Hi I've been a member for a while but not asked any questions as yet.
However I have my Cardio Ablation next week and don't know too much about it so I have some question for those that have been through it.
How long is the procedure? I read somewhere on here it was 90 minutes- is that correct? I should get home same day however what should I take with me to the hospital?
I understand I will need to continue on the blood thinners for a few months afterword but when do I stop the flecainide? And how do you know if and when the operation has been successful?
I'm a keen cyclists and swimmer and was wondering when I can you get back to these activities? The nurse said 8 days or so when bruising eased/gone for cycling but again people on here have said weeks/months? Looking for advise as really want to get back to normal and have waited 7 months for this operation which was postponed from last month as I wasn't well.
On blood thinner how much bleeding is there?
I'm UK based by the way.
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doubledeck
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Hi good luck with your ablation, the procedure is different in length in each patient, it can take between 1-4 hrs. Recovery times also differ it’s usually between 3-6 mths but can be longer. Do NOT rush your recovery, you must give your heart time to heal. You will have a conversation with your cardio probably 3-6 mths after procedure about recovery and coming off meds. Relax look forward to been AF free but remember they will be bumps in the road in your recovery. Good luck you will be fine !
I'm approaching 70 but the cardiologists here in Hawaii, USA keep telling me that I'll be back in the gym and swimming in the ocean in less than 2 weeks.
I'm puzzled, is the procedure more primitive in the UK? Are my people afraid to tell me the truth? It just doesn't make sense.
Its bad PR to tell the truth. Our fact sheet was written by patients not doctors so is reality not a fairy story. It has nothing to do with skill or facilities. I had the same advice for my first ablation in 2005 and only three months in when I was complaining how bad I felt did they say oh yes this is normal.
Bob, thank you for the somewhat depressing but probably realistic news. Are you in the US or the UK? I ask because usually in the US doctors are afraid of sounding too optimistic because if things don't work out that way there's a potential for them to be sued and litigation here in the US, win or lose is very expensive
I'm in UK but do understand the cash driven US health system. Our EPs are paid a salary so it makes no difference how many they do and will usually not tout for business and often refuse those patients they know will not be helped such a obese, heavy drinkers or any other group where the ablation may well be wasted.
It is vital to choose wisely where EP is concerned especially in US so check their statistics , how many they do per month/year etc and what % of complications. We may have to wait a while here in UK with our system but there are very few serious problems.
Bob thanks for the facts sheets, now at least I wont be too optimistic about my speedy recovery and have a better idea of what to expect after the operation.
Everyone reacts and recovers very differently, you won’t be able to predict how you will react so you won’t know, until you know. Be prepared for that uncertainty. Recovery will depend upon your fitness, your physiology and your age. Everything takes much longer 45+.
All I can say is has the nurse who advised 8 days to get back cycling ever had an ablation? Take exercise very slow and gradual. I’ll repeat - take exercise very slow and very gradual. Listen to your body and stop before you are tired and don’t push things, your body is much more intelligent about the healing process than your mind which will want to push things. Expect to not to be able to do much for the fist 2-4 weeks.
My advice would be to read the Haywire Heart written by EP Dr Mandrola - also a keen cyclist with AF (funny how many cyclists have AF).
The other book which has excellent information around Lifestyle Adjustments and advice around treatments including Ablation is The AFib Cure by Dr John Day.
Give yourself the project of researching how people got good outcomes after ablation whilst you are recovering.
Hello and welcome to the Forum! All the Members here will make you feel welcome and offer you a wealth of advice. If you would like any further information, we offer factsheets, booklets and video support via our A F Association website heartrhythmalliance.org/afa... Alternatively, please do not hesitate to contact the Patient Services Team for advice.
Good luck with your ablation. I too have mine next week, I am in the UK and am a keen triathlete. I am 65 and first got AF mid triathlon 500 miles east of Moscow 2 years ago. It would be good to compare notes!I am keen to get back to triathlon, I tried one in May but quit after about 30 mins cycling - first ‘did not finish’ in 73 triathlons. I have since withdrawn from the 6 Europeans and World age group triathlon championships I’d qualified for.
In terms of recovery I read about one fellow triathlete who raced again after a few weeks but regretted it, others suggest it doesn’t take long. Personally I think it’s best to ‘optimise’ - do whatever the cardiologist says and build back slowly. I’ve written this season off - World Sprint Champs are in mid October, I have withdrawn.
It would be interesting to know - your age, location, symptoms, AF frequency, do you use any tech (I use a HR chest strap, Garmin watch, Kardia 6L ecg device, Omron cuff BP monitor).
Since I first got AF I was easing exercise intensity at 160 bpm, walking at 170 bpm and quitting if it didn’t then fall. I ecg myself after every time I have exercised and so have a near certain knowledge of each incidence of AF. I have had it about 9 times total. In the last two months i’ve had it 5 times and at lower exercise intensities.
Hi I'm in the UK and 56 now. Only started cycling seriously in my 40s. I have done long European trips like Grand Route de Alpes, Pyrenees, Dolomites etc. Cycle touring, Lejog, on and off road racing and was training for a wee tri just before lockdown. before lock down I cycled about 4 times a week, gym, swim jog too, plus turbo train in the winter. According to my consultant this can be an endurance athletes condition but I'm not in that category. I don't monitor my HR anymore as consultant wasn't interested in the readings - said these devices aren't accurate enough, so I'm interested to know what other use to monitor their condition. My heart rate use to go up to 180+ then only drop to 169 and take ages to get back acceptable levels, leaving me struggling to turn the pedals and so out of breath. Now I know when its happening as I get a horrible feeling in my throat, this seemed to have stopped for a while but has restarted again.
I was enjoying my more leisurely cycling this year but I guess that the summer written off now, however I'd rather get this done and dusted and start my recovery.
Like you I haven't done any competitions at all this year, hopefully next year.
The kardia and hr meters with chest straps are generally as accurate as an ecg, watches or arm straps aren't because they measure blood flow not electrical activity.
My cardiologist suggested the Kardia 6L (in a roundabout way as he’s not allowed to recommend). Also when it told me I got AF the 2nd time (first time with the Kardia) I took an ecg printout with me to the Doctors who were highly impressed that it was a precise match to their 12L full caboodle ecg machine. And it’s great value is that it detects asymptomatic AF. Given that ‘AF begets AF’ I figured it’s best to avoid it. I think cardiologists cannot receive lots of self ecg’s - their precious time is better spent elsewhere but mine were ok me emailing them to them twice in the last year. It has also enabled me not to bother the Doctors when I get AF but see that rhythm had restored within an hour or two. I’m not sure what classifies as endurance but I was generally doing 2 hours swim/bike/run a week in off season rising to 6 hours at peak. Personally I think too much intensity especially on the bike might have been the cause for me. When I got in the Age Group team I started doing a 20km time trial ride at 20 mph, sometimes 4 times in a week. Will follow 80:20 principle/training plan if I can get back to it.
Good luck we can have a race next year! I’m in Forres near Inverness. You’ll love triathlons!
That's a high level of endurance exercise. Someone else recommended reading haywire heart. It's good book. My cardiologist actually bought a dozen kardias to give to patients.
2-6 hours not normally thought of as high level amount of endurance exercise. Guys in same age group I was competing with were mostly doing double that, several doing more. I read Haywire Heart, good read and interesting but I didn’t feel I learnt much.
Good luck to you, Slashrollplod. I am now four years AF and medication-free. I used to use a Garmin to maximise my effort, but now I use it to restrict my effort to an artificial max. Most on here will tell you that your endurance days are over, a few will say that you can return almost immediately you are back in sinus.
Looking back, 40 years of swimming, half marathons and unbelievable amounts of cycling, coupled with alcohol and a stressful job is what caused my AF. I appear to be cured, but I haven't gone back to normal life. I have put restrictions on myself and will never achieve another personal best or even compete, but I am happy with relative normality.
I had my 3rd ablation on Thursday (6 days in now)! There is no way you will be able to cycle just after a week (I cycle and jog/walk)! Your groin may still be tender, I have lots of bruising and still a bit tender, it is going to take at least another week for bruising to go. Still feel quite tired and I’m really not doing much apart from watching olympics. You really will need to take things easy for a good few weeks to ensure you recover and give the ablation the best chance of success! The EPs/Nurses etc who tell you a week are being overly optimistic, and have probably never had an ablation themselves! It can take 3 months possibly more to know whether it has been a success. Please do take it easy after and good luck, let us know how you get on.
Hi double-deck. I was wondering how "keen" you are on exercise. There are a lot of people on here like me; in my 50s with a lifetime of endurance exercise and competition. Unfortunately, this is often the cause of our AF.
After my first ablation, I was able to get back on my bike after two weeks, but only for gentle poodles along the canal paths. I had a second ablation six months later, and it took me a further six months to get back to relative normality.
Even now, four years later, I am 1.5mph slower than I used to be, as I have chosen not to risk my health by trying too hard; I keep to a self-imposed max HR of 165, instead of 185. It is not much of a problem to me, I still enjoy the velodrome and club rides, but without competition and with a slower group of friends.
My procedure took 2.5 hours, my entire leg was bruised from thigh to foot (not the groin, bizarrely) which took 6 weeks to disappear and I took a month off work and wished I'd taken off, a couple of weeks extra. Don't risk undoing the good work by trying to do too much too soon.
My ablation took 2 and a bit hours for atrial flutter that was 6 weeks ago and I'm still tired, I'm taking it easy for a few more weeks then I'll start brisk walking and maybe take up my jogging again but I'll see how I go.
Hi all just wondering how you know you are AF free if it can take a long time for ablation to work? Do you were HR and Garmin all the time or just after exercise?
well I thought I'd up date you on my op. Had it yesterday morning and thankfully was first at 9am (well actually 9.15 am when I walked to cath lab). Staff were great and registrar came an explained the procedure and answered all the many questions I had. The nurse told me how many people would be there and what to expect. Just as well as it looked like a theatre from casualty with so many staff and equipment. I had the minimum pain killer and sedative as I could and was glad the registrar explained the feelings I would experience, although I would have to say the pain in my head was incredible. 1hr 15 mins later all over and back to my room. The worse bit was lying on my back still as possible for 3 hrs 45 mins before I was raised slightly. Had a walk round the ward at 4 .30 pm all good, then left to get dressed to go home when my wound bleed really heavily. However the many staff managed to stop it and put a pressure pad on it, so back on my back again for about 1hrs 30 mins, then eventually sat up, final walk round the nurses station and discharged. The stay in hospital was longer than I wanted but the staff were fantastic. My back is still a bit sore, as is my head, but these will pass with time.
I do have to admit I was an emotion wreck from Sunday onwards just wanting to cry all the time, but still a bit excited about the operation finally going to happen. When I got to the hospital all nerves were forgotten and everything was in the hands of the staff.
Today I do have a very upset stomach so was wondering what people would recommend to eat for the next wee while? I don't fell hungry just feel I need to keep my energy levels topped up.
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