Has my cryoablation failed?

[stoneyrosed]

Had cryoablation four weeks ago. After seven days I went into afib for 8 hours and went back to sinus rhythm with extra beta blocker. Bpm my heart was doing well at 58-60. But a few days ago I noticed it was dropping to 55, I had svts on Kardia last couple of days and felt bit breathless, I checked on Kardia and it was down to 48 bpm. Does this mean the ablation has failed?

[BobD Volunteer]

No and it will be three to six months before you can tell for sure as we explain here. heartrhythmalliance.org/res... You have a lot of healing to do yet.

[stoneyrosed in reply to BobD]

Always grateful to your replies Bob thank you. Any ideas on why the heart rate has steadily come down?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to stoneyrosed]

We are all different so short answer is no. Most people find their HR is raised slightly post ablation for some months but there really is no right or wrong. Only advice is if you feel faint or have any chest pain then call emergency services. Oh and stay well hydrated.

[The_Lord_is_with_Us]

Everyone seems to have the heart monitors nowadays .... I'm not sure if they're beneficial in all cases. Those who are prone to looking at it all the time (especially in recovery) are just upping the anxiety factor, which leads to no where good.

I have a degree in computer network engineering, but I don't carry a phone everywhere ... in fact, I hardly use one. Additionally, I don't wear a cardiac monitor all the time. It's just another thing to stress about. Forget it and go on with healing and life . . . .

[stoneyrosed in reply to The_Lord_is_with_Us]

the Thanks, It is 3 days running I have had these “episodes” each time leaving the house and getting in the car, lasting about 5 mins. Very coincidental, but very distressing, but you could be right maybe panic attack or stress attack. But the first thing you head for is a gadget to see what the bpm are doing.

[pip_pip in reply to stoneyrosed]

It sounds like a posture prob. Maybe less bending down and sliding into the seat of the car slowly. Things change after ablation and sometimes we have to relearn. Phil

[KMRobbo in reply to stoneyrosed]

Could it just be the beta blocker effect of a little breathlessness after walking to the car? I could not tolerate beta blockers so was always very breathless for the 3 weeks I was on them . I was on diltiazem at my ablation and was also slightly breathless on them but that was the "normal" state so I did not notice a change.

[stoneyrosed in reply to KMRobbo]

Been on beta blockers for a couple of years and no issues up until the last 3 days so not sure.

[rosyG in reply to The_Lord_is_with_Us]

For some,like me,a Kardia is very reassuring. I like to check it when I am in AF and feel good when heart rate is coming down -usually some hours before NSR returns. No one size fits all here!!!

[stoneyrosed in reply to rosyG]

Yeah me too, but I don’t want to get addicted to looking at the cardia every time I feel out of sorts. I can’t work out why after the ablation I feel good for a few days and then have bad days ie. strange episodes. ☹️

[rosyG in reply to stoneyrosed]

It takes time to recover. How you are feeling better today

[stoneyrosed in reply to rosyG]

Thanks for asking rosy, at work at the moment, good & bad days really, was hoping to feel a bit better after the ablation but I suppose it’s early days as Bob says. Thank you 😊

[Jetcat in reply to The_Lord_is_with_Us]

I must admit iv become a little obsessed with my Fitbit lately. I suppose they are useful but can also be a bit addictive if you’re that way inclined.?

[Jetcat]

It’s still early days yet, the blanking period is usually around 3 months or so I was told after my PVI procedures.

[stoneyrosed]

Just had another breathless near fainting spell walking 20 yds. Sat down and recovered after 5 mins. Not sure what is happening.

[Snowgirl65]

It'll take a while for your heart to get back to a normal rhythm after an ablation and 4 weeks' time isn't enough. There's a "blanking period" where your heart will behave strangely after being subjected to the procedure; it's still inflamed and needs to settle down. My heart, after my cryo in 2019, took 2-1/2 months to settle down. Please give it time to heal. I'm to have my second (radio-frequency) tomorrow. Fingers crossed for both our sakes!

[stoneyrosed in reply to Snowgirl65]

I wish you all the best and hope it is your last. And thanks for the reply the relationship between Afib & anxiety is so similar. Good luck 🤞

[Snowgirl65 in reply to stoneyrosed]

Thank you and good luck to you!

[Mannny in reply to Snowgirl65]

Hi, really hope everything is successful tomorrow.🤞

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Mannny]

Thanks so much!

[Bob56]

Hi I'm not sure if anyone has stated it thus far, but it is important that you also take it easy after your ablation, at least for the first month, or even longer. I felt pretty awful after my ablation with recurring AF episodes, some digestive problems, aural migraines etc etc, none of which had been anything like as bad before I had the procedure. My heart rate was lower than usual, and has remained so five plus years later, but all the other symptoms resolved themselves by the end of the second month after the ablation. I quickly released that I needed to rest more, avoid work (which fortunately I was able to do) and no strenuous exercise at all. To use the computer/phone analogy, your heart has been given a hard reset, and the natural reaction at first is to play up while it readjusts. There is every chance you will feel a whole lot better in a few weeks. Fingers crossed for you!

[stoneyrosed in reply to Bob56]

Thanks Bob, It feels like my heart has to work harder and thus making me breathless. Not nice as it feels like your going to pass out. Even a short walk, so it looks like more rest!! !

[Bob56 in reply to stoneyrosed]

That reminds me that after my ablation I suddenly lost the ability to walk up hills. Now I pace myself very carefully. On the other hand, my AF is virtually non existent now, so I have no regrets having it done. It will get better I'm sure.

[stoneyrosed in reply to Bob56]

Hope so Bob, thanks so much for your help much appreciated 👍👍