5 months post ablation

[Hammerboy]

Hi folks hope you're all keeping well. I'm still waiting for the results of my 7 day ambulatory monitor, sods law I had a 6 hour episode of AF the night before it arrived to attach to my chest and a week after removing it I had another 8 hour episode 🙄. Something I've noticed in the last few weeks is that I'm now getting daily short runs of what I guess are ectopics. Before my ablation I had never experienced any of those and wondered if this was a common experience. It feels like a little jump from my abdomen up to my thorax which makes me feel odd momentarily. If I check my pulse I can notice either a missed beat or an extra stronger beat like my heart has tripped up. Its another 8 months before my next EP review

[BobD Volunteer]

Short answer is yes ectopic beats are a common side effect of ablation in the first year or so. Still a lot of healing left to do yet.

[Hammerboy in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob, are these ectopics harmful in any way or an indication of the success or not of the ablation procedure ? I do feel more lethargic and weak since they started and am anticipating the onset of an AF episode every time I feel them. Should I take things easier, I have been increasing gradually my exercise by walking but not pushing myself excessively and do these ectopics then reduce or disappear over time in your experience . Many thanks for taking the time to reply 😊

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hammerboy]

Sounds like your exercise regime is fine. A good guide is being able to talk at the same time. Ectopics are a normal function of a normal heart and generally benign. If you use the search box top right there are loads of posts on the subject including a slow deep breathing exercise which often terminates these runs.

[Hammerboy in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob, nice to know they aren't generally a worry. As for talking while walking, that's something I tend to struggle with as I have mild asthma which worsens on exertion so I tend not to chat to my family as we walk together daily. I do find however that improves as the walk goes on and it's only during the first half mile I refrain, much to my wife's relief 😉

[labelman1]

Hi,just wondering how you going on with your AF.

i had ablation 5 months ago. thought it hadn't worked, but suddenly now, i'm 3 weeks AF free.

meant to go in for a 2nd ablation this week, but i'm having 2nd thoughts.

[Hammerboy in reply to labelman1]

Hi I'm due to have my follow up RF procedure in August .My first cryo ablation didn't work but I would say it did improve things after about a year although some of that would be me adjusting to the episodes and not stressing so much , adapting my diet a little and not drinking any alcohol I do have the odd shandy and have had a gin and tonic at Christmas but no longer drink pints of lager or wine .

I was a just a social drinker anyway so it wasn't a major problem refraining.

My hope is the next procedure gives me longer term freedom from the random episodes I get now but I could certainly live a quite normal life if not .

What will be will be 🙂