What to expect in the days after an AF ablation

[walle99]

I have had an ablation on Monday ( two days ago). Have had a temperature, headache and irregular heartbeat for the past 24 hours. It is my first AF radiofrequency ablation. I would be interested in anyone's experiences of the first few days after the ablation. I am 59 and looking forward to long walks and swims soon.

[Hidden]

Read this ASAP.

heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

[walle99 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that FlapJack. I have loaded it down and it has some great advice as well as being reassuring that some signs are very common following the ablation.

[Hidden in reply to walle99]

Sorry if my reply seemed terse, I was late for an appointment. Hopefully things are better this morning but reference the temperature, if it hasn’t subsided, I suggest you check the entry point in the groin. It’s probably very bruised and there may be a small hard lump which is all normal but if it’s warm or sore, there may be an infection. If so, get in touch with the hospital.......

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi walle99

I can remember before my first ablation asking the EP's Registrar how long it would be before I could climb mountains again. Oh a matter of days he said with a smile. Hah, not so! I wish these people would experience themselves just what it's like after an ablation. I didn't go back to work (desk job) until almost 3 weeks later and only attempted the hill that leads to my house towards the end of the second week.

Give yourself time and go with what your body tells you, if you feel tired then rest. You may find you get good days and then others where you feel totally drained, all perfectly normal. When you walk anywhere, don't forget you have to walk back too.

Another tip I'd give is not to eat anything right before going out for a walk. I found it would make my heart race and I'd feel quite ill.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, but bear in mind it could take anytime between days to months to feel 100% well.

Jean

[Cozzie99 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks for your reply Jean. It makes me know i'm not on my own🤒

[Easternmost in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Excellent advice!

[Buffafly]

I do not think you should have a temperature so I would advise contacting your GP or whoever you have been told to when you were discharged.

[Hidden]

I’m with Buffafly. Fever after ablation may not be unusual, but you shouldn’t assume it is benign.

If you haven’t already sought an opinion from your GP or EP and the fever persists, I would ring 111 this evening for advice.

[walle99 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your advice Badger. I am happy that the fever has subsided today.

[tridye]

I had an ablation 5 days ago too. I would agree about getting a high temp checked as that’s possibly a sign of infection. I’m pretty fit and very active, but have needed to slow down. Getting daily missed beats, seem to be very aware of my heart beating at times and have an odd feeling in my chest, not exactly pain or tightness but just an awareness that something is not ok yet. I’m a teacher and had intended to be back in work next week, but maybe thinking I’ll take a little longer.

[walle99 in reply to tridye]

Hi Tridye, we seem to have much in common. I am also a teacher and also very keen on staying fit and active. After a tough couple of days with a sore chest, irregular HB and a couple of fevers yesterday, my heart beat seems to have become regular again and no fever. Yesterday, I was constantly checking my HB with a Kardia, which showed a variation between Normal and a few minutes later Signs of an AF. After a long sleep, I feel far better today and went for a nice walk on a sunny day. My heart beat seems to be regular and my energy is back. I will be returning to work tomorrow. I am hoping to return to an uncomplicated daily life to enjoy teaching my students and have regular swims to stay fit.

[The_Lord_is_with_Us]

I've had 4 ablations. Recent one OCT 23, after being AFIB free for 10 years.

After each one (usually 2nd night post-op) had one night of spiking fever enough to wet down sheets, which dissipated by morning. Last fever spiked to 102.4. As crazy as that seems .... it's often normal after ablation.

Of course ... if the fever persists that's another problem.

My last 3 ablations were performed by world-class EP's who do ablations that other EP's decline to do.

Around 12 years ago at age 55, I had first ablation for atrial flutter. Went back to work the day after discharge from hospital. Mistake! I felt very tired for the whole week.

You're in the 90-Day blanking period ... where the heart is healing. The odd rapid-fire beats ... or few seconds of AFIB can occur. However .... I never experienced any 'continuous' erratic beats.

The recent ablation I had (even though age 67) was probably my easiest. I'm a long distance brisk walker. I was doing 70 miles a week before AFIB returned and was doing weight training in my gym 4 days a week.

Within a week post ablation, I was out walking 5 miles or so. On day 12, I felt energetic and pushed it to 10 miles at a quick pace ... last mile up hill. Afterwards, I felt 3 to 6 PVC's per hour for the next week, which faded away and never returned .....

I'm doing 60 miles a week ... and scaling up gym work. We'll see how it goes .....

Everyone is different, so differences in recovery can be expected. Good Luck! with your healing.

[walle99 in reply to The_Lord_is_with_Us]

Thanks for your experiences. I feel far better today and will return to teaching tomorrow. I found the fevers to be out of the ordinary and am relieved today that they have disappeared. I am hoping to get back to normal tomorrow and begin swimming again next week. You are right. Everyone is different and we need to make sure we don't push the boundaries too early and too much. The advice and ideas that I am picking up are invaluable, but I guess its also very important to listen to our bodies.

[Trakk]

I didn't get back to fulltime work for 3 weeks after and swimming 10 weeks after my ablation. Everything has been good, my only thing is I have a heart rate in the high 80' and 90's and it's in the 138 140's with exercise. But, No AF. It's going to take some time. I'm 52. Take it easy, and ease into exercise. I received valuable advice and information from this forum, I am so glad that my specialist suggested it. Good luck!😊

[walle99 in reply to Trakk]

Thanks Trakk. I felt really poor yesterday and far better today. I am hoping work will be ok tomorrow but I'll see how it goes. This forum is very valuable and yours is a particular example.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to walle99]

You're going back to work far too soon I'm afraid you will regret it. I'd say you need at least another week off yet.

Jean

[Trakk in reply to walle99]

Thanks Walle99, my boss was very understanding, I was lucky to be able to ease back into work. Take it easy, keep in touch with your Doctors and I hope you start feeling better real soon.

[Snowgirl65]

Oh my, please give it some time. Your heart is inflamed from the procedure and will take some time to calm down. Just be patient and follow your doctor's instructions.

[Jetcat]

Hi walle99, Iv undergone 3 PVI ablations here in the uk and I was told there is a small chance of infection. Check the entry points.

[walle99 in reply to Jetcat]

Hi Jetcat, thanks for your tip! frank

[Sakhay]

It has been 11 days since my first and only ablation. Have felt arrythmias each day so far, also lots of PVCs/PACs throughout the day. Just like you, I am very impatient to get back to normal life (and heart) rhythm.

[Cozzie99]

We just need to be patient. I'm sure it will stabilise in the coming days😀