life after successful ablation?

[Mejulie69]

Just wondering if you have experienced successful ablation – can you forget you ever had AF or do you always have to keep it in mind? I ask specifically with regards to exercise and alcohol. They are definitely the 2 things I miss the most.

[Victoria55]

I’m 9 mos. out from my ablation and have been doing very well-I do stay away from caffeine and alcohol they were my triggers . And frankly they aren’t worth going into A-Fib for.. I walk and do Pilates and haven’t yet had any problems with those exercises. I rarely ever think about my A-Fib, but I know it could come back one day, but it won’t rule by life like it did before my ablation. I hope you will find your peace with our shared lovely heart condition. Wishing you all the best

[ianparry]

I had an ablation ( Pulmonary Vein Isolation) 9 months ago in Broardgreen Hospital ( Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital) and had a 9 month check up a few weeks back. I know everyone is different, but mine has been a great success. I am a 58 male who had persistent AF & had undergone a course of amiodarone and then a cardioversion and was first diagnosed in 2012. I used to be a keen cyclist prior to persistent AF and have returned to cycling this summer, and after a slow build up am now doing 125/150 miles a week with no adverse reaction. I was extremely conscious of my rhythm for the first 3 months after the ablation, however, as time has gone on I now don't give it a thought. I am still on bisoprolol and rivaroxaban, but I am lucky that I don't seem to have any adverse reaction to them. At my next appointment if I am still in NSR then my medication will be reviewed. My resting pulse is approx 55bpm. I do cycle with a heart monitor so I can record/ monitor my pulse so as not to over do things. As regards alcohol, I have given up since my ablation. As it is a known trigger for AF i don't want to take the risk of going back into AF just for the sake of a drink. This is my personal choice and should no way influence any body decision, as the AF specialist nurse told me " we still have to enjoy life" so if you fancy a drink and are aware of the information it a personal decision. I do miss a cold beer or a glass of wine with a meal, and to be honest I don't think i would send me back into AF, it's just that I don't want to take the risk. I have become an expert on alcohol free beer!!! Overall my quality of life has improved dramatically since the ablation.

I hope this helps.

[Mejulie69 in reply to ianparry]

Great to hear. I dream of returning to cycling one day too.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to ianparry]

Interesting post Ian but my question, and not in a cruel way, would be if you really don't ever think about AF why are you here? Unlike me you are still on a drug for it (apart from anticoagulant which most should be on ) which must remind you.

My point is that I don't think one can ever forget about AF and either by changes to life style or diet most likely live a better life.

[BobD Volunteer]

Nine plus years since my last successful ablation I can't not know about AF and to be honest worry more about it coming back than my cancer. I would be surprised if you can ever forget about it .

[Mejulie69 in reply to BobD]

Bob, 9 years is a long time to be worried about something that hasn't yet happened (?), don't you think?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Mejulie69]

My feeling is that few people really have a totally arrhythmia free life after AF which reminds us. Just having AF increases our body's self awareness and it seems common that ectopics become part of post ablation life so whilst we all know that they are harmless they do form reminders of a past life. Some people find them as bad as AF! In my l own case, working with others as I do is a constant reminder and perhaps worry is too strong a word for my awareness. Maybe if I worked with prostate cancer patients I would worry more about that?

For as long as I can remember I have been urging people not to let AF rule their lives but you can't just pretend it never happened and if that means changing your life to avoid the very things which may well have caused it then why not?

[Cevetello1 in reply to BobD]

Hi, how many ablations have you had?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Cevetello1]

3

[Mejulie69 in reply to BobD]

I wonder why they can't ablate the entire atria while they are in there the first time?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Mejulie69]

Read the AF Association booklet on ablation and you will understand.

[Cevetello1 in reply to BobD]

Bob, nine years would be wonderful. I've had 2 ablations and my EP is recommending a third. I'm going to get a second opinion on October 31st from Dr Natale in Texas.

[ianparry]

Bob, I don't let the thought of AF rule my life like it used to! of course I am aware that I could go back into AF, however, I am now enjoying life while I am in normal rhythm. I am "on here" because I am aware that not everybody is as fortunate as myself and am passing on my experiences. What should I do? sit at home all day and worry that I might go into AF. Its called getting on with life.

[RiderontheStorm]

Exercise is no problem and my alcohol intake is very moderate, *unless trump is on the news. :^) I felt bullet proof for 9 months after my Ablation but a bout of extended stress gave me a momentary pause of 24 hrs in AF. Fixed by the PIP 300mg of Flecinaide. My wise Cardiologist answered what is true for one is not necessarily true for all. It's not a bad idea about alcohol as it has been proven to be poison and cardio-toxic.

[Hidden]

After a successful ablation I eventually went tee-total and I'm glad I did. It doesn't suit me and I feel healthier for not drinking and I've lost weight.

Re exercise, I have just led a totally normal life, cycling, loads of walking, but more than anything, being a farmer handling sheep which trumps all the other activities especially at lambing time 🐑.

The one thing I wouldn't be able to do would be sudden bursts of anaerobic exercise, it needed to be steadier, but then that could be my age (67.3/4)?

Koll

[zetagirl in reply to Hidden]

Onya Kol, I love farmers. Get the dogs to exert that "sudden burst". Take Care.

[RobertELee]

Two and a half years on from my first and only ablation and still completely free of AF. Interestingly, I had no episodes during the first few months post-procedure, something that is generally thought to be fairly normal during the early recovery process. I would not have described my AF history as mild. I had it for 5 years with episodes increasing in frequency and duration. Immediately before the ablation, though still paroxysmal, episodes were several times a week at best, twice a day at worst.

Of course one is always aware that it might return so it's not possible to completely forget about AF. The odd heavy evening meal which might bring on bloating or indigestion in the middle of the night - these once were definite AF triggers and so, even now, there can be panicky pulse-taking to make certain that all is well. I try and avoid such scenarios but it's not always possible of course.

I'm pragmatic about the future and if it did come back, I'd go for another ablation in a heartbeat. Life, free of AF, is too sweet for it to be lost again.

[jimweisback]

Now 4 months post ablation , very few extra beats, but still on beta blocker. Have returned to working out, but no running just weights and walking. I still partake of beer and cognac but in very limited amounts. One thing I do follow on advice from cardiologist is to follow each ounce of liquor with a corresponding drink of water. Everything in moderation, exercise and diet, cut back on caffeine. Continue to enjoy life afib not a death sentence.