16 days post ablation for PAF, should I still be getting intense episodes of AF. last week 155bpm, this week 95bpm. Should I contact Cardio?

[SteveFozzie]

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Steve - It's common after an ablation for your pulse to go a bit haywire. It takes 3 months for the heart to heal and for scars to form to block the source of rogue triggers, but never ever put up with any symptoms that are worrying you. Do you have an arrithymia nurse you can contact? Your hospital will most likely have one or two, if you don't know I would ring your hospital and ask to be put through to one. 95bpm doesn't sound too bad considering you recently had an ablation. Is it constantly at that rate now or is that it's highest level? I am not medically trained, but have had two ablations and also read of this happening to lots of members of this forum.

Let me repeat, this is not a time to be having the stress of worries. Talk to a specialist nurse, doctor or leave a message with your EP's secretary asking for his advice. As EP's are very busy I would recommend the AF nurse first then your GP or cardiologist.

Wishing you a speedy recovery and take it easy until you are feeling better.

[BobD Volunteer]

Good advice Jean -doing me out of a job eh! Steve this is all perfectly normal and it is such a shame that doctors never seem to explain all the ins and outs of the recovery period which only increases patients fears when things happen.. I had my first ablation before arrhythmia nurses had been thought of and the difference when I had my second with that support was amazing. So much so that I sat on the BHF committee managing the program as a patient representative for three years and campaigned for greater access. I must add that these are not normal nurses, rather master degree consultant nurses with clearance to hold clinics and prescribe drugs. Most know more about AF than many normal cardiologists!

Bob

[porridgequeen]

My GP told me that under 100bpm is not considered a high rate.

Since my ablation late last year I have been watching my pulse rate slowly reduce from mid 90s to low 70s - very reassuring as I am not on heart meds any more though still best friends with warfarin. It would seem that you are doing very well but follow the advice of Jeanjeannie and Bob and you won't go far wrong.

[Dodie117]

I too would say be patient. I had lots of episodes in the first3/4 months but now almost 6 months in all is calm. My heart rate is definately a lot higher - from mid sixties pre ablation to high 70s/low 80s now. Howenever I feel fine so hopefully you will too. Stay positive and good luck.

[SteveFozzie]

Thank you all for your responses. Although I was aware that episodes of fibrillation were possible/likely, I hadn't realised they could be so severe. I have also been having bouts of quite severe indigestion, and having just spoken to the arrhythmia nurse, she has re-assured me that even these are part of the healing process. All in all I feel more re-assured now, and having gone back to work today, I found that my heart rate even dropped!

[iris1205]

Hi Steve, mine got worse.... just let them know if you are getting such intense episodes of AF... they might alter your medications so they can keep the heart calm while it heals! It is a good sign that the bpm is improving, hope the AF is as well.

Keep us posted.