Heart ablation

[johnsgirl5]

I am recouping from my ablation done 6 days ago.  My doctor prescribed the medicine NADOLOL to be taken long with FLECAINIDE nd my blood pressure med. HYZAAR.  I am very tired and my heart rate is around 48, 50 bpm.  Did anyone else take this medicine NADOLOL, and did it affect your heart rate like mine?  This seems to be the only adverse side effect of my ablation, so far.

[stutterheart]

Flecainide was probably perscribed because an ablation tries to scar the tissue to cut off conduction and in the first few weeks, the tissue can still conduct until scar tissue forms.
Heart rate of 55 is very good. I have as low as 33 at times. Good luck with it. What was it meant to fix?

[johnsgirl5]

I did question taking rhe Flecainide in addition to the other meds,but, he is the Dr. and I guess we all have to trust their decisions.  I hope to feel better in the coming days.  Thank you for writing back.

[johnsgirl5]

Thanks for the reply.  Since I last wrote, my dosage has been lowered and I feel a little better.  You were right about my blood presure, it was low along with my bpm's.  I guess it will take a while to feel my best.  My right leg is aching, but, I understand that is the norm also.  Whew!!

[mariop]

I'm puzzled by the fact that they want you to use  FLECAINIDE; which is an anti-arrhythmic drug.  If the ablation was successful then there must be some other reason for Flecainide.  There are other blood pressure medications that do not affect your heart beat (lisinopril).  I would have a nice talk with your doctor at the next follow-up visit, and get better clarification.

[Jerry_NJ]

I have no experience with Nadolol, but I read it is a non-selective beta blocker that is administered to lower HR and BP.  So, if you un-medicated HR is low, say 60 bpm or less, then it seems reasonable that with the medication you could go as low as 59 bpm or so.

Have you checked you BP, it may be lower too.  

The beta blocker may be administered to lower the work you heart is doing to aid in the healing process, not sure on this point, just seems like a possibility on why is was prescribed.  I seems reasonable to me for you to call you doctor and ask about the lower HR and any other concerns/questions you have.  I understand it takes several weeks for the heart to fully heal.