AFib, Post Ablation, & Sex

[willec49]

I haven't seen this topic here and I don't know if it's within the guidelines but here goes: What relationship have folks here experienced between sex, Afib, and the post-Ablation period? When my Afib started, there was some correlation between having episodes after having had sex. Apparently, sexual arousal increases norepinephrine (adrenealine) in the bloodstream which causes increase in heartrate, etc. Once I got on flecainide and metoprolol, having a sexual climax no longer seemed to produce an episode. Also, are there guidelines/recommendations for a period of time post Ablation to avoid sex. I'm not talking just talking about strenuous, extended, intercourse, etc. but also relatively low-exertion masturbation, etc. Thank you.

[Hidden]

Firstly, I’m not medically trained and secondly, according to my wife, I’m no expert on sexual matters either but perhaps, not surprisingly, this is something which has been discussed on the forum a few times.

The general consensus of opinion seems to be that as long as you, and if appropriate, your partner are enjoying it and your body is not telling you to slow down or stop, then all should be well. As is often said, all things in moderation……probably best avoided for as long a humanly possible after an ablation….

[willec49 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I thought it might be good to wait a good while. Interestingly, when I met with my EP a week after my ablation, I told him that I walk 1 to 2 miles every morning and is it OK to continue that, he replied, Yes, as long as you don’t get too tired. That surprised me but no worries as I wasn’t capable of walking much at all anyway at that point.

[Jonathan_C]

I expected something completely different when i saw the topic.

What do you mean by this: Once I got on flecainide and metoprolol, having a sexual climax no longer seemed to produce an episode

Before taking flecainide did sex trigger a-fib?

[willec49 in reply to Jonathan_C]

Yes, before I got some control of the arrythmia, the identifiable triggers of an episode included an ejaculation and eating at night, especially anything cold like ice cream. Later on after I was on flecainide and metoprolol, sex didn't seem to trigger an episode.

[Jonathan_C in reply to willec49]

I was hoping I read it the wrong way round and could use it to show that sex has the potential to put people back in (normal sinus) rhythm

[willec49 in reply to Jonathan_C]

That would be wonderful! I have heard that sometimes engaging in an activity that raises the heart rate substantially, like something athletic, etc. can return the heart to sinus.

[CDreamer]

This is what I read so the answer would be yes:

When my Afib started, there was some correlation between having episodes after having had sex. Apparently, sexual arousal increases norepinephrine (adrenealine) in the bloodstream which causes increase in heartrate, etc. Once I got on flecainide and metoprolol, having a sexual climax no longer seemed to produce an episode.

[CDreamer]

I didn’t find that correlation, if anything I found sex relaxing but that could be gender?

My mantra has always been listen to your body - it normally is far more intelligent than your mind on what it will or not tolerate.

[BobD Volunteer]

At our first conference in October 2007 this vey subject ws aired by one of the doctors presenting. He was actually talking about things that could start an AF episode. His comment was that sex was fine with your regular partner but that a new adventure was probably a bad idea. He also discussed other things ike washing cars and mowing lawns and warned the ladies off these activities if they did not habitually perform them.

In other words what you are used to is fine but the stress of new activities may not be.

That doesn't mean that men can't do the washing up or ironing by the way. (joke)

[P0rtnahapp1e in reply to BobD]

Ah, I’ll know the ladies with heart problems by their dirty cars!When I was first diagnosed I wore a monitor for 48 hours to check my heart rate. The results were sent to my GP, who interpreted them for me. Noticing a very high heart rate at 3 AM, he peered over his glasses and asked what I had been doing then, but the implication was such that I got quite red and flustered so presumably answered the question for him, when in actual fact a 10 PM session at my age would have been a rare occurrence 😀

[Jajarunner]

I should treat it like returning to exercise, when you feel up to it (pardon the pun!) and gradually as you suggested. Like aerobic exercise it does feel a bit scary at first as the HR rises but gradually, like exercise, you can begin to be less paranoid. Good luck x

[RG72]

Again no expert, but I'm guessing that changing breathing patterns could be a potential trigger?

[Soclbutrfli122]

I have just been diagnosed with afib, it happened immediately after an orgasm. Never had any problems before, but there i was riding to the hospital and gasping for air.