Bradycardia means slow heart beat - often less than 50 beats per minute. One of my patients - heptagona - has bradycardia - rate less than 50 during attacks. Symptoms are fatigue and lack of energy. Has anyone experienced such bradycardia during an attack of SCLS? Dr Phil Greipp

Dr. Greipp I have had the lack of energy and fatigue quickly since my second serious attack. I think most of us do. When the EMT's pick me up at home after fainting, the blood pressure and pulse (<50) are too low to record. The pulse normally goes high during mild attacks, which would make sense to me. You would think that the heart would try to maintain pressure. The energy level is better after two IVIG treatments and the BP seems to dip less on events. Hopefully my other effects of CLS will diminish after the next few treatments. Walt

Walt It is helpful to know that you have had a similar slowing of your heartbeat with more serious attacks as heptagon has - Have others had similar experience? Thanks for writing, Walt. Dr Phil Greipp

With my son Connor's second attack, at the time the EMT's were at the house, his blood pressure was 67/32 and he had a pulse of 40. The EMT's told the hospital to have the pedi crash cart waiting for his arrival. Before we called for the EMT's he had no energy and was just sitting on the couch complaining of being cold. He would take cat naps lasting 20-30 minutes about every two hours. Hope the info helps.

Nolan has always had a low pulse with his attacks. The only time it was higher was with medication. His Dr. would alway comment how strange it was that his blood pressure would be so low (70/40) and his pulse would also be below 50. Wendy

Very helpful - thank you all. We will look into this. Dr Phil Greipp

My pulse rate reacted normally during just about all of my attacks. When my blood pressure crashed my pulse rate increased to compensate.

Dr, Greipp, In my daughter's case, she initially exhibited tachycardia during both episodes ( 6 months apart in 2007 aged 2). Thanks

When I have sever attaks it has begin up to six hours before the staff at the hospital can get a readable blood pressure. Many times they can not gget a pulse at all.