On Tuesday I was diagnosed with Heart Failure but GP was not terribly helpful and said that I need to wait 6 weeks for an echocardiogram to find out more about what is causing it. My dilemma is that I am due to have my 2nd ablation next Friday.
My concern is do I now go ahead with the ablation....have tried to ring my electrophsiologist but can only be put through to his secretary who has twice passed a message on.
My question now is Do I go ahead with the ablation having been told that blood tests indicate that I have Heart Failure? I have had Paroxysmal AF for 6 years . Has anyone else had an ablation with Heart Failure and if you do have heart Failure how do you manage it. I am very breathless and sometimes lightheaded which is why they did the blood test last week.
It's just such weird timing that I get this diagnosis a week before my ablation is due. I really feel that I would like to have an echocardiogram before the ablation. I am now extremely anxious which is probably making things worse.
Written by
rothwell
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Go ahead with your ablation would be my advice. As HappyJo has said the results of any blood test may well be screwed by your AF and I would trust an EP over a GP any day. Apart from anything else, cessation of AF may well reduce the effect of any heart failure which as you may know is not what it sounds to be anyway.
Thank you both for replying so promptly. I just had a call from my EP's secretary. She has spoken to him and he says the same as you two and they can do an Echo when I am there.....another example of your superior knowledge so here's hoping the second ablation works!
Your feeling are valid...I would certainly get a hld of the EP and the Doctor who is doing your 2nd Ablation and include them in the knowledge of what was said and ask for a second opinion on the other guys dx before proceeding....They can help you knowledge to keep the fears away..
Absolutely agree with HappyJo and BobD. Feb this year my husband was in HF and now he’s clear again because the AF has now been controlled - but in his case with drugs as he was not suitable candidate for ablation.
Many causes of Heart Failure. This implies fluid backup from the heart into the lungs. It can be caused by an Acute MI, valvular failure, and other pathologies. AFIB would certainly worsen this as you would not get complete ventricular filling. Sounds like an acute emergency to me whose cause needs to be determined before further action. If you are short of breath an a+e visit is warrented.
I would get ablation , obviously your ablation surgeon will check things and of course he should be aware if you’re in heart failure ( what’s your ejection fraction ?) . Unfortunately the reality is many doctors and surgeons it’s about time and money , and many are time poor cos they have many patients to try and look after, which of course makes them a lot of money too ( I’m synical arnt I, )
If your carioversion is successful should improve youR heart function which can only help .
Interesting why you have to wait 6 weeks for an echo ? Are
Speaking as someone who has had Heart failure 19 years since a Heart attack I can say it had no effect on the EP suggesting I get put on the waiting list for an ablation (Hammersmith hosp) even though Cardioversion has put me right for the time being.
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Symptoms of heart failure
AF, STROKE, HEART FAILURE 
Afib and heart failure 
Heart Failure diagnosis. 
Heart failure and permanent 
