full recovery from ablation

[ZVI-]

had ablation about 4 weeks ago....was a runner before...can do light exercise...walking...walking up to 5 miles a day...but any idea how long before returning to full running regime (was running 15 to 20 miles a week)...have little endurance / stamina for any running...am i inpatient.or expecting more than i can do....?

[MarHunt]

It probably depends what you were doing before your ablation what you can do now. I am a keen runner and started running a week after my ablation. I was horrified at how slow I was but it didn't harm me. I was trying to get back to some kind of performance level and that took a long time. I'd say go out for runs, don't worry about the pace, listen to your body and you'll soon be able to build back up to what you used to do. Do it for the joy of it. Pushing myself made me miserable. Looking back on it I was looking for a training effect that my body just couldn't give me back then. That was over 2 years ago and I'm much stronger now. I'm still not as fast as I was pre-ablation but I don't do the same speed training I used to.

[higgy52 in reply to MarHunt]

Hi ive been keeping fit all my life, never heard of afib till i got it,

im now 58, had cardiovertion never worked, going for angagram next,

do you think they will give me ablation next, like you need to get back to gym

[pip_pip in reply to higgy52]

Hi higgy52,

Ask. Nothing to lose. The longer you delay asking the longer they delay doing. Sometimes we have to push them, being the medics.

[higgy52 in reply to pip_pip]

Thanks for your advice pip-pip. good luck

[katmer59 in reply to higgy52]

I got one because I couldn't tolerate the drugs - brought my BP and pulse too low. So, just a year after my first episode of AF, my doctor elected to do the cryoballoon ablation. Good luck!

[Jason1971]

I think it depends on how you feel. I asked my EP after my ablation when I could start exercising again. His main concern for the first week or two was my groin. I asked about my heart and whether or not I should build up slowly and he said I know my body, so go with how I feel. That was just under two weeks ago and I started light training on Wednesday. Mainly weights, but I have completed a small run with no issues.

I've read articles on triathletes and other endurance competitors recovering from ablations and they do vary in their recovery training and time. As MarHunt states, start easy and build up. I'm not a big runner, but it is part of my training. I'm staying off the roads at the moment, just using the treadmill until I feel I'm strong enough to go out.

As we are all different l don't think there is any set in time period to wait, just go with how you feel, but take it easy to start.

[Therealsue]

ZVI - to add to my comment on the other thread - part of the reason that it took a while to get my stamina back was that I couldn't really do much training at all for the best part of a year prior to ablation. As you've probably been told, it takes a good 2-3 months for the heart to heal properly.

[Pommylump]

I had my ablation same day as Jason, nearly 2 weeks ago, I saw my cardiologist on Thursday and he said start training again but take keep the intensity down for a couple of weeks, I cycled 30km yesterday and 70km today, my heart rate was a few beats higher than I would of expected for the effort, but I felt ok overall, but more tired than I thought I should.

I am usually fairly fit, my heart went into Afib during an ironman run start of December, got cardioverted back to rhythm xmas eve, did cycling all through January and up to ablation, so still have a bit of fitness.

[weezergeezer]

Whats the rush, take it easy and ease back into it, how would you feel if you pushed yourself back into an Afib episode, (exercise induced Af) be kind to yourself for a bit..........

[Misseyj55]

Just remember you may have not been opened up for this procedure but your heart does need to heel inside and get better. It has to learn to beat properly through new pathways....it needs to heal......don't rush into exercise that is strenuous be gentle with your new health ....cause you don't want to get AF back now you have been through the procedure to make it better for yourself...just saying.....best of wellness to you ....

[dedeottie]

This is my 4th week after ablation. I am fine for most thinks. I walk 4 miles a day at a good pace on flat ground but going up hills at the moment is a non starter. Yesterday I tried to push a heavy wheelbarrow and was out of sorts for the rest of the day. Previous to ablation I had kept a fairly decent level of fitness although not an athlete in any shape or form! I have decided to take it easy till after my 3 month appointment. I am just so glad to be free of A.F. I think I can live without pushing wheelbarrow for now. Good luck with your recovery. X

[ZVI- in reply to dedeottie]

thanks for the reply i am at the 4 week mark and have been walking 4 to 5 miles a day....

[MickN]

I am nearly three weeks on from my ablation and I am in no way able to even consider anymore than walking at the moment, still get quite breathless, my longest walk on Thursday gone coincided with my first episode of AF the following morning.

I can just tell than anything more strenuous is going to kick my AF off, same feeling as pre ablation, got some irregular beats this morning.

I actually felt better last weekend than this, so not sure about my recovery, peed off big time, I at least thought I would get a round of golf in.😞

[CarlW76]

ZV - I had an ablation end of Sept and started running again after 6 weeks.

I train with a HR monitor and do most of my runs at around 70-75% of max HR. I'm now training for London marathon in April but I'm nowhere near where I was performance wise before having the ablation.

So like the others have said just start slowly, enjoy your runs and don't worry about pace.

Good luck.

[MickN]

Enjoy the runs, I am just managing run up the stairs without catching breath.

I'm pretty sure that having had this blood coming up few days after my ablation, that something is not quite right with my chest/lungs, my AF maybe under control but my breathing function does not feel right.

I was a pretty fit 54 yr old, so AF aside surely I should not be struggling like this.

Or has anyone else had such issues post ablation.

[MickN]

Thanks Jo

My actual ablation went well, my EP stated he was even able to stay I longer and carry out some extra stuff, but explained in medical terms so not sure exactly what it was.

But see what you mean more around cardio than lungs.

My EP said I could stop the Bisoprolol as I am mild asthmatic, but that coincided with my first bouts of AF.

All this combined lots of muddled thoughts.

Will keep ya posted on my entrance for the London marathon haha

[dedeottie]

Mick it is definitely the breathing that's the problem for me and I am sure I've read that others have felt the same for quite a long time. It must depend on how much burning they did. I was in the lab for 5 and a half hours and all 4 veins were isolated using 2 large ovals. I reckon that's quite a lot and so it is not surprising if it is taking time. I'm sure breathing s closely linked to and affected by heart function anyway. I'm sure all will be well for you but maybe you should contact your arrhythmia nurse to put your mind at rest. X

[MickN in reply to dedeottie]

Thanks Dedeottie, thing is I don't have an arrhythmia nurse to contact.

[Jason1971 in reply to MickN]

Didn't they give you a tel. number for the ward you were in Mick? I didn't get a great deal in the way of information when discharged and I wasn't given a number for an arythmia nurse, but was told to call the ward I was in if I have any complications. I assume that wasn't just for any groin issues.

I hope things pick up soon and listen to the advice about taking it easy.

[pip_pip]

You might try AFA helpline AF Association

24 hours help line [phone]

Phil

[MickN]

No nothing guys, just emailed my EP when I had the blood issue couple of days after the ablation.

Things just don't seem to be settling down as informed or expected.

[Asdfvv]

Taking flecenaide may also affect your recovery. Ever since I began taking it, it made me feel weak and anemic.