High heart rate.

[Electricblue1]

Hope I’m not being a nuisance but had high heart rate since this morning 132 bpm , just called the ward where I had ablation done 8 weeks ago, not very helpful, nurse told me ablation has probably failed as I told her I’ve had at least twelve episodes of high heart rate or AFIB in those 8 weeks. I questioned this as I was told by cardiologist that this would happen in the 3 months after , blanking period. I’m so confused because now I don’t know wether it’s failed or if it’s normal. It seems to be happening rather a lot . Any advice would be most appreciated.

Thank you.

[BobD Volunteer]

Far too early to make that statement. As we say in the fact sheet three to six months MINIMUM and many people are still improving at nine months or a year. Stay well hydrated and chill.

[Electricblue1 in reply to BobD]

Thank you, the nurse I spoke to was the same one that said I can go running two weeks after ablation so I should ignore her I think.

[jeanjeannie50]

After an ablation I found that the valsalva maneuver would work quite well and put me back into normal rhythm. Look it up, or perhaps you know of it already?

[Electricblue1 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you, I’ve never heard of it, do you think my ablation has failed being I’ve had so many episodes since ablation.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Electricblue1]

Not from where I'm standing. Try seeing your GP and get an ECG done to see exactly what is happening as it could well be atrial tachycardia which is not uncommon post ablation and may need cardioverting.

[jeanjeannie50]

Is your heart at a constant 132 bpm? If so it could be flutter that you're experiencing.

[Electricblue1 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi, it’s been between 118/ 134 for 11 hours.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Electricblue1]

It's too early to say that your ablation hasn't worked. How are you feeling?

[Electricblue1 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I feel good but just seems like to many episodes of high heart rate and afib but maybe I need to give it time still.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Electricblue1]

The more you concentrate on what your heart is doing, the more it will play up. I've had AF for 16 years and it's taken me about 12 to realise that. I could give you lots of instances of that, but it's late and I'm off to bed. The mind and AF are so closely linked.

[Ronnieboy in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Absolutely agree ,in fact the mind and general health are closely linked.

[Electricblue1 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi , I tried the technique you suggested, it didn’t do anything for me, not sure if I was doing it right.I’m still in AFIB mode , it’s been 32 hours , my heart rate calmed down a little but then went up and then down and also AFIB mode . Trying to stay away from A and E because of covid but I feel exhausted with it all now . This may sound strange but I think it started when I strained on the loo as this seems to be a trigger for me.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Electricblue1]

When you do the Valsalva manoeuvre its a bit like going to the loo. You breathe in and then out keeping that out breath going for as long as you possibly can, All the while tensing and bearing from your heart area down. Is that what you did? We often find that what starts an AF attack can also stop it. Straining on the loo is a well known AF trigger. If it's making you feel unwell then I'd ring the NHS 111 number and ask their advice.

Jean

[Electricblue1 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I’m going to see how it goes as I’m scared of hospital because of covid.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Electricblue1]

I can understand that. Try and relax your heart area - let it all go loose and do some deep breathing.

You know that A&E may be reluctant to do a cardioversion for you after you've been in AF for more than 48hrs? I was once in A&E and they said they would do one, but it would be without a GA, whaaatttt - my heart went back into normal rhythm almost right away thank goodness.

Jean

[Electricblue1 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you, I’m so grateful to everyone on here that’s here for me.

[BlueINR]

I was told after my ablation it's not uncommon to still have bouts of afib after the first 3 months, and I see below that Bob responded with 3-6 months, which I was not aware of but I guess it's perfectly reasonable. I would imagine, like most things, "normal" varies from one person to another.

[Ppiman]

From what I have heard and read, if your ablation was for atrial flutter, then there is no "blanking period"; if it was for atrial fibrillation, then 3 months seems to be the official healing period, but with many people anecdotally saying 6 months. During that time, the scars in the hear are forming and breakthrough arrhythmias can occur, including tachycardia and AF.

I have read that if no breakthrough occurs, the chances of a longer AF free period are highest, but I'm unsure of that.

I think you're still "healing" and can breathe easy!

Out of interest, my ablation was for Afl in 2019 and I still get spells of tachycardia up to around 13bpm, as you're describing, but not often with AF. It happened yesterday evening and I took a bisoprolol tablet (1.25mg) to help it subside, which it did.

Steve

[momist]

Two months is not long enough. I had severe problems between 2 and 3 months after my ablation. It then settled down fine. Just give it more time to heal and try not to stress about it.

[Electricblue1 in reply to momist]

Thank you, I was annoyed with the nurse but I’m going to try to speak to AFIB nurse on Monday , unless I end up in A and E as my heart still playing up 32 hours later.

[Snowgirl65]

It's too soon for that nurse to claim your ablation failed as you're still in the blanking period and are prone to the ups and downs of a-fib as your heart is healing. Just don't overdo it, eat healthy foods and stay hydrated. Keeping fingers crossed for you that all will be well.

[Electricblue1 in reply to Snowgirl65]

Thank you, my high heart rate started yesterday about 9 am , was high all day until evening then my Apple Watch said AFIB but heart rate went down but it’s still in AFIB mode now and I’m feeling exhausted with it. Trying to stay away fro A and E because of covid.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Electricblue1]

I can understand your reluctance to go to A&E now. I had to be cardioverted about 2 weeks after my cryo ablation (my doctor had difficulty with it -- mine was an anomaly). Sometimes you have to ride it out though and hopefully you'll self-convert soon.

[Electricblue1 in reply to Snowgirl65]

Can your heart get too tired though, I always think maybe that’s not good for the heart.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Electricblue1]

Well yeah, if it's going too long at too high a rate, I guess. Mine was 60 hours going full blast (don't know the exact rate) before my cardioversion. That stopped it immediately without any damage.

[Electricblue1 in reply to Snowgirl65]

I had a call from AFIB nurse today and told her all about what was happening, she looked at my notes and told me the cardiologist could not get in to the left atrium so this could be why it’s happening and I will, probably have to have another ablation but this time under general but a decision can’t be made until the three month mark.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Electricblue1]

My first EP for the cryo told me he "tried" to ablate one of the veins, but couldn't because of the way my esophagus was positioned. A few years later (in April of this year) I had a radio-frequency ablation where they mapped my heart, moved the esophagus, and fully ablated that vein. Oh, what we a-fibbers have to go through.