Electrical disease

[Barb1]

When I was in recovery last Saturday after my 4th ablation the EP told my husband that I had excessive electrical disease in the heart. Does anyone know what he might mean by that as my follow up is not until end of April?

[rosyG]

If Richard or Stephanie attend on wednesday we can sound them out- Hope you are still recovering well.

[Barb1]

Recovery a bit longer this time but hopefully all well by the 11th.

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

Barb, The heart has its own electrical system that is supposed to fire off in a very methodical way starting near the top with the SA node and progress in a very orderly fashion from top to bottom. When there is long standing high blood pressure, or other disease process going on within the heart, then A Fib can occur and the electrical flow starts randomly in the wrong areas of the atria and the contractions of the heart become disorganized and chaotic. When I was first diagnosed, the dr. looked at all my test results and said, "your heart is structurally and functionally in great shape, there is just this electrical mischief going on. Lower you blood pressure, reduce your stress and the AF will go away." That very day he brought in someone to help me learn to breathe properly, not breath holding, and encouraged me to exercise as much as I could and he has been encouraging me every since. Now that I am taking all of his advice to heart the electrical mischief is going away.

[Barb1]

Thank you for the advice but I think that my difficulties are a bit different as I am not stressed do not have high blood pressure and before all this exercised well. Mine is congenital AF causing also heart failure. The AF was first found when an x ray saw that my heart was enlarged. Then I realised that symptoms I was having were due to the AF

[Bryonny]

I can't say if my problems are the same as you, but I was diagnosed with AF in 2013, although my EP suspects I probably had changes in my heart in late teens, twenties that wasn't identified, I am now 57. (Looking back at symptoms I have had over the years this makes sense to me). My EP thinks my condition could be congenital or hereditary.

I also have some problems with my electrical pathway, so although in AF ventricles best slowly. I have been told I have what is in effect some heart block, with patches of disease at different levels within the Bundle of His. Apparently what I have is rare and I will be monitored closely for the rest of my life. It scared the hell out of me to begin with but very slowly I am learning to make lifestyle adjustments although I still find it hard at times to accept my condition as I was so fit and healthy before, however, I am very positive that if I make some wise lifestyle choices I may see improvements. The good news is when I went to hospital yesterday my heart structurally has improved slightly and my ECG recordings have also improved, that has left me feeling really happy and positive to keep going with the things I am currently doing.

Wishing you all the best.