A fib after A Latino, bad sign?

[Nigel2000]

Hi all,

Had ablation in early December, so I’m almost 3 months out. Having bad a fib with Tachycardia once a week. Still on meds (dofetilide, eliquis, stopped metatoprol) . Will see Dr in a couple of weeks. Wondering why.

Thanks everyone!

[RxMe]

Hi Nigel2000,

Sorry to hear you are experiencing these disturbing arrhythmias. It’s been almost 6 months since my own ablation for AFib & atrial flutter. The PACs and tachycardia have gotten progressively better, with a few bumps along the way.

It feels very frustrating to have gone through such a procedure and not to see more immediate relief. But it apparently can take up to 6 months before the heart has settled down enough to give you a better picture of your ablation success.

I’ve found several triggers that seemed to have precipitated my arrhythmia episodes (strenuous exercise, dehydration, alcohol and even chocolate!). Have you taken stock of your diet or activities that may have contributed to your AFib and tachycardia? And are you sure it is AFib you are experiencing? (Because I have a loop recorder implant, my “new” AFib appears to actually be tachycardia...)

There seems to be a fair amount of research on early vs. late reoccurrence of AT/AF, and what that may mean in terms of your ablation success. You are certainly right to be concerned, in any case.

[Nigel2000 in reply to RxMe]

Thanks for the reply. One of the triggers seems to be “strenuous exercise,” which I put in quotes because because, basically, any exercise that raise my hr about 110 or or lasts for more than an hour. I’m an outdoorsy person so a slow XX country ski through easy terrain (aged dog easily keeps up) doesn’t seem to qualify as strenuous but brings on Afib the next day. Rats!

[RxMe in reply to Nigel2000]

Yes! One’s notion of “strenuous” does undergo a bit of a change, subject to what our health allows. Used to swim 80 laps at a pretty fast clip; now settle for half of that, at a leisurely pace. And sometimes pay for that with heart blips the next day, too!