Fourth time a char?

[DKBX]

Quick history- cardioversion to stop first event, cryoballoon ablation to stop subsequent ones. It lasted 4 years but with Afib episodes sporadically [despite beta blocker, dronedarone, Amiodarone (not all at the same time!)]. Two more rf ablations, three more cardioversions. No longer in Afib but in atrial flutter. “Controlled” with metoprolol tartrate 50-75mg 2x/day plus flecainide 50mg2x/day … and, of course, rivaroxaban. That lasted 15 months and -wham- back into flutter. Good diet, good outdoor exercise, low stress, lots of yoga, no booze, no coffee, 68, etc.

Fifth cardioversion coming up 2/15; fourth ablation scheduled 3/29. Wish me luck

Learnings- heart rhythm issues are totally idiopathic; drugs do not cure; neither do procedures. Best that can be hoped for is that they get controlled for a bit while aging. If I get 15-20 left on the planet that’ll be pretty good! Hopefully A-flutter/Afib free (and no strokes).

[mav7]

Thanks for sharing the detailed info. Agree with your thoughts on cure and control.

Does the flutter significantly affect your heart rate and lifestyle ? Good Luck in the future.

[DKBX in reply to mav7]

Bit more breathless upon exertion. Biggest issue, more anxious thoughts when fluttering in chest!

[mav7 in reply to DKBX]

All of us face a mental challenge as part of the process. Again, hope your future procedues are a success.

[bassets]

Best of luck

[Sfhmgusa]

My first ablation (rf) morphed my afib into flutter snd made me feel worse if anything. My second with a better mapping of the heart stopped my afib and flutter a year and a half ago.

Since then only on anticoagulant no rhythm or rate drugs from day 1 of the ablation and a qol that is where I really want it , hiking , ,biking doing proper garden work , as well as coffee , wine ( in moderation) and, my trigger, red meat.

I am told there is no cure for afib but this feels like one so far

Good luck with your ablation. Maybe ask how good/ modern the mapping is it seemed to make a big difference for me

Steve