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My cardio diagnosed me with a-fib. I use a heart rate monitor when I'm on my (non-motorized) bike, and I've been noticing some very fast jumps in HR at the start of my rides, like for 100 to 170 in a few moments; this is during the first mile, so I'm still warming up. The jumps are scary but that's the only symptom; nevertheless, I keep my workload limited during my rides, and I don't see any other quick jumps during the rest of the ride. (I do see increases in HR that correspond to rises in the road or riding into headwinds.

I asked about the jumps, and I was told it wasn't a-fib. Instead, it's because my pacemaker senses the increase in effort and speeds up my heart so I don't keel over from lack of oxygen. The high HRs will resolve normally, and I don't need to limit my efforts during workouts.

I cannot describe how happy that made me.

Yesterday was my hardest ride in a couple of years. I did not experience the jump at the start. Has the pacer 'learned'? Was the explanation accurate?

Does anyone here have the knowledge necessary to confirm or refute the explanation of my HR jump? (Obviously, you can't speak to my specific pacer, so I'm asking generally.)

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I've had problems with BP and energy ever since the pacemaker was inserted. Until 6 weeks ago, I had to choose between having energy and bad BP readings (160/100) or having no energy to speak of and almost OK BP readings (140/90).

2 months ago I remembered I had taken a beta blocker years ago without negative effects. (Eventually it stopped controlling my BP.) I asked to be switched to it, and the effects were immediate: big drop in BP, big boost in energy. Now my readings are high only after I've been working on condo stuff - the board here has been negligent and arrogant in spades.

It's not that I'm riding much faster. Instead, it's that my rest stops are much shorter this year than last. But I'll take what I can get.

In any case, one beta blocker works well for me; one doesn't. Same class of drug, same predicted results, very different actual results. From now on, if I'm unhappy with a drug, I'll fight to change it, and I recommend the same to you.

'Evidence-based' anything takes one only so far. It's a decent start, but it's not the end.

Meanwhile,

I heard good things about sesame oil and blood pressure in a study of men over 45. Mom got dad taking sesame oil and we'll soon see if he has a good result. I started taking some too. Olive oil is really good to lubricate blood vessels to avoid buildup and keep arteries flexible. Glad your mystery heart rate was figured out. I'm happy for you that you are out there riding. Doctors try but you are correct that we have to listen to our own bodies and speak up.

Are you by chance taking any sort of fish oil or omega 3 supplements? There is evidence that point to these supplements causing a fib. Google omega 3 arterial fibrillation for more info.

I have no firsthand knowledge; I recently read an article and I’m just passing along possibly relevant info.

Thanks, Buck.

My W is big on supplements; I'm not. I have let her talk me into taking vitamins B, C, & D, and I take melatonin and magnesium for sleep aids. It turns out that magnesium may help regulate heart rate.

So far, I get my omega-3 from directly from fish, but it's good to know that it can possibly screw up HR regulation.