Hello all! I am a 65 year old guy that has always led an active life. Up until 3 years ago I was a runner (Half marathon), kayaker, etc. Had a wild case of AFib after a race and had to visit ER. Since then I have experienced one or two episodes per month usually lasting 8-12 hours. Tried and hated beta blockers so now I use Eliquis only for blood thinning.
I have decided this is no way to live - riddled with anxiety about when the next episode will hit - and always feeling tired for days after an episode. I will be having a Cryo balloon ablation soon in hopes to eliminate atrial flutter as well as my AFib.
If you have “heads up” stories about recovery/life after the procedure I’d like to hear from you. My biggest concern is whether I’ll be able to start running again and get back to my former lifestyle.
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scienceguy02
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I had an ablation for PAF at the end of May last year. I am now 12 months past and have had only one sustained episode since (two days post ablation). I would say it took me around six months to get over the procedure and I am now back to running and cycling and with each month my confidence grows.
I think you have made the right choice and I hope your procedure is as successful as mine appears to have been.
I appreciate you sharing. I never realized how important a part of my life these activities were until I was limited in my ability to participate in them.
Hi Scienceguy, obviously no guarantees, but most people (me included) have benefitted from having an ablation and very often, a cryoablation is carried out first. However, because of the nature of the procedure, some people require a further RF ablation to close off any pathways which might be missed, particularly if the pulmonary veins have any physical irregularities.
I would urge you to consider that extreme sports activities can be the cause of AF, albeit in those a bit younger than your goodself. I know fitness can be an overriding factor for many and very often the obsession to return to excessive fitness can cause the AF to return. We are not medically trained, but the general consensus of opinion is to just avoid any excessive training but this is something you should discuss with your EP. It is important that you make it clear the type and extent of training you intend to have and that you are honest with him and yourself. Sorry if this seems harsh, but you may have the added issue of your age to consider. AF tends to effect the over 60’s, add your desire to pursue a training regime that might be unusual for someone of your tender years and it’s possible that you could go back to square one, only you can determine if that’s a risk you are prepared to take....I wish you well, but please discuss your lifestyle activities frankly with your EP.
Thanks, FlapJack, for the brutal honesty 😂 My cardiologist is a personal friend and has been warning me about the return to training pitfalls after ablation. My EP has been forthcoming too. Of course he tossed in the reminder that “you’re not a kid anymore!”
I will adjust to the results - it may be a mental struggle- and go from there.
Sometimes the mental anxiety can be worse than the physical effects. I hope all goes well for you and that you can return to an acceptable level of fitness.
I’m in a similar boat to you - 65, triathlete, biker etc where exercise, often endurance or speed based, has been part of my life. AF led to a minor stroke (and the diagnosis of the AF!) and I had a cardioversion in March and am still in NSR. However getting back to my former fitness levels is hard and I’ve resigned myself to not getting there and accepting that, albeit reluctantly. discussing the level of exercise intensity with my cardiologist, and what I could aim at, he just said “go on how you feel” - so I am doing just that!
and a minor point - Eliquis (apixaban) is not a blood thinner - there is no such thing - it’s an anti-coagulant that helps prevent blood clotting.
First time I have commented on this forum. Had very occasional Afib for a number of years without being diagnosed or greatly bothered as very transient. 2 years ago become more remarkable. Lifestyle changes helped but decided on ablation this year. Ablation, cryogenic, in February this year that abolished flutter and Afib. Second ablation 6 weeks ago as tachycardia then came to the fore. Cardiologist agreed I could go on a walking holiday planned after 4 weeks and I managed 10 hilly miles a day for 7 days. No issues at all but agree that should listen to body. I could have cut short at any time. I am 67 in reasonable health otherwise.
Many people struggle with having to reign in the exercise because of AF - you are addicted to the endorphins s which give you the ‘high’ so naturally go through withdrawal symptoms. But it is important none the less to curb the enthusiasm or find another slightly gentler way of getting your high.
I had a cryoablation last August. After just a few days rest I was back out walking, initially gently, then more briskly. After two weeks I "ran" Parkrun keeping my HR below 145 (which was a gentle jog for me). Each week thereafter I ran Parkrun and increased my HR by 5 BPM until I hit my anaerobic threshold 180 after 8 weeks. I stayed there until my consultant signed me off at 13 weeks to "go for it" while wearing a holter monitor. That week I managed a similar time to what I managed the week before my ablation: nothing special, a good couple of minutes slower than my 12 month 5k PB, but great to discover that I could still run and push myself without ill effects. If you look at some of my earlier posts you'll see a little more detail about how those early weeks felt.
I guess that part is the good news. During that period I experienced quite a few ectopics and a couple of brief runs of AF, but nothing like the increasingly frequent bouts of sustained AF that interfered with my running over the 6 months prior to the ablation. My BP fluctuated in the early days, sometimes giving me headaches sometimes making me feel lightheaded. My HR range narrowed, min HR wouldn't go below 70 vs former 55 or above 180 vs former 195. And as I started trying to build up my training in the weeks that followed my sign off, I found that I just wasn't getting any faster or feeling any better.
Between 4-6 months after the ablation was a low point. I caught a cold, a cough, lost my running mojo, was getting slower at Parkrun, found myself running slower and less frequently. And despite that I picked up a couple of running injuries that should not come with such a low running dosage (flexors, piriformis) perhaps a delayed a effect of trying to build my mileage back up too quickly.
Since month 8 I have been building up again slowly. I got some physio for the injuries and have been doing slower and shorter training runs. My HR range has finally started widening and my Parkrun times have started coming down. I'm finally starting to feel more "normal". I suffer less ectopics, no runs of AF, stable BP, and generally feel as if I am finally REALLY recovering from the ablation. I aim to continue to build progressively over the summer, as the heat allows, and to run a half marathon in October. I won't be aiming for a PB, I'll be aiming to run it comfortably and to use it as a benchmark to measure the fitness I've lost since my last decent half, which was 6 months before the ablation.
We are always making adjustments during our lifetime and sometimes it is hard to make decisions such as giving up a beloved pastime, however we have to change and take decisions for the benefit of our health so my advice to you would be to look for another absorbing hobby just in case your running days are coming to an end.
Hi I had an ablation Nov last year. Prior to this I was running the odd half and out riding my Bike etc. The Beta blockers are a nightmare if you want to be active. I was taking Amiodarone up until Feb this year. I am now back to some running and am even back in spin classes. I don’t like to push things to much and am taking my time but am thinking about a 10 k later this year just a bit slower than before. It is a slow process but better to take your time than get another episode and start again. My advise be patient after the ablation as you will start to feel okay but you still need to be careful. Good luck I know how you feel, I am sure this is the right decision.
I run and 3 years ago I went through a similar thing and was put on flecainide which I still take. Shortly after I started running again. I am now doing triathlons so there is hope! I do however appreciate that everyone is different and some drugs appear to be more hindering to physical activity. I hope you get sorted but keep your chin up! 🙂
'The Haywire Heart' by Dr John Mandrola, is well worth reading and should help to inform your decisions. He is a cardiologist and cyclist, with some personal experience of AF.
The book you recommend The Haywire Heart is excellent. I am reading it now. It was recommended on this site previously and that is why I bought it. Maybe that was you, I don’t remember, but thanks!
I am 62 and a long distance cyclist (8000 miles in 2015) and had my first AFIB event not long thereafter. Strong possibility my extreme athleticism may have contributed. An ablation or two is worth a try as it can have years-long benefit as others on this site have noted, but it is NOT a cure. I had a AFIB reoccurrence 18 months ago following my second ablation. My first, (Cryo) did not work. I’m now back on meds (Flec and beta) which works well for me and causes no side effects. No events since going back on meds and nice smooth rhythm with few ectopics. I still believe the combination of my two a lations was still helpful, but unfortunately, I will still need the meds to keep me in rhythm.
You might want to talk to your EP about Flecainide (anti arrhythmic) and other combo drug while waiting for your first ablation. The rate control drugs such as beta blockers will not necessarily deal with rhythm issues. Flec works great for me with no side effects, but everyone is different. Some use ace inhibitors in place of beta blockers. Talk to your doctor.
Final note- you will need to pare back significantly on your running. It’s hard. I love cycling and it’s hard not doing 100 mile plus rides at a brisk pace anymore and being competitive with friends. But, at least I still ride, albeit less frequently, at 20 to 30 miles each time and at a much slower pace (less climbing) and I exercise with light weights (when not riding) for strength training. Your life mostly doesn’t have to change dramatically, just everything now in moderation.
Definitely making the right choice. I had RF Ablation done in 2009. I had been dealing with it for many years at the time and could not fuction with it anymore.
I am an avid cyclist and for to the point I could hardly ride anymore. It was to the point I had to call my wife to come pick me up.
6 months post ablation I was back on the bike. I did a couple races that first year but decided to give that up for good.
It took 9 years before affib took control of my life again. Had second ablation in January (chryo). It failed. Have third ablation scheduled this July. I believe we will be going RF this time around.
I actually began cycling when the running became intolerable thanks to beta blockers and anxiety. I’m not a competitor but enjoy cranking 20-30 miles at a 13-14 mph pace. Recently that has dropped off to 15-20 miles slower and then not wanting to ride alone.
I’m really hoping for a reasonable and acceptable outcome in July.
The good coming out of this is that I’m saving more seriously to upgrade to a carbon road bike I’ve always wanted!👍🏼
I am so glad to have discovered this forum. The responses have been encouraging and informative.
Over the last 3 years I have, like most of you probably have, been scanned, stress tested and echo scanned on many occasions.
The results have been outstanding which has relieved a bit of worry about the state of my ticker.
A brief note about family med history- grandfather and father both died of heart attack at age 59. Maternal grandmother died at 47 of- you guessed it- heart attack. Thus the underlying reason for a good deal of my anxiety.
The Heywire Heart is a great book. Thanks for the referral. Knowledge is power!
Hi Science, I live an active life just like you. I had my ablation on April 30th. Easing back to running about 4 weeks after the ablation. This week, I've been running up to 6 miles and three times per week. The funny thing is, I can run, but after drinking two beers, I am right back in afib. Hope you do well and back to your running soon.
A friend has the same issue with alcohol being his AFib trigger. My AFib generally is exercise induced. My doctor encouraged a glass of wine to relax me at the end of my day. My kind of guy! 🍷
I am 58 had AF since I was 55, it got worse last July and had to go o. Flecainide and diltiazem which ruined any ru no g. I run and cycle to keep fit not really competitive. Ha few hundred miles of running per year not pe month!
I had an af PVI cryo blation jan 29th An then I developed flutter and had an RF ablation to get rid of thus Feb 26th. Because I was in flutter at 140bpm for 3 weeks plus I was absolutely knackered and also worried may have some damage So no only sowly built up walking over 3 weeks goibg from a mile to 7.5 miles. I did no running (exceot for the idd 100 to 200n jog whilst walking. U til the 3rd may. I ran 2.5 miles slowly but was still on diltiazem so could not run properly anyway ( max hr 137 on this) . I came off all drugs on 15may abd have done 5 runs since. I did 5.5 miles last thursday and 6.4 miles yesterday. I was doing 9 min miles and keeping my HR below 150. I am not fit but getting better I think. I have also done 7 cycle rides the faster being just over an hour at 16.2 mp average. Last Saturday 55 miles in 4 hours 20. Not as fast belonged. I have lost 5 lb in the last 3 weeks.
I have had no heart issues other than I am not as fast as I was by a minute per miles and I can't in fast at all.
My EP did not forbid me from doing any exercise except the first week or 2 weeks.
However I do not know what caused my afib. I do not have any triggers that I know. For the first 22 months after diagnosis of a fib I actually went running to get rid of the afib When it happened This may be a different situation than you are in if you think the run ning / exercise caused it.
I am so sorry reading you story. Are you suitable for a pacemaker? My active background is similar to yours when AF and heart block put a stop to serious running. However, a pacemaker and anticoagulants put me back on my feet and I now run/walk, row, exercise four/five times a week and have done so for the past four years. I'm 76. Get the best advice you can i.e. preferably a cardiac consultant rather than a GP. Like you I was very anxious about it all but had no trouble when asked to see a consultant. Good luck. Get in touch if you think I can help.
I am 73 and I reckon it has taken me about 4 years to get my fitness levels back up to a level where I can go out for regular 5 or 6 mile walks, 4 or 5 times a week, without getting breathless. I am enjoying being able to get out whatever the weather and intend to keep on doing so for as long as I can. As the saying goes 'Tell god your plans and make him laugh'
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