Post Ablation

[Sharon1234567]

Hi. I am due to undergo my 1st ablation on the 9th December and was wondering if after 3-6months I have no symptoms of AF whether I still have AF and have to declare it to any travel insurers. Also why do you still need to take beta blockers and warfarin post ablation if there are no symptoms. Thanks

[BobD Volunteer]

Firstly there is a growing belief amongst EPs that stopping AF via ablation does not stop the stroke risk as the changes top the internal surface of the atria can still cause pooling and uneven flow. That is a good reason to continue taking anticoagulation but even if you decide to stop eventually you should remain on it until the heart has fully recovered, say three to six months. Regarding the beta blocker or anti arrhythmic drugs these are usually continued to allow the heart to heal in a peaceful way without having to fight impending AF which will try to persist until the scar tissue properly forms. Hope tat helps explain it.

Bob

[Sharon1234567 in reply to BobD]

Thanks for your reply I just hope all goes well on the day.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Sharon1234567]

Why wouldn't it. I had three before my AF was sorted and would go a fourth time if needed. Better than root canal dental work.

lol

Bob

[shirlygirly]

Hi Sharon, Im 3 weeks today post ablation and my heart is performing

perfectly. Nothing to worry about you will be absolutely fine, just be

warned you will be extremely tired for a while afterwards. Hope all

goes well for you, good luck for a good result.

[Hidden]

You do need to inform your travel insurer of your AF history. They will decide if it is relevant. This is most important. Sandra

[Barb1]

All the insurance firms I contacted said that I had to be AF free for 2 years.

[CDreamer in reply to Barb1]

You do have to inform them if you don't want your cover invalidated, you have to fill in a questionnaire which from your answers, they assess the risk. It doesn't mean you can't get insurance or that it will cost more as there are many companies who specialize in covering people with medical conditions. The only difficulty I encountered is wanting to travel within 2 weeks of having the ablation, I had to shop around but I still obtained an annual multi trip policy for less than £80, I am 63 years, age in this case seems to matter much morel. 70+ and there is a price hike, 80+ and the loading makes it unaffordable for any travel outside of Europe. (My husband declared AF amongst other illnesses). Think ooo after the figure!

[Hidden]

I'd tell the insurers, then you can't be in the wrong.

Re the ablation, I've had 2 and they were both a breeze although 2nd time round they didn't actually ablate when they got in there. I would have a third no problem. One was under GA and the other under local, not sure which I prefer. I didn't have to recover much, just a few days, and I felt great after both which I assume was the drugs. I tried to buy some but they wouldn't let me (I am joking ).

Koll