a shower.
After that, while relaxing post-shower at 10:21, it ranged from 61–128 bpm.
I saw a cardiologist for the first time since 2012 (whole other story there), and he diagnosed me with Atrial Flutter. He said there were definite episodes of Afib, but the Flutter was constant — you just had to look closely at the EKG. He even pointed it out on one of my KardiaMobile tracings.

I don’t really feel discomfort, but there’s definitely a lack of energy. I used to call it being tired, but it’s not — I’m just running low on fuel. Breathing ramps up pretty easily too — not true shortness of breath, more like huffing and puffing during simple tasks.

He prescribed Eliquis and Metoprolol, with plans for a cardioversion after about 30 days. No mention of lifestyle changes. I do drink two cups of coffee a day, which puts me right near the max recommended 400mg of caffeine… plus the occasional square (or three) of dark chocolate. Still, I’m carrying on — doing what I can, when I can, then resting and repeating.

Hope you find a good path forward with your condition.

Oh, and for context — I’m 70 years old, 6'3", and 215 lbs.

@4aces4me
First your exercise routine is great. I also exercise 6 days a week normally 2 hours or more.

Your pulse rate going to 130 is a sign of your heart reacting to your exercise rate. The norm of 220 minus your age for maximum heart rate would put you around 148 and you are below that. Most cardiologist advise training at around 80% max heart rate. This information comes from my PCP and Mayo cardilogist as a GENERAL guide not specfic to each individual.

Your heart rate not returning to normal range over several hours can be specific to you and your heart. Do you fixate on your heart rate when you stop? If so know that anxiety and stress will keep your pulse rate high. It is the flight or fight syndrone.

My suggestion to try to get pulse rate down is do relaxation techniques. Your doctor can go over them. Deep breathing, yoga, relaxation techniques can do wonders lowering both pr and bp. At your age you are really doing some strenous and extended exercising. Talk to your doctors about relaxating techniques and see if they help.

I do Sprint Triathlons (even though I have HF and a ICD/Pacemaker) but my cardiologist want me to do a moderate level to no over tax my heart. So I keep my exertion down. I can usually tell when exertion going up with no breathing through my nose but by my mouth and increase short breathing versus deep breathing.

I worked with a pulmonologist specialist on deep breathing techniques. I actually learned deep breathing as a relaxtion form taking Yoga classes.

How much caffine are you driking? What is your lifestlye at home and any stress there. Your weight is high but you do not mentioned height. Too much weight can taxed heart to have to beat faster both in exercise and at rest.
Good luck!

As you find your way through this, consider asking for a low dose of an anti-anxiety drug. I started taking Xanax (1/2 tab of 0.25 mg, ie, low dose) and it has helped me more than any BP drug. It is fast acting and effective. In my case, anxiety apparently is what keeps heart rate and BP elevated.

I was already on a low does of Zoloft 50mg, started with 25mg and after 90 days it made me feel better so I requested going to 50mg which seems good. It was prescribed for Irritable Bowel Syndrome along with my anxiety. Before the return of my Afib Flutter and before Zoloft, my BP has good and continues to be good.

Kindred spirits! Thank you for sharing your valuable experience. Good health to you.