Hi everyone,
I’m due to have an af ablation im so worried about it I’m just about to start taking blood thinners which is scarying me too Im 36 a mum of three children.
Iv had a successful ablation for AVNRT
Please could you share your experience of this type of ablation
Many thanks Michelle
Hello Michelle, of course you are worried, we all were when we started our journey with AF but eventually, most of us get things into perspective and generally get on with our lives. You say you have had one ablation already but due to have another one soon, it would help if you could provide a bit more information about what Is actually going to happen and when. As far as anticoagulants are concerned (blood thinners is not our favourite term because the blood is not thinned and it creates the wrong impression) these are something most of us take and although we would prefer not to, they tend to become a way of life. It may be that you will only be required to take them for a defined period either side of the ablation. The procedure tends to have an effect on the tissue of the heart which can increase the risk of your blood clotting and consequently increasing the risk of having a stroke. All sounds scarey I know, but this is a risk which the medics are very aware of an many precautions are taken which significantly reduce the risk and it very rarely happens. Whether or not you will need to take them for the longer terms will depend on other health issues and these will be explained if you look up details of your CHADSVASC score on google or the AFA webpage. Below you will find a link to 2 AF Association factsheets, 1 deals with preparing for an ablation and the other covers recovery. I'm sure you will find them helpful. I'm obviously not sure if this will apply to you, but lifestyle issues can have a major impact on AF and all the usual factors such as smoking, weight, exercise and alcohol really do have bad effect on AF. Hope this helps for starters, but I'm sure others will respond and offer advice too...….
heartrhythmalliance.org/res...
heartrhythmalliance.org/res...
Thank you so much for your reply flapjack.
Your kind words are reassuring. I’m finding talking to my GP isn’t much help . He doesn’t seem to have much knowledge about AF ablation.
Thank you for the fact sheets I will have a good read.
The blood thinners are for me to take before ablation due to the risks that you mentioned . Some people are saying the side affects are not Pleasant .
I’m having an Ep study first and then if that’s not successful then I’ll be put to sleep to have a more invasive ablation .
I not sure something to do with the veins in the heart .
I suffer from Af , ectopics and many flutters .
I did have a successful ablation for SVT three years ago .
I don’t smoke , drink, I’m not over weight .
I think mine is brought on from stress and anxiety.
Thanks again for your advice really appreciated.
It's true, a few have commented on side effects from anticoagulants but most of us take a fair few pills and to be honest, its more than a bit difficult to know which might cause what. From my personal experience of using warfarin and apixaban over a 4 year period, neither have given me any problems......
If it’s an ablation for AFib and veins have been mentioned, it will be a pulmonary vein isolation.
Hi kaz,
Yes it will be have you had this type of ablation?
Yes, I had this together with atrial flutter ablation a month ago and I’ve previously had 2 ablations for SVT.
How did it go ? How are you feeling now ?
Okay - looking forward to feeling great again one day. My case is a bit more complex than most as I have multiple arrhythmias and have had a few complications along the way.
Hi, Michelle.
First things first. Just take a deep breath. You will be fine. It's scary as hell, but you will be fine. I promise. I'm 38 and had my ablation for persistent Afib about a year and a half ago (I'm based in the US).
At our age, an ablation is 100% the way to go. You don't want to be sucking down anti coagulants and anti arrhythmic meds for the next 40+ years. I was on Tikosyn which is a crazy effective and potentially crazy dangerous one - it's not even available in the UK and you have to spend 72 hours in the hospital to start on it. So happy to be off of it. The blood thinners suck - no way around it. But in your case I imagine they are temporary. After your procedure they will likely keep you on them for 6 months or so, then they'll take you off as long as you're in NSR.
The whole idea of an ablation is terrifying, but don't worry. It's so, so safe. The recovery is super easy as well. You'll feel crummy the next day - mainly from being put out for so long and your chest will hurt a bit - but by the second day your chest feels so much better and you're back at it! On day 2 I walked by myself to the market 3 blocks away to buy soup and junk food (Hey, I just had heart surgery!) and was totally fine.
Don't try to blame external factors like stress for your Afib. In my case I have two genetic polymorphisms that contribute - I bet you 20 quid if you did a genetic test at your age you would have a genetic component too. It's just our lot in life so may as well roll with the punches. Just remember Afib on its own won't kill you and once you're on blood thinners you're basically immune from a stroke which is the main fear. It'll exhaust you. It might give you a panic attack, it'll freak you out and worry the hell out of you... but it won't kill. you.
Congrats on the ablation! In the long run you will be so happy you did it!
Hi Jb721,
Thank you so much for your help really appreciate it . It’s very reassuring I’m so please I found this site .
So lovely to read your successful story .
I definitely don’t want to spend Many years on drugs .
Your recovery seems quick and not as bad as I thought.
You may be right about the genetics definitely look into that .
All consultants and GP bang on about how it won’t kill you . It’s so frightening when I have 3 babies relying on me I need to be fit and healthy.
Fingers crossed it works . I hope you continue to be AFib free x
Hiya...if you have a look at my profile then view my historic posts you will see my ablation diary... Please don't worry you will be fine 👍
Hi - I'm a dad of 3 & 47 years old & was scared too .... after it was done (6 wks ago) I was scared if it hadn't worked & now i'm scared of being scared !! - morale to my story - don't worry & put all of that fear energy into positive vibes for your recovery. I'm trying really hard to focus & stay positive & going to smash this AF !! - good luck 
Thank you for you reply very much appreciated
Hi Jane. Sorry to have you here, but you have found the right place. Read all you can on here and on the main AF website as there's a lot to learn about this mongrel condition we all have. I'm afraid you have started out on a long journey, so slow down and take it one step at a time.
I started in May last year, and am still umming and erring about going through with an ablation. But then, my AF if paroxysmal and infrequent. I can cope and I've learned enough here to not be too frightened of it.
Blood thinners, blood thinners, they don't 'thin' your blood, at all! Anticoagulation is a common enough treatment for all sorts of people, and there are arguments that it is a good thing for most of the elderly population and many that are younger, but have a higher risk of stroke than others. Nearly everyone on this forum is taking them, don't worry.
Thank you momist,
I’m so glad I found this site so many people like yourself have kindly replied to my questions.
I certainly will be reading all the Af information.
The bloody thinners so reassuring to hear people are ok on them with no problems.
Hi Michelle
All medications potentially have side effects and warfarin and the DOACS are not exceptions. To me it's risks versus benefits. If they reduce radically my risks of having a stroke it's a no brainer.
PAF is a complex phenomenon that can have multiple causes and trigger factors and is often extremely difficult to treat effectively. Not surprisingly PAF can cause high levels of stress and anxiety but stress and anxiety are never a primary cause.
All treatments for PAF are aimed at improving our quality of life. At your age ablation is the way forward. Even if you need Pulmonary Vein Isolation under a general anaesthetic, from personal experience this is not that traumatic. I had mine done when the procedure was in it's infancy and I went from being virtually housebound back to leading an active lifestyle and being able to hold down a very demanding job
I hope things go well for you. Don't let this demon PAF beat you
Hi Radagast58 ,
Thank you for writing back , your story has really helped me to feel better .
It’s good to hear your ablation was a successful.
I looking forward to getting me life back and being a happy person again enjoying life .
3 kids. Been there, done that. Do you get any time for yourself to relax or to take gentle exercise - say an hours walk, 3 times a week, giving yourself time to think and destress and get your blood circulating. If your family complain tell them you want your evening meal ready when you get back
Go with it my life has turned around since my ablation, from very poor QOL to exercising and back in the gym 3 times a week, also been on anticoagulant's (rivaroxaban) for 18 months and will be on them for the rest of my life but they hold no fear for me and have not noticed any side effects
Thank you for your response Brizzy .
I’m so glad to read you successful story reading yours and others ablation seems the way forward 😊
Fear not. I had my ablation yesterday and all good. No pain, chest or leg.
The worst for me, other than the concern beforehand, was laying flat on my back for 4 hours following the procedure. Throat was a bit irritated but not for long. Procedure started at 8:30 AM and I walked out at 5:00 PM, came home and had an enjoyable dinner. I am told to take it easy for awhile which means not walking my usual 5 miles a day.
I am a 70 year old male in Canada. I am working towards getting off Bisoprolol but will remain on Zeralto (thinner) for the rest of my days because of my age.
Wow pickone I loved reading your successful ablation. It’s really reassuring to hear .
I just want it done now I know Iv got to be brave and think positive.
I’m wishing you to continue being AFibfree .
Hello sweetie. Take a BIG DEEP breathe and breathe out slowly. I just had one a month and 1/2 ago. It was so easy. You will feel like hmm it that all there is to it? You will be a little sore in your groin area but it will heal quickly. Tiredness is to be expected because of the residuals from the anesthesia. I wanted to go back to work and did too soon. Your body needs time to heal. ( I know it sounds different but I felt like what's wrong with me because there were no Band-Aids no scars no anything so just remember you've had lots of work done on the inside where you can't see it). You will be fine. The blood thinners I take are fine. Only thing be prepared if you nick yourself, you will need to keep pressure on it and a couple bandaids. I'm a Chef and it was fine. I will pray for you.
Hi ya ,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart from you reply it’s so appreciated.
So good to hear how successful your ablation has been . I’m feeling better and feeling more positive about having my life back and feeling happy again .
Like you I’ll be keen to get back to work .
Thank you for your advice .
Hi Thompson, I had a A.F carto ablation on the 11th. (the first, in 2013, using local anaesthetic was minimal, compared with this one.) Preop, I had c.t heart scans, echogardiogram, and many blood tests. On the day, I was catheterised, had a radial artery i.v, i.v's in both arms, and , postop, a subclavian artery i.v for heparin infusion+ trans oesophageal endoscopy whilst anaesthetised. I stayed overnight, and came home the next day. That was concerning, I'm 83, and live alone. Still feeling like a semi ran over me, however, that too will pass. I think your procedure depends on the area of the heart affected, and the severity, for want of a better word. Your cardiophysiologist will tell you what you want to know. I believe the best thing you can do for yourself, is to remain calm, get as fit as you can prior to the procedure, and do what makes you feel good, facing a health challenge like this will be less stressful if you have a positive mind set, and know you'll look back at it, and say, 'I'm over the worst'. My thoughts are with you.
Good morning Mogold7tamm
6 days post GA and the old brain is obviously back in gear. Still struggling with the idea you were discharged after one night, but hoping you are coping. Must be a “tough old bird” as we might have said down Brockley way...🙂
hi, Oyster, recovery at my age is tough, still feel like c---p, but what the heck!!!!
Wow mogold your made off strong stuff sounds like you have been through it .
Thank you for your reply so many nice people on this site .
I’m thinking positive looking forward to feeling better especially for my children .
I hope you continue to be better . God bless x
Hi,you sound better already! Love to the children, wonderful motivators!!
I had my first episode of AF when I was 25 and it scared the hell out of me. I was admitted to hospital and put on a heart monitor. At times my pulse rate was up at 250bpm! After 2 days my heart went back into sinus rhythm. I'm 55 now and have lived with paroxysmal AF for thirty years. At first the attacks happened two or three times a year, lasting up to three days. Over the years my condition has steadily worsened, especially over the last two or three years where I'm now in AF about half of my life. I'm in AF now btw. It started about an hour ago, having been in sinus rhythm for 9 days.
Despite my AF I've still led a very active life; running, cycling, climbing and surfing, in fact I've had episodes of AF whist ice-climbing. I still managed to finished the climbs and get down off the mountains in one piece! Through a combination of my body becoming accustomed to AF and the use of Sotalol (beta-blocker) my heart rate is now 80-100 bpm when in AF. On its own AF is not life threatening and these days I'm not worried about it, I just feel very annoyed that I have to live with the condition.
I've been under various cardiologists, none of whom offered much help, but in January of this year I got to see a specialist EP (electrophysiologist) who told me that I should have been offered an ablation years ago, as the longer you have the condition the less likely an ablation will work.
I had my first ablation seven weeks ago and was prescribed Apixaban (anticoagulant) which I had to start taking 28 days prior to the procedure. None of us like being on 'blood thinners', but it's a necessary evil. The ablation itself was fine. I went under the anesthetic and came round four hours later to be told that everything went well. I had a sore throat where tubes had been inserted, but this soon passed. The worst part was having to lie down for six hours after coming round, in order for the groin insertion site to heal sufficiently. I stayed in hospital overnight and was discharged the next morning. The top of my leg was a bit sore for a couple of days, but other than that I felt 'fine'. I put fine in inverted commas because although I felt 'fine', I was far more tired than I had initially felt. Give yourself at least two weeks of taking things easy.
I don't know whether my ablation has been a success because I'm still having episodes of AF. As others have said, it takes 3-4 months for the scar tissue to fully form, so I won't know for another month or so. I can't help feel pessimistic through as I expected to be AF free after the procedure. Oh well, time will tell.
If I was in your position I'd definitely have the ablation because as I said, the longer you have the condition the less chance of a successful ablation. For me, the worst part of AF is the annoyance factor. I like to live life to the full but my AF slows me down both physically and mentally. I've had to live with AF for thirty years, and although I'm not scared of it, I HATE it, it sucks!
Good luck.
Hi Abfab ,
Thank you for taking your time to reply to me . So reassuring to know I’m not alone .
Your story was a pleasure to read im was a amazed about how you was still able to keep really active. I’m frightened to go to her gym in case it sets my heart off .
Last night I was woken up by a fire work and my AFib started kicking off .
Iv lived with this for 17 years Iv had two ablations one successful. Iv never had an ablation for AFib before .
Reading your story helps put my mind at rest . Not knowing the unknown is scary .
I’m looking forward to feeling happy and healthier.
Michelle
I understand your fears, I've stopped running as this will very often set my heart off and I used to love diving into lakes whist out hill walking, but I've learnt that this will generally set off my AF. so I just admire the view these days. I've also learnt that my body can tolerate moderate exercise whist in AF, so I'll still set out into the hills, despite being in AF. My job as work at height rescue trainer and general 'dope on a rope' requires that I climb up and down tower cranes on a regular basis. Sometimes the exertion will trigger AF, whereas at other times when I'm already in AF, the exertion kicks it back into sinus rhythm. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it.
I know that AF affects us all differently and I know that my body copes with it quite well. I try to remain as active as possible, but I listen to my body and slow down when necessary. As I have no other heath issues, statistically I'll live as long as anyone without AF, so I'm not afraid of it, and neither should you be. It's not life threatening. Btw I too have kids, two boys aged 12 and 14, that need me and I plan on going nowhere soon.
Good luck with your journey and try not to worry too much.
So inspirational To hear people like you not letting this horrible condition stop life . I hope I have the courage to do the things I love after .
Thank you . I’m so surprised how you carry on when im in Af I just completely freeze and panic.
It’s amazing and your job too . Well done 👍 .
I’m feeling more possitive .
Michelle:
Understand the natural apprehension, but you should be fine. I had two ablations earlier this year at age 65 in US, and researched it to an extreme. The complication rates are extraordinarily low for ablations, especially for younger people like you.
Also, I had ablations for both flutter and Afib. As I understand your note, yours is Flutter only which has two additional advantages. If done like mine, the catheter goes directly to the flutter atria, and there is no need to "punch through" the atrial divider to the other atria for Afib treatment...that was necessary for me since needed ablations in both atria, not just one.
Secondly, everything I have been told by EP's and Cardiologists is that eliminating the cause of flutter via ablation is much easier and typically works long term, because flutter follows a very consistent pattern in most patients so EP's know where to make the ablations. Afib is apparently much more difficult to diagnose as to where the ablations should be performed, since there are far more random electrical paths.
Best of luck, sure you will do well!
Also, after your procedure, if you haven't done this already you might want to ask your EP or Cardiologist if there is any chance you might have sleep apnea. From your description you don't fit the common profile, but neither did I. Wasn't overweight, didn't snore, etc...but my wife noticed that I seemed to stop breathing at times during sleep. The sleep study revealed borderline moderate/extreme sleep apnea - not breathing for as much as 51 seconds and occurring 30 times per hour. That puts a lot of unnecessary stress on heart to provide oxygen, reduces amount of Co2 exhaled, etc...all not good for arrhythmias, apparently. Now treated with CPAP and I feel much, much better. Also, EP and Cardiologist have said that ablations are often successful long term, but if one has sleep apnea and doesn't treat it, the long term success rate falls way off...so something to inquire about with MD's.
Hi Barabas ,
Thank you for writing to me .
Your condition sounds with similar to mine . Sounds like I’m having the same done as you have had . It’s set my mind at ease reading how it all happened for you .
I never thought about the sleep apnea didn’t cross my mind until now . Thank you for that . I’m going to mention this to my GP .
When you had ablation for flutter and AFib was it done at the same time .? Iv been told I’ll be awake for the flutter ablation and then put to sleep for AFib ablation.
I was under anesthesia for both, although I have talked to others that were not for just a flutter ablation. In my case, the EP first "crossed over" to the Afib Atria and did that ablation first, then "retreated" to the flutter side and did that last. I presume that is why they had me under anesthesia the entire time, because he did the Afib first.
I think I’d rather be asleep the whole time . I’d rather not know what’s going on . Everyone on hear is so inspirational im so please I joined .
Well done with your ablation.
I have af and have been on a blood thinner for nearly two years Abixiban I have got myself something incase I cut myself to use and stop the bleeding until I get help and special plasters just knowing I have them don’t worry about it now
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