Disappointing visit to cardiologist today

[dragonflyjan]

No improvement in my echocardiogram, ectopics or ef. I do feel better since the pace and ablate just not showing up in my stats though.

[IanMK]

I can understand your disappointment but it’s still early days. Have you read the ‘Recovering from an ablation’ fact sheet: heartrhythmalliance.org/res....

I would think that the electrical function of your heart will have to improve before there will be any chance of the the physiological condition - e.g. EF - improving.

What did your cardiologist say?

[dragonflyjan in reply to IanMK]

Thank you I will have look at this link. He was trying to make me feel better suggesting a change in medications repeat 24 holter maybe another angiogram but it all seemed a bit too much at once. Costing me a fortune for each test as well. $300 today $200 last week for some blood work although I may get that back from Medicare. It’s such a complex system here whoever you see can charge what they like and you never know how much you will get back. I’m kind of over it and just feeling sorry for myself today. I have to remind myself “This too will pass, maybe like passing a kidney stone, but it will pass” 😂😂😂

[IanMK in reply to dragonflyjan]

My EF is around 25%. I had an initial ablation last month and I am scheduled for an ICD at the end of the month and AV ablation mid-August. In my own mind, I’m not really expecting a re-assessment of my EF until the end of the year.

I’m not medically qualified but I don’t know what the benefit of the angiogram would be. An ECG may be worthwhile, depending on cost. Alternatively, buy a Kardia Mobile and take your ECG to him for review on your next visit.

[dragonflyjan in reply to IanMK]

The reason for the angiogram was he thought maybe a blocked artery could be exacerbating the ectopics. I think I kicked all this off too soon by asking if I could reduce any of my meds. I have to remind myself I can walk up hills now I couldn’t before my pace and ablate. I was always impatient. Good luck with your procedure. My ecg showed frequent ectopics. I may look at a Karelia does it monitor heartbeats continuously?

[IanMK in reply to dragonflyjan]

I tend to be impatient too 🤭

The Kardia takes (typically) 30 second recordings and works with your smartphone. It’s incredibly small and easy to use. Probably costs around $100. If you feel symptoms you can quickly discover what your heart is doing. Be careful not to become a slave to it though.

[dragonflyjan in reply to IanMK]

Thank you

[Hidden]

I can imagine it must be really frustrating after you have gone through the P&A, but it’s the case that symptoms can persist or are even worse after the procedure for quite a while.

[Buffafly]

All I know about 'Pace and Ablate' is that the pacemaker controls the ventricles in a steady march while the atria can tapdance as much as they like! So I wonder if it would take some time for the left ventricle to recover and ef to improve? Anyone feel free to explain why I'm wrong...... I wouldn't have expected ectopics to improve? But glad you feel better.

[dragonflyjan in reply to Buffafly]

That makes sense thanks