AFib but no other heart issues

[Brothe9]

I've had numerous ekgs, I've recently had a cardiac MRI, X-RAY and echo. All of which shows I have a perfectly working normal heart with no abnormal issues and everything as it should be. Doctors can't find a reason as to why I have AFib no thyroid problems no high blood pressure no sleep apnea. Don't want to do any surgeries that might cause more problems. Kind of stuck with AFib it seems.

[djbgatekeeper]

Yes I have a perfectly normal functioning heart and no other health issues, my AF was paroxysmal i.e came and went as it felt like it, the only problem was it just got progressively worse and this year even my meds were not working. In September 2018 I had a catheter Cryoablation and it has so far virtually illiminated all my symptoms and I am currently slowly reducing my meds as requested by my EP.

My point being although there is no guaranteed cure for AF there are treatments available that can dramatically improve your quality of life, ablation being one of them. Other things to do are:

Zero alcohol

Zero stimulants

BMI on point

No large meals especially at night.

Avoid stress

Take moderate exercise.

And of course avoid any other triggers specifically to you.... All is not lost so keep your chin up and best wishes.

[BobD Volunteer]

We do not call ablation surgery as it is not, it is a procedure and one which can be most helpful for lots of people. AF does not need heart disease to flourish. It is an electrical malfunction which may be genetic or for some people like athletes , alcoholics or fighter pilots it can be acquired. There is no cure currently and all treatment is for quality of life so what you choose to do is entirely your affair. Drugs for the rest of your life which may not eventually control this progressive cndition is one choice as is ablation. All treatment should be considered fluid and ongoing.

[Brothe9 in reply to BobD]

I definitely consider a cardiac abalation a surgery it carries the same risks such as stroke, blood clots, possible damage to the kidneys from the dye used and in rare cases death. It really comes down to picking between to evils. While if successful yes it's a good thing. But it carries alot of risks. While my AFib is symptomatic I consider if it is worth those possible risks. And I have to say no currently. Now if the meds stop working then yes I would consider it. But I have no idea what intentionally scaring my heart will do in the long run.

[wilsond in reply to Brothe9]

A recent post on here referred to an EP saying ablation is like open heart surgery ,without opening the chest!After all,the heart is being traumatised and takes 3 to 6 months according to the patient information leaflet on here...certainly sounds quite a 'procedure'. Or operation rather to me! Not withstanding that many of us are not under GA....I have had 3 major ops involving substantial time in theatre and on ward,which were called operations.....don't understand the description for ablation myself!

[BobD Volunteer in reply to wilsond]

Simply that EPs are not always surgeons and "surgery" requires incisions whereas ablation only requires a puncture. Few EPs I know would appreciate being called mere surgeons. Also the place where it happens is not an operating theatre (OR for colonials) but a catheter laboratory and of course more and more procedures are done under sedation rather than GA. (Thankfully all mine were GA).

How much it may affect the body is not relevant or perhaps we should start calling radiotherapy or chemotherapy operations as these can affect us for far longer than an ablation.

That said there are geographical anomalies and I notice that USA tends to lean towards "surgery" more and more but then they have lots of different words. As Churchill once said "Two countries devided by a common language".

[wilsond in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob,get it now. Think part of my nervousness is not being under GA. All the best for your next round,and for a happy New Year xx

[dmac4646 in reply to wilsond]

you are correct to be more concerned with a non GA ablation - results appear to prove that GA ablations are more successful and minimise risk for the simple reason that the patient is still.

[Ianc2 in reply to wilsond]

Having had both I would have another ablation in a heartbeat. Open heart surgery is another thing entirely.

[Amurray77 in reply to Brothe9]

I’m the same as you. No underlying heart problems. I had an RFA in November and 12 days later had an episode. This is normal during the blanking period. I am now starting to really feel better. The surgery, or procedure, which I was totally out for included 43 burns and took 6 hours. It was honestly easier than having a tooth pulled. Aside from some soreness where the catheters went in, and feeling gross from anesthesia for like a week, it really was not a big deal. I will gladly do it again if I have to. It beats AF any day.

[willec49]

Short of ablation, etc. are you on any meds to control your Afib symptoms?

[Polski]

Try taking magnesium. Search on here for full details (box in the top right of screen)

[KMRobbo]

I had no heart problems either when I started with PAF. 20 months later and after 11 attacks i dealt with, i got one i could not get rid of and was in high rate afib 130 to 190 for 8 days. I was eventually cardioverted by flecainide infusion in the coronary care unit of my local hospital. I was asymptomatic in afib but was shattered after 8 days ( how many marathons in 8 days at 190?) That is potentially heart damaging (luckily I'd do not do much, mild lvh and a minor mitral valve regurgitation.)

Then I was put on daily flecainide to keep me in rhythm, and ditiazem to stop my heart over revving owing to to the flecainide. The diltiazem gave me brain fog, excessive tiredness , difficulty in concentration, and exercise intolerance, The brain fog got cumulatively worse.

I then had a pvi cryo ablation 29th January which stopped the afib. I stopped all meds 15th may. 6 weeks later I felt brilliant. For me the meds are much worse than the ablation, and probably as dangerous long term.

The ablatio probably will not stop the afib forever. However afib is not damaging my heart at the moment as I do not have it. Afib begets afib, he more you have it, the more you will have it.

The drugs are not doing any damage to my body as I am not taking them. For me no choice- if I need another ablation tomorrow I will have it.

[Ianc2]

Have good look at your lifestyle and be brutally honest with yourself. There are many posts on here regarding alcohol, drug use, weight loss, diet, reasonable exercise, to the point where some EP's are pushing hard for lifestyle changes to be made before going for cardioversion?