Can ablation cause damage to the heart long term?

[Slattery]

I am having a second ablation in 4 months. Can ablation cause long term damage to the heart? I am concerned that scaring the heart a second time may cause long term problems.

[Jalia]

I wonder if there is an EP lurking who may be able to give reassurance here please !

[Hidden]

Try not to worry. As I understand it, with an RF ablation the time taken to scar the tissue is carefully monitored by the sophisticated equipment used to prevent the very issues you are worried about. Many here have had at least three, and a good few, including our illustrious volunteer have had more than three. Hopefully they will offer their experiences......

[BobD Volunteer]

Four over the last fifteen years and still kicking butt. Just not as hard as I used to. (probably harder than if I hadn't had the ablations though.) Other age related conditions have slowed me down far more.

Just consider this. Uncontrolled AF often causes enlargement of the atrium which reduces the pumping effect due to stiffening of the muscle. This can also affect the ventricle reducing cardiac output. Stopping the AF can allow things to return to a more normal condition. There are risks in anything, even doing nothing.

[Bhoyo in reply to BobD]

I understand each individual would be different but can I ask recovery time from ablation? ( Return to work)?

TIA

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Bhoyo]

There's no fixed answer to this. I felt differently after each of my three ablations.

After the first I went back to work (mostly desk job) after two and a half weeks, after the second it was about 6 weeks or more before I felt well, after the third I felt better immediately.

Going back to work afterwards will depend on what work you do too. The more physical it is, the longer you may need off to recuperate afterwards.

Jean

[Bhoyo in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you for reply Jean, most helpful.

Take care

Cam

[pottypete1]

I hope not - I have had 7 ablations

Pete

[CopperSpoon]

I had my second ablation July 30th and I’m back to being fully active in terms of walking 2 miles/day, yoga, aerobics and swimming. No afib or tachycardia (and I was having episodes of both prior). And I feel wonderful; my recovery has been much quicker than after the 1st ablation. I weigh 40 lbs less & am much more fit now - it seems to have made a difference. I am making sure I’m resting more now, for continued healing - both allowing more time to sleep and having an afternoon nap now and then. Good luck!

Susan Marie

[Rup88]

I had my second ablation on Friday 28th August at Barts. They told me before I went in that it would not extend life but it would improve my quality of life. First ablation was cryo this one was RF but in recovering this was more painful when taking deep breaths plus groin bruising, etc. However already feeling the benefits and cant wait to start doing things. Thank you Barts so go for it!

[OurCoach in reply to Rup88]

We have a similar situation. I had my second ablation on Wednesday, Aug 26th. First was Coro and second was AF. I have groin bruising (down to my knee almost) and a lump - neither of which I had the first time. But the chest feels better this time. And best of all no AFib. First time they started the next day and continued every two or three days. I’m following the advice of the wise ones who went before more and making recovery job number 1. Mentally I feel fantastic.

[S11m]

Damage is what ablations do: they "damage" or kill nerves in the atria which cause the atria to fibrillate.

I think, in my case, the nerves of the atria were damaged to the point where the atria did not beat at all - so they now pace the atria.

The longer the damage lasts, the longer I will benefit from the ablations!

[Slattery]

Thank you all for your experience and knowledge, very helpful.